Alumni Spotlight
Kathryn Grabowski (CAS'22) - Women's Lightweight Rowing

May 19, 2025

National champion in 2021 IRA Lightweight Double Skull and BU Woman of the Year (2021-22)
Graduated magna cum laude with a biology degree from the College of Arts & Sciences
Currently working towards a doctor of medicine degree at Stony Brook

Q&A With Kathryn

Why did you choose to attend BU? "I chose BU because I could easily envision myself thriving on the team and in the classroom. When choosing a college, I wanted to go somewhere that would challenge me athletically and academically. I knew BU would allow me to grow the most during my four years of college compared to any other school."
What did you enjoy most about your BU experience? "It may sound cliché, but the people at BU made my experience stand out! As someone who fell towards the bottom of the team, I never felt left behind by my teammates or coaches. I made my best friends on my team, met incredibly driven people on other teams, and got to sincerely know members of the athletic administration. When I walked around campus, I always ran into a friendly face who would wave hello or stop to chat with me. BU truly felt like a home away from home because of the incredible community of people who supported and encouraged me along the way."
How did your time at BU prepare you to get to where you are today? "I am currently living out my lifelong career dream of becoming a physician. As I finish my first year of medical school, I feel more prepared for the challenges I have faced so far because of my time at BU. When we were student-athletes, we often juggled so many more responsibilities, emotions, and hardships than other students. We learn to be resilient and value our time away from our work. BU shaped me to understand my own limits, knowing when to take breaks and when to ask for help. But my time at BU also showed me the importance of celebrating all the small accomplishments along the way. My journey to becoming a physician will be a long one, but BU has set me up for success because of the intangible lessons I learned as a student-athlete."
Why is it meaningful for you to be involved with the University, Athletics, and Women's Lightweight Rowing as an alumnus? "I am a proud alumna of the Women's Lightweight Rowing team, so naturally it only feels right to continue to be involved with a team and university that I regard so highly. Our team is on the smaller and younger side, having been established in 2012, and we do not have as expansive an alumni network as some other teams. Thus, I aim to be an active alumna to help our newest alumnae succeed post-grad. Additionally, having been a part of SAAC during my time at BU, I am grateful to continue to work with the athletic administration as part of the Young Alumni Council. My continued involvement with the University, Athletics, and Women's Lightweight Rowing is my attempt to pay forward the knowledge and support I received during my four years as a student-athlete."

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