Northwestern University Athletics
Dear Northwestern: Kim Harker
6/20/2019 3:18:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Dear Northwestern,
My time here as a student-athlete has surpassed my expectations. Making the decision to play lacrosse here five years ago was easy considering all Northwestern has to offer. That 'world class' experience that everyone talks about is exactly what everyone works so hard to provide. I knew I was going to have amazing professors that would inspire me to choose my profession, understood my coaches were going to push me to new limits and expected my teammates to become my best friends.
To my professors that worked so hard to challenge and encourage my classmates and I, thank you. You have made learning fun. The support you provided from helping us understand the material, staying extra hours, guiding us to our passions, offering career advice and being flexible when our athletic schedule had conflicts hasn't gone unnoticed. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to have professors that cared so much about my success on and off the field.
To everyone in Academic Service that dedicated their time to each and every athlete they came across, thank you. To Maria Sanchez and Felicia Gowanlock, you have both helped me become the student leader I always wanted to be at Northwestern. When I was in Maria's office my first year, I was just trying to figure out what classes to take and how to juggle academics and lacrosse. She always believed in me and encouraged me to get involved. As part of the King NU Pride Leadership Institute, I have developed skills on how to lead myself and others. As a mentor and Executive Board member for PURPLE, I have been able to help guide a group rooted in a single mission. These programs have made me develop skills that I will constantly utilize in my future.
To my coaches who have invested so much into me, my 35 teammates and this program, thank you. There is no other coaching staff in the country I would rather play for. I can confidently say my experience as a lacrosse player here has made me a better player, friend, teammate and person. The adversity I faced and the lessons I learned will help me throughout the course of my life. This team was a family. The highlight my day would be practice because I could go play the best sport with 35 sisters and amazing coaches. Winning the first B1G Ten Championship this year was a result of the hard work and love we have had for one another for four years and my coaches have helped create this wonderful team environment. As the saying goes, there is no I in team and that was true for ours. Each and every person had an important contribution. I will treasure the memories of the past four years playing for such an outstanding program.
To the Northwestern Athletic department that is fully committed to providing a world class experience, thank you. Moving to Walter Athletic Facility this year, the best athletic facility in the country, took a group effort and felt like a flawless transition for student athletes. This facility made my senior year so special and brought this athletic community closer than ever.
It has been an amazing 4 years and I am forever grateful for all that Northwestern has given me. I am proud to be a Wildcat and always will be.
Thank you,
Kimberly Harker
Northwestern Lacrosse, Class of 2019
My time here as a student-athlete has surpassed my expectations. Making the decision to play lacrosse here five years ago was easy considering all Northwestern has to offer. That 'world class' experience that everyone talks about is exactly what everyone works so hard to provide. I knew I was going to have amazing professors that would inspire me to choose my profession, understood my coaches were going to push me to new limits and expected my teammates to become my best friends.
To my professors that worked so hard to challenge and encourage my classmates and I, thank you. You have made learning fun. The support you provided from helping us understand the material, staying extra hours, guiding us to our passions, offering career advice and being flexible when our athletic schedule had conflicts hasn't gone unnoticed. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to have professors that cared so much about my success on and off the field.
To everyone in Academic Service that dedicated their time to each and every athlete they came across, thank you. To Maria Sanchez and Felicia Gowanlock, you have both helped me become the student leader I always wanted to be at Northwestern. When I was in Maria's office my first year, I was just trying to figure out what classes to take and how to juggle academics and lacrosse. She always believed in me and encouraged me to get involved. As part of the King NU Pride Leadership Institute, I have developed skills on how to lead myself and others. As a mentor and Executive Board member for PURPLE, I have been able to help guide a group rooted in a single mission. These programs have made me develop skills that I will constantly utilize in my future.
To my coaches who have invested so much into me, my 35 teammates and this program, thank you. There is no other coaching staff in the country I would rather play for. I can confidently say my experience as a lacrosse player here has made me a better player, friend, teammate and person. The adversity I faced and the lessons I learned will help me throughout the course of my life. This team was a family. The highlight my day would be practice because I could go play the best sport with 35 sisters and amazing coaches. Winning the first B1G Ten Championship this year was a result of the hard work and love we have had for one another for four years and my coaches have helped create this wonderful team environment. As the saying goes, there is no I in team and that was true for ours. Each and every person had an important contribution. I will treasure the memories of the past four years playing for such an outstanding program.
To the Northwestern Athletic department that is fully committed to providing a world class experience, thank you. Moving to Walter Athletic Facility this year, the best athletic facility in the country, took a group effort and felt like a flawless transition for student athletes. This facility made my senior year so special and brought this athletic community closer than ever.
It has been an amazing 4 years and I am forever grateful for all that Northwestern has given me. I am proud to be a Wildcat and always will be.
Thank you,
Kimberly Harker
Northwestern Lacrosse, Class of 2019
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