With a mantra like “singing, shopping, and socializing,” Kathleen Pine is a character. When I first met her, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I quickly learned she had two very different sides. One is the loud, Jersey girl who says exactly what she is thinking, bringing a room to tears of laughter. The other side to Kathleen is the workaholic, who strives to get what she wants.
When she came to college, Kathleen developed her drive. In high school, people said she couldn’t, and she wanted to show everyone, she could…and then some. Not only is she a sister in Alpha Xi Delta holding the position of recording secretary on their executive council, but she is also involved with three honor societies, Alpha Lambda Delta, Lambda Sigma, and Order of Omega; two of which she is Vice President. If that’s not enough, Kathleen was also the fashion society’s vice president until she had to step down when Mason admitted her to the Accelerated Master’s Program. This spring, she will graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in integrative studies with a concentration in elementary education, and next spring, she will graduate with her Master’s.
Somehow Kathleen still finds time to be Mason’s Office of Sustainability intern. She is an outreach coordinator, who finds passion in the little things she can do for the environment. During Greek Week, after everyone left field day, Kathleen stuck around to collect all of the leftover bottles to recycle. She believes what everyone else finds silly truly can make a difference.
Kathleen isn’t all work, and no play, though. Her alter-ego, Pathleen Kine, comes out on the weekends. I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Milan with Kathleen (and Pathleen), and I laughed too hard so many times. If something totally strange, bad, or awkward happened, it happened to Kathleen. My favorite story involves her and a sexy Italian waiter. They had a fling, and then he became a little too clingy. The romance didn’t end in the best way, but she would never see him again, obviously. Until she did while walking the streets of Milan with her dad of all people, making for an awkward, typical Kathleen story. I know you’re dying to know more about the guys abroad, so I asked Kathleen to describe them for you. “Italian guys weren’t afraid to put themselves out there and share who they really are. They’re much more likely to go out on a whim.” The cons? “I felt like they were immediately ready for marriage and way too overprotective.”
Kathleen’s crazy balancing act gives her campus celeb status. She pushes the limit because in reality, there doesn’t have to be one. Work hard, play hard collegiettes.