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Katherine Budny: The College Climb to Success

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Regent chapter.

Katherine Budny is a bubbly Regent student who is always saying hello and smiling to friends and classmates she passes throughout her day. She is frequently at many Regent events as a helper or attendee, but people may not know that she is also a leader of events and success when it comes to the Regent Surf Club and her own incredible photography business. According to Budny, the college climb to success can be long and slow, but the process and end goal are worth the long, hard hours of hard work.

Degree Program?

I am a Business Management major.

If you could describe your Regent experience so far in three words or phrases, what would they be?

Divine. With every opportunity that Regent has offered, I have been so blessed by each and every experience! I believe that God has appointed this university to be a place of purpose, a divine purpose, to build leaders for His kingdom.

What is a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

One fun fact about myself that many don’t know is that I play the violin and have been playing since the 3rd grade!

 You’re a part of the Regent Surf Club. What’s that like, and how can one get involved?

I am the President of Regent’s Surf Club and we don’t just surf. We also have great times of fellowship! We have all sorts of events like our campfire or worship on the beach event! Joining the Surf Club is a great way to make new friends and to just have fun! One can join by contacting me (kathbud@mail.regent.edu) or the Vice President, Scarlett Palmeiri, (scarpal@mail.regent.edu), and we will add them to our mailing list and Facebook group. These two places is where we update our club members on when we plan to go out surfing or when we will have events.

You also have your own photography business! Can you share a little more about why you started a business and what services you offer?

I do have a photography business! I started Katherine Budny Photography in 2010, when I was 14 years old. I have always had a love for photography, but I have an even greater love for people. Growing up, I would enter my work in local contests and galleries around school, and I guess people would like what I showcased because from it, people would contact me asking if I could photograph their family events, sweet 16’s, and even weddings. Today, I offer all sorts of services, such as photoshoot sessions, event photography, professional headshots, editing, printing, photobooks, canvassing, framing, and more.

What advice would you give to a Regent student who wants to have a successful business?

My advice for a Regent college student, who wants to have a successful business of their own, would be to take advantage of all the opportunities and resources that the campus has to provide! If you have an idea or a dream to start up a business, then you are already on the right track! Now, it’s just taking that idea and implementing it into an action to further your goal. Go to the Student Center of Happiness, go to Career Services, go to the Writing Center, go to your professors, [and] go to God! As Regent students, these services and resources are there for a reason and are to be taken advantage of. They are there to help you and they want to help you. All of Regent is cheering you on! Of course, it’s not always going to be easy, but by listening to their help and being teachable, you are already one step closer to success. 

My name is Lili Nizankiewicz. I currently attend Regent University, and I am studying English with a concentration in creative writing. My ultimate goal is to go to grad school for creative nonfiction and eventually become a writing professor at a university. I am a writer, reader, violinist, and coffee drinker. Writing is extremely important and personal to me, and I believe that it can break down many social, mental, emotional, and spiritual barriers that people struggle with. I also adore reading because that is where my love for writing began. Reading has always acted as a comforting escape in my life, and I have fallen in love with so many incredible literary characters, like Scout Finch and Peter Pan. The violin allows me to take a step back from the world of English and literature. I find the beautiful instrument to be both relaxing and challenging. I also really love coffee; it keeps me alive during my weariest days and makes me happy overall. Personality-wise, I would describe myself as introverted, introspective, determined, hardworking, and a little sarcastic.