The Scarlet Key Recipients are nominated by alumni, faculty, and staff for their outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, student activities, or service that has enriched our community or brought recognition or honor to Boston University. Christa and Kathryn have both exhibited exceptional leadership among their peers.
Christa Rose is a Neurobiology BA/MS candidate as well as a first-gen, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and low-income student. She has expanded the Queer Activist Collective (“Q”), a student organization dedicated to promoting awareness, visibility, and full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. Christa has devoted her time to advocating for greater inclusion and support of all LGBTQ+ students through BU’s Q. She has helped increase resources and peer support in the absence of an official student-facing LGBTQ+ resource center. Q has been able to build community through a weekly meeting that engages hundreds of students, providing free gender-affirming products to low-income IGNCI students, and educating the BU community on how to better support LGBTQ+ students.
Christa states,
“These identities and experiences have made pursuing these degrees considerably more challenging and I am proud to have made it this far.”
When asked about a memorable experience at BU, Christa said,
“A memorable experience was taking Drug Discovery in Neuroscience, a course that helped me determine my interests in neuroscience. After taking that course, I know that I am interested in researching the therapeutic uses of psychedelics, including their potential to treat neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders.”
Kathryn is a Biology major. She has received the following honors: Dean’s List for 6 semesters, IRA ALl-Academic Team 2021, Patriot League Academic Honor Roll from 2019 to 2021. She is the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a member of the Wellness Committee (2021-2022), Women’s lightweight rowing team captain (2021-2022), and a member of Bloom Family Leadership Academy (2019-2022).
“When asked about a memorable experience at BU, Kathryn said, “One event that will always stick out in my mind regarding my athletic experience at BU is the Head of the Charles. Rowing is very much not a spectator sport. However, this event showcases our sport in a way no other regatta does. Our boathouse is filled with BU community members, including the BU band and administrative members. This event gives me a sense of the BU community’s support like no other. On the academic side of things, I will cherish the moments I spent on zoom last year in my physics class. While I agree, zoom was not the best of times, the professors and teaching staff worked tirelessly to make this a positive experience. This class highlighted how collaboration and communication with my peers is the best way to master new concepts. This class made me feel the most connected to the BU community in a time when I felt isolated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”