Commencement 2024: Kaitlyn Low named Carpe Diem Award winner for 2024
When Kaitlyn Low entered Mercyhurst University as a freshman, she had already embraced the Carpe Diem mindset and endeavored to get involved in all that she could, from academics and athletics to student government.
But, from the beginning, a massive roadblock stood in her way. “When I first got to Mercyhurst amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I promised myself that I was going to take advantage of every opportunity to engage with the community that I could, which at the time was limited,” she said. “So, I just said ‘yes’ to everything I could.”
And Seize the Day she did.
When Low graduates in May, she will have earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine/Pre-Physical Therapy while also carrying three minors: Psychology, Exercise Science, and Nutrition. With a GPA of 3.912, she earned membership in Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honors Society, and served as Honors Council Class of 2024 representative.
She also played four years as a goalkeeper with the Lakers women’s soccer team.
Of her time at Mercyhurst, Low said the most meaningful experience has been serving as Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) president, during which she was part of the initiative that elevated Mercyhurst Athletics from Division II to Division I, a historic event announced in April and set to commence in the 2024-2025 season.
“Throughout my time as the MSG president, I have grown to love my uniqueness and the uniqueness of all those around me,” she said. “I have embraced my authentic self and found joy in watching others thrive in areas of life in which they find their passion. I have also learned so much about advocacy and standing up for what is good and right while serving in this position.”
In her extra time, Low was active in the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM), serving as a peer mentor during the school year and further volunteered during the summer for AIM’s CREATE program, which helps high school students on the spectrum consider their readiness for college.
Moving on, Low will attend Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, for Physical Therapy School, recognized as one of the top five PT schools in the country. “I am so grateful that Mercyhurst has prepared me academically to attend a graduate school of such prestige,” she said. Her long-term goal is to work as an inpatient pediatric physical therapist in the NICU.
“I have tried to fulfill the promise I made freshman year to Seize the Day, and I feel I’ve been pretty successful at that, but to be recognized for it means the absolute world,” she said.