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Class of 2026, Then and Now: Moving in to Moving on

students with red bins, smiling and assisting with moving into dorms

A lot changes in four years

Four years ago, we interviewed new Cardinals on their first day on campus. Among their number was University President Peter Kilpatrick. Their milestones and memories will be celebrated during this year’s Commencement. 

Ahead of the big day, we caught up with the Class of 2026 to see how they’ve changed and stayed the same. 

Kaitlin Patt

2022

Where are you from? Wakefield, Massachusetts 

What’s your major? Business 

Why did you choose Catholic University? I fell in love from the start! 

What class are you most excited to take? Marketing 

What’s your binge-watch of choice? Shark Week

2026

Major: Business

What’s next for you? Recruiter at Insight Global

Favorite class: MRK 422 Consultative Professional Sales

Most prized possession: My relationships with friends and family; my camera; and my engagement ring!

Student life: Swim team; sales ambassador; President’s Society – chair of selection committee 


Bailey Wallace

2022

Where are you from? Islip, New York (Long Island) 

What's your major? Nursing 

What's the most important thing you brought from home? My Kobe Bryant jersey 

Your go-to late-night snack? Goldfish 

What animal matches your mood today, and why? Turtle: slow and steady wins the race

2026

Major: Finance/Sales

What’s next for you? Working for Medix Healthcare

Favorite Catholic University memory: Lacrosse with my best friends

Your go-to late-night snack? Goldfish

What animal matches your mood today, and why? A dog because I am happy


Grace Stephens

2022

Where are you from? Gaithersburg, Maryland 

What's your major?  Acting

 Why did you choose Catholic University?  It felt like home. I did a summer program before senior year and loved it! 

What class are you most excited to take?  Drama 101 

Your go-to late-night snack? Milano cookies

2026

Major: Acting

What’s next for you? Acting in D.C. theater!

Most prized possession: A flower prop from my favorite show I was in, The Winter’s Tale

Last song you listened to: “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell

What animal matches your mood today, and why? Penguin because I’m just doing my best!


Amelia Bamsey

2022

Where are you from? Woodbury, Minnesota 

What's your major? Sociology 

Why did you choose Catholic University? Location, size, program, and my parents met here 

What's your go-to late-night snack? Sweetart ropes

Most important thing you brought from home? My record player

What animal matches your mood today? Golden retriever - excited and happy

2026

Major: International Economics and finance

What’s next for you? A full-time position at a DC think-tank

Fondest memory: The economic department’s trips to Wall Street and Peru

Most prized possession: Library of Congress card

Go-to late night snack: Trader Joe’s chips and elote dip

Student activities/sports/clubs: Writing Center tutor, Campus Ministry student leader, The Tower copy editor, Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship 


Elena Cerroni

2022

Where are you from? Ridgway, Pennsylvania 

What's your major? Business Exploratory 

Why did you choose Catholic University? It’s a great small community with opportunities from the big city. 

What class are you most excited to take? Vocation of Business 

What’s the most important thing you brought from home? My cowboy boots

2026

Major: Finance, Marketing and Data Analysis

Favorite Catholic University memory: Going to see DC’s cherry blossoms my first year with my friends

Major: Finance, Marketing and Data Analysis

Favorite class: Crime in England

Most prized possession: My guitar


Michael Kish

2022

Where are you from? Bethesda, Maryland 

What’s your major? Business 

Why did you choose Catholic University? My brothers went here, and I’m interested in philosophy. 

What animal matches your mood today, and why? Capybara—excited yet calm

2026

Major: Business and philosophy (double major)

Favorite class: Dr. Buttaci’s Plato’s Republic class – one of the greatest teachers ever

What’s next for you? A job in private equity and an apartment in Northern Virginia

What animal matches your mood today and why? Some sort of lizard; I’ve been enjoying the sun recently.

Student activities/sports/clubs: Student body president, business and philosophy club


Bridget Freind

2022

Where are you from? Havertown, Pennsylvania 

What's your major? Nursing

What class are you most excited to take? Spanish 

What D.C. site do you want to visit most? All of them

What's the most important thing you brought from home? Blanket from high school fashion show

2026

Major: Nursing and Spanish for healthcare certificate 

What’s next? Spend time down the shore with friends and family before starting work at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center 

Favorite D.C. site: Renwick Gallery

Go to late night snack: Goldfish

What Catholic University means to you: Friendship and connection with others


Anthony Curioso

2022

Where are you from? Boston, Massachusetts 

What's your major? Music education (choral track) 

Why did you choose Catholic University? The D.C. location 

What's the most important thing you brought from home? A Polaroid of my friends

2026

Major: Music education (choral track) 

Favorite D.C. site: Saint John Paul II Shrine

Last song you listened to? A Christmas album by one of my friends

A favorite part of student life? Working for The Tower student newspaper


Peter Kilpatrick

2022

Where are you from? Washington, D.C. 

Why did you choose Catholic University? Only university of which I would ever consider being President 

What class are you most excited to take? People 101 

What's the most important thing you brought from home? My wife

2026

Most prized possession? My faith

Must see TV: Masters Golf Tournament

Go-to late night snack: Fritos (scoops)

What animal matches your mood, and why? Cardinal, because I am one!

What Catholic University means to you: The future of Catholic leadership in America


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