While exploring her college options, MaryKate Selgrath, B.C.E./B.Arch 2019, had a checklist of factors that were important to her. She wanted a strong engineering program. She wanted to be in a major city. And she wanted to see female students in the engineering classroom. She visited Catholic University. Check. Check. Check.
Selgrath, now a civil engineering professional, is featured in the new winter 2021 CatholicU magazine. The cover story, “More Women Follow their Dreams to STEM,” includes profiles of female graduates of the University’s School of Engineering, which boasts a student body representing women at twice the national average.
The critical topic of racial justice is also explored in the magazine. “How Long to Overcome?” is a feature story by Kevin M. Burke, associate vice president for marketing and communications and editor-in-chief, that offers readers a historical look at Catholic activism in the fight for racial justice, set within the context of the current Black Lives Matter movement.
President John Garvey also addresses the topic of racism in his column, “It’s About Time.” The column celebrates University Chancellor Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who became the first African American named to the College of Cardinals in November.
Rounding out the issue is an article — full of archival photos — marking 100 years since the foundation stone was laid for what is now the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. On Sept. 23, 1920, Cardinal James Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore, presided over the laying of the 4-ton stone.
CatholicU, named Alumni Magazine of the Year by the Catholic Media Association in 2020, is mailed to nearly 80,000 alumni and friends of the University. The editorial staff can be reached cua-magazine@cua.edu.