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“That was my life in a nutshell,” Patel said.
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Kartick Patel, an international student from Malawi, Africa, will graduate May 10 from Viterbo University with a degree Biology. He plans to attend Georgetown University to earn a graduate degree in Health System Administration.
PETER THOMSON photo
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Now, Patel finds time to do much more than that. In fact, one might wonder how he has time to eat and sleep with all he does at Viterbo.
Patel, who graduates today, is president of the student government, has held many other leadership roles in student groups and continues to be a member of many, including Global Rhythms, Tri-Beta Honor Society, North Central Accreditation Steering Committee, Alcohol Task Force, Tri-campus Advocacy Group and Safe La Crosse Working Group.
“Being involved makes you more focused, whether in academics or whatever you do,” he said.
When Patel first came to Viterbo in 2004, he was very shy, said Glena Temple, chairwoman of the biology department and Patel’s academic adviser.
“He has slowly come out of his shell to be the leader he is today,” Temple said. “It is not very often that we see people blossom to that extent.”
In recent years, Patel has taken a leadership role in nearly everything he does, said Rick Artman, president
of Viterbo University. For example, Patel played a major role in organizing the Safe
La Crosse Concert on the Viterbo campus, Artman said.
Patel is not only a bright young man and leader, Artman said, but he speaks four languages and brings worldly experience to Viterbo.
“He has been a wonderful influence on the campus because of his diverse experience and how he can relate across cultures,” Artman said,
Because Patel always has acted so mature, not many people know he was only 16 years old when he started at Viterbo, said Kim Fredricks, associate professor of biology at Viterbo.
That’s because the educational system in Malawi allowed Patel to finish the equivalent of a high school education at age 16, he said.
Patel is “respectful and a good student who laughs a lot,” Fredricks said.
After graduation, Patel plans to move to Washington, D.C., to attend a graduate program in health systems administration at Georgetown University. Then, he plans to go on to medical school to become a doctor.
Patel is thankful to his parents and the Viterbo community for contributing to his successful experience in college.
“Viterbo makes a point to get to know you,” he said. “I will always consider Viterbo my first home away from home.”
If You Go
WHAT: Viterbo spring commencement
WHEN: 2 p.m. today
WHERE: La Crosse Center
BY THE NUMBERS:
About 310 undergraduate, 45 graduate and five associate degree students will be candidates for
graduation at Viterbo University’s spring commencement ceremony.
SPEAKERS: Jan Janiszewski, president of the faculty assembly, will serve as master of ceremonies, and Travis Bassett, a broad-field social studies major from Amherst, will deliver the student address.
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
