News at St. Catherine's
New Class of Cum Laude Inducted
Dr. Samantha Hess Hudson '97 was the guest speaker for the special ceremony.
During a ceremony that honors academics, Dr. Samantha Hudson gave the St. Catherine’s students some surprising advice.
“Don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone until you fall flat on your face,” Hudson said. “You’ll be surprised how far you’ll go."
Dr. Samantha Hess Hudson ’97 was the guest speaker for the Cum Laude Society Induction ceremony at St. Catherine’s on Thursday.
With proud parents filling the back of Bannard Chapel, 16 new members (eight juniors and eight seniors) were inducted into St. Catherine’s chapter of Cum Laude Thursday morning. Dr. Terrie Hale Scheckelhoff and Pontius Hiort were both inducted as honorary members.
Cum Laude is made up of 382 chapters in the United States, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canada, England, France and Spain. Approximately 4,000 new student members are inducted each year.
A member of the society as a student at St. Catherine’s, Hudson talked about the path that led her to her current position as a fellow in the Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine at the VCU Health System. She attended MIT, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with honors before completing her Master’s at MIT. She was then the chief resident at MCV and a member of the Medical Honor Society.
Hudson lauded the strong background in writing that she developed at St. Catherine’s. It was a rare trait at MIT, she said. She now uses those skills as well as the critical thinking skills she gained in her current job.
“I love what I do,” Hudson said. “ You can find a passion for science too if you want.”
Hudson strongly encouraged the students to develop a scientific literacy as well as critical thinking skills.
“Science touches our lives every day,” Hudson said.
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
