UND’s First Black Valedictorian Encourages Doubtful Minority Students to Seek Support: On Sunday, Katie Washington, a biological science major from Gary, Ind., graduated from the University of Notre Dame as the first African-American valedictorian in the institution’s 168-year history.Washington had no intentions of becoming a pioneer at the onset of her undergraduate career. In fact, she entered Notre Dame questioning her ability as a product of Gary Public Schools to compete at such a selective institution, despite having been valedictorian of her class at West Side High School. Her only goal, she said, was to do her best.
But, as classmates began dropping out of the rigorous program, she also needed to overcome the feeling of isolation that set in, a sentiment often experienced by students of color pursuing STEM degrees at predominately White institutions."
