Name: Mary Katherine Camp
Hometown: Longview, Texas 
Class: Senior
Major: Strategic Communication 

Mary Katherine Camp is a member of Texas Christian University’s December 2020 graduating class. Camp described graduating during a pandemic as interesting. “Sadly, this is how I am spending my last semester: class from home, no events, and different football games. But I am thankful that my close friends and family have stayed safe and remained healthy. TCU is doing the best that they can with the COVID-19 situation, so I am thankful for that.” 

Camp is now in the process of applying to law school. Eventually, her goal is to become an oil and gas attorney in Fort Worth. Although some things are uncertain with COVID-19, she feels like the Bob Schieffer College of Communication has successfully prepared her for life after college. “TCU and the Bob Schieffer College of Communication have both prepared me with a network of current and future professionals,” she said. “The connections that TCU has brought me will be so useful, no matter what I end up doing. TCU has also taught me to hold myself and the organizations that I believe into a higher standard of professionalism, integrity and just in general, being a decent human being.” 

During Camp’s time at TCU and in the strategic communication department, she has learned many valuable skills to use in her career. She said that her Case Studies class with Dr. Ashley English was her favorite. “We analyzed different organizations’ communication efforts, positive, negative, right and wrong. I enjoyed translating all of the things we have learned throughout the strategic communication program in real-life situations.” 

For Camp’s final project in the class, she chose to evaluate ExxonMobil and its corporate social responsibility efforts. “I am an energy technology management minor and very interested in the energy/oil and gas industry, so it was fascinating for me to make connections between my two interests.” 

Camp was actively involved on campus during her time at TCU. She was a student-athlete on the equestrian team for two years, a member of the TCU Energy Institute, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and served as a TCU Ambassador. 

During our interview, Camp reflected on her time at TCU and how time flew by. “My favorite part of attending this university is the amazing people from all over the county I have met through TCU. I know I have made lifelong friends that I will cherish forever,” she said. “I have genuinely learned so much in my classes and have cultivated close relationships with my professors. I love this part about TCU because it offers a genuine relationship where I know I can count on my professors for pretty much everything.” 

While her time at TCU did not pan out the way she initially thought, she reiterated how thankful she was for a community and school like TCU.