Stars in Manhattan? Who knew?

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Kate Lampo, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering, Broomfield, CO

Claim to fame: Biggest fan of space at Columbia. Columbia Space Initiative Co-Pres for a time, co-creator of the aerospace engineering minor. Probably your former OL/TA/tour guide/MECE mentor.

Where are you going? Across the pond (where the research funding is). First, home to Colorado for the summer to touch grass and photosynthesize. <3

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2029?

1. It’s really not that serious. It feels that way, I know. But it never is. Take a breath.
2. Get comfortable being alone! It will come back to benefit your relationships.
3. Academically and professionally, being here provides you with unparalleled opportunities. Take them all.

Also, Diana burrito bowls & TC salads.

“Back in my day…” There were only four Columbia dining halls—Ferris, John Jay, JJs, and Fac House. Also, Mel’s existed, and I never went.

Favorite Columbia lore? The existence of the observatory on Pupin roof! Yes, you can see things in the night sky from the middle of Manhattan. And the city views aren’t half bad, either.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Tough! To give mechanical engineering (and Dr. Y!) a little credit, Machine Design. Personally loved explaining to everyone I knew why I was spending an entire semester building a linkage to press four (4) colored buttons as fast as possible. (127 presses in one minute, for those curious.)

Honorable mentions for the space and engineering kids: Frontiers of Astrophysics; Robotics Studio; Observational Astronomy; Intro to Human Spaceflight. For those on the hunt for a global core: Tricksters in World Culture; Salsa, Soca, & Reggae.

Whom would you like to thank? Too many people to name in this non-capped free-form response format! My parents and my younger brother first and foremost. The community that is CSI and the phenomenal friends that I’ve made there. The staff in the MECE department. My many research mentors. The wonderful roommates that I’ve had over the years. The mechanical engineers. My Spanish host parents. The Halal cart on 115th. The booths in Carlton Commons and NoCo. My Google Calendar and my Notion to-do list. The benches outside Butler. Spring weather. Tree lighting. Anyone that has ever cooked me a meal (or made me coffee or tea).

One thing to do before graduating? Fix your damn sleep schedule.

Any regrets? Don’t believe in those! Thankful for every decision that helped me grow. (I’m serious about going home for the summer to photosynthesize.) 🌱