Whether planning campus-wide events, establishing new student organizations or representing Colgate University at international conferences, senior Katie Maratea from Basking Ridge, N.J., has left an indelible mark on campus.
Maratea’s connection to Colgate began well before enrollment. With family members who attended Patriot League schools, Colgate has always been on her mind. She toured the campus in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Office of Admission welcomed me with a Colgate ‘C’ mask when I checked in, and the experience was so personal,” Maratea recalled. “Aside from the fact that people were wearing masks, you would’ve had no idea that it was a global pandemic. Everyone was so happy to be a member of the Colgate community, and their enthusiasm for the school was contagious.”
She submitted her Early Decision application that night.
Maratea’s list of extracurricular activities is as impactful as it is lengthy. She is the president of the Student Activities Association (SAA), French Club president, co-founder of Club Swimming, captain of Club Water Polo, senior intern at the Office of Admission, Link Staff member, Colgate Sidekicks mentor, French tutor, Keck Center student worker and Delta Delta Delta sorority member.
As SAA president, Maratea plans events ranging from midnight movies to the Senior Ball. She first discovered the organization during pre-orientation events and later became Late Night Director during her sophomore year.
“As Student Activities Association president and late night director, I planned and executed a host of campus events including monthly midnight movies, relaxation nights, ‘Teddies and Treats,’ casino nights, bingo nights, bowling trips, ice skating, N.Y. State Fair, Fall Fest and Senior Ball,” Maratea said. “I love giving back to the community that has meant so much to me.”
Maratea’s selflessness and willingness to help others is also exhibited in her role as a member of Link Staff, in which she helps to orient first-year students during orientation and their first weeks on campus.
“I’ve always loved helping others and joined Link Staff to help incoming students transition to college,” Maratea said.
Maratea’s leadership skills have also had a significant impact on campus athletics. She co-founded Colgate Club Swimming and serves as captain of the Club Water Polo team. The team initially collaborated with Hamilton College to compete as “Ham Gate” before building a full organization.
“Throughout my four years, I successfully hosted our first-ever [Club Water Polo] meets and created a club that is not only nationally recognized but also represented at other universities,” Maratea said.
While she is a French major, her involvement with the language extends beyond the classroom. She became French Club president during her freshman year after inquiring about membership with her French Caribbean professor. Her linguistic talents later earned her invitations to represent Colgate at the American Association of Teachers of French Convention for two consecutive summers.
“In Canada, another Colgate student and I became the first undergraduates to present at this national conference, and our work was later published in the National Bulletin,” Maratea said.
She is currently pursuing a high honors thesis in French titled “Finding Oneself: Alienation and Belonging in School Environments in French and Francophone Literature of the Twentieth Century.”
Maratea is an educational studies and French double major who hopes to work in higher education while continuing to practice her bilingualism both personally and professionally.
“Colgate’s community has given me so much throughout my four years,” Maratea said, “And I feel so incredibly grateful to call Colgate my second home.”