With the spring sports season canceled at its very beginning (or before it even started, for some Union teams) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UnionAthletics.com will spend the next few months spotlighting many of the Union seniors whose athletic careers came to a premature end. Previous senior profiles can be viewed by heading to http://www.unionathletics.com/seniorspotlights.
 
Katie Swanson has played four seasons with the Union women's lacrosse team, playing in 19 games over her four seasons as a member of the defensive unit. She appeared in nine games off the bench as a junior before moving into the starting role during her senior season, starting the first four games of the year and causing a pair of turnovers in the win over SUNY Oneonta on March 7.
 
Off the field, the biomedical engineering major is a Dean's List student in the Scholars Program and a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. She was recently named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team for the maximum third straight season and also earned a spot on the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll in 2019.
 
What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at Union?
There are so many memorable moments that I have as a student-athlete at Union. Every moment with my teammates, from games and practices to bus rides and pregames in the locker room, all contributed to my experience. While this season was unfortunately cut short, we are left to wonder about the memories that would have been made. However, I am lucky to have made great memories and friendships over the past seasons to remember and take with me.
 
How has being a student-athlete at Union benefited you over the last four years?
Being a student-athlete has allowed me to push myself to succeed, both athletically and academically. Without lacrosse, I would not have grown into the person I am today, and I will be forever grateful for my experience.
 
What has been your most meaningful experience outside of athletics?
For a little over a year, I have volunteered at Girls, Inc, an after-school program in Schenectady. Seeing the impact I have been able to have on these girls and the excitement on their faces when they see me has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had at Union. I looked forward to going every week to help with homework, do arts and crafts, and listen to their stories.
 
Who was/is your favorite professor at Union and why?
My favorite professor at Union is Jennifer Currey [Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering] in the ECBE Department. I was lucky enough to take six classes with her. She was always going out of her way to help students and made class a pleasant place to be. 
 
What advice would you give to younger athletes about their time at Union?
I know this has been said countless times before, but appreciate every moment. You never know when athletics will be taken from you. After having our careers end early, I wish I had even one more practice, game, or lift to spend with my team. More so than appreciating the sport, appreciate your teammates and the time you get to spend with them, both good and bad.