2020 Fowler Most Outstanding Grad: Kate Frels

2020 Fowler Most Outstanding Grad: Kate Frels

Each year, the Fowler College of Business names its most “Outstanding Students” from each department. This year's overall Most Outstanding Graduate is Kate Frels, Marketing.

Kristine Ehrich, Kate's most influential professor, shares what makes her an Outstanding Grad and a great example for other students in the Fowler College of Business:

"Kate is an outstanding grad for numerous reasons but one of them is her desire to put in the required work. As evident from her GPA and honors, she puts in the necessary work to achieve the highest grades but she also puts in the required work to succeed in life after graduation. She doesn’t just listen to get a high grade on an exam. She listens to learn, to truly learn and then apply what she’s learned. She has learned the importance of getting involved in organizations on campus, the importance of networking, the importance of getting an internship, and most importantly, she knows the importance of following through on commitments and doing the right thing. She has the integrity, persistence and determination that has served her so well at SDSU and will serve her and all those around her for the rest of her life. I’m so very proud of Kate!!"

Q&A with the Fowler College of Business Most Outstanding Graduate, Kate Frels:

Marketing: Kathryn (Kate) Frels

Hometown: La Crosse, WI

Q: Why did you choose to come to SDSU?

A: I definitely followed the sunshine and the ocean, at least initially. What really sold me, and my parents, on SDSU though was the caliber of experience I would receive here. Not only were the classes challenging and the college of business top tier, but there were so many opportunities for expansive personal and professional development. The organizations, internship opportunities, strong alumni connections, and much more, really proved there was an opportunity for me to better myself here. 75 and sunny was just the icing on the cake! 

Q: What is your favorite SDSU memory?

A: Meeting my best friend at ARC After Dark the day after move-in. I had no idea that she would become pretty much my other half, and my rock throughout my entire college experience - at that time she was just the nice girl from my floor! It's incredible to see how far we've come, and how we've accomplished so many of the goals we had set for ourselves back then. That will forever be a night that changed the trajectory of my college experience! 

Q: What is your favorite spot on campus that you'll miss?

A: The balcony on the back side of Storm Hall West. It was my favorite place to go to study, read, or simply watch the world pass by when I needed a little break! 

Q: Were you involved in a student organization?
A: Yes, I was quite involved on campus in my four years and I truly believe that’s what made all the difference in my experience.

• American Marketing Association - Vice President of Operations: oversaw and supported the entire operations branch with tasks from programming, to membership, to event planning and more.
• Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society - Founding Member: inaugural member from the top 10% of business students, and one of two students chosen to attend the 2019 Global Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL.
• Best Buddies at SDSU - Peer Buddy: integrated individuals with developmental disabilities helping build social skills in a large group, as well as a more personal one-to-one friendship with an overall goal of inclusion.
• Dance Marathon at SDSU - Director of Public Relations: created and coordinated multiple types of media from TV, radio, newspaper and social, to generate organic buzz about San Diego State’s largest philanthropic organization raising money for Rady Children’s Hospital.
• Fowler College of Business Council - Student Representative: appointed voting member on issues pertaining to FCB students and RSO members .
• Associated Student Marketing Committee - General Member: helped with brainstorming and innovating new ways to get students engaged on campus and assisted in planning events for incoming freshmen.

Q: Why did you select Dr. Kristine Ehrich as your Most Influential Professor?
A: Professor Kristine Ehrich is one of the smartest and most interesting people I've ever learned from. Her teaching style is engaging and deeply educational, as her passion and enthusiasm emits out of her. Beyond being a fabulous professor though, she is to her very core one of the most genuine, best people I've met. The way she cares for her students is unmatched, and after having the privilege to be her student for not one, but two semesters, as well as be her TA, it is so apparent she wants nothing but success and true personal joy for each individual she teaches. I am so grateful for the way she has shaped not only my time here on campus, but also my perspectives on the world around me. 

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at SDSU?

A: The accomplishment I am most proud of personally is raising $365,000 for the kid’s at Rady Children’s Hospital alongside some of my very best friends who served on the Dance Marathon Leadership Team with me. Professionally, it would be receiving my offer from 3M to begin working with them post-grad, as well as being named the Most Outstanding Graduate for the Fowler College of Business - truly such an honor! 

Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?

A: "You can't pour from any empty cup." Our Dance Marathon advisor, and Student Life Advisor in SLL, Tierney Harrison told me this, and it is a reminder everyone needs in college, I think. It is so easy to give so much of yourself away to your academics, co-curricular commitments, internships, social life, etc. but it is also so vital that you do things for yourself to ensure not only your success, but your sanity too.

Q: What advice would you give to incoming SDSU students?

A: Pursue things that you are passionate about, and surround yourself with people who make you want to be the best version of you while doing so. Try as many new things as you can, join the club, study abroad, apply for the executive board position, go to the event, keep saying yes until you find your community. Embrace and learn from every single failure that you have, they often teach you more than your successes. Through trial and error, you'll find your place and your people, and I truly believe that is what shapes your experience. It's a cliche for a reason, but you get out what you put in, ten fold. 

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?

A: I will be relocating to Minneapolis, MN in September and joining 3M to begin my career! I would love to continue to work in corporate marketing for some time, ideally within product development and/or marketing strategy. Eventually, I'd like to go back to school, attain my PhD and become a professor at a university, but we will see where the world takes me!