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FranU alumna Catherine Parker '21 explains that while every professor impacted her, one story stands out among the rest.

After a year of studying philosophy at another university, Parker realized her dream of being a Catholic Catechist. Soon after, she found FranU.

“FranU’s Theology program had been under my nose the whole time.”

One semester, she recalls having Dr. Whidden as a professor for two different Theology courses. A perfectionist by nature, Parker focused on maintaining a perfect GPA and working meticulously on his class assignments to the point of second-guessing herself.

After stressing about a simple assignment, Parker hit a breaking point. She scheduled a sit-down meeting with Dr. Whidden and cried while explaining her situation.

“He listened to me and heard my concerns with patience and understanding, but he saw what I didn’t see. He saw me idolizing perfection and asked, ‘Do you think you’re doing enough?’”

Frustrated, the alumna didn’t understand the message. However, as time went by, that one simple question began to sink in.

“His words helped me realize that excellence, trying my best, making mistakes and learning from them was the true goal, never perfection.”

Parker took the lesson she learned and ran with it, finding success after graduation. She teaches Theology full time at St. Joseph’s Academy and calls back to her FranU education often.

“I still reference my textbooks and lecture notes from my time at FranU and even consult former professors from time to time.”

The alumna now looks back at her experience and laughs at her story with Dr. Whidden.

“The professors held me accountable to my goals and taught me that excellence requires making mistakes and learning from them.”