While those who know Mooney well can't praise her too highly, most people who meet her have trouble moving beyond her accent. "I have this east Texas accent that's fairly cultivated," she said. Born and raised in New Orleans, she picked up the accent from her Texan mother. She does find her accent useful, though, particularly in distracting others during arguments. "Fewer people get upset with you if they're entranced with your voice," she remarked.
Mooney, an only child, is the daughter of two high school teachers. She attended a small Catholic school, an experience that, looking back, was "a little scarring." Amherst seemed like the perfect choice: She enjoyed the small-school environment, she loved American history and her father, a former college counselor, sang the College's praises after a visit on a perfect fall day. Mooney applied early and was accepted.
Historical passion
Her heart was set on American studies from the beginning. While many of her friends took a few courses in a variety of disciplines, Mooney admitted that she hasn't strayed far beyond her American studies major with a history concentration, and English. It seemed like the obvious choice; her parents, both history teachers, made sure a dinner didn't pass without discussing history to some extent.
Mooney never felt forced into loving American history. "I've been hugely happy as an American Studies major," she said.
Professor of History Frank Couvares has been equally happy to have her as a student. "She wrote the best history papers I'd ever received from a first-year student," he said. "She taught me to like Western swing, but it'll be a far piece before she succeeds in warming me up to NASCAR." Mooney wrote a thesis on Western swing and the political culture of the Southwest.
Teaching to write better
In the future, Mooney is considering attaining a doctorate in history. She may work in academia, though she's more interested in museums. Next year, though, she'll still be on campus, working as a fellow at the Writing Center. Her work at the Center, which she described as "tremendous fun," began sophomore year. "I just like talking about people's ideas," she said-sometimes more than the writers themselves, she admitted. "It's obviously made me a better writer," she added. "I like what I do part-time. Now I get to stick around for a year, and get paid for it."
Though working at the Writing Center has been her primary activity, she also works as an orientation coordinator and has recently become a student representative for the Committee on Admission and Financial Aid. In her free time, Mooney likes forcing her friends to see bad movies (she admitted to seeing "Serendipity") but her taste isn't all bad. She put "Pirates of the Caribbean" in her thesis acknowledgements.
Her friends, when they aren't being dragged to bad movies, are grateful for her friendship. "I think the first thing that struck me about Katherine was her authenticity," remarked Lincoln Mayer '04. "She is immensely kind and cares deeply about those around her, but she can be tough too, especially when it comes to sports. Watching a LSU football game or UK basketball game with her is as good as going to the stadium itself."
Clearly, Mooney is passionate about LSU football and UK basketball. Her friends and professors couldn't say a word about her without mentioning her love, perhaps more aptly put, her obsession, with the teams. "Katherine was my freshman year roommate and has been my friend ever since," said Elizabeth Blair '04. "One of my fondest memories of that year is Katherine watching basketball on TV with headphones on so she wouldn't disturb me but still yelling at the TV whenever Kentucky did something she disapproved of."
Looking back
Mooney is graduating with very few regrets. "Academically, my biggest regret is not doing more different things," she said. She had the same wish for her social life. She has a group of very close friends, but she wishes she had gotten to know the acquaintances from her classes and dorms better. Despite this, she feels as though she has gained all she could from the College, and she has given just as much back.
Tess Senderowicz '04 discussed the effect that Mooney has on every life she touches. "The wonderful thing about spending time with Katherine is that we can talk about anything from basketball to the Brontë Sisters, and the conversation will always be insightful and intelligent, but also so funny that it's hard to control the laughter. She has been an integral part of my Amherst experience, and I can't imagine having spent these four years without her."