Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Balkun of Exeter, R.I., announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Ann Balkun, to William Ruffin Paulling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ruffin Paulling of Rome.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Vincenza Allard of Johnston, R.I, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Balkun of Providence, R.I. The groom-elect is the grandson of the late Col. And Mrs. William Govan King Jr. of Clinton, S.C., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Moultrie Buchanan of Paulling of Batesburg, S.C.

Miss Balkun graduated from high school in 2000 at LaSalle Academy in Providence, R.I., where she was inducted into the National Honor Society. She graduated magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2004 with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Studio Art. She is employed at Waters Corporation as a Rsearch Chemist in Golden, Colo.

The groom-elect graduated with honors from Darlington School in 2000. He graduated from Clemson University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently employed as a Senior Sales Executive with Siemens Corporation in Littleton, Colo.

The wedding will be held at Saint Adalbert’s Catholic Church, Providence, R.I., on May 4, 2013 with a reception to follow at the Providence Biltmore Hotel.