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Iva Welbourne is a senior Agricultural Science major at Truman State University with a minor in Environmental Studies. She has participated in two undergraduate research projects while at Truman, one working to de-stigmatize insect based protein sources, and one in conjunction with the city of Kirksville to survey trees and educate the public on urban forestry. Iva will be participating in the Peace Corps volunteer program as a Forestry and Environment Extension Agent in Senegal after graduation.
Read her essay here.
Amish Patel is a senior double majoring in Philosophy and Psychology at Sonoma State University. Amish is currently a Peer Coach for TRIO SSS, a McNair Scholar, and a part of the 2021-22 Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar cohort. His research examines mindfulness’s ability to reduce implicit biases and if this can be applied to diversity training programs. After he graduates, Amish will pursue his Ph.D. in health psychology to pursue his research on health disparities, where he hopes to become a faculty member at a public liberal arts college.
Read his essay here.
Emma Mandella is a senior English and philosophy double major at SUNY Geneseo. She grew up in New Rochelle, NY, but adores the Geneseo/Rochester area and looks forward to remaining there before pursuing a masters in English. Her work focuses on Black cultural studies and spoken word in music, speeches, or otherwise. She takes this passion for alternative forms of storytelling into her spare time as a long-time member of the campus radio station, 89.3 WGSU
Read her essay here.
Zoe Frantom is a senior nursing major with music and Spanish minors at Truman State University. She is preparing to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and plans on pursuing a graduate degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner. In addition to nursing, she is a passionate musician and spent much of her time at Truman playing clarinet in the top wind symphony and clarinet choir. She hopes to continue performing music and using it to uplift patients and other nurses throughout her nursing career.
Read her essay here.
Elijah Farrales is a senior Exercise Science major at Truman State University. An aspiring physician, Elijah has also enhanced his undergraduate experience through research, study abroad, service, and involvement in an honors fraternity. When he is not running around campus, he's running around the track as a member of Truman's track and field team. Another passion that has flourished while at Truman is Elijah's cup stacking. Avidly stacking for seven years, Elijah has taken his hobby to local classrooms and schools as an advocate of creativity and seeing the world through different perspectives.
Read his essay here.
Annika Olesen grew up on a homestead with her parents and sister in Canada’s Northwest Territories. She is graduating this spring from the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Global and Development Studies. She is happiest when she is outdoors, cross-country skiing/running, and working with populations at risk. Her future plans include all three of those elements, as well as continuing to call the North home.
Read her essay here.
Maria Gershuni is a senior International Relations major, Central and Eastern European Studies minor, Edgar Fellow at the State University of New York College at Geneseo. Born in Moscow, Russia, Maria spent most of her childhood in Brooklyn, NY and loves the break from city life she received at Geneseo. Her work mostly focuses on peace building, diplomacy, and conflict studies in the regions of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. She spent her senior year fall semester interning at the United Nations in NYC, and is currently working on an honors thesis about the Eurasian Economic Union. After she graduates, Maria will be attending the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies for her Masters Degree in International Relations.
Read her essay here.
Nathaniel Duggan is a dual English and Creative Writing major in his senior year at the University of Maine at Farmington. He primarily writes fiction and poetry. A Maine resident, he has many pieces that include rocky coastlines, pine trees, and deep-sea crustaceans. After graduating, he'd like to pursue an MFA in creative writing.
Read his essay here.
Ryan Lindsay, an Outdoor Education/Physical Education major at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus has been named the recipient of the 2015 David J. Prior COPLAC Award
Read his essay here.
Jane Jackson is graduating this year from Fort Lewis College with a degree in U.S. History. Growing up in Wyoming and spending time exploring the Western United States has given her a keen interest in western history. Her senior thesis was a study of the uranium industry in Moab and its connection to the establishment of Canyonlands National Park. After graduating, Jane plans on following her passions for climbing, exploring, reading, and writing for a while and looks forward to see what else life has in store for her.
Read her essay here.
Sherry Leung is a senior at SUNY Geneseo, majoring in History with Adolescent Education certification and with a minor in Sociology. A native of Fresh Meadows, New York, Sherry has taught in New York City, Hong Kong, and Ghana. She was the recipient of a 2013 Geneseo Volunteer and Service award for her personal dedication to serving the Geneseo campus and community. Next year, Sherry will be working with City Year in Manchester, New Hampshire, mentoring and supporting at-risk students.
Read her essay here.
You can also watch a video of Sherry reading her paper here.
Honorable mentions go to Gregory Bukowski (Ramapo College of New Jersey, read his essay here), Leah Kuehn (University of Maine Farmington, read her essay here), Corey McClintock (UNC Asheville, read her essay here), and Leah Tams (University of Mary Washington, read her essay here).
Cory Young is a senior History major and theater minor at SUNY Geneseo. A native of Pittsford, NY, Cory’s work focuses on 18th and 19th century American history with an emphasis on the intersection between ideas and policy. He wrote an honors thesis on Thomas Jefferson's identity as a Virginia planter and slaveowner. After graduating, Cory would like to attend graduate school and begin work on a PhD in early American intellectual and social history.
Read his essay here and watch his video here.