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OLD GOLD&BLACK WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Graduation Edition Celebrating the Class of 2018

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Old Gold & Black | Graduation

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black Dear Class of 2018, Congratulations! As you cross the stage at commencement, you’ll be trading the metaphorical deacon top hat for a graduation cap, officially ending your undergraduate careers as Demon Deacons and embracing all that post graduation has to offer you. When students of your year were first accepted to the university in 2014, you were the most diverse class to ever have been admitted to Wake Forest at that time. You brought with you a wide variety of ideas, cultures and backgrounds, and our campus is all the better for your contributions four years later. In this edition, we strive to highlight one student from each major offered at Wake Forest. Each individual profiled was nominated by their respective academic department for their commitment to academics, involvement on campus, and contributions made to the Wake Forest community. We wish we had the time and space to highlight every graduate in your class, as each one of you has undoubtedly made your own unique impact on our campus. While interviewing the students presented here, the staff of the Old Gold & Black was incredibly impressed with the achievements, commitment to community and cross disciplinary abilities demonstrated by this small sector of the Wake Forest community. We take pride in the fact that this selection represents only a portion of your class, in which those same attributes are reflected. So many of you have double majored, took on large roles in extracurriculars and regularly volunteered in the community, challenging the rest of us to follow suite and do the same. Your leadership, both in and outside of the classroom, has set a high standard for those of us walking the brick paths behind you. In order to reach where you are right now, you’ve had to

not only hit the books, but also hit the bricks, so to speak, in that you’ve taken our motto of Pro Humanitate quite literally and used it as an avenue through which to make a difference for others. Whether through participating in larger traditions such as Wake and Shake, Hit the Bricks and Lighting of the Quad, or through smaller, less official traditions such as hearing the bells each day at 5:00 or rolling the Quad, you have been a member of the Wake Forest community, and for that, the rest of us are grateful. While many of you are pursuing higher education in places such as Cambridge and Johns Hopkins, others are jumping right into the workforce as teachers or working on Wall Street. Even others are travelling, volunteering or returning to Wake as fellows and masters students. Regardless, as you step off of our beloved Reynolda campus, we hope you reflect fondly on your time as an undergraduate student here. We hope that you made good friends, established lifelong relationships with mentors and learned something outside of the classroom. We hope that Magnolia trees and brick buildings invoke a certain sense of nostalgia when you encounter them outside of Winston-Salem. We hope you continue to follow our sports teams with the same strong, slight underdog mentality as the rest of us. We hope you demonstrate resilience, take part in difficult conversations and strive to improve the surrounding world. And lastly, we hope that you are proud to have graduated a Demon Deacon, fierce yet humble, and go on to impact your future communities in the same way you have impacted ours. Best wishes, Julia Haines Editor-in-Chief Old Gold & Black

Old Gold&Black T he G raduation I ssue JULIA HAINES Editor-in-Chief

BECKY SWIG

Print Managing Editor

HEATHER HARTEL Online Managing Editor

Production Staff: ETHAN BAHAR, CHRISTIAN GREEN, DANIEL PACHINO, KILEY PRICE, LIZZIE SNYDER, KYLE FERRER, LILLIAN JOHNSON, NICOLE LOFFREDO, REN SCHMITT, AMANDA WILCOX, EMILY BEAUCHAMP, KRISHNA CHOPRA, OLIVIA FIELD, WILL MAY, MARY DANIEL CHEEK Cover and Back Art by: EMILY BEAUCHAMP The Graduation Tabloid is a special publication of the Old Gold & Black student newspaper, published by Triangle Printing of Durham. We have regular issues printed every Thursday of the regular semester, and maintain our website at wfuogb.com. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, please email wfuogb@gmail.com. Email ogbbusns@wfu.edu for more information about subscriptions and purchasing advertisements.

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

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Old Gold & Black | Graduation

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Communications

ÂŠLESLIE E. KOSSOFF

In the fall semester, the first year experience in Copenhagen and Wake Washington both launched.

Photo courtesy of news.wfu.edu

The Wake Forest football team won its second consecutive Bowl Game, winning the Belk Bowl in December 2017. The Demon Deacons beat Texas A&M.

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black

Approximately 50 students embarked on a new experience at Wake Forest: Engineering. These programs are housed at Wake Downtown, a part of the Innovation Quarter.

Wake Forest University/Ken Bennett

On Feb. 5, author of Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly spoke to the Wake Forest community about the nature of black history and its role in the American story.

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black

The Benson Food Court underwent various rennovations, including a new food option at Take Two (Asian Fusion), a new Forest Greens and lastly, a new P.O.D.

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black

Sen. Richard Burr (â€˜78) announced in March that he would be donating his Congressional papers to Wake Forest. The papers will be housed in the Special Collections & Archives at the ZSR Library.

On March 28, the grand opening of the new 25-yard, eight-lane pool took place. The pool rennovation is one part of a three-year project. Phase II opened in August of 2017 with a new fitness center, bouldering and climbing wall and living room. Phase III included the pool, a new and rennovated Student Health, group exercise studios and multi-purpose space.

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 5

WILLIAM VON BEHREN | ACCOUNTANCY

BY DANIEL PACHINO News Editor pachdb15@wfu.edu

James Powell in the Latin Department, Dr. Errin Fulp in the computer science department, and Dr. Thomas Canace and Dr. Jon Pinder in the School of Business. From those faculty and countless others as well William von Behren is a double major in achis student peers, von Behren believes he has really countancy and computer science from San Antonio, TX. Von Behren will graduate this May, learned the value and meaning of Pro Humanitate but also will return for a fifth year to complete in his four years. “Perhaps the most important lesson I have learned is how to better embody his Masters in Accountancy. There were a number of things that drew von our university’s motto of Pro Humanitate in its Behren to Wake Forest. “I chose Wake Forest meaning of human cultivation, as my former Latin because it seemed like a hidden gem,” von Behren professor Dr. James Powell describes in his “The said. “More specifically, Wake had an outstanding Meaning of a Motto.” There are invaluable opreputation, a phenomenal business program and portunities at Wake Forest, both in and out of was distant enough from home — although Wake the classroom, that allow us Demon Deacons to soon became home — that I would be forced to flourish and leave ourselves better than we found become more independent and self-sufficient. ourselves after our four years,” he said. Not only has von Behren excelled in the classWake far exceeded my expectations within my room at Wake Forest, but he first year and has continued to has also been a leader outside do so.” of it. He served as president Von Behren has found value of the Wake Accounting in everything Wake Forest has to Hometown: San Antonio, Society where he worked offer throughout his academic TX closely with Dr. Candace career. As someone who hopes and fellow students to orgato start and run his own busiExtracurriculars: Wake nize events for many of the ness in the future, he viewed acAccounting Society leading accounting firms to counting as the perfect major. “I come and visit campus. “This decided on accounting because I experience allowed my team Post-Grad Plans: MSA, wanted to create a Fortune 500 to add value to the business company and thought that acAuditing for EY programs, especially accountcounting would provide the ing, by familiarizing students best means for understanding with the accounting firms business comprehensively,” von and encouraging networking Behren said. “While, for many, accounting may seem soporific, I have enjoyed the structure and between both parties,” von Behren said. Even though he is returning to campus for a fifth insight into business that accounting — the language of business — provides. Accounting allows year in the fall, there is a lot von Behren will miss an individual to quickly understand strengths and upon his graduation when he moves on to work in weaknesses of an organization and thus better assurance services for EY. “I will miss the friendly strategize in the face of competition and evolving faces, the many moments of laughter and bonding, and the beauty and uniqueness of the Wake market conditions.” Few things, von Behren believes, have contrib- Forest campus,” von Behren said. He is, for good uted more to his academic successes and love reason, extremely proud of the person and student for learning than the faculty who have provided he has become through attending Wake Forest. him with mentorship, friendship and guidance. “[What] I prize most [about] my Wake career is “One asset of Wake Forest is the strength of its my development of character, intelligence, and faculty in availability, mentorship, and friendli- adaptability. I have challenged myself these past ness. As such, I have had strong relationships four years and have, as a result, recently started with several professors in multiple departments,” enjoying the fruits of this diligence and ungrudgvon Behren said. A few professors he has been ing willingness, qualities I recommend for those able to bond with in particular have been Dr. who want more out of their college careers.”

“I have enjoyed the strucure and insight into business that accounting ... provides.”

SARA CORONEL| ANTHROPOLOGY BY OLIVIA FIELD Life Editor fiel0r17@wfu.edu

Krishna Chopra/Old Gold & Black

“[Anthropology] got me thinking outside the box”

Photo courtesy of William von Behren

speak about her discoveries with infectious enthusiasm,” Folmar said. “This characteristic was on display when she defended her thesis. She was so clear and articulate that we, her committee, Sara Coronel, who was born and raised in passed her thesis without substantive revision.” Asuncion, Paraguay, applied to Wake Forest Alongside anthropology, Sara is also majoring with the business school in mind. Once she ar- in psychology. Although both are social sciences, rived on campus, however, she found her home the former focuses on qualitative information, within the anthropology department. Captivated which Coronel coined the “mushy data,” while by the ethnographic research and cultural data the latter is much more interested in quantitashe learned about in an introductory course, tive research, respectively. Even so, Coronel has Coronel dove deep into the discipline during found that they have come to complement each her college career. other greatly. Focusing specifically on cultural anthropology, “It has been interesting to create a bridge beCoronel works as the lab supervisor for that part tween the two different fields, but they do tend of the department. In this role, she oversees the to relate and they can blend in well together coding and analyzing of Professor Steven Folmar’s because you do need both to get a whole scope research in Nepal. Coronel was able to learn some of the human experience, as people are complex,” of these skills during Coronel said. her favorite course, She has also taken an Ethnographic Reabundance of courses search Methods, with in the creative writing Hometown: Asuncion, Paraguay Folmar. department, which “The reason I rehas allowed her to Extracurriculars: Cultural Anthroally liked [that class] participate in Literpology Lab, Developmental Psycholwas it got me thinkary Salons and the ing outside the box. Writing Workshop. ogy Lab, Student Advisor It was the first time I Coronel said that her got to create my own ability to write artistiPost-Grad Plans: Teach for America questions and have to cally has allowed her corps member in Hawai’i see it through. I had to convey research in to come up with inan intriguing fashion. terview questions, ask Outside of classes, them to participants, Coronel also works in transcribe the data, analyze it and present it,” the Developmental Lab for Psychology and is a Coronel said. “It was a mini study, but it was still Student Advisor. Often giving advice to undera study and I had to use a lot of the techniques classmen, she spoke about the importance of which were taught in class. That’s when I knew attending office hours. I really loved anthropological research.” “One of the things I would say is go to office Beyond assisting with research, Coronel has hours. I was really shy my first year, I didn’t go also been able to defend her own thesis, which and I think that would have helped me a lot,” explores the construction of Machismo in Para- Coronel said. guay. After interviewing 11 people, she broke Ultimately, some of Coronel’s fondest memodown the data and analyzed the common themes ries are of the beautiful campus, friendly faces and between her informants. inviting faculty. When asked about her favorite “I loved having Sara as a student. What I re- experience, she spoke about playing pick-up volmember most about her scholarship was that she leyball games on the court right behind Babcock. was always surprising me with her insights and After graduating, Coronel will be working for creative approaches to her projects. She would two years as a Teach for America corps member.

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Old Gold & Black | Graduation

EDWARD (NED) GIDLEY | ART HISTORY BY EMILY BEAUCHAMP Life Editor beauea17@wfu.edu

Photo Courtesy of Ned Gidley

“Do the most you can to maximize your time here at Wake Forest.”

BY DANIEL PACHINO News Editor pachdb15@wfu.edu

next four years at Wake Forest. He first decided he wanted to come to Wake Forest during the August of his senior year. Gidley always thought he wanted to attend the University of Virginia, Senior Edward (Ned) Gidley never expected to however, after touring Wake Forest and speakbe an Art History major, however, after he took ing to Director of Debate Jarrod Atchison and History of Photography with Dr. John Curley Head Coach of the Debate Team Justin Green, he knew he wanted to come here instead. he knew that he wanted to pursue art history. In his four years, Gidley learned a lot about “In high school I was in the AP [Art History] class, and I had an amazing teacher that himself and he developed the skills needed to be prepared us well for the exam,” Gidley said. “I a hardworking student in the Wake Forest comliked art history a fair amount but honestly my munity, even discovering who he wanted to be. first semester I took Dr. Curly for a History of He knew he wanted to work hard, and through Photography class just as a divisional require- the development of time-management skills and ment, but then I sat in that class and realized being able to prioritize certain subjects, Gidley excelled during his time on campus. that this is amazing.” “Nobody is able to do everything,” Gidley said. Gidley knew coming into Wake Forest that “You look at some he wanted to pursue a people and wonder degree in history, but how they’re able to do art history became a so much, but everypassion he never exone is making choices pected. He will be Hometown: McLean, VA about what they want graduating with an to do and what they art history and hisExtracurriculars: Debate Team prioritize.” tory double major Gidley feels that the with a minor in clasPost-Grad Plans: Two years workpeople in the Wake sical studies. ing at Covington & Burling, a law Forest community are Over the next two firm in Washington, D.C. what truly defined his years, he will be workexperience on caming at Covington & pus. He knows that Burling, a law firm the thing he will miss in Washington, D.C. the most about Wake However, he hopes to attend law school after he has gained the experi- Forest are the people. Not only his peers, but also ence of working in the firm. Gidley’s love for law those in grades above and below his that he has is reflected in his love for debate. He has been studied with, as well as his friends who come to an active member of the debate team all four support him during debate tournaments. “Former Wake Forest students came out [to years at Wake Forest. Many of Gidley’s fondest memories have come the tournament] and it really meant a lot to me,” from his time on the team. One memory that Gidley said. “I found out that the connections, stuck out in his mind was of his first summer the ties, and the bonds that are forged here at retreat with the team during the summer of his Wake Forest are pretty strong.” Gidley advises that all incoming students freshman year. Gidley was nervous to start his first year on campus, however the retreat helped should figure out what they love, what they want to do and what motivates them. him build lasting friendships. “Figure out how much time you need to devote “I was nervous when I first got to campus, but when I came back after the retreat I already had to your major and whatever extracurriculars you do so that you can make sure that you get the a group of friends.” After the retreat, he was excited to begin the most out of these four years,” Gidley said.

KURT SWARTZ | BEM

catered well towards his desired career path and also connected with his minor in economics. A piece of advice Swartz offered to any student beginning their career at Wake Forest was to have an open mind coming into every class taken. Kurt Swartz is a senior Business & Enterprise “Even if you don’t think you’re going to go Management (BEM) major with minors in eco- into a certain area of study, I think you should nomics and psychology. In high school, Swartz still be absolutely focused on learning everything visited a close friend from growing up who was a you can in that class,” Swartz said. “It doesn’t student at Wake Forest and quickly grew to like matter which major you select, but it matters the feel of the school. After doing some further what you do with that and what you learn from research following the visit, he knew Wake Forest it. While I’ve been taking this BEM curriculum, was the school for him and applied early decision. I’ve loved being able to pull from other classes “I felt like the school had more of the small that I’ve taken.” liberal arts college feel that I was looking for, but Outside of the classroom, Swartz has a number at the same time had the resources of a bigger of extracurricular interests. He is very involved in research university,” Swartz said. his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and knows that This, he believed, would allow him to project he will miss the great friends he made through his future career into a wide array of arenas. the organization dearly after graduation. AdComing into his Wake Forest tenure, Swartz ditionally, Swartz studied abroad in Barcelona, knew he was interested in studying business, Spain during the fall of his junior year. This was but had not yet ruled out a very formidable experience exploring other interests. He for Kurt as he had never left particularly enjoyed the fact the U.S. before. He used this that students enter their Wake as an opportunity to expand Hometown: Chatham, NJ Forest careers undecided and his horizons through travelExtracurriculars: Pi Kapare forced to explore a numling and meeting people of ber of different interests to pa Alpha fraternity, study all different backgrounds. find out what they like and “Getting the different classabroad in Barcelona, Spain dislike before deciding on a room experience and learnPost-Grad Plans: Equity major. Because of that, Swartz ing from professors from all research for Stifel Financial felt like he was able to come over the world at the same into a major that really gave time was a really incredible him the best opportunity to experience,” he said. both explore what he was When he moves on to work interested in and give him a number of great in a research role at Stifel Financial, where he career opportunities after graduation. worked as a summer analyst last summer doing “I think the BEM major was really intriguing industrial equity research, Swartz will miss the to me because it is a broader major than any of tight-knit community that comes with a small the others in the business school, and also gives school like Wake Forest. you the opportunity via the concentration to Dr. Amy Wallis, who taught Swartz in his Ethhone in on one thing you’re really interested in,” ics and Business Leadership class, is confident Swartz said. “I liked the fact that I’d be taking Swartz’s love for learning will translate to success some finance and accounting classes but also in whatever he pursues. getting some of those more soft skilled courses “I particularly enjoyed having Kurt as a student to help learn more about working with people because he was skilled at moving a discussion in a corporate environment, which I think is forward by asking a provocative question or raisvery important.” ing a point that hadn’t yet been mentioned but A central aspect of the BEM major is the was relevant to the learning goals of the course,” concentration, which allows students to take Wallis said. “He also seemed to enjoy learning a number of elective courses that cater towards for learning’s sake, which is, in my opinion, a their specific career interests. Swartz’s particular mark of maturity and openness ... He exemplifies career interest is in financial services, so he built the Wake Forest spirit, as he is well-rounded, his own concentration in financial markets that thoughtful, driven and smart.”

Photo Courtesy of Kurt Swartz

“It doesn’t matter which major you select, but it matters what you do with that...”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY KILEY PRICE Staff Writer prickj15@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 7

ELIZABETH SARKEL| BIOCHEMISTRY

about the scientific field from an international perspective and thinks it will be an extremely useful skill for her future career. After graduating in May, Sarkel will be continuing her education at UNC Chapel Hill. She will be Elizabeth Sarkel knew she wanted to pursue a pursuing a PhD through one of UNC’s umbrella degree in the sciences since the moment she moved programs, which allows students to explore the into her dorm in Babcock freshman year. Her fields of genetics and molecular biology, then chose passion for the sciences developed as she grew up their thesis lab after the first year. and was able to get professional experience in a Sarkel has yet to determine exact basis of science lab at the University of Chicago during her research she will study during the her career, but is senior year of high school. Sarkel discovered her very passionate about learning and is curious about home in the lab before making the final decision the world around her. She is more interested in on where to attend college. the research side of the biomedical field rather After being charmed by Wake Forest’s small class than actually practicing medicine. sizes and the chance to actually get to know pro“Ultimately, I would like to go into academia fessors, Sarkel graduated from her high school in and do research involving asking basic questions Columbus, OH and traveled to Winston-Salem. about genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, Over her past four years here, Sarkel has spent her and thinking about time performing classihow all those basic cal cello for the orchesmechanisms regutra, studying plant roots late organisms and in Professor Gloria MuHometown: Columbus, OH how they respond to day’s research lab and rethe environment,” laxing with friends on Extracurriculars: Orchestra, Muday Sarkel said. the Quad. With graduation Research Lab Sarkel is part of the quickly approachfirst class at Wake Forest ing, Sarkel took a Post-Grad Plans: pursue a PhD to major in biochemismoment to reflect try and molecular biolfrom University of North Carolina at on her time at Wake ogy along with six other Forest and the wealth Chapel Hill students. One of her faof memories she has vorite parts of her time made. She will miss as a Demon Deacon being in the orchestra has been watching the and having so many opening of Wake Downtown in the Innovation musical opportunities easily available, but plans on Quarter of Winston-Salem. Sarkel takes several of continuing to play in some capacity. After developher classes at Wake Downtown and was thrilled ing such close relationships with professors in the about the opportunity to use new equipment and science department, Sarkel also looks forward to study in this atmosphere. She looks forwards to meeting new professors in a different environment. hearing about all of the new opportunities that With all of this experience under her belt, Sarkel science students will have with these facilities. also had some advice for all of the students still Although she splits her life between the lab and at Wake Forest. the stage in Scales, she still found time to study “Get to know your professors well and spend a abroad in Austria at Wake Forest’s Flow House lot of time learning a specific topic very in-depth,” in Vienna. Sarkel said. “That has helped me grow and figure “Vienna is a great city for classical music,” Sarkel out what I want to do as much as going abroad did.” said. “It was cool being around where a lot of the From her time in Babcock freshman year to greatest composers had lived in Austria and I got Dogwood senior year and everything in between, to see a lot of musical performances while doing Sarkel has truly appreciated her time as a Demon science research at the same time.” Deacon and made a deep impact on the students She was also grateful to gain experience learning and faculty of Wake Forest.

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

“Get to know your professors well... that has helped me grow.”

NANDAN PATEL | BIOLOGY BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu

fessor Glen Marrs. “While he maintains a clear idea of where he is going, I found Nandan to be especially grounded in the present. His distinctive core motivation therefore gives him an important Coming into college, senior Nandan Patel knew advantage, the activities and experiences of each he wanted to study physical medicine. However, new day in his training serve as their own reward it wasn’t until he worked at Wake Forest’s Baptist for him, and are not simply an obstacle or hurdle Medical Center in pool therapy that he honed in to be overcome.” Further, Patel is thankful for the ways in which on what exactly he wanted to do. “I want to go into physical medicine and re- he was able to conduct his research. He was granted habilitation,” Patel said. “The term of the doctor a great deal of independence, which allowed him is a physiatrist. They specialize in helping people to learn the most he could from those experiences. “Independent research was really nice in the get back on their feet after any kind of traumatic injury, cancer or stroke. It’s the rehab part after sense that your professors are there to help you rather than just direct you,” Patel said. all the traumatic stuff has gone by.” From this, he’ll take away what that indepenPatel’s experience at Wake Forest has been marked by the research he’s completed in both dence taught him. “I now have the ability to ask for help, the ability his majors: biology and psychology. to go back and forth with a faculty member on One of his biology ideas and topics that classes, Special Topics I’m having trouble in Molecular Biology, with, the ability to run spent an entire semesa great idea by a faculty Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL ter doing a single exmember, and the abilperiment with a DNA ity to do experimental Extracurriculars: Resident Adviser, sequence and a bactedesign and to do rerial plasmid. Patel has Tri-Beta (Biology Honors Society) search in an elegant also completed two way,” Patel said. independent research Post-Grad Plans: Medical school at Having a backprojects. University of Alabama at Birmingground in biology and For his independent psychology will allow research in the psyham Patel to become the chology department, personal, empathetic Patel looked at how doctor he aspires to be. artificial light affects “Biology gives you cognitive and physithe basics you’re gonna learn in medicine whereas ological aspects. “Your computer screen is blue light, so how the psychology portion lets you understand the does that affect your focus and fatigue — your person you’re working with,” Patel said. “When I focus being the cognitive aspect and your fatigue took psychology classes, I took Social Psychology and Human Sexuality and Industrial Psychology being the physiological,” Patel said. As for the biology department, Patel conducted not only to be more efficient but to also be a an experiment looking at the different types of better person.” Patel underscored the importance of his valuattack behaviors in wolf spiders. “For this one, it’s interesting because we were able relationships with his professors, noting that able to isolate three different types of senses,” Patel working with faculty has engendered some of his said. “We isolate vision, vibration and chemore- favorite experiences at Wake Forest. Christian Green/Old Gold & Black ception, which is the ability to smell. We looked Next year, Patel will be attending medical school at how all three of those play into attack behavior.” at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but “Nandan is a generally relaxed and pleasant fel- he’s already trying to make plans to visit again low, but at the same time has an uncommonly because he knows he’ll miss his friends and faculty high level of energy and drive,” said biology pro- the most.

“Independent research was really nice [because] your professors are there to help you rather than just direct you.”

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Old Gold & Black | Graduation

DAVID OSTROWSKI | BIOPHYSICS BY AMANDA WILCOX Digital Media Editor wilcaf16@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of David Ostrowski

“[Taking a break] confirmed that I really do love science.”

BY REN SCHMITT Sports Editor schmwm16@wfu.edu

brilliant but he is also extremely dedicated. As soon as David joined my lab a little over a year ago, he took ownership of the project and his contributions earned him co-authorship on a David Ostrowski chose biophysics because it paper we recently published. It has also been a was a perfect combination of two subjects that pleasure having him in my classes where he has only excelled.” he loved. Ostrowski studied abroad his junior year at the “I started college with interest in biology but also thinking I wanted to be a pure Physics ma- Flow House in Vienna, where he took a comjor — maybe materials or theoretical physics,” plete break from science and studied German literature, history and art for his German minor. Ostrowski said. After about a year, he missed studying biology He noted that while he greatly missed studying and chemistry, although he didn’t want to give science, it was a good way to reset after two years of nearly exclusively scientific coursework and up the quantitative background. “Biophysics was the perfect compromise for that it helped steer him towards medicine. “It learning about how biology works from a quan- confirmed that I really do love science,” he said. Outside of the biophysics lab, Ostrowski was on titative perspective,” Ostrowski said. the executive board of He added that the the Wake Forest club biophysics theory ice hockey team startand methods class is Hometown: Chadds Ford, PA ing at the end of his not generally taken freshman year, serving until the end of a Extracurriculars: Club ice hockey first as secretary and student’s tenure and later as president. He that he enjoyed the Post-Grad Plans: Laboratory realso helped the coach opportunity to intesearch at the National Institute of develop a much more grate everything he Health competitive program. had learned into one “It started as you cohesive picture. show up, play and go Ostrowski also home,” he said. “But spent the last year working in the lab with Dr. Daniel Kim-Shapiro, people wanted it to be more.” The team increased in skill from being capable a professor in the physics department. There, he looked at different treatments for sickle cell of making the playoffs but perhaps not doing well to getting to the championship game this year. disease. Ostrowski noted that one of the things he will “That’s a very biological problem, but [I looked at it] using methods based in physics,” he said. miss about Wake Forest will be the freedom to Although his findings were ultimately insignifi- explore a diverse range of academic interests. “Taking a random history class that I thought cant, he said that it gave him an understanding of how science works. “I have enough experience sounded interesting was something I never over my four years to know that it is an unfor- thought I would have done in the real world,” tunate part of how the process works,” he said. Ostrowski said. Next year, Ostrowski will develop his research Kim-Shapiro looked back fondly on Ostrowson sickle cell disease by taking a yearlong reki’s work ethic and scientific talent. “Friday evening around 5 p.m. right before search job at the National Institute of Health, spring break, I was walking around the labs and researching other treatments and drugs and there was David, working away at his experi- building upon the work he completed as an ment,” Kim-Shapiro said. “David is not only undergraduate.

JORGE DABDOUB | CHEMISTRY

he encourages others students to venture beyond their comfort zones and explore subjects that they would otherwise igJorge Dabdoub had never heard of Wake nore. Outside of the classroom, Dabdoub Forest before he visited, but he has not believes that he has done a great deal of regretted his choice to attend ever since. focusing on personal growth as well. Dabdoub, who hails from Norwich, CT, “I have learned the importance of giving has excelled during his time on campus. “I just want to say that I couldn’t be back to the community around me in any happier with the choice I made to come to way possible. It doesn’t have to be someWake,” Dabdoub said. “I have been given thing major, but even just volunteering so many great opportunities to achieve an hour a week makes a big difference to things I never thought I would. Wake is those around you,” Dabdoub said. “From a great school that helps you develop, not my time at Wake, I have also learned to only academically, but as a person as well.” become more mature and independent. Dabdoub, a Chemistry major, plans on For example, I learned to plan out my schedule to avoid eventually applying a stressful break to medical school, down.” but he will be taking Though the Hometown: Norwich, CT a gap year next year. college experiDuring his time Extracurriculars: Library employee in ence has brought away from academDabdoub many resource services, coxswain for club row ics, Dabdoub plans opportunities and to work in a clinigreat memories in Favorite Places: Gap year before cal, transitional or multiple areas, it basic research lab in applying to medical school is clear to him order to learn how what aspect of research impacts Wake Forest will the medical field. He plans to specialize in either cardiol- be the hardest to leave behind. “The one thing I will miss the most about ogy or neurology once he is accepted at Wake is the people around me,” Dabdoub a medical school. Though Dabdoub did not know exactly said. “This includes all my friends that what to expect from his college experience, I have met throughout my four years at he has found his time at Wake Forest to Wake, but also the multitude of teachers who have helped me at various points in be eye-opening in a positive way. “Wake has opened so many opportuni- my collegiate career. These relationships I ties for my future that I was unaware of,” will never forget, and I hope to continue Dabdoub said. “For example, Wake Forest developing them as I graduate from Wake.” As he spends the next year applying to has introduced me to research and how to incorporate this research into my future medical schools, Dabdoub will not forget as a doctor. Wake Forest has also taught the friendships and important moments me to trust myself and have confidence he has had on Wake Forest’s campus. Though the future is unsure, his time at in my abilities going forward.” Dabdoub was also fond of the liberal arts Wake is something he will not take for side of the Wake Forest education, and granted.

Photo courtesy of Jorge Dabdoub

“Wake is a great school that helps you develop ... as a person.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY AMANDA WILCOX Digital Media Editor wilcaf16@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018| Page 9

LUCAS WILLE | CHINESE

tion tables, U.S. - China friendship tables and Chinese New Year at the Pit. Such events have provided American domestic students and Chinese international students platforms for The Chinese language has long been a part continuous bilingual and intercultural comof Lucas Wille’s life — he started studying it munication between each other.” However, Wille’s involvement with the Chiin kindergarten. Therefore, it makes sense that he has focused on bringing Chinese culture to nese language and culture has extended far becampus ever since he arrived at Wake Forest, yond the Reynolda Campus. He has been to serving as the president of the Chinese Studies the country four times, including two study abroad programs. While he spent most of his Club for the past two years. Before Wille took over, the club only held time in Shanghai, he said that one of his favortwo or three events per semester. “My goal ite memories was taking a three-hour bus trip was to transition to more of an inclusive club from Beijing to a remote part of the Great Wall that also focuses on bridging barriers between of China, where he and his group were the only different groups on campus,” he said. Instead foreigners. “I found myself going on so many of just having events designed for American random adventures with random people, talking to people on the students or otherstreets just because nationality students they were interested taking Chinese, he in talking to me,” Hometown: Minneapolis, MN added that he wanted he said. to involve native ChiIn addition, Extracurriculars: Chinese Studies nese speakers. Wille paired his Club “[We wanted] to Chinese major with have international a major in Business Post-Grad Plans: Internship in Chinese students and & Enterprise ManAmerican students Shanghai and graduate school at Johns agement. come together so that School of BusiHopkins you can really have a ness professor Amy cultural dialogue and Wallis said, “One cultural exchange,” he of the things that added. really stands out to me about Lucas is his conThrough the club, he led activities such as sideration for others in the academic setting. screenings of Chinese and Taiwanese movies Lucas always seems to be very well-prepared featuring traditional food from local restau- for learning, and always has great comments to rants and mahjong games. In addition, for the share in class … In conversations with Lucas, past two years the Chinese Studies Club has he has shown himself to be a person of honor collaborated with the Japanese Studies Club and courage, thinking fairly about situations to hold a spring festival in Benson involving even when they may be stressful.” performers, food and games, which Wille said In keeping with his studies in the School drew 300 to 400 people. of Business, Wille said that his general career “Lucas has used his global vision, effective plans involve doing renewable energy consultleadership, and remarkable peer cooperation ing for an international consulting firm. In the and mentoring skills to timely respond to the meantime, he will return to China this summer emerging needs of diversity and inclusion of for an internship in Shanghai, after which he our campus,” said Professor Qiaona Yu. “He will attend the Johns Hopkins School of Adsuccessfully led the Chinese Studies Club in vanced International Studies, which has a partorganizing events including Chinese conversa- ner program at Nanjing University.

Photo courtesy of Lucas Wille

“My goal was to ... focus on bridging barriers between different groups on campus.”

CHEYENNE ZUCK | CLASSICAL LANGUAGES BY LIZZIE SNYDER Sports Editor snydem15@wfu.edu

Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Zuck

“When you get to the small departments, you realize how much they really care about you and your education.”

first discovered the tight-knit community of the Department of Classical Languages where she has excelled in the study of the Greek language. Her lower division advisor, When Cheyenne Zuck reflects on her Professor T.H.M Gellar-Goad, encouraged experience at Wake Forest she simply says, her to learn Greek and pursue a major in “I say this to people as I’m graduating, but classical languages. “It was his first year teaching as an assistant the memories you’ll create here are wonderful.” A double major in classical languages professor at Wake but he was my first-year (Greek) and theatre, Zuck speaks to the seminar professor and was someone I knew importance of finding your passion through I could go to at all times,” Zuck said. “He made himself so available to his advisees and study. “I am a Theatre and Classical Languages we’re his first round of advisees to graduate. [double] major and I’m going into theatre It’s quite sentimental.” She also credits Dr. Amy Lather, her hon— at least for now but I can always change my career path later,” she said. “You’ll be able ors thesis advisor. “She was so patient in to find a way to make it. I’ve had a job in terms of [me] keeping up with my Greek and [made sure] theatre before and I my papers and my can continue what I arguments made want to do which is sense.” not something that Hometown: Millersville, PA After taking the people expect. I’m bulk of her Greek doing what I love to Extracurriculars: WFU Theatre, Anlanguage courses do, so why wouldn’t thony Aston Players, Eta Sigma Phi, Pi at another instituI do it.” Beta Kappa tion, the classical Next year, Zuck is languages departworking as a sound ment was supportapprentice for the Post Grad Plans: Working for the Acive of her when she Actors Theatre of tors Theatre of Louisville came back. Louisville. “When you get However, Wake to the small deForest was more than just a stepping stone for Zuck to pursue partments, you realize that they really care her career goals. During her freshman year, about you and your education. Immediately she suffered a serious injury, but was able when I came back they said, “let’s dive in, let’s go right for it.” to overcome. The biggest lesson Cheyenne has learned “My best memory is knowing how much people cared about me and wanted me to be from Wake Forest is: “time management and okay. The next morning [after the injury], learning how to take care of yourself more I had six or seven different emails from dif- than anything.” After taking a moment to ferent faculty and had several of my friends think about what she would tell the Class stop by just to check on me to see if I was of 2022, she offers the incoming Demon okay,” Zuck recalled. “It’s honestly one of Deacons a few words of advice. “Be smart about who your friends are. those things where it didn’t hit me that I was at my second home until that point Don’t let yourself get caught up in what where I knew people actually cared,” she everyone else is doing. Do what you love to do because you love to do it and you’ll find remembers. For Zuck, it was in a time of need when she your niche that way. You’ll find your group.”

Page 10 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

ITAMAR LEWIN-ARUNDALE | COMMUNICATION BY BECKY SWIG Print Managing Editor swigrr15@wfu.edu

Becky Swig/Old Gold & Black

“I realized how cross applicable it was — I am interested in law so these two things pair really well.”

stand the way in which they are persuading you with that information.” Lewin-Arundale has also excelled in the classroom, according to Alessandra Von Burg, Senior Itamar Lewin-Arundale is a double a professor of communication. “Itamar has a contagious passion for learnmajor in communication and history, two disciplines that he believes blend well together. ing, always ready to ask insightful questions, Lewin-Arundale has thoroughly enjoyed and advance class discussions through both his experience at Wake Forest. “I really like his personal experience and a deep connection the academic environment of Wake Forest. to the material,” said Von Burg. “He is simulIt combines with the size of the campus. I taneously low-key and high-energy, always am into going to the basketball and football kind and respectful toward his classmates, but games, so it has a big school feel in those also willing to challenge their arguments, a aspects but also has the aspect of it that is curious listener and an incredibly intelligent academically challenging,” Lewin-Arundale discussant.” Von Burg has taught Lewin-Arundale in said. “I’ve been able to explore a bunch of three classes, and has had the chance to work different facets of academia.” with him outside of One thing that the classroom as drew Lewin-Arunwell. dale to Wake Forest “I have had Itamar were some similariHometown: Boston, MA in three classes, inties it holds to his Extracurriculars: Administration team cluding two that high school. “I [have were related to the enjoyed] engaging for WFU Argumentation Conference WFU Argumentawith the professors tion Conference,” one on one. I’ve Post-Grad Plans: Move to Israel Von Burg added. talked to a lot of “Itamar suggested my peers who went one of the scholars to different colleges whom we invited as and universities, and a keynote speaker. they say it is very impersonal in comparison to my high school. Along with other classmates, Itamar was inHere I feel like it is similar to that,” Lewin- strumental in all aspects of planning, orgaArundale said. “You can engage with them nizing and hosting the conference. He even personally, and I think that comes with the acted as chair of a panel, keeping speakers on time and moderating questions.” small classes.” Von Burg added that this conference was Lewin-Arundale chose communication for a variety of reasons, one being that it fits in an influential experience for Lewin-Arundale, well with his long-term goal of attending one that has left a positive impact on him. “He enjoyed the conference so much that law school. “I realized how cross applicable it was — I now he is considering an academic path, one am interested in law so these two things pair his other professors and I highly encourage really well. I realized that communication was him to pursue,” Von Burg said. Lewin-Arundale will be moving to Israel cross applicable, everything is really rhetoric and that is the part that I am interested in,” after graduation, hoping to remain there for Lewin-Arundale said. “If you are going to a year, to spend time with his family who live understand people’s information and what there. He hopes to one day go to law school they present to you then you have to under- and see where that takes him.

MAKENZIE WHITENER| COMPUTER SCIENCE

BY JULIA HAINES Editor-in-Chief hainjm15@wfu.edu

science,” Whitener said. “I think it’s really cool, and I want other people to think it’s cool, too.” “Her friendliness and personality has made her a pure joy both to have as a student in my classroom Even as a child, Makenzie Whitener was a and to have as a student in our department,” said Demon Deacon fan and Wake Forest was her William Turkett, a professor in the computer scidream school. Growing up in the area, she spent ence department. He added that she has become time on campus, as both of her parents work as “a key face of the department” over the years. staff members for the university. In the future, Whitener hopes to become a teachIn the past few weeks, Whitener’s mind has ing professor at a small college similar to Wake been “constantly flashing back” to the moment Forest, or to teach computer science to students when, as an admitted student at Accepted Stu- who might not otherwise study it. dents Day, she saw the “Welcome Class of 2018” “I want to bring it full-circle, trying to get banner and her dream school was realized. women into computer science,” Whitener said. Four years later, Whitener is graduating with “Women bring a unique perspective, and you’d a double major in biology and computer sci- be surprised by the breadth that computer science. In the fall, she plans to get her PhD at the ence covers and how many different topics you University of Georgia’s can get into … it’s not just Integrated Life Scivideo games.” ences program, where “She is not only breaking Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC she will be studying new ground as she is beplant biology and/or Extracurriculars: Secretary of coming an accomplished genetics. computational scientist, ACM, Women in STEM, Middle While she has always she takes time to pave the School Mentor Program, Security been passionate about way for others to follow Officer of Hack-a-thon, tutor, TA biology, she enjoys the in her success too,” said challenge that computSamuel Cho, a computer Post-Grad Plans: PhD at the er science presents, and science professor. feels that its intersecUniversity of Georgia ILS program In addition to her classes, tion with biology is Whitener spent the last where she thrives. two years doing her hon“What I love doing in biology hinges so much ors project, entitled “Genomic Analysis of Three on computer science, which I might not enjoy in Species of NC Magnolia,” a topic she chose for the moment, but when I figure a problem out, it is its significance to Wake, as well as the opportuthe greatest feeling in the world,” Whitener said. nities it presented to integrate both biology and She spends a lot of time doing outreach both computer science. on campus and the community, encouraging While Whitener is excited about her move to younger students and women to consider STEM Georgia, she is nostalgic about her final days on fields, specifically computer science. She has been campus, and especially loves spending time on a member of Women in Computer Science, the upper quad at night, saying “I would sleep Women in STEM, Rotaract club and Middle there if I could.” She will also miss the friends School Mentor Program. Since her sophomore and compansionship she’s found here. year, Whitener has been the secretary for the “Makenzie is a dedicated and talented scientist Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and we are sad to see her go,” said James Pease, club. a professor in the biology department. “She has “Being able to do outreach to women in sci- helped create great student connections between ence has really defined who I am as a women in biology and computer science at Wake.”

Photo courtesy of Makenzie Whitener

“When I figure a problem out, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY AMANDA WILCOX Digital Media Editor wilcaf16@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018| Page 11

LILLY GAETO | ECONOMICS

exceptional student or two that really makes the faculty sit up and take notice of their talents, and Lilly is one of these. My colleagues and I in the economics department all agree that she is one Lilly Gaeto said that when she entered Wake Forest of the smartest, most hard-working, mature, and as a freshman, she had no idea that she was going dedicated students that we have. She truly represents to major in economics. the best of the best that Wake Forest has to offer.” “I didn’t really know what the Federal Reserve was In addition, she conducted a senior research until I came to college,” Gaeto joked. However, she thesis, which she said taught her a lot about the quickly fell in love with the “dismal science.” “It was realities of economic research. one of those classes where everything clicked when “I hit a lot of roadblocks,” she said. “I realized that I was sitting in class at 8 a.m. I just wanted to take it’s really common in research, and that’s okay. Not more classes, and the rest is history.” having a groundbreaking discovery happens a lot.” Dr. Jac Heckelman, who taught Gaeto’s first ecoGaeto’s research focused on the correlation benomics class, said that her talent was evident from tween annual giving to churches and stock market the beginning. trends. She found that denominations with high “Lilly has excelled in both classes she took with average levels of education showed a positive trend, me, asking questions while denominawhich went beyond tions with low basic course material average levels of Hometown: Greenville, SC to seek greater depth of education showed understanding,” he said. a negative trend. Extracurriculars: College Fed Chal“As her initial major adviWhile participatsor I was happy to learn ing in the Euro lenge, RUF, Alpha Delta Pi, Student of her desire to further Tour summer Advising Leadership Council pursue economic analyprogram, she also sis by expressing interest did a research paPost-Grad Plans: Graduate school at in graduate studies for per about why the which I am sure she will Czech Republic Vanderbilt excel. She never shied did not join the away from the extra work Eurozone. or more technical mathDuring her juematics background.” nior year, Gaeto also accompanied Heckelman to When Gaeto was a sophomore, she took Interme- the Southern Economics Association Conference diate Macroeconomics with Dr. Sandeep Mazumder, in Florida, where she gained enough confidence to which initiated her interest in macroeconomic re- return as an official discussant the following year. search and monetary policy. Mazumder encouraged However, Gaeto said that one of her most reher to join Wake Forest’s College Fed Challenge warding experiences in college was co-authoring team, in which she and four of her classmates con- an academic research paper with Mazumder about ducted research and prepared a mock Federal Open the accuracy of Federal Reserve forecasters. They Market Committee-style presentation on the state looked at forecasts in speeches by members of the of the economy and their monetary policy recom- Board of Governors and compared it to realized mendations. She said that a highlight was getting economic data such as growth, unemployment and to role-play Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as inflation and found that over time accuracy has the only female on the team during her second year. decreased. “We have fantastic students at Wake Forest,” MaGaeto will attend graduate school at Vanderbilt zumder said. “But every now and then we get an and hopes to become a professor.

“I almost feel like [economics] chose me.”

KELLY VALDIVIA | EDUCATION BY OLIVIA FIELD Life Editor fielor17@wfu.edu

Olivia Field/Old Gold & Black

“Teaching is really demanding but you get so much from it.”

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

together. When I was student-teaching I would talk to the parents whose primary language was Spanish and that was really helpful for the teacher because she didn’t speak Spanish,” Valdivia said. It is no surprise that Kelly Valdivia is an educaOutside of classes, Valdivia is the Vice President tion major. She lights up when talking about her of Recruiting for Helping Overcome Physical Exstudent-teaching experience at Abraham Elemen- pectations (HOPE). The club sends Wake Forest tary School, the significance of literacy in early students to spend a few hours helping and playing education and the importance of friendship in with children who have exceptionalities such as all aspects of life. down syndrome or autism. After joining the spring When Valdivia decided on Wake Forest, she was of her freshman year, Valdivia realized how much especially excited about the liberal arts experience she enjoyed it. she would receive. Having no clue what her major “Getting to go there and take two hours out of would be, Valdivia decided to take a class in the my week to just remove myself from campus and education department. From that point on, she be in a space with little kids that are so excited is was engrossed in the subject. great,” Valdivia said. “I think when I started that path down the edShe is also passionate about many of the inucation department, tegral aspects of the I was very optimistic Wake Forest campus about what education — Lovefeast is one was and didn’t totally of her favorite events Hometown: Miami, FL understand what it and she always strives meant to be a teacher,” to integrate Pro HuExtracurriculars: HOPE, Wake n’ Shake Valdivia said. “I think manitate into her life. through studentSimilarly, Valdivia teaching and some of has participated in Post-grad Plans: Master’s Degree prothe other experiences the twelve hour Wake gram with John Hopkins University I’ve had through the n’ Shake dance maradepartment, I really thon all four years of learned how hard it is her college career. to be a teacher but I When asked what also got to fully underhas defined her time stand the rewards of being one.” at Wake Forest, Valdivia immediately brought up During her time in the department, she also the close friendships she has made. “I’ve just been so unbelievably lucky to have worked to explore the relationship between technology and education in the classroom. Specifi- met the girls that I met … I literally hang out cally, she got to travel to a conference with one with them everyday,” Valdivia said. After graduation, Valdivia will be moving to of her professors to propose her teaching strategy. While there, she gave an example lesson and pro- Dallas, TX to pursue her master’s degree in eduvided materials to other teachers who wanted to cation. Through a program with John Hopkins University, she will be taking classes and hold a use her methods in the classroom. Valdivia is also a double major in Spanish, which full-time position teaching. “I’m excited to move on to the next chapter in allowed her to study abroad her junior fall in Salamanca, Spain. Although at first glance these my life, but at the same time it’s really hard to say majors seem different, they ultimately came to goodbye to the things that you know and love. I’m going to miss walking around and seeing Wait compliment one another. “It wasn’t too bad of a balance, they kind of fit Chapel everyday,” Valdivia said.

Page 12 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

Nick DeMayo | ENGLISH BY KYLE FERRER Opinion Editor ferrka16@wfu.edu

Kyle Ferrer/Old Gold & Black

“Read, read, read, as much as you can. Never stop reading.”

tight-knit community he came to establish on campus. The latter was something he had to work at. During the early stage of his tenure at Wake Forest, DeMayo wanted In the dim warmth of what could have to transfer, but he soon became involved been an age-old European coffee shop, I in Campus Grounds and the Old Gold & found out Nick DeMayo doesn’t assign Black, and found a group of peers that were his students homework. “I mostly read relatable, kind and provocative. with them,” he said. “Research says readWhen it comes to professors, DeMayo ing aloud models diction and tone that seemed to have found his beat a bit quicker, struggling readers won’t be able to do in saying that they “understand what you want their own head.” This is the sort of com- and what you need from your education passionate current that ran through my here.” This sense of understanding was entire conversation with him. There exists bolstered when DeMayo took a class with a sort of gentle roll to his thoughts that Omar Hena at the Worrell House in Lonmakes one want to at once hug and ad- don that dealt with multicultural writers. mire the graduating English major’s soft, Not only did the class material itself intelligent patter. engender fruitful discussion and conDeMayo is purfrontation, but the suing a graduate group of students degree in English themselves “were at Georgetown so different in the Hometown: Greensburg, PA next year, with an way they handled interest in disabilithings … that it Extracurriculars: Manager of Campus ties studies, but to seemed to be a misay his passion only Grounds, Life Editor of OGB, Best Buddies crocosm of what we resides in words on were talking about a page would be Post-Grad Plans: Masters in English at in the course: how to limit his panto treat each other.” Georgetown oramic intellect. DeMayo conHis real allegiance tinued, “I learned is to human beings that difference is a themselves. The ingood thing, that we tricacies of understanding accommodation and feeling seem to endlessly fascinate De- should celebrate it without being opposed. Mayo. With a minor in education, he has that’s the model of my life now.” To define the goal of the English major been able to teach a tenth-grade English class for four weeks at West Forsyth High has been the bane of liberal arts majors School. His fledgling pedagogy is one that for some time. Its perpetual appearance in seems applicable not only to schools, but career discussions and practical applications wears thin for most involved, but DeMayo to humans in general. “The act of teaching and reading is always provided a clearer definition. “The English major’s goal, I think, is to toward the end of having more critical and independent thought,”DeMayo said. have students discover something about “[Becoming] free from those prescriptions the human condition though reading litof yourself, your class, your race — that erature,” DeMayo said. “I feel, as a result freedom, in my opinion, is true human of taking English courses, a bit more accepting, and more understanding about freedom.” When asked what led to such a compas- humanity.” When asked for advice, DeMayo shared: sionate pedagogy, DeMayo said that it is loosely based in a few things: classes and the “Read, read, read, as much as you can. Never great professors who taught them, and the stop reading.”

MAIREAD MEDERIOS| FINANCE

BY HEATHER HARTEL business classes. She tutors various courses for Online Managing Editor student-athletes and business school students, harthf15@wfu.edu including some of the hardest classes in the A smiley, bubbly light often found in the major. Mederios admittedly enjoys tutoring depths of Farrell, Mairead Mederios is unique because it’s an excuse for her to do more math in her love for all things finance and mathemat- and finance in her free time. ics. A senior Finance major, Mederios enjoys Some of her favorite memories at Wake Forest problem solving and analytical thinking more were spent during her time studying abroad in than her typical peers at Wake Forest. Barcelona. While Spain was home, she spent Growing up outside Boston, MA, Mederios the fall semester of her junior year traveling said she’s always been a math and numbers to different cities in Europe with friends from person. Once she arrived on campus, she knew Wake Forest and elsewhere. that the finance major was the perfect way She also enjoys running, exercising and to continue this passion for problem solving. spending time with her friends. Her experience “I have no siblings but three of my cousins, at Wake Forest was mostly shaped by the mowho are like my brothments shared with ers, all ended up going her closest friends, into finance so I grew and will be the thing Hometown: Winthrop, MA up listening to them she misses the most Extracurriculars: Accounting, Fitalk about it, and once leaving camnance and Quantitative Analysis Tuthought it was really pus in May. tor, Kappa Kappa Gamma cool and a good way “I’ll miss everyto apply my analytical thing, but probably Post-Grad Plans: Investment Bankskills,” Mederios said. just that you get to ing at Wells Fargo in New York City While she is excepdo everything with tionally good at math your friends all the and finance, Mederios time,” Mederios also enjoys the chalsaid. “You get to lenge that comes with the discipline. Her favor- live with and always spend time with all of ite class at Wake Forest was the Fixed Income your friends, but once you graduate everyone class because of the tricky problem sets that is all over the place and it’s harder to be close.” she had to solve for homework. While finance Once graduated, Mederios is taking one of is known as a tough major in the business the most competitive post-graduate positions school, the work ethic required to succeed in for young people in business, working as an the major is inherent to her. investment banking analyst at Wells Fargo in “The most rewarding part is that finance New York City. isn’t about how much you can study, it’s how “I’m really excited to be in New York City,” well you can problem solve in a way that not she said. “I already interned with Wells Fargo everyone can excel at it,” Mederios said. and absolutely loved the group I was with over Outside of the major, Mederios spends a the summer, so I’m really excited to be back lot of her free time tutoring other students in with them.”

Photo courtesy of Mairead Mederios

“Finance is ... all about how well you can problem solve.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY AMANDA WILCOX Digital Media Editor wilcaf16@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 13

ADAM DINGMAN | FRENCH STUDIES

Campus Grounds, crêpe making parties and other interactive events … [He] is devoted to French — he has a real love for the language and culture.” Professor Véronique McNelly also commented Adam Dingman’s love for the French language on Dingman’s dedication. “A model Wake Forbegan when he was in elementary school — long est student, Adam is diligent, dedicated, generbefore most students started to think about their ous with his time, community-oriented and yet college plans. Between first and fourth grade, his outward-looking,” she said. school years were divided into trimesters devoted Tarte noted that she accompanied Dingman to to Spanish, French and Japanese, respectively. By the Elon University Undergraduate Conference the time he entered fifth grade, Dingman knew on Languages and Cultures last fall, where he that he wanted to continue studying French in presented his research in French on perceptions middle and high school. of immigrants in France. After he entered high school, he participated in Dingman has also extensively practiced his love a nine-day exchange trip with a school in France for the language far from the Reynolda Campus. during his sophomore year, after which he knew He studied in France twice during his tenure at he wanted to study French in college. Wake Forest, once in Tours for six weeks during When Dingman arthe summer after rived at Wake Forest, his freshman year he was surprised to and once in Dijon Hometown: Richmond, VA learn that the university for a full semester. Extracurriculars: French Club, Wake lacked one important He said that a thing. He said that when memorable aspect Radio, Momentum, intramural sports he and a friend attended of his abroad expethe student activities fair rience was witnessPost-Grad Plans: Return to France to at the beginning of his ing the 2016 presiwork as an English teaching assistant first semester, they were dential election in disappointed to not find a foreign country a club for French stuand discussing his dents. thoughts and observations with his host parents. As a result, Dingman started what he said was an Dingman studied with students from all over the arduous process of applying for a university charter. world — such as Japan, Scandinavia and Iraq They successfully obtained a charter the fall of his — and found it interesting to discuss politics sophomore year, and in the years since, Dingman with them. He was also in France while the country prehas focused on expanding and developing the club. For example, the French Club introduced conversa- pared for an election of its own between political tion hours, during which students from all levels newcomer and now-President Emmanuel Macron of French gather to practice their language skills. and far-right French National Front candidate Dingman said that he and his fellow club mem- Marine Le Pen. Next year, Dingman will teach English in bers made an effort to use the conversation hours to discuss topics that might not be brought up in France through a French Ministry of Education the classroom; for example, a popular conversation assistantship awarded to American students and hour this year focused on slang, swear words and designed to strengthen English-language instruction in French schools as well as intercultural French colloquialisms. According to Professor of French Studies Kendall understanding. “One day, he will make a wonderful teacher of Tarte, “Adam has organized wonderful activities for our students like French conversation hours at French,” McNelly said.

Amanda Wilcox/Old Gold & Black

“Having a relationship with my educators was really helpful.”

KIMBERLY ANNAS | GERMAN BY MARY DANIEL CHEEK Staff Writer cheemd15@wfu.edu

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

“Try everything. If you have an interest in something, don’t be afraid to explore.”

she decided to dedicate herself to the language and she declared a German major. Since declaring her German major, Annas has loved every minute of her time in the German department. Her favorite classes include To hear senior Kimberly Annas talk about German History of the German Language, as well as her Geris to be in the presence of someone who loves learning man literature classes. Last summer, Annas pursued her interest in German and has found their true calling in life. As a high school student, Annas took her first Ger- outside of the classroom. She received a research grant man class and she was hooked, because she loved from URECA to study the portrayal of male gender German linguistics. Unfortunately, the funding for roles in nineteenth century German literature. Annas sees many benefits of studying German her high school’s German program was cut shortly after Annas began the study of German. Instead of beyond mastering the language. “German pairs well with other majors, like busireducing her passion for the language, Annas became motivated to continue the study of German in college. ness or political science because Germany has one Once at Wake Forest, Annas continued her study of Europe’s strongest economies and is an important of the language and credits the German department’s country in world politics,” Annas said. In addition to her German major, Annas is also a Sofaculty for cultivating her passion for both the lanciology major with a concentration in social determiguage and culture. nants of health and wellbeing and an interdisciplinary “The department is so writing minor. Annas great and I have close relahas also been an active tionships with the profesmember in InterVarsity sors,” Annas said. “They Hometown: Hickory, NC Christian Fellowship are so helpful, generous, and Delta Phi Alpha and passionate about Extracurriculars: InterVarsity, Del(the German Honor what they teach.” Society). She was also This respect and admita Phi Alpha, Writing Center tutor a Writing Center tutor. ration is shared by Annas’ Annas says she will professors and advisers. Post-Grad: Plans to apply to Doctormiss the people she has “Kimberly is an exate Programs for German Studies in come to love over the traordinarily good depast four years the most partmental citizen who the fall afer leaving Wake Forest. has never taken the easy Annas will also miss the way out with classes,” traditions of Shag on the said Dr. Alyssa Howards, Mag and Lovefeast. chair of the German deAs Annas prepares to graduate in May, she leaves two partment. After declaring a German minor during her sopho- pieces of advice for Wake Forest students. First:“Try more year, Annas studied abroad at the Flow House everything. If you have an interest in something, don’t be afraid to explore it.” in Vienna, Austria during the spring semester. Second, Annas seeks to remind students of the imHer favorite memory from abroad was attending a May Day festival in Vienna. She dressed in tra- portance of finding your own path at Wake Forest. ditional German dress, danced traditional German “Try not to let others’ definition of success shape your folk dances and was even named the guest of honor. thoughts of your own self-worth,” Annas said. While Annas is unsure of her immediate plans after For Annas, studying abroad came to define her time graduation, she plans to apply to doctorate programs at Wake Forest and shape her worldview. “The opportunity to study abroad can teach you for German Studies this fall. Eventually, she hopes to so many things about yourself and how you relate become a German professor. “We hope very much to see her as a professor of Gerto unfamiliar environments. It also shows you that the world is much bigger than Wake, but smaller man,” said Howards, speaking on behalf of the German department. “She has this sense of calm and a good than you think,” Annas said. After a semester full of unique cultural experiences, sense of humor that would make her a great professor.”

Page 14 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

MARY CAROLINE AUSTIN | HES BY NICOLE LOFFREDO Asst. News Editor loffn16@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of Mary Caroline Austin

“I love how, because of Wake, I can now go anywhere in the country and have a friend.”

BY ETHAN BAHAR Opinion Editor bahaea15@wfu.edu

where she was matched with a third grader, Zaniyaha. She has served as a Zaniyaha’s mentor ever since, going to her school to help her with homework or anything else she needed. Four years later, Zaniyaha is now in Most students view the required Health and sixth grade and she and Austin are even closer. Austin Exercise Science classes as just another divisional now often goes to her house to taker her for ice cream Wake Forest makes them take. But this class helped or just hang out. “Big Brother, Big Sister is definitely one of my senior Mary Caroline Austin decide what she really wanted to study. Now double majoring in Health favorite parts of Wake Forest,” Austin said. “It lets me and Exercise Science and Spanish, Austin draws get involved in the community so that I can extend her decision back to her first HES class at Wake my reach beyond the bubble of Wake Forest while Forest. Growing up, Austin enjoyed playing sports, I’m here.” During Austin’s junior year, she had the unique especially soccer in high school. Here at Wake Forest, she continues to play on the Club Soccer team opportunity to combine both of her majors and study and had the honor of being captain last semester. abroad in Salamanca, Spain. While in Spain, she did When she first came to Wake Forest, she in- a homestay where she lived full-time with a family. tended on being pre-med with a major in biology This allowed her to completely immerse in the culor chemistry but after taking her first HES class she ture, improve her Spanish and learn a lot. She took only Spanish classes while changed her mind. abroad to help lessen the To her, HES offers load of her Spanish mamuch more realistic jor. For her HES major, and practical material Hometown: Beaumont, TX she interned with a genthat is more applicable eral physician where she for her. Being a socExtracurriculars: Captain of the learned about the Spancer player, she was able club soccer team, member Kappa ish healthcare system. to directly apply the She was able to interact material she learned Delta sorority, member of Big Brothwith Spanish speaking in HES to what she ers, Big Sisters patients while also getdoes almost every day. ting hands-on experience Despite the difPost-Grad Plans: Move to Boston by shadowing a physical ficulty of having two therapist, allowing her to majors, Austin does and apply to PA school gain experience in both not regret having departments. both. Her decision to A year of traveling add a Spanish major and trying new things came after learning lies ahead for Austin. about dire need for translators in the healthcare system. She enjoyed Next year, she is moving to Boston where she will both topics so, while the workload was demand- be living with three of her friends for a year before ing, adding the second major allowed her to study she starts applying to PA school. She hopes to find two things that she enjoyed while helping solve a a job as a medical scribe to work towards the 1,000 hours needed to apply to graduate school, but is problem. Originally from Beaumont, TX, a small town most excited to be trying something new, as she has outside of Houston, Austin was always drawn to never been to Boston before. Reflecting on her time at Wake Forest, she wants North Carolina for school. She picked Wake Forest while touring all the North Carolina schools. to emphasize the importance of learning and tryWake Forest’s beautiful campus and academics im- ing new things. “Don’t be afraid to get into your work and learn mediately stood out to her and she knew that it was the place she wanted to be for her next four years. it way beyond memorization.” Austin said. “Actually Since her first activities fair, she has been in- enjoy what you’re doing and learn everything you volved with the Big Brother, Big Sisters program can. Oh, and don’t be afraid of anatomy.”

ASIA PARKER | HISTORY

supportive and influential role in Parker’s academic career at Wake Forest. “I have also found [Hellyer’s] classes to be really engaging. He made Asia and the World really Asia Parker, a First-Generation Magnolia interesting for me and he is very knowledgeable Scholar from Fort Lauderdale, FL, knew by the on the subject,” Parker said. time she matriculated to Wake Forest that she Parker is quick to note the value of the broad had a passion for history. curriculum required by the history department “I took AP American, World and British His- in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. tory in high school and knew before coming “I love the variety of classes needed to fulfill to Wake that I had a passion for history, as my the major,” Parker added. strengths lie in my reading and writing skills. Though Parker has enjoyed a great academic It made sense for me to continue,” Parker said. record in the history department, success has Though she knew by the time that she ar- not always come easily. rived in Winston-Salem that she enjoyed studying “I think having to write a thesis was a hard history, she did not immediately know that she requirement and certainly a hard task,” she would eventually major in the subject. However, noted. Despite the difficulty of the thesis reit did not take long for quirement, she is her to understand the thankful for its inscope of her adoration. clusion, explaining Hometown: Fort Lauderdale. FL “I did not necessarthat “it did help me ily expect history to be grow as a student.” Extracurriculars: Captain of the my major but as soon Overall, Parker as I took my first class boasts that she equestrian team, member of the Jufreshman year, it felt doesn’t have any cridicial Council right and made sense to tiques of the history me so I knew freshman department. Post-Grad Plans: Travel and attend year I would [eventuThis final semeslaw school ally] declare history.” ter, Parker did not The consequential take any history first class that Parker classes. Instead, she took in the history despent her time compartment her freshman year resulted in many pleting divisional classes. She laments, “I was others and a very successful undergraduate career surprised at how much I really missed taking as a history student at Wake Forest. history classes and honestly wished I snagged The history department’s faculty has played one last one in there.” a major role in stoking the flames of Parker’s Parker is not only a History major, she is also love for the subject. Take, for example, Professor a Middle East and South Asian studies minor. John Ruddiman, who has been a huge inspira- She is also the captain of the equestrian team tion for Parker. and a member of the Judicial council. Surely, As Parker explains, “I wrote my thesis on the this major and minor combination, along with Revolutionary Wars of America with [Ruddiman] campus leadership roles, makes her a very desirand also took two of his American history classes. able applicant to jobs and graduate schools. She He taught me how to really engage with primary plans to utilize her Wake Forest undergraduate sources in ways I hadn’t thought of before and education to catapult herself into law school. has really helped me grow as a student.” First, though, she will enjoy a gap year to work Dr. Robert Hellyer has also played an extremely and travel.

Photo courtesy of Asia Parker

“As soon as I took my first [history] class...it felt right ... I knew I would declare history.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 15

BY HEATHER HARTEL Online Managing Editor harthf15@wfu.edu

Communications even though I couldn’t locate a career direction with these two majors, but I really enjoyed almost every class from these two majors.” Coming to college as an international student One of Liu’s biggest lessons at Wake Forest is a daunting experience; leaving your home was to follow her passions and make decisions to move to a foreign country with a foreign for herself — the decision to study Japanese language and a new culture is uncomfortable. and Communications was just one example of Finding your place at a new university is crucial this. She also joined the Global Research and in finding a sense of belonging and comfort. Assessment Team with the Center for Global Graduating senior Tina Liu, originally from Programs and Studies as a Global Outreach Qingdao, China, found her sense of belonging Intern. in the Department of East Asian Language Also throughout her time on campus, Liu and Cultures. Her first language is Chinese, has committed her experience to helping other but she also studies Japanese at Wake Forest. international students with their adjustment to “I came to Wake Forest because I always Wake Forest. She co-authored a story on Eswanted to attend a small college and Wake ource, an online publication from the National Forest was the only Resource Center for university I applied the First-Year Expeto, others were liberal rience and Students Hometown: Qingdao, China arts colleges. I found in Transition, about Wake unique as a how international Extracurriculars: Global Outreach university because it students can better combines liberal arts transition to univerIntern for Global Programs and Studcollege charactersity in the U.S. ies istics,” Liu said. “I Now about to choose to major in graduate, Liu is able Post-Grad Plans: MA in CommuniJapanese because I to reflect on her most cation at Columbia University have been interested important places on in Japanese culture campus. While she since high school, has grown more and I thought it was comfortable with a good opportunity for me to make it a focus the university and what it means to be a stuof my undergraduate studies.” dent here, one specific place on campus will The decision to study Japanese was not al- forever stay important to her. ways Liu’s plan. Coming to university from “I will most miss my time in the East Asian China, there were expectations from her par- Language and Cultures department; it is a ents and other students to study certain areas small department and I am familiar with evto prioritize post-graduate employment. After ery professor,” Liu said. “I truly felt that I’ve taking various classes, she decided to follow been respected and taken care of through these her passion for studying language. classes. For my other major (Communications), “I tried to choose my major as accounting I sometimes just sit there and listen instead of sophomore year, but I just found every class voicing myself.” so painful to take,” Liu said. “Even my parents Upon graduating, Liu plans to continue her told me that accounting would easily help studies at Columbia University; Liu plans to me find a job after I graduated. I struggled complete her Masters in Communication in and decided to double major in Japanese and the Teachers College.

TINA LIU| JAPANESE

“I chose to major in Japanese because I have been interested ... since high school.”

YOUYANG ZHANG | MATH BUSINESS BY OLIVIA FIELD Life Editor fielor17@wfu.edu

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

“There will always be surprises when you try something new.”

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

Kappa, the social science honor society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society. In 2016, Zhang participated in a Red Ventures case competition at the business school. She was A Farrell Hall study room enthusiast, Youyang a member of one of the student groups, each Zhang has excelled as a Mathematical Business one taking on the role of a student developmajor at Wake Forest. After taking a statistics ment team. After presenting their concepts to class, she realized that her love for business representatives from the company, Zhang’s team and her interest in math could be combined received first place and $5,000. through this major. “This natural inquisitive nature of Youyang Zhang always had the Wake Forest School of will make her a tremendous asset to every orgaBusiness in mind — it was one of the reasons nization with which she works,” said Marketshe applied to Wake Forest in the first place. She ing Professor Michelle Steward. “It was such a was further catapulted into the Math Business pleasure to have a student like Youyang who has major after taking Accounting 111. Although both curiosity and a high level of intelligence, at first she thought she would major in Accoun- and is willing to dig into marketing problems tancy, she was not drawn to the subject. This that have a lot of interesting uncertainty.” allowed her to narrow her path within the busiOne of Zhang’s favorite memories from her ness chool, focusing time at Wake Forest more on marketing is the President’s Ball, and statistics. Along which she was able to with academics, there Hometown: Beijing, China experience as a senior. were many other She said some of her reasons Zhang chose Extracurriculars: A.S.I.A., Phi Beta fondest experiences Wake Forest. also include simple Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma “I choose to come activities, such as to Wake because I spending time with Post-Grad: Pursuing Master’s deliked [the] campus friends or a late night gree inBusiness Analytics at Southa lot. Also the small session at ZSR. class size setting is apern Methodist University When asked what pealing to me because advice she would I’m the kind of person give to incoming who would be afraid freshman, Zhang reto speak in front of a lot of people or be around them,” Zhang said. marked on the importance of breaking outside “So I [thought I could] learn a lot more and a of your comfort zone to experience more and make new friends. She also emphasized the need lot better if I [came] to Wake.” Originally from Beijing, China, Zhang is the to befriend your professors, as they play a big treasurer of the Asian Student Interests Associa- role in your college career. “[You need] to embrace the differences and tion (ASIA). “Most people in ASIA have Asian heritage don’t be afraid of trying new things,” Zhang and are struggling to find an ideal position for said. “There will always be surprises when you themselves on campus,” Zhang said. “This is try something new.” Ultimately, Zhang said she will miss her not only a club activity for me, but I [have formed] lifelong personal bonds with people friends, the late nights they spent together and in ASIA who have a lot of similar experiences the Zumba classes she often attended at the gym. with me.” After graduation, Zhang will be attending Alongside this role, she is also a member of two graduate school at Southern Methodist Unidifferent academic honor societies on campus. versity in Dallas, pursuing a Master’s degree in Specifically, she has been inducted into Phi Beta Business Analytics.

Page 16 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

JACK GARVEY | MATH ECONOMICS BY BECKY SWIG Print Managing Editor swigrr15@wfu.edu

Becky Swig/Old Gold & Black

“It is a cool combo without having to double major. It is the perfect fit for me.”

BY HEATHER HARTEL Online Managing Editor harthf15@wfu.edu

“Generally, the professors have been so engaging, particularly in the math and economics departments … it is such a cool thing that we have all of these professors open to talking with Senior Jack Garvey, orignially from Arlington, us,” Garvey said. While Garvey has thoroughly enjoyed his time VA, is a Math Economics major with minors in both biology and health policy and administra- in the math economics department, there have tion. Garvey, initially coming to Wake Forest been a fair number of challenges for him. “I am not as visual of a person, so learning all to be a doctor, made the decision to change of the curves and graphs was way too much at courses as a result of one class he took. “I came in thinking I was going to be a biology first,” Garvey said. “But over time, I was able to major, being pre-med, but I took my first math get it — I went through a lot of office hours to.” Even though the visual aspect of economics class here and really just realized how much I has been a challenge for Garvey, he has excelled really enjoyed it,” Garvey said. While he liked that math class, he is happy in other ways. “He pays great attention to details and often with the decision to study math economics as can catch subtle differences in various mathopposed to just mathematics. ematical economics “It is a cool combo problems we study,” without having to said Dr. Miaohua double major. It is Jiang, a professor of the perfect fit for me,” Hometown: Arlington, VA mathematics. Garvey said. He has also comHe also cited that Extracurriculars: President of Stupleted a senior thesis, math economics disdent Union, Screamin’ Deacons working with Dr. tinguishes itself from Frank Moore from majoring in just math Post-Grad Plans: Working for Dethe mathematics and or just economics. loitte in Virginia statistics department. “What distin“Jack was an excelguishes math econ lent student to work is that it is sort of with. We chose a topic intended to see if that was tangentially people want to go related to my research and motivated by ecoto economics grad school, which actually nomics, which required Jack to translate between isn’t something I am particularly interested both bodies of literature,” Moore said. “Not only in doing. But it is intended for those who did Jack do a great job absorbing the theoretical have a strong math background to go to economics grad school,” Garvey said. “Some- mathematics material, but he also explained to me the necessary economics concepts with clarity.” thing that I think makes it a bit different Garvey has also served as president of Student than math is that it gives you a really good Union this year, a daunting task but also rewarding. applied major in mathematics. It gives you “I love having events for so many different some really neat applications of basic things people on campus. It is really nice to meet peothat you have learned in calculus and some ple from all aspects of the campus community,” more complex processes you learn along the Garvey said. way.” Garvey will be working for Deloitte in Virginia One thing that Garvey has loved about the department is the personal connections he has made starting in the fall, and hopes to go to graduate not only with his peers, but with the professors. school to earn is MBA down the road.

HUNTER HALE | MATH STATISTICS

modeling. Though wary at first, Hale was committed to the challenge and ended up enjoying it more than expected. His team also won the “Meritoriuous WinHunter Hale strikes most in and outside ner” distcinction for their paper that year, the classroom with his intelligence and and proceeded to compete the following math-focused brain. Whether in high- year. level statistics or economics courses, Hale This was a similar experience when Hale has a uniqe passion for learning and un- was asked to join Wake Forest’s College derstanding complex material. He came Fed Challlenge team, where economics to Wake Forest because he wanted to go to students mimic the Federal Reserve’s Feda university that offered a statistics major eral Open Market Committee (FOMC) and small class sizes, and it seemed Wake meetings and provide suggestions for the Forest was a natural fit for this criteria. current economy. Again, hesitant to joinAccording to Hale, his experience here ing the team in the first place, the opporhas been better than he anticipated. tunity ended up being a successful one for “I was surprised how much profes- him, and one that taught him important sors want to make lessons. sure their students “I’ve learned succeed, and I’m how important Hometown: Caramel, IN really grateful for it is to say yes to all of the help I’ve new opportuniExtracurriculars: COMAP Particireceived from proties,” Hale said. “ fessors the past four Some of my favorpant, College Fed Challenge years,” Hale said. ite experiences at While math stasWake Forest were Post-Grad Plans: Entering a PhD tics is not a simple through activities program in Statistics major, Hale has that I was initially had to learn how to hesitant to join.” prioritize indepenBeyond math dent studies and a and economics commitment to competitions, problem-solving. Hale also notes he loves rolling the quad “As my math courses got more difficult, after a sports win and spending time with I started to have moments where I felt his friends. completely lost for the first time, and Hale’s committments on campus have I found out it’s easy to feel a little bit ranged from academic successes to extraoverwhelmed or defeated in those situa- curriculars outside the classroom. From tions,” Hale said. “Now, I’m comfortable these experiences, he can offer applicable with being confused for a little while, advice to other students. and I’ve learned to approach really dif“You’ll get the most out of your time at ficult situations with a lot of patience Wake if you find something you’re pasand persistence.” sionate about and fully devote yourself In his free time, Hale has committed to it,” Hale said. his academic passions to extracurriculars. After graduation, Hale will be entering In his sophomore year, Hale participated a PhD program to further his studies in in the COMAP contest in mathematical statistics.

Krishna Chopra/Old Gold & Black

“You’ll get the most out of your time ... if you find something you’re passionate about.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY JULIA HAINES Editor-in-Chief hainjm15@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 17

IRINA VIVIANO | MATHEMATICS

When she was focusing on her mathematics major, Irina particularly enjoyed the pure mathematics aspects of the field. However, after shifting focus to complete the computer science degree, she realized Irina Viviano has skated through her four years that she began to better appreciate applied mathon campus the same way she skates on the ice, with ematics as well. grace, composure and dedication. She has spent the “As her mentor, I found it quite interesting that both majority of her Wake Forest career within the walls her mathematics and computer science senior projects of the Manchester/Kirby building, studying hard, (yes, she did one for each major) have a significant playing board games with friends and completing component belonging to the other discipline,” said enough classes to earn her not one, but two Bach- Dr. Frank Moore, of the Department of Mathematics. elor of Science degrees in both mathematics and in “Her smile and enthusiasm for mathematics will be computer science. missed by the department.” In Viviano’s free time, she was president of the Originally from Ukraine, Irina and her family Mathematics Club, did research in both major dis- moved to North Carolina when she was a child. Deciplines and picked up figure skating her senior year, spite living in the U.S. for the majority of her life, Via hobby she’d initially found prior to college. viano loves traveling and learning new languages. She “When I step onto the ice, it’s like all of the stress can hold a conversation in of academics, the rest Russian and Chinese, and of the world, disaphas studied Korean, Italpears,” she said. “I’m ian, Spanish, Norwegian Hometown: Ukraine really glad I had the and French as well. opportunity to join “My background is a reExtracurriculars: President of the the club at Wake, it’s ally important part of my something I really Mathematics Club, Figure Skating identity, so even though enjoy doing.” I’ve lived here for a long While she originalPost-Grad Plans: Completing a Masters time, it’s still my roots ly planned to major and I work really hard so in Computer Science at Wake Forest in economics, Irina that I don’t forget them,” discovered her love Viviano said. for math after taking Her ability to speak a Linear Algebra with bit of Chinese came in Professor Sarah Raynor, a class she still credits as being an all-time favorite for its atmosphere and handy her freshman year, when she was paired with roommate Yue Wen Qian. The pair worked so well for the teaching style. “The class didn’t feel dry at all, it was extremely together, they continued to room together the folcollaborative,” Viviano said. She also particularly en- lowing three years. “We both had the same dedication to our classes, joyed an art history class she took her sophomore and got along really well,” Viviano said. “I feel lucky year with Professor Bernadine Barnes. After completing her mathematics major by the to have had such a good roommate pairing.” Viviano’s favorite memories on campus include sitend of her junior year, she used her senior year to complete a second major in computer science, an ting on the quad, perusing the Media Room of the interest she developed after realizing the use of over- library and spending time with friends. After graduating, Viviano plans to get her Masters lapping the two subjects. “Irina has been incredibly independent in her re- in Computer Science from the very same department search — she identified her own project by asking she’s grown to love, right on campus. After that, she an insightful question during a research group meet- hopes to move to Europe for her career and to expand ing, and the project led to summer research and her on her love for travel. “While on campus I grew a lot as a person, and came computer science honors thesis,” said Grey Ballard, a professor in the computer science department. to realize what’s important to me,” Viviano said of “Working with a student like Irina is what makes her time here. “I’m looking forward to meeting more academic research fun.” people in the computer science department next year.”

Krishna Chopra/Old Gold & Black

“While on campus I grew a lot as a person, and came to realize what’s important to me.”

LUCY ZHOU | MUSIC (PERFORMANCE) BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

“Every professor is so nice, no matter if I have taken their classes before or not.”

“You’re just building relationships in these classes, instead of when you stay for one class and then you just leave,” Zhou said. “You really know the people and you often stay after and hang around.” Again, by the random encouraging of a professor, Senior Lucy Zhou didn’t come to Wake Forest to study music; before coming into college, she hadn’t Zhou teamed with fellow senior David Yang to perform piano recitals, which allowed her to learn about even really thought about what her major would be. collaboration. However, Zhou did know one thing she wanted to Even though Zhou loves music, she doesn’t believe get involved in: choir. she will continue with it as anything more than a When Zhou was searching for choir opportuni- hobby. According to her, she had a lot of pressure on ties, she found that the music department was very her to learn the piano at a young age, but her college welcoming. professors made music fun again. She fears that high“I saw sheets about signing up for individual lessons pressure environment in the professional music world. “Once you go professional, it’s very competitive [for voice], so I asked,” Zhou said. “The women told me, ‘you have to audition.’ I asked when auditions and I don’t know if I could get a job,” Zhou said. “I can still love it [as a hobby].” were, and she responded, ‘you already passed!’” Further, Zhou has already nailed down her postLater, Zhou was walking through Scales Fine Arts Center and asked a piano professor about individ- graduate plans, as she will be staying at Wake Forest to pursue her Masters ual lessons, and he also of Science (MSA) in told her she could just Accountancy and has come right on in. When already accepted a fullHometown: Suzhou, China Zhou meet with Stewtime job at Ernst & art Carter, he surprised Young, an accounting Extracurriculars: Collegium MusiZhou by pulling out a firm in Houston, Texas, cum Vocal Choir, Concert Choir, Musiwhere she interned at the list of requirements for beginning of this spring the Music Performance cal Empowerment, Chamber Music semester. major. Since she was internPost-Grad Plans: Pursuing a MSA in AcThat’s when Zhou ing at the beginning thought that maybe countancy at Wake Forest of this semester, Zhou this would be the path completed two solo refor her. citals in the short span “When I was in choir, of a month last semester. She was nervous at first, the first time they did introductions, I figured out that but gained the confidence to memorize her music a lot of people were doing double majors,” she said. and perform on stage. “That really opened my mind that I could do both.” “[Lucy] is a fine pianist and has a wonderful sense Zhou acknowledges that she picked two of the of humor (even laughing at her professor’s puns),” hardest majors: Accountancy and Music Performance. said Professor Dan Locklair. “In both the areas of music and business, Lucy is Accountancy has a lot of requirements as does Music Performance, which often caused her to take about 20 a very gifted young woman whose strong and admicredit hours per semester, and the two are completely rable work ethic always ensures that she produces the highest quality results,” Locklair said. “In whatever different. Somehow, she managed to do it all. “Lucy is quite simply a model student,” Carter said. direction Lucy chooses to go, I predict a very bright “Highly intelligent, totally responsible, and a very future for her and will follow her life and career with great interest.” talented pianist. I don’t believe she ever missed a class Once she finishes her undergraduate career, Zhou nor did she ever submit an assignment late.” knows she will miss the community that the music One of Zhou’s favorite experiences in the music department creates. department was having to take a series of music theory “Every professor is so nice, no matter if I have taken classes for four semesters, in which they met for one their classes before or not,” Zhou said. “They know hour Monday through Friday. all the students.”

Page 18 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

CLAY HAMILTON| MUSIC (LIBERAL ARTS) BY JULIA HAINES Editor-in-Chief hainjm15@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of Clay Hamilton

“Choosing to do something different made all the difference for me in my Wake experience.”

Of the overlap he sees between science and music, Hamilton said, “Medicine is such a collaborative field, and music has taught me to rely on other people. It doesn’t matter if you could sing every part, because you Before coming to Wake Forest, Clay Hamilton played can’t, you’ve got to rely on the people around you. The piano and sang in his youth choir, planned to be a same applies to medicine.” science major with no intention of pursuing music in A stand-out memory is from when he traveled to college. Now, as a Music in Liberal Arts conducting Venice and Rome with concert choir, and the group student, music has become a much larger part of his was standing on a bridge at night near Casa Artem late life than he ever would have imagined. one night. For Hamilton, it was after that trip that he “It’s something that came out of nowhere for me and decided to switch his major from biology to music. was definitely a big change in direction, but it’s one “The night was totally silent, which is really weird that’s helped me grow a ton as a person and be more for a city,” Hamilton said. “There was a really beautisure about what I want to do with this next step,” ful moment where a couple of us started singing some Hamilton said. of our repertoire, and it felt like a very Wake Forest After joining Chi Rho, the campus men’s Christian moment: I’m with friends, I’m in a beautiful country, a capella group, and concert choir his freshman year, and I’m really grateful to be here.” Hamilton dove further into Outside of music and music. He did research in Viacademics, Hamilton enna related to Mozart and was a President’s Aide, Beethoven, became a conducta member of Alpha Phi Hometown: Spartanburg, SC ing student, and, most recently, Omega and worked Extracurriculars: Music Director for was music director for the play with pediatrics at Wake Spring Awakening, President’s Aide, Spring Awakening. Forst Baptist Hospital Chi Rho, concert choir, APO, TA, research “[Being a part of the play was] studying the impact of Post-Grad Plans: Fellow at Wake an experience I didn’t expect to arts education on the Downtown while applying to medical have,” Hamilton said. “I don’t psychological wellschool know that I could have done being of individuals that at a bigger school. Profesthrough a weekly arts sors here, especially in the muand crafts program. sic department, give students Working as a Wake so many incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities Forest Fellow after graduation, Hamilton hopes to to lead projects.” bridge the sciences with the arts on campus, making Hamilton has been the music director for Chi Rho Wake Downtown a unique program in the field and since his junior year, and is thankful for the oppor- allowing other students to experience “the incredible tunities they had to record an album in Nashville his things that are happening over in Scales.” sophomore year and to tour in Orlando this summer. “Music has been so integral to my growth in both “Clay is one of the most talented conducting students academics and as an individual, and I don’t like to I’ve had during my twenty-two years at Wake Forest,” see it be such a small portion in relation to the larger said Dr. David Hagy of the music department. “He campus community,” Hamilton said. Although Hamilton will be applying to medical understands a great deal about how to make physical motions to generate qualities of sound from musicians. schools in his free time, refinding his original plan, he is thankful for the professors who encouraged him to I have enjoyed working with him greatly.” In addition to his study of music, Hamilton is also change his original undergraduate path. “Choosing to do something different made all the on the pre-med track. With minors in both biology and chemistry, he feels that music has enriched his difference for me in my Wake Forest experience … understanding of medicine. He has spent two summers You’re never so far down a path that you can’t choose to do something different.” doing chemistry research and has run his own lab.

YIFEI WANG | PHILOSOPHY

BY ETHAN BAHAR Opinion Editor bahaea15@wfu.edu

Though Wang has thoroughly enjoyed his time as a philosophy major at Wake Forest, he does offer an astute criticism of the degree. “I do not think the requirement of 30 credits is Senior Yifei Wang, from Beijing, China, knew sufficient to prepare a major for a graduate school from the time he started at Wake Forest that he in philosophy. I’ll say 39 or 42 is a more suitable wanted to study philosophy. According to Wang, requirement for majors.” “I was in an IB program during high school, and I This is an important observation Wang makes, took philosophy courses starting in the tenth grade.” His high school love for philosophy has continued and one that many of his peers in the department are quick to echo. It is curious, after all, that while to hold true throughout his college career. “Philosophy was my favorite subject both in high earning a BA in philosophy from Wake Forest reschool and in college because I find more pleasure quires the completion of only 30 credit hours, a BS in questioning than merely remembering materi- from the new engineering department requires the als,” Wang said. completion of 75 credit hours. Wang feels that the philosophical education he Though Wang is critical of the relatively small has gained from Wake Forest has been invaluable credit hour requirement for a degree in philosoin formulating his worldview. phy, he has still immensely enjoyed his studies “My favorite aspect is and time spent in the that this major allows me department. Howto question and doubt, ever, he has not limwhich I enjoy,” Wang Hometown: Beijing, China ited his curriculum to said. “But beyond that, philosophy courses. in answering those ‘big Extracurriculars: Owner and manCoupled with his questions,’ I gradually ager of Wake Wash, member of Pi philosophy degree, constructed a complete he will also be earnworldview, a system into Sigma Alpha Politics Honors Society which I can try to fit all ing a BA in politics phenomena, including and international afPost-Grad Plans: Attend law school those about my own fairs, with a focus on life, such as the reason political theory. Furfor doing anything, how ther, he is a member to get rid of anxiety, and of Pi Sigma Alpha, the what kind of person I national politics honwant to be.” ors society, and he is also the owner, director and Surely this nuanced approach to “big questions” will help Wang in future endeavors, and gives him general manager of Wake Wash, a campus laundry an advantage over peers who are comparatively less service. The potent combination of a philosophy equipped to deal with the complexities and anxiety- degree paired with a politics degree and stellar extracurriculars will surely make Wang an impressive inducing factors of the modern world. Wang says that perhaps his greatest philosophi- and desirable applicant, both to future employers cal influences at Wake Forest has been one of his as well as to graduate schools. professors, Dr. Adrian Bardon. According to Wang, after graduation he is “plan“I took three courses with Dr. Bardon: Introduc- ning to go to a law school (I did not yet decide tion to Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Space which one) [to become] a litigator. I believe what and Time, and Kant,” Wang said. “As Dr. Bardon has I have learned in the department has equipped me guaranteed, his classes blow my mind on a weekly basis. His lectures are not only exciting but have with skills to be competitive in my future study also drastically reshaped my way of understanding and career.” Surely the critical thinking skills that he has gained everything in this world.” In these classes, Bardon was extremely effective in from his time spent in Tribble studying philosophy will make Yifei Wang a very capable litigator one day. expanding Wang’s philosophical perspective.

Krishna Chopra/Old Gold & Black

“My favorite aspect is that this major allows me to question and doubt, which I enjoy.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY JULIA HAINES Editor-in-Chief hainjm15@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 19

SAJANT ANAND | PHYSICS

blooming onions at the local Outback Steakhouse on the bet that, if they each finish an appetizer, Fulp will pay for it (he finished it, barely). “It’s something I never would have imagined When Sajant Anand first stepped onto campus, four years ago,” Anand said. “If you went to a he knew he wanted to major in both physics and large state school, I don’t know how well you’ll computer science. Now, his incredible ambition, get to know your faculty members on the same dedication and drive will earn him a degree in level and do things so unrelated to academics.” Anand also fondly remembers playing in the both fields, as well as a minor in mathematics. “Most people end up choosing to master one annual Halloween Orchestra Concert. For the discipline and to know a cursory portion of an- concert, students all dress in costume and play other,” said Samuel Cho, a professor of physics and pranks on the conductor throughout the show. computer science. “To see someone of Sajant’s age “[The Halloween concert is] probably responalready demonstrating strong competence in both sible for some of my best memories of Wake, in terms of breadth and depth is truly exceptional. because you have the audience all there for a good I keep looking forward to seeing what cool thing time, and you can do crazy things you’d never do he is going to do next, again and again.” on stage otherwise,” Anand said. In addition to all of his He enjoys performclasses, Anand is a Presiing, and is glad that he dential Flute Scholar, a continued to play flute Hometown: Johnson City, TN member of the orchestra, in college, having first was president of the Aspicked up the instruExtracurriculars: President of ACM, sociation for Computing ment when he was five. Presidential Flute Scholar, wind enMachinery (ACM) club “You get a rush from semble, research groups and TA and conducted research doing something when for both the Cho Reyou’ve worked so hard Post-Grad Plans: Masters in Apsearch Group and Juto get it right,” Anand plied Math in Cambridge, England rchescu Research Group. said. “Also, it’s nice to “Sajant has embraced have that relaxation, the liberal arts education where you go from and has thrived at Wake Forest,” said Oana Ju- doing quantitative stuff to using a different part rchescu, a physics professor. “He set the standards of your brain to play an instrument.” for himself very high and he was very focused and When not studying or playing flute, Anand determined to even exceed these expectations. He was a teacher’s assistant and mentored a team of is just brilliant! At the same time, he is a great high school girls competing in the First Robotics colleague who is loved by all group members, is Competition (FRC) who ended up winning the funny, and a joy to work in the lab with.” state championship for their robot. Anand said he will most miss the camaraderie “It was an especially rewarding experience to be he has found on campus, specifically within the able to help them, since it was their first foray into computer science department. hands-on STEM outside of a textbook,” Anand “It is fun to build a community in a department said. “Half the reason I joined STEM was because where the faculty are willing to do stuff outside of the mentors I had in high school; they were of normal work hours to get students interested really excited and that rubbed off on me.” in computer science,” he said. After graduation, Anand will be getting his In recent weeks, Anand has had a “jam session” Masters in Applied Math in Cambridge, Engon the flute with Professor Todd Torgersen playing land, and will then pursue a PhD in physics or ukulele, and took part in a tradition with Profes- math. Long-term he hopes to eventually become sor Errin Fulp wherein a group of students order a university professor.

“You get a rush from doing something when you’ve worked so hard to get it right.”

THOMAS POSTON| POLITICS BY HEATHER H ARTEL Online Managing Editor harthf15@wfu.edu

Photo Courtesy of Thomas Poston

“People are an essential part of Wake Forest, but so is ... the beauty. ”

Photo courtesy of Sajant Anand

internship with the Environmental Defense Fund into a research project and was happily helped. Later in his academic career, Poston received the Richter Scholarship, an endowed fund that As sports fans follow their beloved teams with exists to, in his words, “fund student personal pet uncompromising loyalty, senior Thomas Poston projects that are of scholarly value.” With this grant, lives and breathes politics — whether inside class- Poston was able to spend time in the U.K. better rooms in Kirby hall, studying in Strasbourg, France understanding his otherwise disconnected passions or interning for the State Department in D.C. of poetry, nature and political thought. While in “I knew coming to Wake that politics was going the U.K., he visited multiple landmark sites that to be a big part of my experience,” Poston said. were important to romantic poets and analyzed “I was really drawn to the way the department them with a multidisciplinary approach from a blends rigorous analytic methods with a historipolitical theory lens. cal context, and also just had a great experience Most recently, Poston completed his senior with the classes my freshman year.” seminar. His research focused on the intersection One of his favorite parts about the politics deof environmental policy and international polipartment at Wake Forest is how it balances looktics, and it was focused on the U.S.’s orientation ing at politics from a towards international historical perspective environmental agreebut also introduces a ments, such as the Paris more rigorous anaHometown: Currituck, NC Agreement. lytical element. “It has been a genu“Politics is at the Extracurriculars: President’s Aide, ine pleasure and honor intersection of qualiAnthony Aston Players, Ethics Debate tative and quantitato follow his academic Team, Concert Choir, Pi Sigma Alpha, tive research and the journey to date and to humanities,” he said. converse with him on President of Can I Poet “It’s the beauty of the a regular basis,” said discipline but also a Professor Helga Welsh. Post-Grad Plans: Federal Consulttough balance under“Thomas is a student ing for Deloitte in Washington, D.C. standing where your of many talents; he is, particular research or among others, very course of study fits creative in connecting in.” approaches from different disciplines to shed light Poston is an Economics and Politics & Interon important issues.” national Affairs double major, as he see the two While he balances various time commitments disciplines going hand-in-hand. A member of the and two majors, Poston also prioritizes giving himAnthony Aston Players, the Ethics Debate Team, self time to relax and reflect on his time at Wake Concert Choir, President of Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honor Society) and Forest. He sees different spaces on campus as the a President’s Aide, Poston fills his time with perfect means of this kind of escape. “One thing that I’ve loved about Wake, which activities that reflect his passions. As he has pursued multiple independent re- is a universal experience, is the physical place and search opportunities, he also deeply appreciates the beauty of it,” Poston said. “I’m specifically the department’s willingness to support student going to miss Davis Field. It’s a great place to be inquiries. After his freshman year, Poston ap- centered and take a moment to connect with the proached the current head of the department, place. People are an essential part of Wake Forest, Dr. Katy Harriger, to see if he could turn his but so is the landscape and the beauty.”

Page 20 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

ANNA OSMENT | PSYCHOLOGY

know what she believes, and to be able to articulate it and to fight for it, which is something she hopes for of all her fellow Demon Deacons. Outside the classroom, Osment is involved in a Many enter their college careers with almost no number of different extracurricular activities, includidea of what they want to study. This was hardly the ing being a member of Alpha Delta Pi, volunteercase for Anna Osment, a graduating senior from ing at Brenner Children’s Hospital and serving as Charlotte, NC, who was almost certain she wanted the vice president of the Wesley Foundation — a to major in psychology after taking AP Psychology United Methodist campus ministry. One of her fain high school. Additionally, during a high school vorite memories, however, was studying abroad in visit to Wake Forest, Osment met Dr. Deborah Best, Vienna, Austria through Wake Forest’s program at a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, the Flow House because she was able to travel all who Osment says made her know she wanted to over Europe, experience different people and cultures be part of the psychology program and is still her and also meet a number of Wake Forest students she inspiration to this day. likely would not have otherwise met. What she loved about Wake Forest as a prospective After graduation, Osment will work as a medical student was its combination of size and the liberal arts. scribe for a year while applying to medical school. “I loved the fact that they make us branch out There is a lot she will miss about Wake Forest inand try different types of classes and force to us cluding the close community and great professors. get out of our comfort “It’s such a commuzones academically,” nity and you’re so close Osment said. to everyone. WalkHometown: Charlotte, NC As a student on the ing anywhere, you see pre-med track, Osment somebody you know, Extracurriculars: Alpha Delpta Pi found her psychology and I’ll definitely miss Sorority, Wesley Foundation, Volunmajor and accompathat aspect,” Osment nying neuroscience said. “Almost every proteer at Brenners Chidren Hospital minor to be a great area fessor I’ve met here has of undergraduate study. had such a strong desire Post-Grad Plans: Working as a “Psych to me kind of fits to teach us but also work medical scribe well with the pre-med with us and get to know aspect,” Osment said. us. I will definitely miss “I think psych can be that as well.” used in any field, but, especially in medicine, you One professor in particular with whom Osment have to know how to work with people and how built a strong relationship over her four years was people function.” Dr. Best. Speaking to the type of person and stuThere were a number of things Osment loved dent Osment is, Best said, “I first met Anna when about studying psychology, but her favorite aspect she was in high school and was interviewing at was being a member of the honors program because Wake Forest for a Carswell Scholarship, which she she was able to do her own research project with a won. Over the past four years I have watched Anna faculty advisor. With the help of Dr. Dale Dagenbach, grow intellectually, eagerly taking on the challenges Osment compared cognitive functioning with levels she encountered in the classroom and lab. In my of alcohol consumption among older and younger Honors Research Seminar, which is quite difficult adults. Additionally, presenting this thesis project in (advanced research design, multivariate statistics), late April of 2018 was among Osment’s proudest Anna was often the first to understand the more accomplishments during her time as a Wake Forest difficult statistical analyses. She loves challenges and student. is an exceptional problem-solver. Her ready smile, To students coming into Wake Forest, Osment’s calm, engaging demeanor and quiet enthusiasm advice is to not be afraid to try something that sounds make her a delight both as a person and as a stuinteresting. She also encourages new students to take dent. She is in the process of applying to medical advantage of every great opportunity the school of- school and I would be thrilled to have her as my fers. Osment says Wake Forest truly challenged her to physician one day.”

BY DANIEL PACHINO News Editor pachdb15@wfu.edu

Krishna Chopra/Old Gold & Black

“I think psychology can be used in any field, but especially in medicine.”

BY LIZZIE SNYDER Sports Editor snydem15@wfu.edu

ALI EAKES | RELIGION

lived up to everything she imagined, she added, “I expected the community and the rigor and that’s what I got out of it.” In terms of Eakes’ community, she has actively When Ali Eakes talks about her future, it is easy engaged with faculty on campus in an attempt to hear the excitement in her voice. She will attend to learn from them outside the classroom and medical school at UNC Chapel Hill in the fall. has a deep level of respect for what they have When she added that she just decided last week, a taught her. big smile spread across her face. Although her hard “My teachers here are some of the most influwork as a pre-med student and a member of the ential people in my life and serve as mentors now Wake Forest Emergency Medical Services (EMS) but will continue to be mentors in the future,” team has payed off, Eakes has a true passion for she said. the study of religion and is an embodiment of a Her greatest piece of advice is to embrace the student of the liberal arts curriculum. opportunities that are thrown your way, which “I’m going to medical school and I’m going to she has certainly done. Outside the classroom, learn the medicine I need to learn but right now, Eakes is a freshman resident advisor and loves, I’m studying something I’m passionate about and in her words, the “experience of bringing in the I found that in my religion new class and being one class,” she said. Her honors of the first faces they see thesis, which captures both at Wake.” fields of study, is entitled As the Wake Forest Hometown: Mount Olive, NC “The Dying Body in Meditraining and equipment cine and Religion,” and was Extracurriculars: Wake Forest captain for EMS, she recently awarded the 2018 speaks highly of the tightEMS, Resident Advisor G. Joseph B. Currin Award. knit community she has Eakes’ passion for religion found in this dedicated Post-Grad Plans: Medical also came through in her ingroup of volunteers. School at UNC Chapel Hill ternship last summer. “I’d probably say my fa“I never expected to spend vorite memory is senior the summer working in passend off for EMS. It’s toral services. As a pre-med something we do every student, I never forsaw that as something I would year,” she said. “We have so many seniors who do, but that’s something I did for my department are graduating and we’ve all grown so close as a and it’s something I really enjoyed,” Eakes added. group. It was nice to not only hear about ourWhen asked to identify what she has learned selves, but also to enjoy in everyone’s memories. from Wake Forest, it took her a moment to find It was really great,” she said. the words. “It’s hard to pick one thing,“ she said. Another corner of campus where you can find “I know how to relate to people better, thanks to Eakes is as the event planner for the “Dining the religion department, and how to talk across Dilemmas” group within the bioethics departdifferences and to find empathy for other people.” ment. “We host one event a semester where we She also speaks to the transformative nature of the talk about some ethical dilemma,” Eakes said. content that she has learned. “Not only have the When she moves on to medical school, Eakes classes changed me as a person for the better… [they says she will miss the people and community will] help me be a better physician,” Eakes said. she has formed on campus. Eakes chose Wake Forest for its small environ“Not only just EMS, but my entire group ment and financial aid package, but believes being here. The professors of my department and the a religion major has defined her experience at the people here in general are just so great,” she University. reflects. Eakes also plans on eventually pursing When asked if her Wake Forest experience has a Masters in public health.

Christian Green/Old Gold & Black

“I know how to relate to people better, thanks to the religion department.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

BY WILLIAM MAY Staff Writer mayws16@wfu.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 21

LOGAN STINSON | RUSSIAN

edgeable, and I can reach out to them whenever, even late at night,” he said. “If you show the interest and you’re good enough, they will do stuff with you.” Stinson has done a great deal within the Logan Stinson has received numerous accolades from Wake Forest’s Russian depart- department, including high-level research. ment. He is president of the Russian Hon- He also said that he has even been published ors Club, was selected by the department in SLOVO, an interdisciplinary academic to do an honors thesis and was nominated journal covering Russian, Post-Soviet, Cenfor Phi Beta Kappa’s Greene Award. These tral & East European affairs. This was a accomplishments are even more impressive collaborative effort with Dr. Elena Clark considering he only began studying Russian of the Russian department. Stinson said that this has been quite helpful in getting his freshman year. Stinson said that he originally became him interviews and jobs. “It doesn’t hurt being a published author involved with Russian by way of the Defense Language Scholarship, which he as a junior and senior in college,” he said. Stinson’s writing is not just limited to received because of his involvement with Army ROTC, of which he was a four-year academic journals. He has also occasionally taken time to help out his friends on member. The Wake Forest “I was here to Review, the constudy Russian,” he servative newspasaid. “I got paid to per on campus, study Russian.” by helping them Stinson said that Hometown: Dallas, TX develop their he was taken with own journalistic the language alExtracurriculars: Army ROTC, style. Stinson has most immediately Wake Forest Review also assisted with upon studying it, articles about the even though he has military. He says Post-Grad Plans: Job in no Russian anceshe does this to try try or relations; he Finance on Wall Street and help bridge was born in Philathe gap between delphia, PA before the armed forces moving to Dallas, and the civilian TX. He cites the population. time he spent study“Something that Dr. Clark and I wrote a ing the language as crucial to helping him lot about was this cultural divide between find a job following graduation. “I’m actually working on Wall Street, so civilians and the military,” Stinson said. there’s no correlation there,” he said. “But “A lot of people don’t understand what the way that you have to think when you ROTC does.” He said that this rift he has observed study Russian, the things I learned from my professors and the interesting ways of within the Wake Forest student body has thinking that are required to do well in traits that are reminiscent of a similar Wake’s Russian department really con- gap in Russia that he has studied. Having grown up in a military family, he is tributed.” Stinson also gained some knowledge quite acquainted with soldier lifestyles, about finance when writing his honors and seeks to spread awareness regarding thesis about the Russian economy. He military work and activity among the civilcited Wake Forest’s Russian department ian population. Stinson said that when he graduates, he as a particularly helpful resource for gaining experience, preparing him for his career will most miss the support and guidance of search and just generally helping him along. Wake’s Russian department and his cadre “The Russian professors are very knowl- in ROTC.

“If you show the interest and you’re good enough, the Russian department will do stuff with you.”

HANNAH HULSHULT | SOCIOLOGY BY BECKY SWIG Print Managing Editor swigrr15@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of Hannah Hulshult

“Sociology allowed me to expand the people I was taking classes with and my academic ideas...”

Photo Courtesy of Logan Stinson

Dr. Amanda Gengler, a professor in the sociology department, has worked with Hulshult for the past few years. “I have had the pleasure of having Hannah in three classes with me during her time at Senior Hannah Hulshult is a sociology major Wake, and to have had her as my research assistant. from Elizabethton, TN. While her hometown is She is one of the most grounded, mature, and not far, it was a friend of hers who originally intro- thoughtful students I have known,” Gengler said. Hulshult is involved with Alpha Delta Pi sorority, duced her to Wake Forest. Hulshult and her friend were talking about Wake Forest, so she decided to Campus Kitchen and works for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. For the hospital, Hulshult started come visit it for herself. “I just fell in love with the campus when I came,” as a research intern her sophomore year, and now works with a pediatric gastro intronologist. She Hulshult said While Hulshult is a sociology major, she is prehas also done her own research as well. Hulshult credits her involvement with Campus med with minors in chemistry and biology. She wants to go to medical school, and while she initially Kitchen to her major. Hulshult has served as one planned to major in chemistry, everything changed of the shift coordinators for Campus Kitchen this year, and has been a shift leader in the past. for her freshman year. “I took a Sociology of Food course, and as a part “I took my first sociology class and fell in love of that we got involved with the subject and with Campus Kitchen the study of people, and I thought it would and volunteered and be pretty helpful with had to write about Hometown: Elizabethton, TN medicine to have a our experiences. That different perspective,” showed us food insecuExtracurriculars: Alpha Delta Pi, Hulshult said. rity in Winston-Salem Campus Kitchen One thing that and it related to what Hulshult has found inwe were talking about Post-Grad Plans: Fullbright Scholar triguing, yet challengin class,” Hulshult said. in India ing, is the connection “That is what got me between her major and started in Campus being pre-med. Kitchen and now I am “I think the differleading it.” ence with the natural Looking towards the sciences versus social sciences, and figuring out how future, Hulshult will be spending a year in India on to write in sociology, how to talk in sociology and Fullbright. Hulshult first went to India her sophohow to apply it more to my own life is challenging more year for just over two weeks on a service trip. because natural sciences aren’t really as applicable to “India was so impactful for me when I went as everyday situations as sociology is,” Hulshult said. a sophomore and it got me thinking about public “Bridging that gap and bringing the two together health and global health. I really wanted to do [is challenging].” something abroad for my gap year,” Hulshult said. She also commented on the differences between “I am going to be doing a public health project and the two areas she studies. “I think it has been inter- looking at tuberculosis, looking at the structural esting, all of the different people and perspectives barriers of people getting treatment, the social facI have met and had through sociology. All of the tors and stigmatization of tuberculosis and why pre-med classes tend to be filled with the same certain outcomes are so much worse in India.” “The sociology department is so proud of her, and people, and sociology allowed me to expand the people I was taking classes with and my academic can’t wait to see what she learns on her Fulbright ideas overall. I’ve really enjoyed it,” Hulshult said. in India next year,” Gengler said.

Page 22 | Thursday, May 3, 2018

Old Gold & Black | Graduation

WILL COLEBURN | SPANISH BY EMILY BEAUCHAMP Life Editor beauea17@wfu.edu

Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black

“If you have to eat, why not do it with people you love?”

BY KYLE FERRER Opinion Editor ferrka16@wfu.edu

suggest songs that would be on the album and he helped coordinate the recording schedule. He has always enjoyed spending time with the group and each year Coleburn has become Senior Will Coleburn is a Spanish and Studio more involved. One of his favorite memories Art double major with a minor in Art History. stemmed from the four big concerts Chi Rho He came to Wake Forest from his hometown of performs. This past year, they hired a sound crew Marietta, GA. Throughout his time on campus, and Coleburn always enjoyed seeing students, Coleburn has been greatly involved in the a staff and faculty attending the concerts. “To sing with a group of guys that is assembled cappella group Chi Rho, studio art, the Baptist Student Union and Reynolda House Student around this idea of music and faith-based message, I don’t know if I would have met them Advocacy Council (RHSAC). Coleburn chose to come to Wake Forest otherwise, but to come together in song and for several reasons. He knew from the begin- to sing and harmonize is such a cool thing to ning that he wanted to attend a small liberal be part of,” Coleburn said. Another defining moment of Coleburn’s time arts school that was close enough to home but far enough away that his parents couldn’t at Wake Forest was the semester he spent abroad show up unannounced. However, once he in Salamanca, Spain. He particularly enjoyed being able to exist in toured Wake Forthe culture, live with a est, he immediately host family and speak fell in love with its the language. Going beauty. Coleburn is Hometown: Marietta, GA to Spain helped Colealso a recipient of the burn reach fluency in Presidential ScholarExtracurriculars: Chi Rho, Baptist Spanish, however, he ship for Visual Arts, feels too modest to Student Union, Reynolda House Stuwhich influenced admit it. After returnhis choice to come dent Advocacy Council ing to Wake Forest, he to Wake Forest. knew that he wanted As a Studio Art and Post-Plans: Pursuing arts education to pursue a major in Spanish double maand museum education Spanish. jor, Coleburn spends This past semesan abundance of time ter, Coleburn took a working on his art. Spanish film course He was one of six and throughout this students that was granted honors candidacy in the fall, which class he discovered that he enjoyed the interacallows Coleburn to create pieces of art to be tions he has with his classmates. “I love that dialogue that happens in the classdisplayed in the spring. His show is titled “Botanical Meditations” and it consists of a series room. I’ll really miss that feeling of discovery of monotype prints displayed at the START and watching that happen for other people, and getting to be a part of that,” Coleburn said. Gallery in Reynolda Village. He enjoyed bouncing ideas off of his class“I based [the prints] on botanical forms and looking at plants, observing them and their mates’ during his film class. He felt as though relationship to light, but also dealing with light it gave the film a deeper meaning when he was able to see the way his peers interpreted the show. metaphorically,” Coleburn said. Coleburn is in the process of deciding what he Throughout his time here, Coleburn has also been an active member of Chi Rho, the oldest wants to do in the future, however, he is looka cappella group on campus. This past year, ing into arts education and museum education the group celebrated their 25th year, and this somewhere between his home in Georgia and anniversary happened to be an album year. As Washington D.C. He hopes to incorporate his someone on leadership, Coleburn was able to Spanish into this field as well.

SARAH LEWIECKI | STUDIO ART

“[His stories are epic [but also] pertain to the lesson,” Lewiecki said. As someone who has admittedly been “full-throttle Scales” during her time at What first brought Lewiecki to Wake Forest Wake Forest, Lewiecki will dearly miss the was not art, but rather a conscious decision unconventional brick building. While she to not go to art school. That factor had her feels that most of the buildings on Wake hailing all the way from Massachusetts to the Forest’s campus are, “concrete faced with brick ... meant to mimic a different archiWinston-Salem campus. “Existentially, it was probably Flannery tectural style,” Lewiecki appreciates that O’Connor, and her perspective of the Amer- Scales is full-blown brick. “The building is authentic,” she said, reican south,” Lewiecki said of her decision, which speaks to her multidisciplinary inter- ferring not only to the building itself, but ests. Before deciding to major in studio art, also to the people in it. “It is home to so many amazing people that Lewiecki was almost an English major. I never would’ve “I enjoy writing run into on camvery much,” she pus outside of it,” said, “but art took Lewiecki said. precedent.” Hometown: Essex, MA And that is Sarah The reason for this Lewiecki, it seems. shift toward art is a Extracurriculars:Intramural sports, An authentic persort of film-ish one. led Student Union workshop son rummaging On her first day of around. She has a class at her Tuesday/ Post-Grad Plans: Hoping to conmind that seems Thursday painting to glisten, and it course with Dr. Page tinue her art in the form of an art emits the powerful Laughlin, Lewiecki residency sort of aura that was perhaps subis both pensive consciously swayed and powerful, not toward an art major domineering or inby her love for the timidating. class and immediate Lewiecki hopes to continue her artistic connection with the professor. After that class, Lewiecki said to herself, practice next year, and is awaiting formal “okay, I’ll be an art major because I got along documentation from her thesis show as a so well with Page.” But, this was no non- potential gateway to gaining an “art resichalant, one-sided personality affliction. The dency,” a mixture of different artists’ work painting class took a welcome, intellectualist on projects for certain institutions. Her bent, and Dr. Laughlin, who Lewiecki refers final thesis show was titled The Blood Sport to as a mentor, taught her a “philosophy of Oracles of Parallax City. Lewiecki’s parting painting ... different ways of seeing the world, advice seemed to mirror that of the unique which was unexpected from a painting class.” building where she lives. “Spend time on Davis field, because grassy For Lewiecki, this was the start of a long and productive relationship with the Wake areas are important, apart from just aesthetForest Department of Art. When asked about ics.” Lewiecki shared. “You need time to other favorite professors, Lewiecki said she be alone and enjoy nature.” For Lewiecki, Scales seems to have been could list “about ten.” One of the ten was Dr. David Lubin, also of the art department. a place of intellectual growth and efferLubin helped Lewiecki on various outside-the- vescence. Davis field is right next door, department papers, but she most appreciated and seems to be soaking up some of the same energy. his volubility.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Lewiecki

“Scales is home to so many amazing people ... it’s authentic.”

Graduation | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, May 3, 2018 | Page 23

ELI BRADLEY | THEATER

BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu

“It was just this really intense, chemistry-based look at relationships and the way people hurt each other,” Bradley said. On the other side, he noted that his favorite writing experience was writing for LaughTracks, As a Presidential Scholar, senior Eli Bradley was a student comedy show whose proceeds benefit immediately thrown into the theater community the Anthony Aston Players. at Wake Forest, participating in a show even dur“It allows me to turn my silly, little conversations ing his freshman orientation. with my friends into sketches that people then Bradley started doing theater in high school and laugh at and donate money to an organization knew he wanted to pursue it at least through col- I love,” he said. lege. He began taking theater classes, but knew However, his favorite experience at Wake Forest he wanted to pair his theater major with another did not take place on a stage in Scales Fine Arts major. Bradley played around with other majors, Center. Last summer, Bradley received a Richter such as history and political science, but when grant to travel to Spain to travel the Camino de he took Philosophy of Space and Time for fun Santiago, a 990-kilometer pilgrimage. Afterwards, his junior year, he knew he was in the perfect he synthesized his experience with his two differcomplementary department. ent majors. “I act a lot, but I predominantly write and direct, “I wrote a play about so philosophy has had my experience and the a huge impact on my philosophy of personal writing,” Bradley said. identity as it relates to Hometown: Boulder, CO “All the different plays isolation and comI’ve been working on munity,” Bradley said. Extracurriculars: Anthony Aston have had a lot of dif“That was the best ferent philosophies Players, RA, tour guide, President’s month of my life.” put into characters. After graduation, Aide I’m much quicker to Bradley will be takanalyze arguments in ing a year off to work Post-Grad Plans: Work in Winstonrehearsal spaces than in Winston-Salem I was before I was a Salem for a year while applying to while he applies to philosophy major.” programs to pursue a MFA programs Outside of class, Masters of Fine Arts Bradley has kept busy in screenwriting. One — he has been a Resihis professors, Cindy dent Adviser, the Vice President of the Anthony Gendrich, spoke to the many opportunities BradAston Players, a tour guide, a President’s Aide and ley has ahead of him. acted in, produced, written and directed many “I think the hardest thing he has to decide is different productions. where his career is going to go,” Gendrich said. When it comes to his favorite performances, “As a director, he is thorough and imaginative, Bradley is torn. He joked about being cast as the and he works with actors exceptionally well. Eli lead his sophomore year in A Funny Thing Hap- is also a brave and prolific writer, and an actor of pened on the Way to the Forum. exceptional commitment and energy.” “Eighty-five percent of the show was just me Bradley is looking forward to just relaxing for a and so it was literally just a musical where I got little bit after being so involved in his impressive to be a clown,” he said. “All about me all the time. studies and extracurriculars. It was great for my ego.” Knowing that he has wonderful things ahead That show was well-received and Bradley had for him, Gendrich reflected on why Bradley is so the opportunity to work with a brilliant direc- great to work with. tor and his close friends. The next semester he “He pushes himself, knows that criticism is a performed in a student play called Closer, which gift, not a punishment, and is endlessly interested was a different and more challenging experience. in the big questions,” she said.

“I act a lot, but I predominantly write and direct, so philosophy has had a huge impact on my writing.”

EMMIE DAVIDSON| WGS BY BECKY SWIG Print Managing Editor swigrr15@wfu.edu

Becky Swig/Old Gold & Black

“I am learning new things ... and questioning things I had never thought to question.”

Photo courtesy of Eli Bradley

“This past year I looked into #BlackGirlMagic and compared it to the Black is Beautiful movement of the 60s and went from there.” Davidson looked at this specific topic at the Wake Forest Symposium on Gender and Sexuality, which she has participated in for the past two years. “Last year was my first time being involved. I Originally hailing from a conservative background and eventu- was talking about how transgender individuals, especially transally growing to question specific taught beliefs has been a ma- gender people of color, are placed in correctional facilities that jor part of senior Emmie Davidson’s transformative experience they are not supposed to be in,” Davidson said. at Wake Forest. Davison, originally from Nashville, TN, is a Davidson has worked closely with Dr. Catherine Harnois, a Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS) major, with a WGS professor, over the past few years. minor in sociology. She learned about Wake Forest through a “My time spent teaching, collaborating with, learning from, and friend of hers who was applying, and ultimately decided to apply laughing with Emmie Davidson has been one of the highlights herself and attend Wake Forest. of my 10 plus years at Wake Forest,” Harnois said. “With her “I came to Wake off of a whim. One of my classmates told bright mind, creativity, and commitment to social justice, Emme she sent in an application, and I had never heard of Wake, mie exemplifies the very best of Women’s Gender and Sexuality so I looked into it and put in an application and got accepted,” Studies, as well as what it means to be a Wake Forest student. Her Davidson said. resilience, positive energy, and generous spirit are contagious.” Davidson fell into WGS after taking a course freshman year. Dr. Wanda Balzano, chair of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexu“I came across a WGS class alities Studies department, echoed … and it required me to go Harnois’ sentiments. to different events, not just “It was a pleasure working with WGS events, and write up Hometown: Nashville, TN Emmie these past years. I have parpapers using critical analysis. ticularly enjoyed seeing how pasFrom that class on, I thought Extracurriculars: Campus Recresionate Emmie is about her work, that this was something I which she has presented at various ation, PEER Educator want to do,” Davidson said. conferences and symposia, includDavidson did not have ing here at Wake Forest’s own SymPost-Grad Plans: Returning home much exposure to WGS beposium on Gender and Sexuality,” before moving to Florida fore coming to Wake Forest. Balzano said. “One of the many “Throughout high school aspects we all admire in Emmie is you talk about some of these her interconnectedness with her things, but it is very surfacepeers. Communities mean a lot to level. Here I have been able her. She is an enthusiastic and hard-working student, a positive to get into these hard questions,” Davidson said. “I have always thinker, and a fervid advocate for social justice.” lived in the south, and being in the Bible belt and you are taught Davidson has had many accomplishments during her time at a lot of things about sexuality and gender that are patriarchal Wake Forest. She works with Campus Recreation and is a PEER viewpoints. A lot of the time they are pretty problematic, so Educator for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. Both of these getting into a class where I am challenged to think differently experiences have been meaningful for her. has been challenging but very exciting and fun. I am learning Moreover, she has made many accomplishments with WGS. new things and getting to questions that I have never thought “Among her many accomplishments, Emmie has presented reabout, and questioning things I had never thought to question.” search at numerous academic conferences, including the annual She thinks highly of not only her four years at Wake Forest, meeting of the 2018 Southern Sociological Society, as well as but also of the WGS department as a whole. the 2018 North Carolina Sociological Association and the WGS “The WGS department has really allowed me to shape my Undergraduate Research Symposium,” Harnois said. “In each, she own schedule and how I want to learn and research,” Davidson combined sophisticated cultural analyses with an intersectional said. “Something that stood out to me is … that with WGS you theoretical framework, and presented her findings articulately can take an array of courses. That is really great to me because and creatively.” you can look at gender and women’s issues and sexualities from Davidson will be returning to Nashville after graduation and different perspectives.” hopes to move to Florida in the near future to work in the Davidson has been doing research for the past two years as well. hospitality industry.

“I’ve learned that people will for-

get what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou