Class Notes: Class of 2007

The Jepson School's 13th graduating class numbered 60 -- 35 majors and 25 minors. Representing 7 percent of the University’s graduating class of 807 students, Jepson seniors accounted for some 9 percent of students admitted into Phi Beta Kappa, 11 percent of students admitted into Mortar Board and 12 percent of students admitted into Omicron Delta Kappa. Many Jepson graduates took on honors work, played leadership roles on campus and received fellowships for research or to support their internships. Graduates report next-step activities including moves, travel, graduate school and jobs in various fields. Details.

Honors and Accomplishments

The James McGregor Burns Award. The Burns Award is presented to a graduating senior in recognition of his/her accomplishments as a student in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. The winner of the award has demonstrated an outstanding grasp of the body of knowledge associated with leadership studies; excelled in his/her studies at the University generally; been actively involved in service to the community, School and University; shown an ability to generalize and apply leadership theory and research in unique and imaginative ways; and displayed the capacity both to lead others and help others lead themselves. The 2007 recipients were Mark P. Hickman and Ethan L. McWilliams.

Graduation Weekend Speakers. Jessica M. Scrimale was chosen as the baccalaureate speaker.

Senior Honors Thesis. The honors track provides students the opportunity to develop a research project in a particular area of leadership studies and to spend a full academic year working on this project with a Jepson faculty member. Students are expected to engage in rigorous and original research that will enrich and complement their previous study of leadership and contribute to the academic community of the Jepson School. These students completed a senior honors thesis and presented their research at the annual Arts & Sciences Symposium.

• Dane J. DeCiero, Leadership and Human Development in Latin America: Education and Health
  Advisor: Dr. George R. Goethals
   
• Ethan L. McWilliams, The Rise and Fall of the Education President: George W. Bush and the Passage of the No Child Left Behind Act
  Advisor: Dr. Gary L. McDowell
   
• David K. Roberts, Deficit Reduction in the U.S. Senate: The Search for Moral Leadership in the Budget Process
  Advisors: Dr. Daniel J. Palazzolo and Dr. Thad M. Williamson
   
• Stefanie L. Simon, The Effects of Stereotype Activation on Women’s Reactions to Leadership Situations, or How Reading Cosmo Might Prevent You from Becoming CEO
  Simon won the student paper award at the A&S Symposium for this thesis.
  Advisor: Dr. Crystal L. Hoyt
   

• Adrienne L. Supino, The War on Inequality: Subtleties in the Perceptions of Women Leaders Advisor: Dr. George R. Goethals

Class of 1964 Scholarship. This goes to one student in each of the four undergraduate schools on the basis of character, leadership and scholarship. Jepson's recipient is Ethan L. McWilliams.

The Clarence J. Gray Achievement Award. The C.J. Gray Awards are given to one graduating senior in each of the four schools who is a member of both Phi Beta Kappa or Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa or Mortar Board and has an outstanding four-year record in scholastic achievement and leadership. Jepson's recipient was Ethan L. McWilliams.

Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Andrea L. Dupee, Mark P. Hickman, Ethan L. McWilliams, David K. Roberts and Jessica M. Scrimale are members of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society.

Omicron Delta Kappa Society. This national leadership honor society recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership and exemplary character. These seniors were selected to join: Beth A. Alterman, Balu B. Chandrasekaran, Andrea L. Dupee, Kathryn A. Farley, Mark P. Hickman, Ethan L. McWilliams and Kristen M. Mitchell.

Mortar Board National Leadership Honor Society. Andrea L. Dupee, Mark P. Hickman and Ethan L. McWilliams are members of Mortar Board, the nation’s oldest national college senior honor society, recognizing leadership, service and academic achievement.

Leadership Studies Honor Society. The Leadership Studies Honors Society recognizes outstanding academic achievement in leadership studies. To be eligible for membership, a student must be a major in the top 10 percent of the class, with a leadership studies GPA of 3.5 or higher and a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2. Honorees were: Andrea L. Dupee, Mark P. Hickman, Ethan L. McWilliams, David K. Roberts, Jessica M. Scrimale and Adrienne L. Supino.

Jepson Student Government Association. The 2006-07 president was Sara E. McGanity. Other seniors who served as officers were: Drake V. Bushnell, Vice President for Administration/Finance; Tara L. Sulzen, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Rachel A. Brushett, Vice President for Student Affairs; and Sara E. FitzPatrick, Vice President for Public Relations.

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Research, Fellowships and Travel

Roundup of Travel Experiences

Internship Experiences. Jepson majors are required to complete a 240-hour internship. Report on Nicole E. Harris' internship

Burrus Fellows were Katherine F. Connelly, Jesse O. Kedy, Sara E. McGanity and Nan F. Silkunas. Friends of Robert Burrus created the Robert L. Burrus Jr. Fellowship Program for Developing Leaders to honor the former chairman and senior partner of McGuireWoods LLP, who is also a former rector of the University’s board of trustees. The program began in 2004. Details

Burhans Fellows were Tara L. Sulzen and Kristen M. Tilley. This competitive internship through the Center for Civic Engagement involved work in a community organization and academic work with a faculty supervisor. Tara worked with Somerville Community Corporation in Somerville, Mass., with Nancy Stutts advising. Kristen worked on living-wage issues with the Virginia Organizing Project with Thad Williamson advising. Details

The Jablin Research Fellow was Guy E. Peterson. He researched environmental policy and worked as a congressional aide. Jepson School of Leadership Studies alumna Adrienne Capps, ’98 established the fellowship to honor the memory of Dr. Fredric Jablin, who taught courses in organizational communications and research methodology from 1994-2004.

Keck Fellows. The Keck Initiative is a collaboration between three universities to integrate topics of responsible leadership across liberal arts disciplines. The Keck fellows grant provides annual support for stipends for undergraduate students to pursue a research project stemming from a Keck course. The first Keck fellowships were awarded to students conducting research during the summer of 2006, including Stefanie L. Simon. Details

The Richmond Memorial Health Foundation Fellow was Corinne M. Nunez, a double major in biology and leadership studies who plans a science-related career. This nonprofit stewardship organization invests fiscal and intellectual capital to improve health care and wellness in Richmond and Central Virginia. In November 2005, the foundation awarded the Jepson School of Leadership Studies a grant to support the Connect Richmond Web site’s “Health Section Capacity-Building and Maintenance” project. The grant provided a summer fellowship to a college student with an interest in health and community change.

Poster Session Presentations. Corinne M. Nunez presented research on medical care of older people at the American Geriatrics Society annual meeting.

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Jepson at Cambridge. Stefanie L. Simon, David K. Roberts, Leslie R. Gleue and Kathryn A. Farley participated in this annual study-abroad experience. Details

Ethics Bowl. A team from the University of Richmond won the 2007 Ethics Bowl sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. Richmond’s team won the competition--in which students argue positions on hypothetical issues--following the final debate against Mary Baldwin College. Richmond team members included Jepson seniors Kathryn E. Sigismund and Evan R. Zaletel.

Jepson Alumni Initiative. During 2007, the Jepson School appointed a group of alumni advisors with the goal of strengthening connections between alumni and students and improving relationships with young alumni. Mark P. Hickman, who will be working in Richmond, has been appointed to serve as the 2007 class representative to that advisory body.

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Accomplishments, Interests and Activities

Members of Jepson’s 2007 class served in many key campus roles.

• Ethan L. McWilliams was president of the Richmond College Student Government Association.
• Mark P. Hickman chaired the Richmond College Judicial Council. 
• Drake V. Bushnell was a member of the Richmond College Judicial Council.
• Richard J. Zullo was captain of  the club lacrosse team.
• Kathryn A.  Farley served as president of the Ambassador Club.
• Tara L. Sulzen was co-chair of Build It, the University's largest community service project.
• Nicole E. Harris was president of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
• Balu B. Chandrasekaran was vice president of Richmond College Student Government Association and president of the South Asian Students Alliance.
• Oluwatorera O. Akinola, Xavier Belcher, Drake V. Bushnell, Tara L. Sulzen and Ethan L. McWilliams were Bonner Scholars.
• Mallory M. Winter chaired the University's Women's Festival.
• Timothy F. Baird was a Rower and Coxswain for the University Rowing Club.
• Jesse O. Kedy was a peer mentor for the Office of International Education.
• Kathryn J. Connolly, Nicole E. Harris and Jessica M. Scrimale were Speech Center consultants.
• Xavier Belcher was among the leaders who formed the new Intercultural Student Advisory Committee. 
• Leslie R. Gleue was president of the women's club basketball team.   
• Laura E. Dianis served on the Honor Council.
• Oluwatorera O. Akinola and Tara L. Sulzen served as student coordinators for the Center for Civic Engagement.
• Nicole E. Harris played the title role in the University Players' production of "Tegonni."
• Jessica M. Scrimale was president of Lambda Pi Eta, a communications studies honor society.
• Mark P. Hickman was president of Delta Epsilon Chi, the business and leadership fraternity.
• Jonathan M. Gerst was manager of the Student Investment Fund.
• Kathryn J. Connolly chaired the board of Catholic Campus Ministry.
• Evan R. Zaletel co-chaired the Senior Class Gift Committee.
• Martha Van Dale served on the leadership team for Rho Iota.
• Andrea L. Dupee sang with The Sirens.
• Kristen J. DiGirolamo was president of Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity.
• Rachel A. Brushett was co-president of the club volleyball team.
• Corinne M. Nunez was president of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity.
• Emily E. Aicklen and David K. Roberts were writing fellows at the Writing Center.
• Seniors serving as resident assistants: David K. Roberts, Nicole E. Harris, Jesse O. Kedy.
• Balu B. Chandrasekaran served as student representative to the University Board of Trustees.  

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