Courtesy of Connecticut College
Recently, thirteen seniors were announced to be the Class of 2024’s Winthrop Scholars – an honor that is awarded to those who are in the top three percent of the graduating class’s GPA. Here are the stories of the Winthrop Scholars.
Beth Marsh (she/hers)- Wolfeboro, NH
Major: Architectural Studies. Minor: Self-designed in Historical Costume Design. Pathway: Creativity. Campus Involvement: former President of Gaming Club for 2 years.
Why Conn?: I loved the faculty and student community. Everyone I met seemed so passionate about their studies and work, I knew I wanted to be in an environment like that. The professors also showed they cared so much for their students, and wanted to help them engage with their interests, even if those interests lay outside the scope of their particular expertise.
Why major/minor?: I knew since high school that I wanted to be an architect (thank you Minecraft!) so pursuing a major in Architectural Studies was a simple choice. For my minor, I love studying fashion history, so when I found the niche of classes in the Theater Department that related to fashion history and costume design, I took every single one of them. I then decided to justify that by creating a self-designed minor, and then did an independent study in 1920s fashion as my capstone project! For the creativity pathway, I knew I wanted to do some sort of pathway or center connecting to my artistic interests, and I found that the creativity pathway had the academic freedom I wanted in order to engage with my interests beyond simple class or major requirements.
Post-Conn plans: I have a job lined up as an Architectural Designer at Warrenstreet Architects inc. in Concord, NH. I plan on working there for a year or two to gain some work experience before going off to grad school to get a Masters in Architecture, and then work towards getting licensed.
Advice: Find ways to push yourself outside of your classes. Don’t settle for what gets you a good grade or helps you pass a class. Make sure that what you produce is work you are proud of. That the work you pursue is something you care about enough that you will strive to create the best final product you can. And where you can’t find something that interests you, put the work in to make your own path (or major/minor!) to do what you want.
Thank You’s: I have been so lucky to have amazing professors supporting me in all that I do! Particularly, my major advisor Joseph Alchermes, my minor advisor Sabrina Notarfrancisco, and my pathway advisor Greg Bailey. I also would never have gotten this far without the amazing and supportive community of Gaming Club. The friends and connections I have built there got me through many rough patches, and gave me so many wonderful opportunities!
Trevor Vigeant (he/him)– Worcester, MA
Majors: Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience. Pathway: Public Health Pathway. Campus Involvement: Head of the Chemistry Department Student Advisory Board, Club Golf member, former Track and Field athlete.
Why Conn?: I chose to apply to Connecticut College as an Early Decision applicant after visiting the campus in the fall. I fell in love with the campus, and being near the water was a requirement for me. In addition, I valued the small class sizes in my high school and Conn was able to provide that for me.
Why major/minor?: I chose to double major in BCMB and Neuroscience because I wanted to challenge myself academically. In addition, I enjoy learning about the health sciences, and developed a passion for neuroscience in my final two years at Conn.
Post-Conn plans: Next year I will be working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. I will be applying to medical school following graduation, and intend on enrolling in the Fall of 2025.
Advice: Develop strong time management skills, start studying 4-5 days before the test, find classmates to study with. The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to pretend that you are a teacher, and that you have to teach the information you are being tested on. An added step is to try to explain the topics to a 3rd grader – if you can rephrase the information in a simpler way then you have a good understanding of the material.
Thank You’s: Special thank you to my major advisors Professor Zimmer and Professor Schroeder for their continued support and guidance throughout my time at Conn along with Professor Lopez-Anuarbe for her help in the Public Health Pathway! Thank you to my classmates and study mates for driving me to work harder!
Marie-Ève Hébert (she/her)– Québec, Canada
Major: Biological sciences, Pre-Vet track. Campus Involvement: Pre-Vet club president, and Captain of the women’s swimming and diving team.
Why Conn?: I decided to transfer to Conn my sophomore year for its outstanding academic curriculum and its sports excellence.
Why Major/Minor?: I knew I needed a strong biology foundation for veterinary school. That said, during the completion of my biological degree, I also developed a passion for genetics, epigenetics, and microbiomes.
Post-Conn plans: I will be attending the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, starting August 2024. During my four years in veterinary school, I plan to specialize in large animal medicine as I hope to work with equine athletes after I graduate.
Advice: My advice would be: pay attention in class, study [a] minimum [of] 4 days before a test, and most importantly, have a balanced life! I worked hard in school and in the pool as a swimmer, but I also made sure to have plenty of fun during the weekends. My life motto is “Work Hard, Play Hard”.
Thank You’s: I would like to thank my parents, my brother, and my sister for supporting me along the way. I would have never accomplished what I did without them. They are my #1 fans and I am forever grateful to have such a supporting and loving family. Merci de tout mon coeur!
Sophie Demaisy (she/hers)– Québec, Canada
Majors: Economics and Botany (sustainable agriculture concentration). Campus Involvements: Coffee Grounds Operations Manager, Sprout Garden Manager, Outdoor Adventure Leader, Sustainability Fellow, French and Economics Tutor
Why Conn?: I knew I wanted to study plants, but I was not sure what about them exactly. Conn’s botany department caught my eye, as it offered the flexibility of the liberal arts. I loved the proximity to the river, and the arboretum. The small campus and class size was also attractive to me, as well as the opportunity to get to know my professors.
Why Major/Minor?: I grew up loving the outdoors, and I wanted to study plants! I fell in love with Sprout, and declared a sustainable agriculture concentration. Having taken Economics prior to Conn, I was excited to keep on learning and getting a better understanding of our economic systems. I first declared a minor, but just loved it so much it became a major.
Post-Conn plans: I will be going on a year-long travel and investigation of sustainable coffee production with a Watson Fellowship next year. Thereafter, I hope to continue my studies in graduate school in a field related to plants and/or food production.
Advice: Find the subjects that make you excited to keep learning! Chat with professors about your interests and how you can integrate them into your learnings. Stay organized, but don’t forget to have fun along the way!
Thank You’s: I am very grateful to my advisor, Eric Vukicevich, who has been an amazing mentor and who has supported me throughout my time at Conn. I have learned so much from him in class, at Sprout, and through our many conversations. My other advisor Mark Stelzner has broaden my understanding of economics, for which I am very thankful.
Caitlin Boyd (she/hers)– Mashpee, MA
Major: Neuroscience. Minors: Human Development and Psychology. Pathway: Public Health (and kind of Social Justice/Sustainability). Campus Involvement: Oceana President, Career Fellow, Her Campus
Why Conn?: Conn really just checked all my boxes! I was looking for a small liberal arts school and liked that it had a specific neuroscience major, the idea of pathways and centers interested me, and when I was on campus for my tour the people just felt like good people.
Why major/minor: As a senior in high school, I got really interested in the field of neuroscience, having never taken a psychology class. My high school intuition was right because I immediately loved my psychology and chemistry classes and stuck with neuroscience. I am so glad I did because I love getting to learn about the brain and view the world from a cognitive perspective.
Post-Conn plans: For immediate post-grad plans, I am taking some time to be proud of my accomplishments and relax before jumping into the next phase of life. Soon I will be applying to occupational therapy programs to go back to school and start my new career.
Advice: Go to class and lean on your professors and your classmates. All of my professors at Conn have wanted to help me reach my goals and have been excellent resources. I think we learn the most when we are enjoying ourselves, so it’s important to make friends in your classes. Learning alongside friends makes everything more fun, and college is about forming relationships.
Thank You’s: I am so grateful for all my professors, specifically Profs. Grahn and Moher, for teaching me so much and making me feel like I can be a scientist. I also want to thank my friends who are truly my favorite thing about Conn.
Emily Swintak (she/hers)– Barrington, RI
Major: American Studies. Minor: Government. Campus Involvement: Member of the Women’s Rowing Team, and ambassador for Camels Vote.
Why Conn?: I chose Conn College because it was the perfect intellectual, social, and athletic community I was looking for. I loved the dual commitment to academics and sports, and the incredible courses I could take from such dedicated professors. I loved the close-knit community I have found at Conn and will continue to seek similar communities post grad.
Why Majors/Minors: The American Studies major at Conn allowed me to take an interdisciplinary approach to my learning. I have been able to take courses in History, Government, Sociology, Environmental Studies to name a few, which have all aligned with my interests and given me such a broad and sweeping look at the areas of study I am most engaged with.
Post-Conn plans: Next year I will be in a History Teaching Fellowship at Deerfield Academy. I will be teaching history/social science, coaching rowing, and mentoring. I will also be getting my Masters in Teaching.
Advice: Take advantage of every opportunity Conn gives you. Go to the guest lectures, read the articles your professors send, and just be engaged in your learning. It makes it much easier to do well in a class that you are passionate about.
Thank You’s: I would like to thank all of my professors who have truly made such an impact on me. I have loved every class I’ve taken at Conn and it is because of the passionate professors who have supported me.
Haley Michel (she/hers)– Southborough, MA
Majors: Human Development and Dance. Pathway: Public Health. Campus Involvement: Dance Club
Why Conn?: Since I (and others in my grade) made our college decisions during COVID, we weren’t able to attend accepted students’ days during the decision-making process. However, I zoomed with a student from the class of ’22 who really made me feel excited about coming to Conn. I am so grateful that I came here because I love that Conn is a small school, the professors care deeply about their students, and the students have been easy for me to form connections with.
Why Majors/Minors: I changed my mind a few times on what I wanted to major in, but decided on Human Development because of my interest in the subject matter. Human Development incorporates elements of Education, Psychology, and Biology, which I think is super cool. Working at the Lab School has also been one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had here, and is a huge asset of the Human Development Department in my opinion. As for Dance, I have danced my whole life and always knew that I wanted to continue at Conn. Majoring in dance has taught me so many valuable skills as well as given me a community that has shaped my four years here.
Post-Conn Plans: Next year, I most likely will work as a teacher’s aide in a public school. Eventually, I hope to attend graduate school for pediatric occupational therapy. And I hope to keep dancing forever!
Advice: One of my favorite things about college is that everything I need is right here. Make use of all the resources Conn has to offer! Professors are always willing to help. Engage with other resources too, like clubs, activities, and performances. It will help you feel more involved in Conn’s community as well as providing a necessary balance between work and socializing.
Thank You’s: Thank you to my family and friends, the Dance Department, Professor Marulis, and CCCDLS!
David Neelappa (he/him)– Yuma, AZ
Majors: Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology and Botany. Minor: Environmental Studies. Center: Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment. Campus Involvement: Intern in the Office of Wellbeing, a Writing Center Tutor, a Tutor for the ARC primarily working through the chemistry department, a co-president of the Pre-Health Club, a student researcher in Dr. Ovaska’s organic synthesis lab on campus, and a volunteer at the wonderful Sprout Garden on campus.
Why Conn?: I primarily came to Connecticut College because I always wanted to attend a small school and hearing about the Connections Program really interested me. Also, having grown up all my life in the desert southwest, I wanted to try something new and give it a go for four years in New England. Accordingly, I felt that coming to Connecticut College was the best university to attend to help me undertake such an adventure.
Why Majors/Minors?: I had a strong interest for chemistry and biology in high school, so I thought that a BCMB major sounded like the perfect academic combination for me. That being said, my interest in botany only came about as I was taking an introductory course in the department because it fulfilled a graduation requirement. While I initially had no intent of straying beyond studying chemistry, that introductory course taught by Professor Pamela Hine really made me see the complexity and beauty that can be found in studying botany. So it is thanks to her, as well as getting a chance to work with the remainder of the department, that I declared a botany major. Likewise, although I would like to claim that I declared an environmental studies minor and joined the Goodwin-Niering Center as a result of some deep intellectual desire, I really made the aforementioned decisions because I enjoyed working with the staff, faculty, and peers within the ES department and GNCE. Granted, I don’t think I really deserve to be considered a true botany major, environmental studies minor, or even GNCE member, I am very grateful that all of these groups have welcomed me into their worlds over the past 4 years.
Post-Conn Plans: I presently plan to attend medical school at the University of Arizona Tucson starting in the summer of 2024.
Advice: Although it is incredibly cheesy, I would just want to highlight that there is a reason camels travel in herds. Just like a scorching desert, college can be really challenging and exhausting at times. However, if you look around you, you will not only find those that are trudging through the same struggles, but also those that are willing to keep motivating you forward. So I urge underclass students to lean on their peers when they are going through a hard time and also be that pillar of support for others when they need help. To complete the obnoxious metaphor, as someone who has failed plenty of times, but found the strength to keep going because of my fellow classmates, soon I will be able to reach the oasis of graduation day alongside all my fellow peers in the class of 2024.
Thank You’s: I just want to give my gratitude to all of the professors in the chemistry, biology, botany, and environmental studies departments that I have studied under for the past 4 years, with a special thanks to my advisors Timo Ovaska, Rachel Spicer, and Eric Vukicevich. While I’m not sure if they would say that the feeling is mutual, it has really been a privilege to work with all of them. Of course, I would also like to thank Derek Turner, Jen Lamb, Keleigh Wagner, Professor Michelle Neely, and all of my center peers that I have gotten to know in the GNCE. Again, despite being such an interloper in regards to environmental studies, they have really helped me grow as a student. I also want to give a huge thank you to all of the staff I have worked with over these past 4 years. This includes Lorraine McKinney, who was so welcoming to me as an FYS advisor, Paula Orbe, whose smile always brightened my day, even after failing a chemistry exam, and CC Curtiss, who despite all the arguments I get into with, is truly one of the most caring and interesting people I have ever met in my life. To all of the wonderful staff that I have gotten to know through my time in the ARC, being Noel Garrett, Tricia Dallas, Summar West, and Semra Kilic-Bahi, thank you for putting up with me and allowing me to work with so many amazing students that make up our campus community. To all of you, thank you so much.
Eli Prybyla (he/him)– Ashland, MA
Majors: History and Education
Why Conn?: Because of the teacher certification program (canceled before the start of my freshman year).
Why Majors/Minors?: To work towards my long term goals of being a social studies teacher.
Post-Conn Plans: I’m starting my masters in teaching at Columbia’s Teachers College in the fall.
Advice: Take advantage of the small classes at Conn and chat with your professors about your area of study. It doesn’t have to be strictly related to what is being covered in class that day.
Thank You’s: Big thank you to the history department for nurturing my research abilities and to all of the professors of the education department (past and present) for their constant guidance.
Emma Pyles (she/her)– Amherst, NH
Majors: Government and American Studies. Minor: Environmental Studies. Center: PICA. Campus Involvement: Co-captain of the women’s cross country and track teams and also a leader of Camels Vote.
Why Conn?: I chose to attend Connecticut College because of the welcoming and supportive environment. I was also drawn to Conn because of the emphasis placed on pursuing our interests, both in academics and athletics.
Why Majors/Minors: I came to Conn knowing I wanted to study Government. Because I am interested in food policy, Environmental Studies was a great supplement to my studies, and PICA brought all of my interests together. My American Studies major was a fun addition as I was just interested in the subject and eventually took so many classes I had the major fulfilled without really realizing it! I am grateful to have been able to put such a variety of interests together throughout my time at Conn.
Post-Conn Plans: I do not have any formal plans yet, but I am hoping to work in food policy and grad school is in my future!
Advice: Get to know your professors – they are an amazing resource and an exceptional support system here on campus. Also, talk in class!
Thank You’s: I am so grateful to everyone at Conn who has helped me throughout my four years here. A special thank you to Professor Borrelli, Professor Borer, and Professor Suttmann-Lea as well as my teammates and coaches.
Maggie Richards (she/hers)- Braintree, MA
Major: Sociology. Minor: Philosophy. Center: PICA. Campus Involvement: Tutor for the Writing Center, and the co-president of the Sociology Student Advisory Board.
Why Conn?: I chose to come to Connecticut College because I wanted to attend a small liberal arts school that had a flexible curriculum and would allow me to explore academically. In particular, the Connections Program interested me greatly.
Why Majors/Minors: I chose to major in Sociology because I loved the way that those classes changed my viewpoint of society and the world. I chose to minor in Philosophy because I enjoy debate, thinking creatively, and having existential crises. I chose to become a PICA scholar because I am passionate about community engagement and grassroots activism; I want to make a positive difference in the world and fight for causes that I believe in, and I believe that that starts at the local and community level.
Post-Conn Plans: Right now, I am pursuing full time jobs in community-focused social justice non-profits. In a couple years or so, I will probably attend grad school, but I want to wait a little bit to make sure that I have at least some idea about what I’m doing. My mom is still holding out hope that I become a lawyer (I’m a bit skeptical but who knows what will happen?).
Advice: Conn has small classes, which enables you to be able to more easily form bonds with classmates and professors. Form those bonds! It makes class, and academia in general, a lot more engaging! This is cheesy and generic but: explore your interests and try new things! I’m taking a dance class this year and my rhythm is abysmal but I’m having a blast, and I keep wishing that I took dance classes earlier in my academic career. Lastly, try your hardest not to procrastinate (easier said than done, I know, but trust me, you really should work on your time management skills, it will be a lifesaver).
Thank You’s: I would like to thank every professor I have ever had the pleasure of having, especially those in the Sociology and Philosophy departments, as well as all of the Holleran Center faculty and staff! I would like to thank the dining staff for feeding me and keeping me alive these four years (especially the Oasis staff for fueling my late night chocolate chip cookie cravings)! And finally, I would like to thank my parents, my dog (Milo, you’ve made it onto the College Voice!) and all of the friends I have made at Conn; I will treasure you always!
Taylor Austin (she/hers)- Milford, NH
Major: Film Studies major. Campus Involvement: the Chair of SAC, and the Chair of the Film Studies SAB.
Why Conn?: I applied to a handful of other NESCACs and small liberal arts schools, but none of their Film programs impressed me as much as Conn’s. For a school of our size, the breadth of the topics covered (in both theory and production) is incredible. I took a tour of Conn right before COVID hit, and got to see the facilities, speak with a Film student, and meet with some of the staff and faculty. I was blown away by the passion and excitement of everyone in the department, and knew this was the place I wanted to be. I also loved the variety of courses offered, as well as the rigor of the academics.
Why Majors/Minors: Entering Conn, I intended to double major in Film and Biology. In my first semester, I took Film 101, and quickly discovered a deep passion for film theory and analysis. Excited by the variety of courses offered, and already feeling a sense of belonging within the department, I declared a Film Studies major that same fall, and never looked back! I took a few Biology and Botany courses my first year and enjoyed them, but ultimately decided to focus solely on film.
Post-Conn Plans: I’ll be taking a gap year to work as I apply to Master’s programs this fall. I’m still trying to figure out the area(s) of the film industry I’d most like to work in, so I’m staying open to any and all opportunities!
Advice: Balance is key! Finding a club or extracurricular that you love is a great way to take a break from classwork while still keeping your schedule fairly structured. For me, sticking to a consistent, set routine helps immensely with staying on top of my work and compartmentalizing my tasks/responsibilities. But most importantly, take care of yourself whenever you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! The ARC, Writing Center, and department-specific tutors are incredibly helpful resources if you ever need some extra support in a class. I’m grateful to have had access to them during my time here!
Thank You’s: I want to thank my advisors, Nina Martin and Sonia Misra, for cultivating my love for film and encouraging me to pursue my passions. I’d also like to thank Jeannette Williams for her support, mentorship, and guidance during my time with SAC. All of you have fundamentally shaped my experience at Conn and I could not be more grateful!
Winthrop Scholar who declined to comment: Bazeed Shahzad
Congratulations to all of the Winthrop Scholars!
