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Life Beyond the Limestone 2014

Graduate and Professional School (Page 2)

Jenna LaRiviere limestone photo.

Jenna LaRiviere ’14

Hometown: Prospect, Conn.

Major(s): Archaeology

Graduate School: University of East Anglia

Jenna will attend the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, England, to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Kappa Alpha Theta; Alpha Lambda Delta; Eta Sigma Phi

What are some of the defining moments of Jenna’s Dickinson experience?

“The most defining moment of my Dickinson experience was my time studying abroad in England during my junior year, which helped me realize my future academic and career goals.”

Michael Meyers ’14

Hometown: Warren, N.J.

Major(s): Political Science

Graduate School: Benjamin M. Cardozo School of Law

Michael, who is president of the senior class, will be attending Cardozo Law at Yeshiva University in New York City.

Campus Activities & Engagement: President, class of 2014; Order of the Scroll and Key; political science majors’ committee; student Interviewer; Liberty Cap Society; Kappa Sigma Fraternity; finance committee

Internships: Intern at Congressman Leonard Lance’s District Office (Westfield, N.J.); Public Information Intern with the N.J. Department of Agriculture (Trenton, N.J.); Governmental Affairs Intern with the Ridge Policy Group (Washington, D.C.); Scheduling Intern with the Office of President William J. Clinton

How has Dickinson prepared Michael for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“Every class stresses interdisciplinary approaches to problems that require an ability to think critically about the world,” says Michael. “It is with this unique and distinct education that I find myself especially prepared for life after Dickinson.”


Rizwan Saffie

Rizwan Saffie ’14

Hometown: East Bank Demerara, Guyana

Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Graduate School: University of Pennsylvania 

Rizwan will attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Ph.D. in cell & molecular biology (cancer biology track). Rizwan began his research on the genetic reprogramming of leukemia cells as a sophomore. The following year, he presented his work at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting.   

Campus Activities & Engagement: Phi Beta Kappa; photography club; chemistry and math tutor; resident advisor; student researcher; Alpha Lambda Delta

Internships: Princeton University’s 2013 Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Molecular and Quantitative & Computational Biology, Kang Lab; Dickinson’s biology department, 2012 summer research in the lab of Associate Professor of Biology Mike Roberts; Center for Sustainability Education

How has Dickinson prepared Rizwan for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“The faculty and staff at Dickinson have always been committed to helping and encouraging me to pursue my interests,” says Rizwan. “I am thankful for and will miss the nurturing yet challenging environment that I have come to love over the past four years.”

What are some of the defining moments of Rizwan’s Dickinson experience?

“Forming lasting friendships with Dickinsonians from different parts of the world and having the opportunity to conduct scientific research at Dickinson, Princeton and now UPenn.”

Learn more about Rizwan.  

Ariel Caruso limestone photo.

Ariel Caruso ’14

Hometown: New Providence, N.J.

Major(s): History

Graduate School: The George Washington University 

Ariel will attend The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies.   

Campus Activities & Engagement: Kappa Alpha Theta; equestrian club; Alphi Phi Omega; several honor societies; studied abroad in England through the Norwich Humanities Program, fall 2012

Internships: Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.; U.S. Supreme Court, Office of the Curator (gave daily lectures, inventoried the historical artifact collection); New Jersey State Museum (inventory); Dickinson College Archives (processed the collection of study abroad materials from the American Institute of Foreign Study).

How has Dickinson prepared Ariel for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“My Dickinson education has given me both the academic and social skills I need to succeed after college,” says Ariel. “My liberal-arts education has helped me to become adaptable to any task sent my way.”

What are some of the defining moments of Ariel’s Dickinson experience?

“Some of my favorite moments from college are chatting with my professors and having them take an interest in who I am as a person and what my interests are outside of school,” she says. 

Victoria Cote ’14

Hometown: Humble, Texas

Major(s): Art & Art History; English

Graduate School: University of Toronto 

Victoria will attend the University of Toronto to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies.   

Campus Activities & Engagement: Dickinson College Choir; Red Devils cheer team; Catholic Liturgical Choir

Internships: Museum curator intern, Heritage Society, Houston

Karina Rabinowitz ’14

Hometown: Redlands, Calif.

Major(s): Psychology

Graduate School: The University of Texas at Austin

Karina will pursue her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Executive board member, Liberty Cap Society; Pi Beta Phi; student interviewer, admissions office; global ambassador

How has Dickinson prepared Karina for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“Dickinson has given me the academic and professional skills that I will need to pursue my career as a counseling psychologist,” she says. “I am so thankful for the guidance and encouragement I have received from faculty. The rigorous research experience I received through the psychology department has given me the opportunity to pursue my next degree with confidence.”

Ashley Rodriguez limestone photo.

Ashley Rodriguez ’14

Hometown: New York, N.Y.

Major(s): Psychology

Graduate School: Fordham University Graduate School of Education

Ashley will be attending the Fordham University Graduate School of Education to pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology.

Campus Activities & Engagement: POSSE scholar; Liberty Cap Society; Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority; RA; teaching assistant for psychology courses; presidential search committee; Alpha Lambda Delta; Psi Chi

Internships: Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt Comprehensive Adolescent Rehabilitation and Education Service (CARES) program.

How has Dickinson prepared Ashley for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“Dickinson has provided me with so many opportunities and has challenged me both academically and socially,” she says. “Through my study-abroad experience and my relationships with professors, I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of.”

Elizabeth Austin ’14

Hometown: Needham, Mass.

Major(s): Biology

Graduate School: University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine

Elizabeth will study veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in Glasgow, Scotland.

Lingwei Cheng ’14

Hometown: Chongqing, China

Major(s): International Business & Management; Political Science

Graduate School: Georgetown University

After being accepted to the University of California, Berkeley; The University of Chicago; and The Johns Hopkins University, Lingwei will attend Georgetown University to pursue a master’s degree in public policy. She and Professor of Asian Law and Society Neil Diamant completed grant-funded research on veteran activism in China that will be published in a major journal in Chinese studies.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Club Asia; Model UN; Women’s Center

Internships: Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, Chongqing; Xinhua News Agency, Chongqing

What are some of the defining moments of Lingwei’s Dickinson experience?

“Doing research on Chinese veterans with Professor Diamant was a great experience,” says Lingwei. “Not only did I gain an understanding of the subject, but I also built a strong mentor relationship with Professor Diamant, who offered me copious advice on graduate school and careers.”

Breanna Goldner '14

Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pa.

Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Graduate School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Breanna will attend the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Pre-health society; Phoenix (all-girl community-service group); cello quartet

Internships: Administrative intern at Pocono Medical Center in Stroudsburg, Pa., (developed “Spirit Girls,” a program for thirteen-year-old girls that encourages healthy lifestyles and raises self-esteem); research assistant for Assistant Professor of Chemistry Rebecca Connor.

How has Dickinson prepared Breanna for Life Beyond the Limestone?

"Dickinson gave me an incredible support system," she says. "It also gave me great study skills, increased my confidence and allowed me to grow as a person."

What is Breanna most anticipating about her post-graduation plans?

"I am most excited about having a future where I can wake up every day knowing that I am doing what I truly love and what I have always dreamed of doing."

Bryan Lerner ’14 

Hometown: Newark, Del.

Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 

Graduate School Name: Jefferson Medical College

Bryan has been accepted to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Women’s volleyball manager; Kappa Sigma fraternity; Alpha Lambda Delta honor society; pre-health society

Internships: Research assistant with the biology department, summer 2012; analytical lab technician, W.L. Gore & Associates in, Elkon, Md., summer 2013

How has Dickinson prepared you for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“I learned a lot of science as a biochemistry & molecular biology major,” he says. “And, classes such as sociology taught me a lot about humanity and provided very useful information towards my outlook on life.”

Kaitlyn Gregory '14

Hometown: Mount Vernon, N.H.

Major(s): Neuroscience

Graduate School: New England College of Optometry

Kaitlyn will attend the New England College of Optometry in Boston to pursue a Doctor of Optometry degree. 

Campus Activities & Engagement: Multi-Organization Board (MOB); Kappa Alpha Theta; America Reads; Wheel and Chain; Our Dickinson

Internships: Research assistant, Dickinson psychology department

What is Kaitlyn most anticipating about her post-graduation plans?

"Starting graduate school for the profession I have wanted to join for a long time," she says.

What are some of the defining moments of Kaitlyn’s Dickinson experience?

"Becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Theta helped me meet people who have helped me grow into the person I am today,” says Kaitlyn, adding, “Joining the executive board of MOB helped me learn leadership and management skills that I will use for the rest of my life."

Olivia Lanes limestone photo.

Olivia Lanes ’14

Hometown: Southbury, Conn.

Major(s): Physics

Graduate School: University of Pittsburgh

Olivia will pursue a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Pittsburgh. “My first-year seminar course exposed me to the field of quantum physics,” she says.

Campus Engagement & Activities: Kappa Alpha Theta

Internships: Summer research internships at the University of South Florida and the University of Wisconsin.

What are some of the defining moments of Olivia’s Dickinson experience?

“Joining Kappa Alpha Theta; working in the lab; and incredible times with my sisters and friends,” she says. 

McCabe headshot

Colleen McCabe ’14

Hometown: Hingham, Mass.

Major(s): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Graduate School: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Colleen will attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Campus Activities & Engagement: Teaching assistant for the chemistry department; biology tutor; pre-health society; lifeguard at the Kline Center pool.

Internships: Patient-care volunteer at Carlisle Regional Medical Center and Cumberland Crossings Assisted Living Community

How has Dickinson prepared Colleen for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“The biochemistry & molecular biology department thoroughly prepared me to pursue my dream of becoming a clinical pharmacist,” says Colleen. “I was lucky to meet many professors who have inspired me to not only learn to the best of my ability but to think critically about the world around me.”

What are some of the defining moments of Colleen’s Dickinson experience?

“One of my favorite experiences at Dickinson was serving as the student representative for the Dickinson College Health and Wellness committee,” she says. “I worked with faculty to create and implement plans to help promote a healthier campus.”

Michael Vecchio ‘14

Hometown: Hackettstown, N.J.

Major(s): Physics

Graduate School: The Pennsylvania State University

Michael will attend Penn State, University Park this fall to pursue a Ph.D. in material science and engineering. He also spent 10 weeks there this past summer researching methods and techniques for optimizing the production of NASA SMART X X-ray telescope prototype mirror panels for lifetime testing.

Campus Activities & Engagement: varsity baseball; Kappa Sigma fraternity; teaching assistant and consultant for Physics department; varsity track and field

Internships: summer STEP science internship; biomechanics study with biology professor Chuck Zwemer; materials science REU at Penn State

How has Dickinson prepared Michael for Life Beyond the Limestone?

“Spending four years immersed in an environment that encourages group discussion and interaction with a diverse population has led me to become a more mature and aware individual.” says Michael.

What is Michael most anticipating about his post-graduation plans?

I am excited to participate in a top research institution,” says Michael. “I am anticipating four years of hard work, but also incredible satisfaction when it is complete.” 

What are some of the defining moments of Michael’s Dickinson experience?

“My top three most defining moments of my Dickinson career were receiving my bid to Kappa Sigma fraternity; having my heart broken by a huge crush of mine; and accepting the offer of a lifetime to do research at Penn State.”  says Michael.