The College of Charleston’s third class of William Aiken Fellows will graduate on May 12, 2012. These students, all members of the Honors College, were selected for the Aiken Fellows Society based on their superior performance both inside and outside the classroom. More information about the Aiken Fellows.

In this year’s class, more than half had some sort of international experience as an undergraduate. All participated in impressive research projects with faculty at the College, the Medical University of South Carolina, or another institution through the National Science Foundation summer research program. Sixty-four percent of these graduates will attend graduate school immediately and an additional 21-percent plan to enter graduate school in fall 2013. Two of these students came to the College of Charleston as 16 year-olds. All of these students have had a tremendous impact on this community through internships and other leadership roles.

Christian (Chris) Bailey, an international business and Spanish double major, will spend this summer in Germany as an intern with the Michael Caravita Company. If he’s not convinced to stay with the company in a full-time position, he will return to the College in the Master of Public Administration program to complete his last year of eligibility on the cross-country team. Chris has studied abroad three times while at the College – in Spain, in Dubai, and Mexico. For three years, he served as a peer facilitator for Beyond George Street, the first year experience course for honors students. Chris was also a Schottland Scholar.

Clarissa Briner, a double major in physics and math with a minor in chemistry will attend the University of Colorado-Boulder to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. In addition to a considerable amount of research throughout her time at the College, Clarissa also spent last summer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as part of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Alexandra (Ally) Bing, an anthropology major and environmental studies minor, will have an internship with the Office of Sustainability at the College of Charleston this summer. After that, she hopes to return to Australia to work at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she completed a semester-long study abroad experience. While at the College, Ally has been involved in environmental education through work with Earthforce, the S.C. Aquarium, and Alliance for Planet Earth.

Lauren Fuess, a marine biology major and environmental studies minor, will pursue a Ph.D. in biology at the University of Texas-Arlington. Lauren is also a finalist for a Fulbright full grant to do a year of research in Jamaica. In addition to her research with faculty, Lauren completed a National Science Foundation REU program at Georgia Tech last summer.

Chiara Guzzardo, a psychology major and political science minor, will attend American University to pursue a Masters in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. Chiara, who is also a Bischoff Scholar, interned at MUSC’s National Crime Victims Center and was an Italian tutor in the Center for Student Learning. She received a leadership award for her work with the Volunteer Corps.

Justin Hendrix, a music and internationals studies double major, will attend the University of Sussex in England as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. There he will pursue a degree in anthropology of development. Even before he arrived at the College, he had begun working with a humanitarian organization in Romania that serves the needs of orphans and other at-risk youth. He has spent three of his college summers in Romania. Justin is also the recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa award.

Jessica (Jessie) Hoffmann, a double major in anthropology and biology with a minor in math, will attend Humboldt State University where she will study bird/insect/environment interactions, which will include substantial time in Kenya for data collection. During her time at the College, Jessie spent one summer on an archaeological dig in France and another in a National Science Foundation REU program at Notre Dame. She has also played cello in the College of Charleston Orchestra and has taught knitting lessons!

Caroline Horres, a political science major with minors in math and geography, will attend graduate school at Johns Hopkins University in the School for Advancement of International Studies. As a sophomore, Caroline was awarded a Department of State Boren Scholarship that supported six months of study in Amman, Jordan. In addition to an internship in Amman, Caroline has interned with the Motley Rice law firm and with the College’s Office of Sustainability. She also contributed significant leadership to Americans for Informed Democracy.

Mary (Marca) Hoyle, who will graduate with an A.B. in history and minor in Latin, will attend Western Michigan University to pursue an M.A. in Medieval Studies. While at the College, Marca has been to England twice, once as part of a class and once as a part of a funded research project with Professor Trish Ward.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Lucas, a Business Administration major, graduated a semester early in December to focus on Fipeo, a company that he co-founded. Jeff was also a Schottland Scholar and was recently given the Schottland Leadership award. One of Jeff’s most formative experiences during his time at the College was his study abroad through the Semester at Sea program. Not only did he see the world, but he also met his business partner on the boat!

Sarah-Kate Magee, an arts management and economics double major, will take a full-time position as marketing and executive assistant with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra upon graduation. Sarah-Kate, who is also a Ketner Scholar, has had several internships and leadership roles within the arts community during her time at the College. Most recently, she has served as program director for the St. Matthews Outreach Center. She is the winner of several graduation awards, including the Ted Stern Cup and the Alexander Chambliss Connelly Award, both awards that recognize extraordinary service and leadership by a member of the graduating class.

Caroline Newman, a psychology major with a neuroscience minor, will return to Swaziland in the next year to do medical mission work. She will also apply to medical school. Caroline, who will graduate with a 4.0, is a member of women’s tennis team (competing in the NCAA Tournament in 2012) who has been recognized numerous times as a top scholar-athlete. Caroline is also one of the two recipients of the Bishop Robert Smith award, the top honor bestowed upon a member of the graduating class.

Vincent (Vinny) Palmieri, a chemistry major, will spend the next year at the Women’s Cancer Research Center in Pittsburgh, where he will do research on ovarian cancer. He’ll also work on medical school applications. While at the College, Vinny has been actively involved in the Jewish Student Union and Club Tennis team. In addition to his research with at the College, Vinny has worked on a research team at MUSC.

Allysan Scatterday, a biology major, has been awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship that will support a year at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante’ Publique in Paris France, where she will pursue a Masters in Public Health. Upon completion of that program, she plans to attend medical school. On campus, she has been a Charleston 40 tour guide and a peer mentor for the summer preview program, and has held several leadership roles, including being a member of the President’s Student Advisory Council.