RC Senior Awards 2023
Congratulations to the class of 2023! We are proud to present members from the graduating class with Residential College Senior Awards. Each year, RC faculty and staff submit nominations for students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement during their time at U-M.
Congratulations to these awardees and all the RC seniors for your hard work and contributions during your time here!
Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Creative Arts – The “Robbies”
Established in 2000, to honor the founding Director of the RC, James H. Robertson, the “Robbies” are given to students who have shown a high level of achievement in one of creative arts in the RC. Typically seven to ten graduating seniors who have excelled in Creative Writing, Drama, Music or the Studio Arts over their RC careers receive recognition and a modest stipend. Faculty in the various creative arts programs discuss student names among themselves and put forward nominations.
Cam Robinson
Hometown: Bedford, MI
Degree/Major: RC Drama & Political Science
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? This summer, I’m in Much Ado About Nothing in Shakespeare in the Arb. Beyond that is a vast and mysterious expanse.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? The two full-length plays I’ve directed, both with the RC Players and independently.
Anyone you'd like to thank? Kate Mendeloff, whose influence can never be overstated. My dear friends, of whom there are far too many to list here.
Student bio coming soon!
Bailey Burke
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Degree/Major: Creative Writing & Literature and History, Spanish Minor
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? This summer, I will be attending a leadership program called the Catholic Worldview Fellowship in Germany. After that, I aspire to complete graduate studies and ultimately pursue a career in the publishing industry.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? It has been an incredible journey! I am proud of achieving Spanish proficiency (passing the five-hour exam the day after I moved in as a freshman), starting RC Letters Forum from the ground up, and completing both a creative writing and a history thesis! I have loved every RC class I have taken, and am so grateful for the community I have found in the RC and at St Mary Student Parish.
Anyone you'd like to thank? Firstly I would like to thank my parents and extended family, for their continual love and support! I would also like to thank my creative writing thesis advisor, Christopher Matthews, for his guidance and support. Lastly, a thank you to all of my friends who have journeyed with me, especially my best friend, Jesus Christ :)
More about Bailey: During her time in the Residential College, Bailey founded RC Letters Forum (including the summer penpal program), was an instructional aide in the RC Spanish program, was an RC MAP mentor, and took many unique RC courses. She has loved her time in the RC, and especially wants to thank Christopher Matthews, Catherine Brown, Laura Thomas, and Sarah Messer for their wonderful classes and guidance. Outside of the RC, Bailey has been involved in campus ministry with St. Mary Student Parish and the Kateri Institute for Catholic Studies. She has also worked on the kitchen staff at Chi Omega sorority for the past four years, as a marketing intern this past year at Ave Maria Press, and as an office assistant for the Center for the Study of Complex Systems and blog writer for the Office of Admissions this semester. Her publications include a short story in the 2021 Write Michigan Anthology, various blog posts for the UM Office of Admissions and Arcadia Abroad, a number of pieces in Michigan's Canopy literary magazine, and two works in the 2023 RC Review. She studied abroad in winter 2022 in Dublin, Ireland, and plans to travel after she graduates. In her free time, you can find Bailey reading, writing letters, and drinking tea.
Gaea Gaecke
Hometown: Jackson, MI
Degree/Major: Program in the Environment BA, minor in Native American Studies
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be working on an organic farm in Dexter, MI this summer! In my free time, I hope to continue practicing art, learning languages, and running.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? MI am most proud of myself for making it through a year of school online during 2020.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank Karein Goertz and Toby Millman for their guidance and support throughout my time at the RC.
Pronouns: she/her
Lailah Fritz
Hometown: Chevy Chase, MD
Degree/Major: Sociology and RC Creative Writing and Literature
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Following graduation, Lailah will be working to complete her MSW at U of M’s School of Social Work.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? In the RC, Lailah loved taking classes in the Spanish Language Program, Creative Writing and Literature Major, and Music Program. From writing about music in her first year Seminar Program, Revealing Meaning in the Music of Rock, Pop, and Hip-Hop, composing her own music in Creative Musicianship, to playing in both classical and jazz groups in Chamber Music, the RC Music Program has sparked Lailah’s musical curiosity and dedication to bringing music into her everyday and sharing the joy of songs like, “Agua de Beber,” “Sesame St. Theme,” and “Spain.”
Anyone you'd like to thank? Lailah would like to thank RC Professors Sarah Messer, Deborah Gordon-Gurfinkel, Jennifer Goltz-Taylor, Katri Ervamaa, and Mark Kirschenmann for supporting and encouraging Lailah during her time in the RC! Thanks to all of you for helping me to go above and beyond in classes and exploring the topics that were calling my name :)
Fun Fact: Lailah is excited for outdoor expeditioning and fiddling this summer!
Gabriella (Gabby) Dias
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Degree/Major: Film/TV/Media & Creative Writing
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? As for the near post-grad future, I hope to spend my time cooking new recipes, knocking through my mile-long reading list, and continuing my passion for storytelling, wherever that may lead me.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? After four long years, I'm rounding out undergrad with the completion of my Creative Writing Honors thesis titled “the mailbox house,” an exploration of personal and familial history through the foundation of my Abuela’s home.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I am forever indebted to Laura Thomas, Christopher Matthews, and Leslie Stainton for their unforgettable guidance and wisdom (and for patiently dealing with my often late-night submissions!) Of course, endless love and gratitude to my friends and family for always listening and informing my stories.
Ari Richardson
Hometown: Farmington, MI
Degree/Major: Cognitive Science
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be moving to New York to pursue my masters in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities at NYU!
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of directing Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with the RC Players. I also had the opportunity to be a Teaching Intern for the RC Drama’s Inside the Dramatic Experience class.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my friends from NERDS and RCP who have made Ann Arbor feel like home, as well as Audrey Becker and Kate Mendeloff for their guidance.
A note from Ari: The RC drama community both welcomed me and challenged me as an artist, which I hope is something I can emulate wherever I end up.
Ava Kee
Student bio coming soon!
Ari Richardson
Hometown: Farmington, MI
Degree/Major: Cognitive Science
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be moving to New York to pursue my masters in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities at NYU!
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of directing Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with the RC Players. I also had the opportunity to be a Teaching Intern for the RC Drama’s Inside the Dramatic Experience class.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my friends from NERDS and RCP who have made Ann Arbor feel like home, as well as Audrey Becker and Kate Mendeloff for their guidance.
A note from Ari: The RC drama community both welcomed me and challenged me as an artist, which I hope is something I can emulate wherever I end up.
Student bio coming soon!
Nate Kennedy
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Degree/Major: Arts and Ideas in the Humanities
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I plan to continue making photos and experimenting with darkroom and alternative methods of printing. I will strive to continue to involve myself in the communities I interact with through my photography, and to create art in order to make a difference.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? My Arts and Ideas Thesis was an opportunity to undertake a largescale photo project and it was my first time shooting slide film. This project showcased the varied quality of Ann Arbor student housing and working with Ektachrome film and a slide projector felt completely right.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank Isaac Wingfield and Ray Wetzel for helping me improve and explore my artistic expression. I would also like to thank one of my favorite artists my sister Elise Kennedy who never stops inspiring me.
More about Gabby: I hope to continue to make art regardless of where my professional career takes me and hope I will find an audience for the images I make.
Anya Dengerink-Van Til
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Degree/Major: Sociology, Spanish Major, Urban Studies Minor
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? After graduation, I will be living with friends in Ann Arbor, enjoying the Huron River, making art and working to save money to travel.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am proud of finding and contributing to places with good friends and good food, and for managing to carve out time for creativity.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank and acknowledge my family and friends!! I would not have been able to do it without their support.
A note from Anya: Art as a solo venture and as a collaborative venture is what made college enjoyable for me. I am inspired and excited to keep using are as a tool, and as a means to seek out more beauty. I'm grateful for what I have learned through the RC about ways of making art and about how I would like to spread art around.
Award for Outstanding Service in Community Engagement – The “Tommies”
The Residential College established these awards in 2006 to honor former RC Director, Thomas Weisskopf. The “Tommies” are given annually to students who have made substantial contributions to the communities around them – whether to East Quad, to the University campus, or to communities in the region or beyond – during their undergraduate careers.
Mekulash Baron-Galbavi
Hometown: Monroe, MI
Degree/Major: Major in International Studies, Minors in Urban Studies, and Food and Environment
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Immediately following graduation, I will remain in Ann Arbor and facilitate Summer Youth Dialogues for high school students in metro Detroit with the Program on Intergroup Relations. Following that, I plan to pursue a fellowship in Washington DC in international peace and conflict resolution, or continue my work on housing justice in Detroit.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of my ability to explore all of my interests, including art and music, on addition to my academic interests. I had the privilege to do chamber music, ceramics, furniture building, and printmaking in prison during my time here. These are invaluable experiences that have helped me develop and express my whole self.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank Craig and the whole Semester in Detroit team for your endless support these past few years. You have helped me develop my identity and understand my impact in the world.
More about Mekulash: : I recently completed my honors thesis in international studies titled: Defending the Human Right to Water: Grassroots Activist Methods in Detroit's Fight for Livability, Dignity, and Recognition with my advisor Dr. Stephen Ward. I work for the Semester in Detroit Program recruiting students and helping to run the Detroiters Speak class. I was a member of PCAP this past semester as I took Toby's class: Printmaking in Prison. I am a facilitator in Intergroup Relations. I am also a Donia Human Rights Fellow in international studies.
Lillian Pearce
Hometown: Richmond, MI
Degree/Major: Romance Languages and Literatures and Creative Writing and Literature
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Communications at The American University of Paris following graduation. The interdisciplinary program will involve the continued study of languages and writing in the context of digital media and advocacy. I hope to later apply my studies to an international career.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of the friendships and relationships I have formed in the RC, at U-M and the broader Ann Arbor community at large. I am proud to have worked with and learned from passionate, intelligent students, caring and brilliant professors and a dedicated, generous community. It is both a privilege and an honor to have collaborated and bonded with such remarkable individuals and organizations.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my family first and foremost; I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without you. I would also like to thank my many professors, and notably those who make up the intensive Spanish and French language departments, for their inspiring lessons and unwavering support. Finally, to my friends from the RC, the Daily Arts, U-M and beyond — thank you for your kindness, humor and love.
Grace Meinke
Hometown: Howell, MI
Degree/Major: Social Theory & Practice: Social Class and Inequity in Education Systems
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? After graduation, I will be pursuing a master's degree at Harvard Graduate School of Education in their program for Educational Policy and Analysis. I hope to find myself in change-making places to ensure that our American education system is built to support all children in equitable and empowering ways.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of the incredible connections the Residential College community fostered for me among both both my peers and the RC faculty. The people I have encountered and who have influenced my life are truly what made the "Michigan Difference" during my four years here.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my incredible teacher, advisor, and mentor, Deb Gordon-Gurfinkel. It is such a gift and joy to learn from her. She has impacted my personal growth and the trajectory of my future in countless ways and I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have found her in the
More about Grace: Grace Meinke is a Social Theory and Practice major concentrating in Social Class and Inequity in Education Systems and minoring in Education for Empowerment. Grace is graduating with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honors Society. During her time in the Residential College, Grace was involved in the RC Review both as a Grammar and Poetry Editor, led the RC Food Forum, and mentored through the RC Mentorship Among Peers program. Grace was also involved with Telling It, a non-profit program founded by RC faculty member, Deb Gordon-Gurfinkel, and committed to using interdisciplinary expressive arts and trauma-informed strategies to meet the social-emotional needs of youth participants. Also during her time at Michigan, Grace worked with research group developing a contemporary, culturally-sustaining, and research-informed curriculum called Great First Eight currently piloting in six schools across The United States. In addition to continuing her work with this curriculum, following graduation, Grace plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Educational Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Award for Exceptional Achievement in a Foreign Language - The “Janets”
This award, inaugurated in 2010 and renamed in 2015 to celebrate Janet Hegman Shier, former head of the RC German Program and Director and Faculty Administrator of RC Deutsches Theater, is given to graduating seniors who have shown outstanding accomplishments in the mastery of foreign languages, including a deep engagement with a language and its culture beyond proficiency, the active use of a second language in the RC or surrounding communities through community engagement programs and/or the arts, and/or a serious engagement with more than one foreign language. Language faculty often consult with each other about nominees and students may be nominated for more than one language.
Fiona Caughey
Hometown: Hartland, MI
Degree/Major: Romance languages & literatures (French, Italian)
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Immediately following graduation, I'll be staying local to continue work on campus and to enjoy all Ann Arbor has to offer during the summer. Afterwards, I'll be moving to France, in the Franche-Comté region, where I'll be an "assistante de langue" through TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). During my time in France, I hope to apply to graduate programs in library science and French, to travel the European continent, and to visit family in Ireland.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I'm most proud of expanding my proficiency attained in the RC towards research and translation; my junior year, I was able to present a paper related to my translation project at an international conference. This year, I'm most proud (and relieved!) of having finished an honors thesis in French on a series of medieval manuscripts.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I'd like to thank the entire RC French department, my close mentors in Romance languages & literatures, and my colleagues at the Clark Map Library for all of their guidance.
More about Fiona: I'm a began learning Italian my second year following proficiency in French; around this same time, I also began working in the University's libraries, first as a Medieval Images Specialist, working on photos of French Romanesque Architecture. I then moved to the Clark Map Library, where I undertook an internship working with 19th century French & Italian maps. I'm really looking forward to continue maximizing my time in academic libraries, both on campus this summer, and hopefully abroad this coming fall!
Henry Fellows Moss
Hometown: Northville, MI
Degree/Major: BGS
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be in Colorado taking care of the forest.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am proud of learning to fight my addiction to false pride.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I thank Dominique Butler-Borruat and Karein Goertz, who thought this award should be given me. I also thank Carla Cribari-Assali for her insight, her support, and her teaching.
Gaea Gaecke
Hometown: Jackson, MI
Degree/Major: Program in the Environment BA, minor in Native American Studies
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be working on an organic farm in Dexter, MI this summer! In my free time, I hope to continue practicing art, learning languages, and running.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of myself for making it through a year of school online during 2020.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank Karein Goertz and Toby Millman for their guidance and support throughout my time at the RC.
Pronouns: she/her
Katie Gahn
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Degree/Major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Following graduation, I will be applying to medical schools and working as a clinical research coordinator through the University of Michigan's School of Nursing.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? Something I am proud of is being able to complete a double major in biochemistry and Spanish as well as stay in the RC! Additionally, being able to participate both as a tutor in PALMA and as a teaching assistant in the "los cóndores" class in En Nuestra Lengua for the last three to four years.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me and my Spanish professors for always encouraging me along the way!
A note from Katie: Overall just very grateful for my time here in the RC and the University of Michigan and excited for what's next!
Emma Loewenstein
Degree/Major: Psychology and Sociology
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I am moving to Freiburg, Germany! I will be working as an assistant teacher at an elementary school. I'm excited to work with kids and become fluent in German :)
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am proud of my dedication to learning German and the RC community I've found along the way.
Anyone you'd like to thank? Huge thanks to my RC German professors, Karein and Janet. Without their endless patience, dedication, and faith in me, I wouldn’t have the courage to move to Germany on my own after graduation.
A note from Emma Last week, I interviewed at a German school and had to clarify that I was not, in fact, a native speaker. This semester, I worked at the Deutsche Schule Ann Arbor, helping native-speaking German children keep up with the German school curriculum while living in the United States. Freshman "me" would be appalled - my German speaking skills coming into college were mediocre, at best.
The most important thing I've learned in the RC is not German, however. It is that students who are dedicated to learning second (or third, or fourth) languages make the BEST friends. Learning a new language is a deeply humbling, if not downright humiliating, process. Making mistakes in front of your friends is embarrassing...then funny...then a peacefully-accepted part of the journey. This journey of learning German in the RC has taught me what qualities to look for in friends: Courageous, hard-working, curious, culturally conscious, globally minded, and (perhaps most importantly) very silly. You will find students who embody all of these phenomenal characteristics in the RC.
Peter Matarweh
Hometown: Flint, MI
Degree/Major: Majors: Comparative Literature, International Studies (subplan: Comparative Culture and Identity); Minor: Translation Studies
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Following graduation, I will be moving to France for the upcoming school year to teach English and advise high school students who want to come to the United States for college through the Fulbright program!
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? My time in the RC and the Comparative Literature program exposed me to so many ways that I can actually use language to help others, from PALMA to Translate-a-thon to Conversation Circles. I really enjoy the community I found here.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I especially thank Dominique Butler-Borruat, Elissa Bell Bayraktar, and Mark Burde for pushing me in the RC French program and helping me with my French journey beyond the classroom. I also want to thank all other language professor, especially my Arabic Professor over three years, Said Hannouchi, for all their help in my language learning as well.
More about Peter: Translation is not just an application of language for me; it is a hobby. I absolutely love translating, even if it's just for fun! It is like a language-puzzle for me.
Also, something my friends know about me is I always like to keep busy! Even if sometimes I stress myself out by taking on too much, I really enjoy always doing something, especially if that something involves helping or working with others. During the past year, I have channeled this energy into more political activism.
Isabel Matias
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Degree/Major: Psychology and Anthropology
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Following graduation, I will be moving back to my hometown of Chicago where I will continue tutoring middle schoolers during my gap year. In the future, I hope to continue traveling and find a job in the social work field.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? Among my most proud moments in the past four years as a student has been winning two gold medals this year at the Club Gymnastics National Championships. One medal was for my team and the other was awarded to me as an individual for comepting in the decathalon, where I competed in all four womens events and all six mens events.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I want to thank my teammates from Club Gymnastics for an amazing four years, my mom, dad, siblings, and my recently dearly departed grandmother.
More about Isabel: I studied abroad in Spain during the summer of 2021 where I participated in an archaeology field school, assisting in excavations. I am also an Italian minor and studied abroad in Bologna, Italy during the winter semester of my junior year. Furthermore, I have a great love for learning foreign languages and traveling, which led me to take an RC German class as one of my electives during my senior year, where I met so many wonderful people, including my professors Carla Cribari-Assali and Karein Goertz.
Doug McClure
Hometown: South Lyon, MI
Degree/Major: BA, English, German, and Secondary Education
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be living at home in Brighton and teaching German in Southeast Michigan!
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of my progress as an educator and a language student. Beyond my personal development, I have found ways to share my love of language with others and to make a career out of that, and I have learned from some great people along the way. I can confidently say that my time in the RC has made me a more confident, patient, and thoughtful person as well.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank Karein Goertz for her consistent dedication to her students. Karein is a thoughtful educator from whom I have learned a great deal about both the German language and about how to connect with and develop students. I would also like to thank Konstantina Karageorgos for helping me trust my own potential as an artist and Kalli Federhofer for helping me find my way to Middlebury's German Immersion Program and to the German major.
More about Doug: After starting out in Intensive German II with Karein Goertz and Janet Hegman Shier, I went on to take RC Readings courses in German Theater and Narratives of Transformation and Passage with both professors and, later, to work as a tutor for Intensive German students. My experience with RC German inspired me to begin working towards a teaching certificate, and I have spent my last few semesters of college working in German classrooms at Pioneer High School and Tappan Middle School in Ann Arbor and an IB English classroom at Huron High School. Outside of the classroom, I enjoyed singing with the Men's Glee Club and working on the Michigan Daily Podcast section throughout my time at UofM.
Lillian Pearce
Hometown: Richmond, MI
Degree/Major: Romance Languages and Literatures and Creative Writing and Literature
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Global Communications at The American University of Paris following graduation. The interdisciplinary program will involve the continued study of languages and writing in the context of digital media and advocacy. I hope to later apply my studies to an international career.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am most proud of the friendships and relationships I have formed in the RC, at U-M and the broader Ann Arbor community at large. I am proud to have worked with and learned from passionate, intelligent students, caring and brilliant professors and a dedicated, generous community. It is both a privilege and an honor to have collaborated and bonded with such remarkable individuals and organizations.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my family first and foremost; I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without you. I would also like to thank my many professors, and notably those who make up the intensive Spanish and French language departments, for their inspiring lessons and unwavering support. Finally, to my friends from the RC, the Daily Arts, U-M and beyond — thank you for your kindness, humor and love.
Grace Tucker
Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
Degree/Major: International Studies and Spanish
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be a general news reporting intern at The Columbus Dispatch in Columbus, Ohio.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am so proud of the passion I have cultivated for Latin American culture and the ways in which this passion has informed my work in journalism. Regarding U-M at large, I am proud of the friendships I have established and the ways in which I have impacted the communities of which I am a part, including leading student journalists at The Michigan Daily and uplifting local musicians and artists through my work with the Inter-Cooperative Council.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I thank Cristhian Espinoza-Pino, Olga Lopez-Cotin, Mabel Rodriguez, and Sandra Nunez Marquez de Marino for guiding my Spanish career at Michigan and helping me fall in love with the Spanish language. I also thank Isaac Wingfield for being a dear mentor to me during my time in his photography workshop in the Prison Creative Arts Project this semester.
Ally Weingarden
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Degree/Major: Majors: Organizational Studies and Spanish; Minor: Applied Statistics
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be moving to New York City to begin a position as an Associate Analyst on the Market Segmentation and Growth team at National Grid.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am proud of passing proficiency all the way back in my first semester and then continuing with RC Spanish classes as long as I could (I got to take 3 readings courses!). I'm proud of getting even further involved in the RC Spanish program by leading conversation circles with students on zoom during the pandemic. I'm also proud of being able to find a balance between all of my diverse interests through my different majors and minors, since I came into college very undecided. I was ultimately able to follow through upon and excel in my pursuit of a variety of disciplines even during a pandemic with most classes on zoom. I'm also proud of all of the amazing communities I was able to find and take part in at U-M, including the RC, my student organization AIESEC, and my co-op in the ICC. I'm really thankful to have enjoyed a fulfilling college experience full of amazing experiences and opportunities that I'll carry with me in the future.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank the RC Spanish program for giving me the intense, immersive, and supportive experience I needed to take my language learning to the next level. With that, thank you to Cristhian Espinoza-Pino for helping me gain more confidence in my Spanish skills during the two semesters of class we had together and thinking to nominate me for this award after all of this time.
More about Ally: My study abroad program in Alicante, Spain last summer was also pivotal in my Spanish learning experience, and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to live with a host family, take classes in Spain, and really experience the Spanish lifestyle for 6 weeks.
The Spirit of the RC Award – The “Charlie”
Established in 2013 to honor former RC Director, the Charlie is awarded to the member of the senior class who best exhibits the animating spirit of the RC as defined by a demonstrated commitment to the RC and its mission in undergraduate education. She or he or they has embraced the values associated with the liberal arts and a well-rounded education; has taken full advantage of all that the RC has to offer and has encouraged others to do the same; has played a significant leadership role as a part of this community; and has excelled academically.
Spencer Hsieh
Hometown: Novi, MI
Degree/Major: History (LSA) and Secondary Education (School of Education)
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? After graduating, I hope to go immediately back to school! Though this time it would be as the teacher standing in front of a classroom~
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I am proud to have done so many different things during my time with the University! I wrote a thesis in history, student taught full-time, was a leader of the student esports organization, and completed the RC intensive French sequence and two semesters of Bangla. I definitely did all that I wanted to do in University and some more.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I would like to thank my teachers, mentors, and friends for guiding and supporting me in the past five years.
More about Spencer: Spencer is a student at the Residential College with a major in History and Secondary Education. He served as a committee director for Model UN conference at the University, and was the President of University of Michigan Esports, the competitive gaming student organization on campus. He also worked for four years as an RC student staff and recruiter.
The Emerging Writers Award
The Emerging Writers Award was established in 2014 to recognize, nurture and encourage creative writers in the Residential College’s creative writing program who demonstrate excellence in creative writing but have not previously received a writing award recognizing their writing achievements.
Thomas Griffith
Hometown: Marquette, Mi + Madison, Wi
Degree/Major: Creative Writing & Literature (BA) + Political Science (BA)
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? Following graduation, I'll be heading to the Arctic Circle to guide a 45 day trip across the sprawling tundra of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Reserve(ANWR). I'm currently planning on seeing more grizzlies than humans in the Brooks Range, so in broader terms, I'll be frolicking with bear spray in a land where the summer sun never sets. Upon return, I look forward to beginning my search for graduate level programs where I can continue my journey as a writer.
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? Reflecting on my time here at U-M, I'm most proud of having had the opportunity to write two Honors Theses, one in Creative Writing & Literature, the other in Political Science. The opportunity to work with such incredible faculty members here at U-M while conducting research and honing my writing skills has been equally eye-opening, challenging, and infinitely rewarding.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I have endless gratitude for my professors/mentors Laura Kasischke and Sarah Messer. Thank you for helping me cultivate a longtime dream to write, all while being such marvelous human beings. Even Ross Gay's Catalog for Unabashed Gratitude couldn't capture how much thanks I have for the both of you.
Chelsea Padilla
Hometown: Marquette, Mi + Madison, Wi
Degree/Major: Political Science and Creative Writing & Literature
Where will you be following graduation? Or where do you hope to find yourself? I will be moving to Washington D.C. shortly after graduation to work at a foreign policy think tank. I hope to continue revising stories I wrote in my RC creative writing classes while also creating new ones!
What are you most proud of from your time in the RC and at U-M? I'm proud to have learned so much as a writer, but I'm really proud of my honors thesis, "The Pensionado and Other Stories." A lot of time, effort, and research went into it, and I've never completed a story as long as "The Pensionado," so I think it serves as a testament to my growth as a writer over my time in the RC and at U-M.
Anyone you'd like to thank? I'd like to thank my parents, friends, and mentors for all their support -- but I'd especially like to thank my thesis advisor, Laura Thomas!
