Fatima Abbas, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

For her undergraduate research project, Abbas chose a subject with personal resonance: the effect of lacking federal recognition on the Haliwa Saponi Native American tribe of North Carolina, of which her mother is a member.

Marc Adelman, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

Adelman, graduating with a history degree, was on the five-year plan at Temple. Not out of the ordinary, except for the 42-year gap between years three and four.

Robert C. "Amir" Berry, B.A., College of Liberal Arts; Erin C. Cusack, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

Friends who met in the Honors Program lounge, Berry and Cusack have both been awarded prestigious Fulbright grants to pursue their scholarly interests abroad. Berry will be heading to Oman, and Cusack to Spain.

Scott Blanding, B.A., College of Communications and Theater

During his sophomore year, Blanding traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to complete a documentary titled Women in War Zones: “This was the most meaningful project I’ve worked on as an aspiring filmmaker. It was more than a film. I was being an advocate; it was bigger than me.”

Renita Burns, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

As the leader of Open Borders’ Youth Radio Project, Burns worked roughly 15 hours per week on conducting hands-on class sessions and arranging guest speakers and class trips to local radio stations to help kids gain skills in radio and web production.

Ramon Cintron, B.S., College of Health Professions

After losing his parents as a baby, moving 14 times and attending 10 different schools, Cintron was named outstanding senior by the Department of Kinesiology and is graduating this year with honors and a very bright future.

Matt Evangelist, B.S., College of Education

Evangelist, formerly a mortgage broker, was led through coaching high school football to a desire to teach.

Juan David Galeano, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

The outgoing Temple Student Government

president on being a first-generation American: “It has made me really appreciate every opportunity and blessing that has come my way. My parents, who were both born in Colombia, work exhausting hours so that I can be here. It drives me to be the best that I can.”

Colin Guthrie, Ph.D., College of Health Professions

Already an established sports psychology consultant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, professional sailor and former Canadian national sailing team member, Guthrie earned a Ph.D. in kinesiology, with a concentration in behavioral science.

Alexis Hahalis, B.S., School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

"It is important to show tourists more than just a good time, and to also show that you care about their safety."

Jeff Harris, B.S., Ambler College

A beach accident left Harris paralyzed, but could not stem his resolve to graduate with the rest of his class.

Ailar Javadi, B.S.E.E., College of Engineering

The Iran native hopes to link engineering with entrepreneurship by starting her own electrical engineering business.

Leah Kauffman, B.A., School of Communications and Theater

The artist behind “I’ve Got a Crush on Obama” has gotten plenty of notice in the media, has just released her second independent album, and plans to continue her work in music and journalism.

Sean Keuleyan, B.S., College of Science and Technology, and B.A., School of Communications and Theater

After three successful years as a film major, Keuleyan added chemistry to his plate. Now graduating as a double major, he has thought about ways to merge his two interests.

Zoe Maher, M.D., School of Medicine

As a founder of the Temple Emergency Action Corps, Med School graduate Zoe Maher recently spent time in Bolivia to provide basic medical care to rural communities.

Tiffany Taylor Newmuis, M.T.H.M., School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

"I plan to pursue a career working at the National Trust Main Street Center, a group that focuses on commercial district revitalization."

Daniel Loren Ostrov, M.F.A., Tyler School of Art

No matter where Tyler School of Art sculpture student Daniel Loren Ostrov goes, ships keep sailing into his life like a recurring dream.

Abioye Oyeyemi, B.B.A., Fox School of Business

Oyeyemi, a senior in international business and economics, who spent his early years in Nigeria, enjoys playing football for Temple.

Sejal Patel, Pharm.D., School of Pharmacy

On her passion for serving: “Volunteering with an organization like [Prevention Point Philadelphia]
gave me a completely different experience than what is found in a classroom, and it’s a great opportunity for students to make a difference in the lives of people who need help.”

Vernell Ross, B.A., College of Liberal Arts

Twenty-four years after coming to Temple as an employee, Ross is graduating. She has taken one or two courses per semester since shortly after starting work.

Hubert Rutage Ruzibiza, B.B.A., Fox School of Business

Ruzibiza, a senior in international business and finance, who comes from Rwanda, is trying to pitch opportunities to coffee shop owners to buy fair-trade Rwandan coffee beans.

Cheryl A. Rybacki, B.F.A., Tyler School of Art

Rybacki took a long detour on the way to her printmaking degree; on the way she and her family operated South Side Produce, a fruit and vegetable vendor that became a South Street institution.

Dina-Verley Sabb-Mills, M.A., Boyer College of Music and Dance

“My best experience [at Temple] has been working with students. I’ve learned a lot from them. The more I learn the more I grow as a dancer and as a teacher. Being a graduate assistant opened me up to a new way of learning.”

Karen Shuey, B.A., School of Communications and Theater

Says Shuey, a member of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s student editorial board: “I like to observe people. I like to tell people’s stories. What I’ve learned in college is that everyone has a story. Everyone is newsworthy. You can find something interesting in every person.”

Lisa Stickney, Ph.D., Fox School of Business

Stickney decided to study organization and human resource management because it corresponded with her interests in business and psychology.

Elena Rely Vîlcica, Ph.D., College of Liberal Arts

“The prospect of working with Temple’s internationally recognized scholars, in a very challenging research environment, nested in one of the largest and most vibrant urban settings in America, and among a very diverse student population, is perhaps the shortest way of describing my reasons for my decision to pursue my Ph.D. in criminal justice at Temple.”

Eric Watts, B.A., School of Communications and Theater

The broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media grad has been living his dreams, first with an internship at the “Late Show with David Letterman” and next with a job at ESPN.