{"id":74755,"date":"2013-03-28T08:15:46","date_gmt":"2013-03-28T12:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=74755"},"modified":"2023-06-27T13:13:16","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T17:13:16","slug":"outstanding-students-in-the-class-of-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2013\/03\/outstanding-students-in-the-class-of-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding Students in the Class of 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>As the University counts down to Commencement, UConn Today is featuring some of this year&#8217;s outstanding graduating students, nominated by their academic school or college or another University program in which they participated. For their stories, click on the links below, and keep checking back, as more articles are added in the weeks leading up to Commencement.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Patel130424b0004-head.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-77607 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Jigish Patel '13 (CLAS). (Max Sinton'15 (CANR)\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Patel130424b0004-head-225x300.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Patel130424b0004-head-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Patel130424b0004-head-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Patel130424b0004-head.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/05\/class-of-2013-jigish-patel-future-teacher\">Jigish Patel, Future Volunteer Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p>After graduating as an Honors student with three majors, Jigish Patel \u201913 (CLAS) will join Teach for America as a volunteer math teacher in Arkansas for two years.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ferraj1-headshot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76261  alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Brunilda Ferraj '13 MSW. (Colin Poitras\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ferraj1-headshot.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ferraj1-headshot.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ferraj1-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Ferraj1-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/05\/class-of-2013-brunilda-ferraj-future-social-worker\/\">Brunilda Feraj, Future Social Worker<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Her childhood experiences as an immigrant are part of what has driven Brunilda Ferraj \u201913 MSW to pursue a degree in social work.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ReeseTwins13.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-77013 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Tyler Reese '13 (CLAS), left, and Spencer Reese '13 (SFA). (Max Sinton '15 (CANR)\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ReeseTwins13-300x200.jpg\" width=\"144\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ReeseTwins13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ReeseTwins13-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/ReeseTwins13.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 144px) 100vw, 144px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 144px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 144\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/05\/class-of-2013-spencer-reese-future-opera-stage-director-and-tyler-reese-future-businessman\/\">Spencer Reese, Future Opera Stage Director, &amp; Tyler Reese, Future Businessman<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Twins Spencer Reese &#8217;13 (SFA) and Tyler Reese &#8217;13 (CLAS) followed separate academic paths, one as a music major, the other in math.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/hope-osborn-composite.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-77046 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Kyle Hope '13 (ENG &amp; CLAS) and Brian Osborn '13 (ENG &amp; CLAS) \" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/hope-osborn-composite-300x200.jpg\" width=\"144\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/hope-osborn-composite-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/hope-osborn-composite-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/hope-osborn-composite.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 144px) 100vw, 144px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 144px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 144\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/05\/class-of-2013-kyle-hope-and-brian-osborn-future-international-engineers\/\">Kyle Hope &amp; Brian Osborn, Future International Engineers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kyle Hope &#8217;13 (ENG &amp; CLAS) and Brian Osborn &#8217;13 (ENG &amp; CLAS) spent a year in Germany as part of UConn&#8217;s Eurotech program.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Luon130226a012-head.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74763  alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Darren Luon '11 (PHR), '13 Pharm.D. (UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Luon130226a012-head.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Luon130226a012-head.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Luon130226a012-head-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Luon130226a012-head-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-darren-luon-future-pharmacist\/\">Darren Luon, Future Pharmacist<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Motivated by the illness of a family member, Darren Luon &#8217;13 Pharm.D. is looking forward to a career as a pharmacist and perhaps one day as a pharmacy professor.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/HynesMairead-headshot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-76259 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Mairead Hynes (Photo courtesy of Mairead Hynes)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/HynesMairead-headshot-225x300.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/HynesMairead-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/HynesMairead-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/HynesMairead-headshot.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-mairead-hynes-future-history-professor\/\">Mairead Hynes, Future History Professor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For her Honors thesis, Mairead Hynes &#8217;13 (CLAS) visited Oxford University and read archived letters from WWII Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-celia-poirier-future-graphic-designer\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76214  alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Celia Poirier '13 (SFA &amp;amp; CLAS). (Ariel Dowski '14 (CLAS)\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Poirier130405b0009-headshot.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Poirier130405b0009-headshot.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Poirier130405b0009-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Poirier130405b0009-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/>Celia Poirier, Future Graphic Designer<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Celia Poirier &#8217;13 (SFA &amp; CLAS), a dual degree candidate in fine arts and communication, found her niche at UConn&#8217;s Design Center.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Cervo130408a002-headshot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75777 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Frank Cervo '13 (CLAS) on April 8, 2013. (Ariel Dowski\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Cervo130408a002-headshot.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"98\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/98;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-frank-cervo-future-environmentalist\/\">Frank Cervo, Future Environmentalist<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For Frank Cervo &#8217;13 (CLAS), field research in Costa Rica shaped his goals to earn a Ph.D. in environmental science and help improve the environment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Angell130415a001-headshot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76212 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Kylie Angell '13 (NUR) on April 15, 2013. (Ariel Dowski\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Angell130415a001-headshot.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Angell130415a001-headshot.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Angell130415a001-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Angell130415a001-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-kylie-angell-future-registered-nurse\/\">Kylie Angell, Future Registered Nurse<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kylie Angell &#8217;13 (NUR) hopes ultimately to study health policy, earn a Ph.D., and become an advocate for nursing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Sarnoski130410a003-headshot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75779 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Ethan Sarnoski '13 (CANR) on April 10, 2013. (Ariel Dowski\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Sarnoski130410a003-headshot.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Sarnoski130410a003-headshot.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Sarnoski130410a003-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Sarnoski130410a003-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-ethan-sarnoski-future-microbiologist\/\">Ethan Sarnoski, Future Microbiologist<\/a><\/p>\n<p>After excelling in pathobiology research as an undergraduate, Ethan Sarnoski &#8217;13 (CANR) is heading to Yale as a Ph.D. candidate in microbiology.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-carlos-rodriguez-future-counselor\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-75307 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Portrait of Carlos J. Rodriguez '13 (CLAS) on March30, 2013. (Max Sinton\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Rodriguez130403d0003-headshot-225x300.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/>Carlos Rodriguez, Future Counselor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Carlos Rodriguez &#8217;13 (CLAS) is grateful for the opportunity to earn a bachelor&#8217;s degree, and he plans to &#8216;pay it forward&#8217; by becoming a counselor.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-joseph-williamson-future-social-studies-teacher\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-75307 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Joe Williamson '13 (ED) on April 2, 2013. (Peter Morenus\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Williamson130402e009-headshot-225x300.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"97\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Williamson130402e009-headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Williamson130402e009-headshot-75x100.jpg 75w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Williamson130402e009-headshot.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/97;\" \/>Joseph Williamson, Future Social Studies Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Connecticut history buff Joe Williamson &#8217;13 (ED) incorporates local history into his lesson plans to engage students.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-alyssa-palazzo-future-writer-advocate\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74767 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Alyssa Palazzo '13 (CLAS) on March 20, 2013. (Peter Morenus\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Palazzo130320b002-head.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Palazzo130320b002-head.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Palazzo130320b002-head-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Palazzo130320b002-head-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/>Alyssa Palazzo, Future Writer, Advocate<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The editor-in-chief of UConn&#8217;s literary magazine, <em>Long River Review,<\/em> Alyssa Palazzo &#8217;13 (CLAS) is a talented writer, editor, and advocate for women&#8217;s issues.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/dawten130305a002-head.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74759 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Lisa Dauten '13 (CANR). (Sean Flynn\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/dawten130305a002-head.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/dawten130305a002-head.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/dawten130305a002-head-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/dawten130305a002-head-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/04\/class-of-2013-lisa-dauten-future-veterinarian\/\">Lisa Dauten, Future Veterinarian<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Twice named Connecticut\u2019s Eastern States Exposition Undergraduate Scholar, Lisa Dauten &#8217;13 (CANR) hopes to make a difference in the world of veterinary medicine.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zhao130306a0002-head.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-74769 alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Addison Zhao '13 (CLAS). (Peter Morenus\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zhao130306a0002-head.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zhao130306a0002-head.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zhao130306a0002-head-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Zhao130306a0002-head-75x100.jpg 75w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/03\/class-of-2013-addison-zhao-future-educational-psychologist\/\">Addison Zhao, Future Educational Psychologist<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Psychology major Addison Zhao &#8217;13 (CLAS) has excelled as both a student and a peer educator. Now he hopes to study educational psychology in graduate school.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft pr20 img-responsive lazyload\" alt=\"Russell Lycan (Sheila Foran\/UConn Photo)\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lycan_3224-head.jpg\" width=\"72\" height=\"96\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 72px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 72\/96;\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/blog\/2013\/03\/class-of-2013-russell-lycan-future-marine-archaeologist\/\">Russell Lycan, Future Marine Archaeologist<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Russell Lycan \u201913 (CLAS) is making the journey from Navy diver to a career in marine archaeology.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the University counts down to Commencement, UConn Today is featuring some of this year&#8217;s outstanding graduating students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2234],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[117],"class_list":["post-74755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-university-life"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-20 09:39:57","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74755"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75077,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74755\/revisions\/75077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74755"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=74755"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=74755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}