2019 Commencement

Nose clips? Check. Waterproof makeup? Check. For her senior research project, applied health science major Erin Parry ’19 researched the benefits of group exercise.

In one breath, Josiah Nisly ’19 can discuss his research of catalytic activity in fuel cells. In another, he can tell you about his favorite movies.

Sometimes, research starts at home. For her senior research project, Nora Nworu ’19 asked herself, “What would my mom have needed when I was a kid?”

With that in mind, she studied the effects of depression in African-American single mothers and wondered what she could do to help.

Vanuatu—a volcanic archipelago in the South Pacific—has a water problem. A natural spring bubbles up, providing fresh water for all, but sits atop a mountain.

Back in Grantham, the Collaboratory is working on a solution. Nate Hardman ’19, an engineering major, has spent the past four semesters as the student project manager leading a team of six to design a gravity-fed water system.

During the ’30s, the federal Home Owners’ Loan Corporation color-coded neighborhoods— from green for “best” to red for “hazardous.” The ramifications of “redlining”—the process of denying financial services based on racial and ethnic demographics—continue to this day.

For his senior research project, David Michael ’19, a business administration major with a computer science minor, studied mid-20th century housing and segregation—which hit close to home.

We’ve all seen the commercials: Order a $59 DNA kit and learn about your ancestors. Or, send your third cousin—if he happens to be the Golden State Killer—to jail.

In 2018, Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested for decades-old murders using GEDmatch, a public genealogy website. As technology outpaces the law, however, it begs the question: Is this investigation technique of searching familial DNA constitutional?

When designing the set for “Alice in Wonderland” as her senior project, theatre major Kalina Jenkins ’19 asked herself a critical question:

“Is it wonderful enough?”

For as long as she can remember, Kali Rodgers, MOT ’19 has had a passion for helping others. Growing up, she witnessed her cousin, who has cerebral palsy, work with an occupational therapist who taught him how to feed himself.

“A profession that helps other people become independent in something so meaningful that we sometimes take for granted every day was something I felt a calling towards,” Rodgers said.