By Golzar Meamar, Managing Editor
The Presidential Medal is awarded to graduating seniors who have excelled in some combination in service to the community, contribution to the arts, enlargement of global perspective, athletic fitness, leadership and contributions to community discourse.
They were awarded at the Academic Awards Convocation on April 25, 2014 and some of their achievements are listed below.
Meghan Callahan ’14
Major: Creative Writing, minors in theatre and art history
Hometown: Centennial, Colo.
Extra Curriculars: Exile editor-in-chief, Articulate editorial board member, actor and director in theatre productions, Burpees Seedy Theatrical Company member and president, Denison tour guide, and stage manager for the Music Department.
Quote: “The first person I found in the crowd was Dr. Porcheddu, one of my nominators and my mentor here at Denison–and then I cried all over his robes.”
Joshua Goldman ’14
Major: Education
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Extra Curriculars: Head Resident, Resident Assistant, Denison Venture Philanthropy Club, Big Brother volunteer, Listening for a Change co-moderator, DCGA co-governor
Quote: “Connecting with some super people. I’m really blessed to have met wonderful friends at Denison. Plus, it seems like I keep meeting awesome people…. I like that there are always new super people to meet. The people at Denison are exceptional!”
Michaela Grenier ’14
Major: International studies and women’s Studies
Hometown: Downers Grove, Ill.
Extra Curriculars: Be The Change (Maker) teaching assistant, Denisonians for Social Change, Listening for a Change, Campus Leadership and Involvement Center leadership fellow, Career Exploration and Development Office professional development fellow
Quote: “I will be working with the organization Seeds of Peace as a counselor at their conflict resolution summer camp for teenagers.”
Andrea Karl ’14
Major: Biochemistry, minor in economics
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
Extra Curriculars: Women’s soccer team, Young Life Licking County volunteer leader, Phi Beta Kappa member, Newark High School mentor, chemistry and biology fellow
Quote: “I was completely stunned. I remembered back to my sophomore and junior years watching previous medalists walk up on stage. I admired them so much and the realization that I was in their company at that moment was absolutely surreal. I think the primary thought that went through my mind was, ‘this is not really happening, is it?’”
Carlos Maciel Neto ’14
Major: Economics and international studies
Hometown: Recife, Brazil
Extra Curriculars: Resident Assistant, Head Resident, Ad Hoc Committee on Alcohol and its Effects, the DU Student Athlete Advisory Council, Department of Theatre performance manager, qualifier for Brazilian Olympic swim team, Bloomberg Institute campus ambassador
Quote: “I will get my Master’s in Economic Theory and Policy at the Levy Economic Institute.
Daniel Persia ’14
Major: Mathematics and English creative writing, minor in Spanish
Hometown: Spencerport, N.Y.
Accomplishments: Academic Affairs Council member, founder of the Denison chapter of Invisible Children, Denison Service Orientation leader, Denison Community Association president
Quote: “I’m currently deciding between two very different experiences: (1) accepting a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Brazil or, (2) pursing a Master’s Degree at Boston College through the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program, then teaching […] for 4 years with the support of Math for America.”
Paul Young ’14
Major: Physics and mathematics
Hometown: Chendu, China
Extra Curriculars: Biology and chemistry teaching assistant, presented research at national physical convention.