Towson University Honors College Spring 2020 Graduate Bios and Acknowledgements Graduates from each class are asked to write a personal bio and are given the opportunity to acknowledge anyone this wish to recognize. Below are the bios from the TU Honors College class of spring 2020. Megan Andersen Megan Andersen comes from Cecil County, Maryland. She is an art + design major and intends to continue her craft in both illustration and writing post-graduation to make and publish comics professionally. She would like thank all of her wonderful professors and her advisors for encouraging her and inspiring her. Special thanks to Dr. Fox, Nora Sturges, and Jim Condron for their invaluable guidance. She couldn't have done it without them. Luca Artista Luca Artista is from Manchester, MD and will graduate with honors this spring with his degree in business administration and a minor in political science. During his time at Towson, Luca served on the building council for both Douglass House and Tower C winning a Building Council MVP award and Building Council of the Year with his team. Luca was a resident assistant for two years in Tower C and one year in Marshall Hall while also serving as the vice president for the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee team. Outside of Towson, Luca had the opportunity to intern with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office and with state Senator Andrew Serafini this past legislative session in Annapolis. After graduating, Luca is looking forward to attending the University of Maryland to earn his law degree and begin his journey to becoming an attorney. Luca would like to thank the Honors College Staff, his past supervisors, coworkers, and friends for such a memorable four years. He would also like to thank his Mom, Dad, and brother Massimo for always pushing him to do his best and for being so supportive. Charlotte Bader After graduation, Charlotte plans to attend medical school. Laurene Rose Batiquin Laurene Rose Hidalgo Batiquin is a first-generation college student who will graduate with honors, earning a degree in nursing. Laurene plans on passing the nursing licensure exam to earn her RN license and hopes to work as an ICU nurse at a magnet hospital. She looks forward to embarking on her career and discovering what field she wishes to specialize in prior to attending further education. She loved her experience at Towson University, and says that The Honors College helped her develop valuable professional skills and gave her opportunities that she would not have had otherwise. Laurene completed two independent courses alongside her nursing classes, internships, and clinical rotations; held a position in an undergraduate research lab; served as treasurer for the TU Student Nurses Association; and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She claims that challenges faced within her undergraduate education helped her grow as an individual and form strong friendships with like-minded people that will last a lifetime. She would like to thank all of the TU staff, members of TUDON, her mentors and advisors Dr. Snyder & Dr. Burgess, as well as family and friends for support during her undergraduate career. Noah Beall Noah Beall is from Calvert County Maryland and will graduate with honors with a bachelor’s in international studies and Asian Studies with a minor in Chinese language. After graduation, Noah will be teaching English abroad in China for two years before perusing his masters in Chinese language. During his time at Towson University Noah was one of the few Towson students in recent history to study abroad in China for an entire semester, sharpening his language skills and widening his world view. Noah was also published in Towson’s journal of International Affairs with his publication "Terrorism and ASEAN: Noninterference vs Security". During his studies, he also was a vocal voice in the Towson University Democrats, frequently participating in debates with the college Republicans and serving as treasurer for one term. Upon graduating he has received both the Hirschmann-McWilliams Award in Asian Studies and the award for Distinguished Academic Excellence in Chinese. Knickole Bergman Knickole Bergman will graduate with honors, a B.S. in molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics, and a minor in chemistry. After graduation, she will be working as a postbac fellow at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, MD. During her time at Towson, she has been a member of Towson Track Club, the Towson Chapter of ASBMB, she played multiple intramural sports, and she served as an Honors College recruitment officer and orientation mentor. She was also a resident assistant for two years in the Honors community and she served as an undergraduate learning assistant for genetics and chemistry courses. She is thankful that the Honors College pushed her to pursue unique opportunities, such as a research experience for undergraduates program which took her to Massachusetts, as well as her study abroad program which took her to Peru. She would like to thank her friends and family for always pushing her to be the best version of herself and supporting her along the way. Aditi Biswas Aditi Biswas is originally from Phoenixville, PA, but now her and her family reside in Catonsville, MD. She is graduating with Honors with a BS in biology. After graduation she is joining the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to pursue a master’s in molecular microbiology and immunology, in the fall of 2020. Aditi thoroughly appreciated the diverse and rigorous nature of honors courses throughout her time at TU. They allowed her a perspective on fields very different from hers, and helped keep her up to date on global issues. Honors classes such as multicultural psychology and urban education helped her to get to know the rich history of the Baltimore area, and connect with her fellow Honors students in Towson. She also enjoyed going on Honors trips such as the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. At TU, Aditi was the president of the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), a Presidential Ambassador, and a senator for SGA. She would like to thank all of her wonderful professors who helped guide her academic journey, and their kindness and attention to each individual student. She has made strong bonds with fellow Honors students from her first year at Douglass, and hopes that she will carry those friendships for the rest of her life. Natalie Bland Natalie Bland hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and graduates with honors, earning a degree in mass communication with a dual track in journalism and public relations, with a minor in Spanish. What she appreciated most about The Honors College were the discussion-based classes that inspired new perspectives and critical thinking. Natalie interned during the summer before her senior year at WBAL-TV and then earned a part time job at the station as an assignment editor. After a few months she moved on to an associate producer position. After graduation, she looks forward to continuing her work at WBAL-TV. She worked at the Towson Career Center for the last three years of college and while also holding two other jobs. She would like to thank her professors that pushed her and supported her, and would like to thank her family and parents most of all for doing everything they could to help pursue her dreams and make it to graduation. Joseph Brocato Joseph Brocato comes from Crofton, Maryland, and is graduating with honors, earning a degree in biology with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology. Kristian Brown Kristian Brown is from Chesapeake Virginia and will graduate this semester, earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, with a minor in marketing. During her time at Towson, Kristian has been a Resident Assistant for Housing & Residence Life, a BCPS after school programs coordinator for Girls in the Game and a teen mentor for Expanding Intelligence Today (ExIT). Kristian has also worked with the Baltimore Humane Society and Towson University's Mens Basketball Team, doing research projects under the Applied Mathematics Lab. After graduation, Kristian plans to start her career as a data analyst. She is grateful for the opportunities she has been awarded and the invaluable life lessons she has learned during her college experience. Nicholas Coleman Nicholas Coleman from Elkton, Maryland, will graduate with honors, earning a degree in political science and minor in international studies. He spent five of his six semesters at Towson learning Arabic with Professor Ziad Bentahar, whom Nicholas considers a mentor and friend as well. Nicholas would like to thank the entire Honors College staff, and specifically Dr. Alison McCartney, for guidance throughout his college career. His future plans are epic and private. Ethan Connelly Ethan Connelly is from Sharpsburg, Maryland, and will graduate with honors, earning a degree in economics. Ethan is a devoted member of the Towson University Track Club and spent two years as the club’s secretary. Some of Ethan’s proudest achievements include placing 54th in the Junior/Senior/Grad race at the NIRCA Cross Country National Championships, running a Boston Marathon qualifying time in the Philadelphia Marathon, and graduating in four years despite switching majors at the end of his second year. After graduation, he will begin his career at McAdam Financial in Vienna, Virginia, where he plans to become a licensed financial advisor. Ethan enjoyed the small class sizes and how the Honors College encouraged him to expand his worldview and become more aware of other perspectives. He would like to thank the Honors College staff, his family, and friends for their support along the way. Melinda Cutler Maryland native Melinda Cutler is proud to graduate with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in English.