Boyd Scholars 2016-2017

My name is Margaret Allen, although I go by Maggie. I’ve lived in Powell, Ohio my whole life, a place around Columbus that consists of rich families and their entitled children. My father works at the Ohio Department of Transportation and my mother works at Nationwide. I have one sister, Abby, who is a senior Chemical Engineering student here at OU. My sister and I are very close and she is the main reason I decided to come to OU; I couldn’t imagine being far away from her.

I’m a Mechanical Engineering major. I’m interested in how things work, especially machines. In the future, I hope to design advanced prosthetics that can provide greater control for amputees. However, my dream would be to work at NASA. Even though I am new to Ohio University, I am overcome by the sense of community I have felt. I have had great experiences meeting new people, being challenged academically, and have found that home can be more than the place in which you grew up.

Regarding my interests, the first thing that comes to mind is a band called The Maine. Their music hits home because over the years their albums have fluctuated from despair and loneliness to happy, upbeat tones. I have grown up with their music and through it I have found the strength to be happy with myself and be stoked on life. I also am interested in movies such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel, movies that, in general, transport me to a different place and time.

I guess I’ll finish this off with my favorite quote from John O’Callaghan, “The path is in the rear view, the future holds no weight.” At this point I’m leaving the past behind me, eager for the blank slate ahead of me. I’m excited for the world of possibilities ahead, the places I’ll go and the people I’ll meet. I’m looking forward to being a part of the Margaret Boyd Scholars: the community of women I get to be a part of and the positivity we all can relay to the world.

Hello everyone! My name is Doreen Amoako, but please call me Reen. It rhymes with green if that helps you remember, and that’s also my favorite color! I am from Pickerington, Ohio. I was born in New Jersey but Pickerington is all I know. I have six siblings all together. I am the second to last. There are 4 girls and 3 boys. Back home in Pickerington, I work as an assistant manager at KFC where I’ve worked since 16. They promoted me quickly so you could say I know it like the back of my hand.

To know me a little more, I am a first-generation Ghanaian. Both my parents were born in Ghana, which is located on the west coast of Africa. The two different cultures clashed growing up but was a great learning experience. Let me know if you’d like to talk about it. It really gave me a new perspective on life and showed me that I am an old soul at heart.

Here at Ohio University, I’ve opened my minds to new challenges. I am double majoring in marketing and management and strategic leadership. I hope to get a minor in international business. My career goal is to have a corporate job. I want to go to work in a suit with a briefcase where I can walk in my office to a coffee already on my desk. I am a member of African Student Union and I am also a first-generation college student in the LINKS program.

If you’d like to chat about anything let me know. And if you want to discuss why green is the best color on the planet, I am ready when you are. Some other topics that might spark a good conversation from me would be anything about natural hair, doing makeup or running hurdles. I am all ears.

Hello, my name is Randi Bateman!

I am a future educator, HGTV fanatic, and a wishful traveler. I am from Columbus. I am also a middle child; one of seven to be exact. Growing up in a family of nine is a unique experience, yet it is truly a blessing to belong to a family like mine. I always had a friend to play with and multiple wardrobes to “borrow” from. Between extremely loud game nights and Disney movie sing-alongs, my family never really understood the term “inside voices." Never was there a dull moment in the Bateman household.

What’s really nice is that I have a bit of family with me at Ohio University. My oldest sister, Jocelyn, is a graduate student studying public health. My other sister, Michaela, is a senior studying psychology with a minor in social work. Not only is family a big deal to me, but so is my religion. Without God, I have no idea where I would be. I thank Him for all the blessings that keep falling into my lap.

One thing about me is that I am extremely passionate about education. I am studying Integrated Social Studies in the hopes of becoming a high school history teacher. I believe history is powerful, it is who and what we came from, as well as where we come from. It shapes us into who we are. Further down the road, I hope to become an African-American studies professor. As previously stated, I am extremely passionate about education. I believe that education is the key to breaking down the barriers and limitations that many of us face today. Like the saying goes, knowledge is power. Knowledge can end poverty, increase one's health, foster peace, promote gender equality, and boost economies. I mean the list goes on and on!

I have always been one to switch up the routine and try something new.  When it comes to things such as style or music, nothing ever seems stays the same with me. You can always find me looking up random and unique places to visit. Traveling is very important to me because it brings me joy to see all that the world has to offer and experience things I haven't before.

At the end of the day, I am always looking for ways to live life to the fullest. I take on every situation with a positive attitude, faithful that there will be a blessing to come out of it.  Alex Elle once said, " Be you, All ways, always."

Siyo! My name is Sophia Grace Boothby and you just learned how to say “hello to all” in Cherokee. I am an environmental biology major and a huge advocate for the environment and Native American rights.

I grew up mostly in historic downtown Fredericksburg, but I have lived almost everywhere along the east coast because my father is a retired Marine Sniper. Both of my parents are from Ohio and in an odd twist of events both me and my sister ended up at Ohio University. Growing up, I was my father’s “son” and my fondest memories were fishing and camping in the woods with my dad. He taught me to appreciate nature and treat it with respect, and I became passionate about everything science. My mother is from Cherokee descent, and in my high school years I got in touch with my native American roots and culture, even teaching myself some of the Cherokee language. My sophomore year, my dad and I were lucky to protest the keystone pipeline in Washington DC alongside some amazing tribes, which led the president to veto the bill (Thanks Obama). After a rocky first semester as a biochemistry major, I ended up deciding to switch to Environmental Biology to eventually pursue a law degree, so I could feel the triumph like what I felt in Washington DC that day.

The other half of my life is dedicated to the sport of field hockey. I am a proud member of the Ohio Field Hockey team, where I play the position of goalie (I never was one for skirts). A lot of people in Ohio do not know the sport of field hockey, so I encourage you to come see a game! Fun fact: it is the third most watched sport in the world; right after soccer and cricket. Since I am a goalie, I am covered head to toe in pads, and I am lucky to say that three hours a day I get to have a hard-plastic ball hit at me at fantastic speeds. It’s something I have done since second grade, and it has taught me so much about dedication and team work.

Some interesting facts about me: I am half an inch shy from six feet tall, my sister is also a Margaret Boyd scholar, I used to be a concert cellist, and I have scoliosis. Feel free to use these as ice breakers. You can also reach me at sb817216@ohio.edu.

Hello! My name is Grace Cahill. I am an environmental studies and English double major within the HTC. My interest in environmental studies began with my love of animals. As I learned how cruel our modern farming systems are, I also learned how environmentally devastating they are. I’m becoming more and more aware of the fact that most social issues are deeply connected to environmental issues. My dream is to combine my love for writing, activism, and the environment into a meaningful career. Aside from environmental studies and English, I love to learn about new languages and cultures. I also plan to minor in Asian studies; I currently study Hindi, and hope to pursue Japanese next.

I grew up in lovely Athens, but traveled to New Hampshire to attend a boarding school for high school. My boarding school wasn’t quite as cool as Hogwarts, but I learned so much there and really grew as an independent thinker. During my junior year, I traveled to Mussoorie, India to study abroad at the Woodstock School. In India, I learned that I love curry and really, really dislike monkeys. I’m always looking for ways to get back to the Himalayas, and I’m absolutely in love with all things India (except the monkeys, of course). I love to cook ethnic food from India and around the world, and one of my proudest accomplishments has been veganizing all my favorite Indian recipes.

When I’m not in class, I’m usually tucked into a secluded corner of the Alden library stacks, my favorite place on campus. Pretty much my happiest moments in life are when someone asks me for book recommendations, so if you spot me, please do. If it’s nicer weather, I’m probably enjoying the plants in the botanical gardens. I love to read and write and draw, and it’s rare to find me without a book and a sketchpad. I’m definitely an introvert, but I’m always eager to meet new people and have interesting conversations with them. I spent a lot of time debating in high school, and I love to have friendly arguments over different opinions.

My experience at OU has already been incredible, and I know that being part of the Margaret Boyd scholars’ program will make it even more special. I can’t wait to get to know the other incredible women in the program; they make me so proud to be a scholar and a bobcat! If you ever want to say hi (or share recipes, find a good read, talk about how cool plants are) my email is gc380115@ohio.edu.

Hi there! Let me start off my telling everyone how incredibly excited I am to be joining Margaret Boyd Scholars. I hope that through this I can grow as an individual, but also through my cohort. I want to inspire others to challenge themselves whether it be mentally or physically, and I know that this program will help me do so.

Originally I am from a small town an hour outside or Paris, France. However, when I was young, my dad’s job lead us to Portland, Oregon, and later Cleveland, Ohio. Although moving around was difficult, I am incredibly thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet many different and wonderful people as well as having seen many incredible places. Moving around when I was younger fostered my love to travel, I hope that throughout my life I am able to travel whether it be through my future career or just for the passion of traveling.

I am studying biology here, and hope to continue onto medical school or graduate school in the hopes that my future career will help others, whether it be medicine or otherwise. Biology is incredibly in that it helps explain life, every time I step outside I can marvel in the small miracle that is a beautiful plant or when I run the delicate processes my body is going through every time I take a step. Science is just so cool, right?

When I am not in Alden studying or simply reading a good novel, one might find me walking around campus or finding new places to hike. I am a member of my hall council, the wildlife club and am a part of the sailing team. During sailing season, I am often at the lake sailing, or napping in the sun, or on the weekends at a neighboring college competing and connecting with other sailors. My dad sailed growing up, and sailing has become a special connection between us. When it’s too cold to sail, I spend most of my time reading, planning new events for my hall council, or learning about the wildlife in Athens through the wildlife club.

We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will. – Selena Quintanilla Perez and Chuck Palahniuk

I hope, that through education or whatever opportunities come my way, I am able to change the world for the better, even a small change can help create the momentum for a larger change in the future even if I may not be alive to see it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, if you ever want to talk or get in contact with me, my email is ld295016@ohio.edu.

Hello, my name is Abby Harder and you can typically find me quoting SpongeBob in everyday conversation or working on some sort of extracurricular program on campus.

I am a Journalism News and Information major, hoping to one day be an international correspondent for Vice News. I am passionate about women’s rights, running, traveling, meeting people, and immersing myself in new experiences. I write with the intention to educate readers about the stories and people that may not always have the chance to have their story told.

I come from the city of new found champions, amazing culture and coffee shops- Cleveland, Ohio. Since I was a child, I’ve always been drawn to the creative subjects- writing, art, music, etc. I found myself happiest writing essays, making art, and learning about the world throughout all of high school- which is what ultimately led me to journalism.

My family and friends have been a huge influence on my life. My dad, Kent, is from a very rural environment and grew up surrounded by Amish communities. My mom, Christine, hails from Cleveland and holds strong to her Austrian and Italian roots, resulting in lots of travel and ethnic diversity growing up. Together, they raised a very different, but very connected, family. Amanda, my older sister, is a nurse and Captain for the United States Army. My brother, Adam, is the athlete of the family and is a broadcast journalist for the United States Air Force; he has also played a very important role in my love for music and storytelling.

Together, these people and experiences have created me up to the present. I am currently a writer for Backdrop Magazine, a member of Society of Professional Journalists, a player on the Ohio University Women’s Football Rugby Club, and a member of JFreshman Newsroom.

With that said, the story goes on…

If you ever want to chat, my email is abbylharder@gmail.com.

Hi! My name is Brittany Hesson and I am a mechanical engineering major here at Ohio University. I was born and raised in Marietta, Ohio which is about an hour from Athens.

Some of my passions include traveling, bicycling, golfing and spending time with friends and family. I also love to be outdoors. In high school I played softball and golf while racing dirt bikes. I have won two national championships and four local championships throughout my racing career. But, I have had to stop racing for the time being due to me being away at college. I plan on racing again after I complete my degree.

I have one little sister who is 12, and we couldn't be more opposite. My mother is a social worker who assists the elderly and my father is a field projects coordinator for a local oil company.

At Ohio university I am involved in many different organizations and clubs. I am in LINKS, Delta Zeta, American Society Of Mechanical Engineers HPVC, and Society of Women Engineers. I am so thrilled to add being a Margaret Boyd scholar to my list of organizations and I am excited to see where this opportunity takes me.

My name is Madeleine Hordinski; I like to photograph, write, and read. I am from downtown Cincinnati and am studying photojournalism and social work. I’m a photographer for the local magazine, Interactivist, and I also like to make portraits on my own. Since I was young, I've drawn inspiration from artists around me, including my father who is a musician, and some family friends. My favorite things are making photos of strangers, finding beautiful walls, exploring museums, listening to Esperanza Spalding and Joni Mitchell, and eating Indian food. My favorite book is The Golden Compass and my favorite movie is Paris, Texas. 

Hello! My name is Claire Klodell, and if I don’t respond to you saying “Hi” to me in passing, please don’t be offended! I typically tend to zone out when I’m on the move, especially when I’m listening to music.

I am a Journalism major in the E.W. Scripps School Of Journalism, and could not wish to be anywhere else for the next four years. In middle school, I dreamed of being a hairstylist, fantasized about living in New York City, and possibly one day running my own reality TV show. If you have ever heard of Tabatha Coffey on Bravo, I worshipped her! She was a strong, female leader who earned money from telling other people what they were doing wrong, and how to improve their businesses. Granted, this was all a phase.

In high school, I discovered my love for storytelling. I lived in New Albany, a city not too far from Columbus, Ohio. There were more white-picket fences than opportunities to discover a potential love for writing. The only school paper in existence was “The Eagle Talon” in elementary school, which mainly encompassed stories such as tackling the daily lunch menu, and interviewing teachers to figure out their favorite food. Hard-hitting journalism!

Since I was never exposed to journalism in school, I was forced to find other outlets to write for on my own. I’ve written for minor publications, but one of my favorite pieces was for HuffPost Teen, a branch of The Huffington Post which caters to a younger audience.

Eventually, I discovered my admiration for storytelling through a blog I created my senior year. I believe journalism, in this generation, should highlight the ideas of those in less privileged backgrounds than people with advantages. I aspired to use social media to illuminate the lives of the people who are undermined by the repeated offenders: the ones who appear in the media too many times, solely because of their fame. So, I started a blog titled “Dear My Teenage Self,” which showcased the stories of elementary school students across Ohio. You can follow this journey, here! ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG55QmtIqc4)

I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program, and the chance to become inspired by the limitless aspirations of the women around me.

I would love to meet you!

ck464915@ohio.edu

My name is Sarah Negash and I’m a freshman here at Ohio University majoring in Integrated Language Arts Education. I’ve lived in Athens for the past 11 years because my dad got a job at the university, but before that I lived in the Netherlands, and Eritrea from birth to age 7. These two countries are where my mother and father, respectively, are from. Moving country so many times, and my mixed cultural background has allowed me to understand the world in many ways and foster my love for learning and travel.

Some of my greatest interests are English, reading, and art. It is for this reason that I want to be a high school English teacher. It is my wish to share my love for literature with future generations to come. When I think back to some of the most influential people in my life, several of them have been teachers and I would love to be able to make this impact on my future students. Outside of reading and writing, I am a huge art and music fan, and I love traveling. Throughout high school I was involved in my school’s drama and choir clubs, newspaper, and community service organizations as a volunteer. I love to paint and art journal and there is almost nothing I like more than going to museums. I have a twin sister, who I often get confused for, named Rosa. We are opposites of each other but because of this get along super well, and despite popular belief we are fraternal! Both of my parents are also educators and have instilled a deep sense of the importance in not only learning but also social awareness and education in me. Social justice issues are something that I find very interesting and important.

It is my goal through the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program to be able to learn more about myself and the larger world around me within this group of lovely women. I am so honored to be a part of this amazing program!

Hi, my name is Kayla Pina. I am from Rhode Island, the ocean state. In many was Athens reminds me of any one of many small new England towns. The bricks and old buildings remind me of home. I am a Chemical Engineering major. I chose to do this because I love math and chemistry. I also enjoy finding solutions to systematic issues, so if you ever need help with optimization I am your woman. To that end if I’m not in my room or spending time with friends I can be found on the third floor of the ARC, my favorite place on campus. Apart from academics I love music, and I am always willing to make someone a playlist.

Hello world! If you’re reading this call me L! I use a lot of exclamation points when I write so that’s the first thing you need to know. The rumors are true I am a townie, ah! I grew up in a very small town called Glouster, it’s about fifteen minutes out of Athens. There were 52 people in my graduating class so you could imagine how much of a shock it was to come to Ohio University where I have more people in my lecture halls than I did in my entire high school. I played volleyball year-round for twelve years and cheered for some ridiculous amount of years as well. I have an incredible family and they’re possibly my favorite thing to talk about. My brother, Brandon, also attended Ohio University and plans on moving to Boston, MA in the spring to work in the Diabetes Sector. My mother, Deb, is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. And last but surely not least my father, Eric, has been and always will be my greatest supporter. I will never be able to thank my family enough for the life they created for me.

I started at Ohio University my senior year of high school taking general courses like ENG 1510 and PSY 1010. When I came in as a full-time student in the fall I thought I wanted to major in biochemistry but quickly discovered that my heart was somewhere else. The second week of classes I changed my entire class schedule and became a pre-nursing major. I’m hoping to continue my education after I obtain a nursing degree to become a nurse practitioner with a focus in psychology.

A few fun facts that make Lauren, Lauren: I love to run but I don’t do it enough. Topsail Island, NC will always be one of my favorite places on Earth. I have a passion for reading and writing. I believe Leonardo DiCaprio is the most talented man I’ll never meet. I’m in love with the piano. I’ve had three concussions throughout my life, two of them occurred my senior year of high school. I lost my memory for quite some time, went through several therapies, and still to this day struggle from time to time with memory and focus but in a way, I’m thankful for those head injuries because I know I’ve grown in so many ways I wouldn’t have if not for them. I’m also a LINKS scholar/peer mentor and I’m involved in a student organization called DOSES (Diabetes Outreach Support and Education for Students). I work for Baker University Center Event Services and it’s the coolest job ever! I’m a volunteer leader in a Christian organization called Young Life. I am a daughter of the King and I know that to be the greatest truth there is. And I HATE the word pamphlet, it just gets under my skin!

I was so nervous to write about myself because when I read about all the other ladies involved in the program I was completely blown away; some of them have lived in several different states, some are bilingual, and some are just flat-out amazing! I thought my life was so insignificant compared to theirs but then I realized, how lucky am I to have the opportunity get to know these girls? Becoming connected and building relationships is part of my story and I’m just getting started.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime! OU, OH YEAH!

Lr653915@ohio.edu

Hi! I am Jalicia Ruttino, and I’m studying forensic chemistry here at Ohio University. The most common response I get to that statement is “Oh geeze” and that pretty much sums up my feelings about it too. Just kidding, I’m so excited about it! I’m actually using it as my pre-med so I can hopefully become a Medical Examiner in the future. I’ve always loved the medical field, but I realized that even though you can’t always save someone you can always help to bring closure and justice.

Along with my challenging major, I am involved in a few other things on campus. I have found wonderful friends through my acapella group, The Picardy Thirds. We sing pop music that many of the people in the group actually arrange! I also have achieved two leadership certificates from the Career and Leadership Development Center. These are “Twenty-first Century Leadership” and “Professional Leadership Development”. I hope to continue to be involved on campus during the rest of my career here at OU.

Aside from life at OU, there are some other things to know about me. I grew up in a small town called Bellevue, Ohio about 30 minutes from Cedar Point. My family is super important to me. My parents, Denao and Jackie Ruttino met in the military when they were young, and are continuing their educations to this day. This has made me as driven as I am, because they are consistently bettering themselves and supporting each other through it. My sister, Jenea Ruttino will graduate from the University of Akron in the spring with a nursing degree, and I am so excited to see her thrive in her career. I am devoted to music, and I actually taught myself to play the bassoon! (Everyone’s favorite instrument!) I have a great love for pasta, especially gnocchi and eat it every chance that I get. I am a little picky about the sauces though, as my mom has always made homemade sauce for my family!

I’m super excited to be a member of the 2016-17 cohort of the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program and look forward to the opportunities and friendships that it will bring for all of us!

It may not be clear from my picture but I actually hate getting pictures taken of me, plus I had to borrow the blazer from a friend because I have no business casual clothing. Ironically, I love lugging my camera around (Nikon, of course) to memorialize random moments and things and people around me.

People are probably my favorite subject of photography; I feel like out of all things on the planet, people are the most dynamic and most adept storytellers. Humans are just awesome, and they’re definitely the driving force behind my interests.

Appropriately, I’m studying Anthropology through the Honors Tutorial College with a hopeful major/minor/something productive in Economics. With luck, I’ll eventually be working for the World Bank. But when I retire, I’m going to have a farm with bees and pineapples and chickens and alpacas and sheep. I’ll also have too many border collies which makes me nervous to think about but that’s a problem for future me.

Other important things to know about me are that I’m into anything chocolate except Tootsie Rolls, I love bees, hiking, camping, biking, and also lazy indoor activities like wearing long johns for two days straight and laying sideways in my bed on Instagram. I do need to mention though that I constantly feel the terrible and unyielding itch to travel, and it drives me insane. The good thing about this is that I always have a lot of escape plans and flight trackers, and will always be down for an adventure, whether it be to New York or to Mogadishu.

If you ever need a buddy to fly to India with, an Athens native to explore with, or even someone to study in the library with, please don’t hesitate to contact me at sr495714@ohio.edu.

I'm Lauren Smith and I grew up in Hiram, Ohio, a liberal arts college town outside of Cleveland. My dad (recently retired) had a career as a firefighter/paramedic/rescue diver and my mom works as a registered nurse.  Also at OU, my older brother Chris is completing his environmental geography degree. Our family and the progressive nature of the town shaped who I am today by sparking my desire to learn and keep an open mind. Also, we travelled to national parks, historic sites and a diversity of cities across the US, helping me to discover my current interests.

My major is environmental pre law, which is just a formal way to label my passions of the environment and history. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a career that will allow me to support them politically.  Despite most assumptions, I do not want to be a lawyer, but I think it would be really cool to be involved in a grassroots initiative.

I really enjoy the outdoors, music, traveling and politics.  I have been able to pursue a lot of these interests at OU. I go to Hocking Hills way too much, and I really enjoyed taking History of Rock and going to live music performances uptown.  This spring, I plan to study abroad in Northern Ireland where we will try to understand how a divided country transitions from conflict to peace and to embrace and learn from ideas outside of the US.  I also hope to become more directly active in political movements advocating for social justice and the environment. 

I am really lucky to be part of a group of people who are so passionate about making the world a better place, but in so many different ways.  Ahead, I am looking forward to my experiences and growth through the Margaret Boyd Scholar Program, as it will help me continue my interests and develop new ones.

Hello! I am Kyla Summer Miller! I am almost borderline obsessed with makeup, fashion, High School Musical (and other nostalgic movies and TV shows from my childhood) and rap music. I’m from Crete, Illinois which is 30 minutes from the wonderful city of Chicago.

If I could describe myself in three words they would probably be outgoing, passionate and extra. If you’ve met me you would get it. I also speak as fast as 100 miles a second so just let me know when I’m speaking too fast because I don’t realize it.

In high school I was a member of the theatre department and show choir, Captain of the Scholastic Bowl team, Editor in Chief of the school newspaper, “The U Times” and a mentor to freshman for two years.

I’m majoring in Political Science with hopes of teaching for two years, then eventually working on campaigns and the ultimate goal would be a US senator and if I really want to dream extremely big I would like to eventually be Chief of Staff for a President.

I became interested in politics when during my sophomore year I became to realize injustices and oppression in the United States and throughout the world and I often found myself resenting the people in power. Then one day upon reading a quote by Lily Tomlin that said “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” It's such a simple thought but it completely changed my way of thinking and I decided that I was going to help fix or at least help all of the problems in America that bothers me.

Hello! I'm Vanessa Thiel I was raised in the small town of Lynchburg, Ohio where I'm surrounded by my wonderful family. My mom, Kim, is from same small town and my dad, Kebba, is from the West African country, The Gambia. I am the oldest of three sisters; I take my position as the oldest sister very serious and strive to be a great role model for my sisters Skyla and Sophia.

During my high school career I was active in track, basketball, marching band and volleyball. I also participated in College Credit Plus earning both high school and college credits. The most fulfilling activity was volunteering at the Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY.

I am studying Urban Planning & Sustainability with a minor in Environmental Health. I hope to make an impact in today's world by helping cities develop ways to implement environmentally friendly living in everyone's day to day lives. We only get one Earth, so let's take care of it!

Outside of classes, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and any sport that involves a ball -basketball and volleyball are my personal favorites. I am also an avid sleeper, clocking in a tremendous 10 hours a day. When I'm not sleeping, I spend a lot of time with my friends and building relationships with others. If you want to go to a basketball game or grab dinner I'm your girl!

I am extremely interested in studying abroad and plan to do so in the upcoming semesters. In my opinion, traveling and exposing yourself to other cultures is the best way to learn about others and yourself.

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Hi! My name is Clancy Thomas and I have never read a Tom Clancy novel.

I grew up in Solon, a suburb of Cleveland. I attended Solon High School where I played softball and was a member of the band (I played the sousaphone during marching season and the bass clarinet during concert band!). Both groups taught me a lot about leadership and what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself, both of which are traits I hope to transfer to the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program and the rest of my college career. Sadly, playing instruments is now more of a hobby instead of an everyday thing, but my love of music has not diminished. It’s rare to see me walking anywhere on campus without earbuds, and I take full advantage of the Spotify premium student discount!

About my family: my dad, Edward, is a teacher for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and my mom, Katherine, works for Progressive Corporation. I also have an older brother, Wyatt, who is a junior at Kent State. Most importantly of course, I have 3 cats, Anna and Contessa (who are sisters), and Macy (who I’m not embarrassed to say is one of my best friends). As a family, we love to travel! I am incredibly lucky to have ventured overseas many times. Traveling has developed my desire to be a genuine world citizen, and has instilled a love of history within me, which leads me to my next descriptor…

I am a history major here at OU! History is such an exciting field to me, and I could not be happier with my decision to study something I love. In the future, I’d love to do archival work and possibly conservation of historic buildings. (I’m also interested in political science and public policy, but that’s the beauty of being a freshman.) To me, there’s nothing like walking into a centuries old building and feeling the air teeming with the life of the past. Incidentally, my love of history is what drew me to OU and its beautiful brick paths and buildings. You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of something very special as you navigate the paths on campus that have been walked upon for generations.

I am beyond excited and honored to be a Margaret Boyd Scholar! I can’t wait to see what opportunities the next few years bring my cohort and me. If you have any questions, want to chat, or want to know the too-long list of “fun facts” about me that I omitted from this already lengthy bio, don’t hesitate to contact me at  ct101815@ohio.edu!

Hello! My name is Jansen Wolfe. (And if you’re wondering, there is no interesting reason behind my name other than the fact that my mom stole it from a co-worker.) I am currently an Exercise Physiology major here at Ohio University. I am from a small town known as Racine, which is located in the “boot” of Ohio. Those who know me may explain my personality as loud, random, outgoing and extremely different, in a good way of course. However, when it comes to my education I am a perfectionist who is extremely dedicated to my future goals of becoming a Physical Therapist. I love spending time with kids, which is why I plan to specialize in pediatrics for my career. In my free time, I coach an elementary volleyball team at my former school. I also read (mostly about WWII because I am a HUGE history buff) and nap as often as possible, because what college student doesn’t like extra sleep?? I am absolutely crazy about college football, and you can catch me on Saturdays cheering on my Michigan Wolverines.

I’ve never really been the girly girl type, because I was raised outside with two cousins who taught me how to play tackle football like one of the boys. One of my most noticeable qualities is that I say whatever comes to mind, which some may say is a bad thing, but I have come to embrace it. I am an only child, and I will admit I am extremely spoiled. I love old music, especially the Beatles and the Doors, and I am obsessed with tattoos. My favorite quote, which gets me through all the ups and downs of life is by General Patton. The war hero once said “Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.”

My guardian angel, who makes all the success in my life possible, is my grandma Jude. She was diagnosed with cancer my freshman year of high school, and unfortunately lost the battle in the summer of 2016. She is the reason why I am so passionate about becoming a physical therapist, because I witnessed every day the improvements she made because of her amazing PT’s. She was not only my grandma, but my best friend and because of her, I have a desire to accomplish my dreams and the will to never give up.

If you want to get to know me a little more, or have any questions regarding the University or the Scholars Program, feel free to email me. I’m more than happy to answer any questions, my email is jw179715@ohio.edu!