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Fighting for Disability Justice: Rui Rui Bleifuss ’26 Awarded Smith Scholarship

Rui Rui Bleifuss ’26 has spent most of her life fighting for disability justice, starting a disability alliance club in high school and leading one at �鶹��Ƶ����, where she majored in disability studies. She received the college’s W. Thomas Smith Scholarship and will head to University College London to pursue a master’s degree in Humanitarian Policy and Practice.

Bridging Divides Through Education: Nina Worley ’26 Awarded Smith Scholarship

Nina Worley ’26 spent her four years at �鶹��Ƶ���� studying and researching education policy in the United States and abroad. She co-founded a tutoring program that matches �鶹��Ƶ���� students with struggling young readers and has been a passionate advocate for educational equity. Worley has been named a W. Thomas Smith Scholar and will spend the next year pursuing a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.

Seeking Justice: Smith Recipients Advocate for Educational Equity, Disability Rights

�鶹��Ƶ���� has awarded the W. Thomas Smith Scholarship to Rui Rui Bleifuss ’26 and Nina Worley ’26. The scholarship, modeled on those such as the Rhodes and Fulbright, pays for a year of graduate study abroad. Bleifuss, a disability justice advocate, will pursue a master’s degree in Humanitarian Policy and Practice at University College London. Worley, an advocate for educational equity, will pursue a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.

One Year Out: Kavi Gandhi ’25 Reflects on Research, Rhythm and New Roads

At �鶹��Ƶ����, Kavi Gandhi ’25 discovered a passion for public health research and made lifelong friends through the performing arts. Now earning his MSc in London, his �鶹��Ƶ���� connections continue to sustain him.

Conserving Nature, Predicting Changing Water Patterns

Neve Rauscher ’26, a �鶹��Ƶ���� environmental studies major, has been selected as a member of the Watson Foundation’s 58th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. A Belk Scholar and �鶹��Ƶ���� Outdoors leader, she’ll travel the world to see how communities are adapting to the impact of climate change on their water systems.

Igniting the Spark for Young Readers: Education Advocate Steve Mirabello ’25 Awarded Smith Scholarship

At �鶹��Ƶ���� Steve Mirabello ’25 immersed himself into learning about education, from tutoring elementary school students to researching in other countries, to analyzing public policy. He has been awarded the college’s W. Thomas Smith Scholarship, which will pay for him to pursue a Master of Science degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

From Page to Stage: Sahana Athreya ’25 Finds Power and Purpose in Theatre

From writing award-winning plays like Backseat of a Taxi to performing and directing socially-impactful productions, Sahana Athreya ’25 has found her passions for storytelling, representation and community through �鶹��Ƶ����'s Theatre department.

Embracing the Present on �鶹��Ƶ����’s Korean Buddhist Pilgrimage

�鶹��Ƶ���� students reflect on their “Korea Buddhist Pilgrimage” with Religious Studies Prof. Rachel Pang and Associate Chaplain for Buddhist Programs and Director of the �鶹��Ƶ���� Meditation Initiative, Ivan Mayerhofer. 

Dylan Goodman ’16 on Finding and Sharing a Sense of Belonging

Part of the first official class of Gender and Sexuality Studies majors at �鶹��Ƶ����, Dylan Goodman ’16 brings his passion for community-building to the Marlene Meyerson Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. 

Living in Two Worlds and Examining Immigration in Four Nations

�鶹��Ƶ����’s Caro Djakuduel ’23 added a Watson Fellowship to her already impressive resume. She will travel the world for a year to study barriers faced by Black immigrants. Learn more.

My Liberal Arts Education — Honestly, a Game Changer

Divin Dushimimana ’26, an intended public health and economics major from Rwanda, reflects on his first year at �鶹��Ƶ���� as an international student and the value of a liberal arts education to his personal and academic growth. 

A Prison Sentence Cut Short, and Renewed Hope for the Future

�鶹��Ƶ���� student Brandon Reid's (Harris) independent study project with Prof. Ike Bailey '95 delves deeply into the life story of Sura Sohna, a friend whose path diverged wildly from Harris’s when the two became adolescents. 

Oxford-bound Smith Scholar Seeks to Understand, Overcome Differences in a Fragmented World

�鶹��Ƶ���� Smith Scholar Dahlia Krutkovich '21 seeks out those who disagree, so she can better understand differing world views.

Gardner Ligo's Enduring Influence As She Retires After More Than 40 Years

Watson Fellow Strives for Safe, Affordable Housing for All Americans

�鶹��Ƶ���� senior Langston Stephens wins Watson Fellowship to study how countries around the world handle housing inequities with the hope of changing the lives of Americans facing eviction and homelessness.

Tech Impact Fund to Pair Businesses With Students Looking for Paid Hands-on Experience

Through a new fund created by �鶹��Ƶ���� alumna Whitney A. White, the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will match students with businesses for portfolio-building work opportunities. The Tech Impact Fund will provide paid student talent at no cost to women-owned and underrepresented minority-owned businesses.

Patent Pending: Student Entrepreneur Blends Smarts and Mussels

Lorena James '21 has studied Mandarin since she was 10 and says she’s always been an entrepreneur at heart. Belk Scholar, Chidsey Leadership Fellow and founder of her own environmentally conscious company 4evercurly, she heads to China next fall as a recipient of the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship.

�鶹��Ƶ���� Celebrates the Class of 2020, Welcomes Graduates Into Alumni Family

They started college during the final days of America’s most polarizing presidential election in recent history. They ended in the midst of a world-wide pandemic.

Thank You for Being a Friend: Class of 2020 Besties Share Their Stories

He’s the friend who makes you laugh, sometimes uncontrollably, the one who believes that no conversation is too silly.

CNBC Features Students, Campus in Story About Disruption Caused by Virus