Below are profiles of current and past recipients of several Honors Scholarships. For more information about these and other scholarship opportunities please visit the Honors Scholarship website.

Current Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship Recipients

	Daniel Buckley – From a young sports enthusiast to an aspiring defense attorney, my journey has been anything but ordinary. A life-altering event was my catalyst, inspiring me to return to my undergrad studies in 2021 at the University of Bridgeport, before transferring to UConn in Summer 2022. As an Honors scholar with one year left before potentially venturing into law school, I can’t help but marvel at my transformation. Mistakes I made at 18 redirected my path from college soccer to academia. Once a school-averse kid, I’m now a committed scholar who relishes every moment of learning, affirming it’s never too late to chase dreams.
	Emma Harvison is studying Human Rights and Political Science, with a double minor in Spanish and Latin American studies. Following her time at UConn she plans to attend law school to have a career in International Human Rights. She is a recipient of the SHARE Summer 2022 Apprenticeship where she works with Prof. Matthew Singer to collect polling data on mayoral approval in Latin America. On campus she is actively involved with She’s The First, Empowering Women in Law, and Alpha Phi Omega. In her spare time, Emma also loves to read and spend time with family and dog.
	Samer Fayez Henen moved to America from Egypt during his late elementary school years. During his childhood, he expressed his creativity through everything possible; whether it was creating the most random yet fascinating project for the school’s science fair or through photography, which he still does. Samer entered UConn Waterbury as an ACES Engineer, soon joining the Honors Program and declaring to be a Computer Science major, allowing him to transfer to Storrs. Samer finds Artificial Intelligence and Software intriguing, believing he can use AI to assist in people’s routine lives while continuing to express his creativity through software development.
	Gabrielle Lessard is a junior majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Business Fundamentals. She plans to continue her education after graduation so she can pursue a career in School Psychology. On campus, Gabrielle works at the UC Cafes and will be a research assistant in a psychology lab this upcoming semester. She is passionate about working with children and currently holds positions as a Behavior Technician at the Center for Children with Special Needs and a swim instructor. Outside of school, Gabrielle likes to stay active, read, and spend time with family and friends.
	Amy Lumia is a senior in the School of Business majoring in Management Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science. On campus, she works at the Information Technology Support Center as an Advanced Specialist. Amy has served as the MIS Committee Head for the Business Connections Learning Community, as well as an FYE mentor. She has also served as a Teaching Assistant within the School of Business and interned at Travelers. Amy plans to pursue a career in business technology while earning her MBA. Outside of class, she loves staying active, reading, and baking!
	Alexander Nip is a junior studying Psychological Sciences with a Neuroscience minor. On campus, he is actively involved with Piano Club, Husky Horror Club, Chinese Undergraduate Student Association, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This upcoming year, he will be involved with Prof. John Salamone’s lab to investigate motivation and motor control via animal models. He will also be an AMP mentor where he will assist the upcoming freshman class of 2027 acclimate to college life. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano, playing video games, listening to music, and reading. He seeks to enter medical school upon graduation.
	My name is Keely Rodriguez and I’m a rising Junior at the UConn Stamford Campus majoring in human development & family sciences with a minor in history. On campus I’m involved as vice president of Huskies for Charity. HFC is an organization to support students by providing volunteer opportunities and encouraging involvement by fostering relationships with the Stamford community. For the upcoming year I will serve as a guide in the Peer Allies Through Honors (PATH) mentoring program for first year students in the honors program. I’m excited to become more involved in the honors program and hope to use my experience to help someone else as a mentor. During my free time I love to stay active by doing Zumba as well as reading.

Past Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship Recipients:

Paulina Cicchiello Anderson, Brittany Histing, Angelika Muter, Laura Pendergast, Shawn Carter Shay,
Karolina Sielewicz, Garrett Soler, Jack Sullivan, Nellie Stagg, Margaux Verlaque-Amara

 

Current William P. O’ Hara Endowed Scholarship Recipients

	Originally from central Massachusetts, Fiona Boyd is a rising senior PNB major with minors in English and MCB. An aspiring physician assistant, she currently works at Hartford Hospital as a PCA. Fiona also enjoys working in Dr. Tanner’s (ND)2 lab, where she investigates the impact of the ketogenic diet on various neurological conditions. Upon returning from her semester abroad in the Netherlands, she will continue similar research for her Honors thesis. Passionate about music, Fiona serves as the founder and president of Music Mentors, a volunteer club in which UConn students provide musical instrument activities and lessons to local children.
	Charlotte Chen is a rising senior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering and Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She served as President and as a conductor in UConn’s Chamber Orchestra and played violin in the Symphony Orchestra. She is the Digital Editor for The Daily Campus and is involved in the Burke Laboratory for Polymeric Materials, where she works to develop silk-based antibacterial coatings. In her free time, Charlotte likes to tend to her plants, crochet, and read. Charlotte plans to continue her passion for research through a PhD program after graduation.
	Vivian Hudson is a senior in the Honors program at UConn working towards a dual degree in music in psychology. She plays cello in the symphony orchestra and sings in Collegium Musicum and at Storrs Congregational Church. She plays frequently in collaboration with UConn’s choirs, and recently had the wonderful opportunity to sing with members of Collegium Musicum in a concert with the Boston Camerata. She plans on attending graduate school for a Master’s in music therapy.
	Clerin John is a rising sophomore studying at the University of Connecticut in the Honors Program. She is majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology on the Pre-Medicine track. She was a part of the Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic until graduating high school by playing the violin. At Harvest Time Church, she has been playing the piano on the Worship Team for Sunday services and special holiday services. She has competed in piano and violin and created her own band to compete in regional and national competitions. She has continued her love for music by teaching piano to elementary school students. Clerin plans to attend medical school.
	Katy King is a senior majoring in organ performance and history. She currently sings in the Collegium Musicum and has also sung in the Concert Choir. Katy played organ professionally in the New London area for several years before coming to UConn, and is currently principal organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Ivoryton, CT. Before coming to UConn, she earned the American Guild of Organists’ Service Playing Certificate, and was a winner of the New London AGO’s Roberta Bitgood Scholarship. She plans to pursue careers in both sacred music and the field of history after graduating.
	Caroline Shadman is a rising junior in UConn’s five-year Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program for Music Education. She is a member of UConn’s Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Trombone Choir. She recently earned the role of a baritone horn section leader in the marching band for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. Outside of instrumental performance, she is also a member of the Tap Club. As a member of the Honors Program, she is currently pursuing the University Honors Laureate. After graduating from UConn, she plans to become a middle school or high school band teacher.
	Angelica Velasquez is a rising sophomore majoring in chemistry in the UConn Honors Program. She joined “The Pride of Connecticut”, the UConn Marching Band her very first semester at the university. She had the opportunity to travel to the Myrtle Beach Bowl with the band and switched from playing the flute and piccolo in high school to playing the mellophone at UConn. She also enjoys participating in various research studies on campus and being a registered blood donor. Angelica is ecstatic to partake in a research lab this fall and hopes to become a cancer research scientist in the future.
	Nazanin Zaer is a junior in UConn’s Special Program in Medicine, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology with minors in bioinformatics and women’s studies. She is a research assistant, teaching assistant, Sing for Hope volunteer, and a junior cantor at church. In her free time, she plays piano and sings. She attended Wethersfield High School, where she was drum major of the marching band and manager of her acapella group. She has been in 8 musicals, her most prominent role being Morticia in The Addams Family. In the future, she hopes to incorporate music therapy into her medical practice

Past William P. O’ Hara Endowed Scholarship Recipients

Alexandria Boutin, Rachel Feldman, Micah Fleischman, Tiana Piscitelli, Delaney Schiefen, Anand Veeraraghav