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A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR The 2020 class of custom-designed major graduates have pursued diverse and eclectic paths in their time at Drexel University. In fact, this might be the most varied graduating class to date. But, if there is one thing that unites this group, it is the fact that they do not passively accept the world as it is; rather, they make it what it should be. Not content to follow a path already laid out for them, each graduate in this group defined their own route and made their own way, and in this current time, we need that vision and that bravery more than ever. This class is graduating into a world of new and unimaginable challenges, but they have also accomplished the unimaginable, and along the way they have developed the skills, knowledge, and insights that will transform this world into what it can and should be. This is a class of problem-solvers, designers, innovators, and visionaries. For as lofty as their thoughts are, they are not afraid of getting their hands dirty to get the work done. As we celebrate their achievements today, I know that this is only a prelude to the many more that will come. Congratulations to the custom-designed major graduates of 2020!
KEVIN D. EGAN, PHD DIRECTOR CENTER FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY INQUIRY
ABOUT THE CUSTOM-DESIGNED MAJOR When a student wants to pursue an individualized course of study that is not readily available through an existing major, or combination of existing majors and/or minors offered at Drexel University, the custom-designed major bachelor of science degree may be an option. The program is designed for highly motivated students, providing the opportunity for an early intensive research experience; incorporates cooperative education as part of its degree requirements; and culminates in an original, interdisciplinary senior-year project. To be considered for this program an applicant must undergo a rigorous application process that involves writing a detailed personal statement as well as a term-by-term plan of study. The personal statement must describe how and why a student wants to pursue an individualized track and how their desired disciplines synthesize. The plan of study is an exercise in problem-solving and long-term planning in which a student must consider depth and breadth of coursework. This entrepreneurial spirit must be carried on throughout their time at Drexel in both their curricular and co-curricular pursuits, and thus this program is not for the faint of heart. Students of the major are creative, ambitious, and intellectual risk-takers. They go on to become highly competitive job and graduate school candidates that make the Pennoni Honors College proud.
LEV BOONIN
PUBLIC & URBAN POLICY, PLANNING, ANALYSIS & ADMINISTRATION If it weren’t for the CSDN major, I might have gone to Vassar. Looking back, Drexel has taught me several important lessons. To change the world, you must first change with it. We all want to have an impact on the world, but stubbornly clinging to a single path is not always the road to success. Trying many ways to the same end goal can often result in a better journey and destination. If a wheel breaks along your journey, fix it without blocking traffic. While we work to address humanity’s challenges, it is important that we do not prevent others from doing the same. Just as there are many ways to the same destination, there are many who are trying to reach it, and you shouldn’t hinder them. To listen is to learn. To learn is to be prepared. To be prepared is to be ready to lead. To lead, you must listen. If we do not listen, then we are not hearing what others who seek our end goal do. If we do not hear this, then we may make their mistakes. Only by learning from others can we be able to lead.
PARIS GRAMANN INNOVATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING The custom-designed major program has been the highlight of my time at Drexel and has allowed me to craft the perfect education for myself. Education doesn’t always pack more than nine majors into one degree, but when it does ... I have found an amazing group of nontraditional learners through this program and I am so pleased to call so many of them my friends and mentors! With the lessons I’ve learned and the networks I’ve been able to build, I am going to continue on with the two LLCs that I created during college, while teaching entrepreneurship part-time at a local high school in Pennsylvania. The biggest takeaway that I have for all of us, is to treat the world like our custom-designed major program and co-ops: stepping stones and curiosity-led. Instagram: @parisgramann linkedin.com/in/paris-gramann-3a9463108/ Website: parisgramann.com
VRITI KHURANA GLOBAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES Though I never thought we would experience graduation quite like this, it is a bittersweet feeling to complete this chapter of my life. I only have the fondest memories to look back on as I reflect on my time in the custom-designed major. To Kevin and Katie you have always pushed me to do my best, and your commitment to your students never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for all that you have done for me. To my teachers, friends and family, thank you for believing in me when I decided to create my own major. Though you still may not know what my major is, you all knew how positive this experience would be for me, even before I saw it for myself, and encouraged me to always keep going despite any obstacle I faced. And to my exceptional Class of 2020, congratulations! I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people and I can’t wait to celebrate with you all in person very soon! This fall, I will be pursuing my master’s in biomedical sciences before hopefully heading to medical school in 2021. vriti.khurana@gmail.com
LAUREN KIRK NEUROSCIENCE I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities given to me at Drexel, particularly through the customdesigned major program (CSDN) and the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). CSDN allowed me to embark on this journey of interdisciplinary inquiry and develop a major suited particularly for my interests and goals. OUR supported me since freshman year on my research journey and has been such an incredible support network for me as I worked to develop myself as a biomedical researcher. These two Drexel resources were the most impactful aspects of my education, and I’m incredibly thankful to each member of these teams that have helped me along the way. I’m also thankful to my parents who have sacrificed so much for me to attend university, and who have been my primary motivation to succeed and challenge myself in my education. Following graduation, I will be participating in a research fellowship program through the SENS Research Foundation, where I will conduct a yearlong project focused on therapeutic interventions for Parkinson’s disease. I look forward to this new experience and hope to take the skills and techniques gained during undergrad into this next chapter of my research career. facebook.com/lauren.kirk.73 linkedin.com/in/lauren-kirk-b7660a116/ laurenashley788@gmail.com
LILY LAUBEN SERIOUS GAME DESIGN There are so many wonderful people who have helped me on this journey; I’m not sure if I have the ability to thank them all. Thank you first to my family, who supported me fully all the way through my unconventional journey. Thank you to my partner, for adapting with me and staying by my side throughout this. Thank you to my friends, for giving me a place to come back and relax no matter where my path lead me. Thank you to my teachers, for guiding me even when I didn’t know where I was going. Thank you to my team, for supporting each other and helping each other reach our full potential. Thank you to my co-ops for bringing me out of my head, and into the real world, where I can make the impact I want to in the future! linkedin.com/in/lily-lauben/
AXEL PERSINGER CYBERSECURITY & INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS I want to thank everyone who helped me get to this point. It’s been quite a journey! Thank you to my amazing advisors, who put up with my last-minute paperwork; to Pavel Grinfeld, who has been my professor, landlord, boss, career mentor, and most importantly friend; and to all of my friends and family who helped me get through finals and other stressful times in my life. linkedin.com/in/axelpersinger
GAL RAPPAPORT INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & BIOPHILIC DESIGN Throughout my undergraduate experience, I have learned a lot from various classes, textbooks, teachers, and from my peers. But most importantly, I learned amazing life lessons along the way.
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I have met amazing friends and wonderful mentors that I can always
I would like to thank my parents, sisters, and friends for encouraging me on along the way. I would also like to thank the CSDN program for creating this amazing opportunity for undergraduate students. In addition, I would like to thank the CSDN staff for always being there to guide and support me along my journey. I am so proud of what I achieved, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of these amazing people. I hope to continue my education through a master’s of science in interior architecture and design. Instagram: @galrappaport
OLIVIA SPRATT SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS During my undergraduate degree at Drexel, the custom-designed major program allowed me to integrate my passion for food with my interest in environmental conservation and public health. I studied food through an interdisciplinary lens which highlighted culinary arts, food science, environmental science, sustainability, nutrition and public health. Thus, throughout my internships and experiences working with the Drexel Food Lab, urban farms in Philadelphia and the hunger relief organization Philabundance, I employed my knowledge of each of these disciplines. As a recent graduate, I am confident that I will view my entire career with this interdisciplinary mindset. I hope to work to create a sustainable food system that is more beneficial to all. I am thankful to Dr. Jonathan Deutsch for mentoring me throughout my capstone research project and my entire undergraduate career; to Kevin Egan and Katie Barak, for dedicating so much to this unique and rewarding program; and, most of all, to my parents for their unwavering support. sprattolivia@gmail.com
PETER STOLARSKI QUANTITATIVE FINANCE Special thanks to the friends and family who’ve helped me succeed. Instagram: @casualfinance22 linkedin.com/in/peterstolarski/
AIDAN TOOLE HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN Everyone starts their academic journey with a half-finished board game — you’ve got all the pieces but no board. The end point is the degree but it’s up to you to determine what happens in between, regardless of major or program. Normally, there are rules to follow, too. I am grateful to not only have had a rough idea of what I wanted to accomplish early on at Drexel, but I was also able to break some rules as a customdesigned major student. Still following my analogy? I paved my own path and played the game on my terms. I didn’t do it alone though. Over the past five years, I’ve crossed paths with many talented and like-minded players: students, mentors, faculty, friends and family who’ve supported me in my own endeavors. I don’t think I would be where I am today without them. It’s still strange to have finished this game, and I’m not really sure what my next playthrough is going to look like. But reflecting on the progress I’ve made feels incredible; to say I’ve grown a lot is an understatement. I’m really looking forward to the journey ahead and I hope to cross paths with many of you again. aidantoole.com aidantoole@gmail.com linkedin.com/in/aidantoole
DANIELLE WOLFSON MUSEUM STUDIES Five years ago, I could not have imagined all of the things I would accomplish during my time at Drexel. With the aid of the custom-designed major, I was able to create my own curriculum that prepared me to be an ethical museum professional. I’ve also gotten the chance to volunteer with the Penn Cultural Heritage Center and Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum alongside completing three co-op opportunities. From managing events at the World Trade Center of Philadelphia to working at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for more than a year and then pursuing my dream of living in Greece through the Vidalakis Cretan Scholars program, I could never have dreamed of a more rewarding college experience. After five years, and living in three countries, earning two minors, a singular B- and enduring an incredible amount of hard work, I cannot wait to see where my education takes me. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the mentorship I’ve received from the staff at Drexel. I’d like to specifically thank Kate Hughes, Dr. Ros Remer, Dr. Kevin Egan, Dr. Katie Barak, Dr. Delia Solomons, Dean Cohen, and, of course, the late Dr. Danielle Rice.
CONGRATULATIONS 2020 CUSTOM-DESIGNEDMAJOR
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I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
—Gilda Radner
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