Students from the Class of 2008 continue their education in graduate school, through travel abroad and begin employment at global corporations.
Graduation at Virginia Wesleyan College has come and gone, yet members of the Class of 2008 will continue to learn even though their undergraduate days have come to an end.
For the past four years, four students have immersed themselves in the liberal arts curriculum, given back to the local area through community service and will take their experiences from Virginia Wesleyan as they move on to graduate school, study abroad and enter the job world as adults.
Krystian Dodds (left) with U.S. Congresswoman
Thelma Drake on Capitol Hill in May 2006.
KRYSTIAN DODDS
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Focused in: This 23-year-old met with U.S. Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R-VA 2nd) on Capitol Hill to discuss findings on green roofs and future plans for a sustainable science laboratory in May 2006.
Why she chose Virginia Wesleyan: The small class size
At College she was involved in: The Sandpiper yearbook, S.E.A.L. (Student Environmental Awareness League), Honors and Scholars, Phi Eta Sigma freshmen scholarship honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and Kappa Delta Phi education honor society.
Future plans: Attending graduate school at Towson University, Md., to receive her master's in mathematics.
Career Goals: To become a mathematical analyst or operations researcher for a corporation or for the government.
Most memorable moment from College: "Graduation… the idea that, wow, I did it! I spent four hard working years and can now look at the success."
Jillian Boyd (right) with her sister, Taylor,
before graduation on Saturday, May 17.
JILLIAN BOYD
Hometown: Warrenton, Va.
Focused in: A political science major, Jillian shows that Virginia Wesleyan is the perfect place to be a scholar and an athlete. A women's lacrosse player, this All-Star will compete in the North-South All-Star women's lacrosse game this month.
Why she chose Virginia Wesleyan: The location by the beach and the growing lacrosse program.
At College she was involved in: Women's Lacrosse, SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee), International Club and co-ed flag football.
Future plans: Moving to England in August to coach and play lacrosse. She will be working for the English Lacrosse Association and U.S. Lacrosse, and will be playing on one of England's premiere national teams.
Career Goals: To coach and play in England and then return to the U.S. to get her master's in sports psychology and be an assistant lacrosse coach for a college.
Most memorable moment from College: "Being able to live and spend time with my identical twin sister, Taylor. Some people have best friends in college that they no longer are in touch with and I will never lose touch with her."
Jennifer Valentine, recipient of the 2008
Marlin Chronicle Award.
JENNIFER VALENTINE
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
Focused in: Editor of the The Marlin Chronicle student newspaper her senior year, Jennifer was a commuter who got involved with the paper, which gave her the opportunity to meet a variety of students on campus.
Why she chose Virginia Wesleyan: "I always say it was a God thing." While Virginia Wesleyan wasn't her first choice, she decided to accept the offer and is glad she did, "considering the people I've met and the opportunities I've gotten to experience while attending College."
At College she was involved in: The Marlin Chronicle, The Society for Collegiate Journalists and PORTfolio.
Future plans: Attending graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., to get her master of science in sociology.
Career Goals: She hasn't decided yet…but she wants to be "a good thinker in whatever I do. I think success lies in good thinking, and a successful career follows people who can generate good ideas."
Most memorable moment from College: "It happened sometime between 1 a.m. – 5 a.m. on a deadline night with the newspaper… this particular night was the first time I felt completely at home at Virginia Wesleyan and among my peers."
ERIC ZITZ
Eric Zitz on graduation day, Saturday, May 17.
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
Focused in: A triple major in criminal justice, psychology and political science, at the end of Eric’s senior year he got married, signed a lease on his first apartment and accepted a job offer as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm in Norfolk, Va.
Why he chose Virginia Wesleyan: The personal, intimate feeling he got from visiting the campus. In addition, his older sister, Jenna, attended Virginia Wesleyan and loved her experience.
At College he was involved in: The Theatre group, Wesleyan Singers, The Marlin Chronicle, Psi Chi national honor society in psychology,
Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society, The Society for Collegiate Journalists, Honors and Scholars, a Resident Assistant for two years and served on several student leadership boards and represented the student body on the Academic Dean Search Committee of 2006-07.
Future plans: He plans to continue his education at some point in his career, as well as going further with his hobbies including writing and filmmaking.
Career Goals: "To have a significant impact on the Intelligence Community and its progression towards a more collaborative working environment, and also help shape the national and international policies involved with defense and security."
Most memorable moment from College: "More than a moment, for me the most memorable thing from college is a feeling – the satisfying feeling of accomplishment and productivity I got when I was able to effectively multi-task and prioritize to get everything I needed to get done."
06.04.08