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Students from the Class of 2009 continue their education through full-time employment, volunteering abroad, and prestigious graduate programs and internships.

By Megan Z. Shearin '06

For the past four years, students from Virginia Wesleyan College's Class of 2009 have immersed themselves in the liberal arts curriculum, conducted undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member and given back to the local area through community service.

Each graduate leaves Virginia Wesleyan behind for a different opportunity; yet they all share the same background with transformative experiences. Below are five students who will continue to learn post-graduation through full-time employment, volunteering abroad, and prestigious graduate programs and internships. 

KELLY MENNING

Hometown: Mittsville, Md.

Background: A graduate from the Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP), Kelly embraced every opportunity she was given at Virginia Wesleyan, and was able to use her experience to land a job before graduation with GEICO. A recipient of the GEICO Achievement Award, Kelly began interning with the company in January 2009 and was hired into the company’s Emerging Leaders Program. 

At college she was involved in: Field Hockey, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, Chi Alpha Sigma athlete honor society, Sigma Beta Delta business honor society and tutored other students in the Learning Resource Center.

Future Plans: Entering the Emerging Leaders Program at GEICO. "I must say it is an amazing feeling to be presented with an incredible offer such as this one, especially in an economic time like this," she said.

Career Goals: GEICO's Emerging Leaders Program, pursuing the opportunity of entering the marketing department. Plans to earn a master's degree in business administration.

Favorite aspect of College: "There are too many to choose from to pick a favorite, but I have had such a wonderful four years at Virginia Wesleyan. I will always remember the amazing friendships that I have created, field hockey and the great professors who helped me become who I am today."

SARAH TYTLER

Hometown: Courtland, N.Y.

Background: Majoring in International Relations, Sarah traveled to four continents during her four years at Virginia Wesleyan. She was one of the six students and two faculty members who traveled to Vietnam during the summer of 2007 for a month-long trip to conduct research, record footage for a documentary and participate in humanitarian efforts. She participated in Wesleyan's direct exchange program with Universidad Madero in Puebla, Mexico; studied in London, England; and spent three weeks in Ghana, West Africa, immersing herself in the country's unique culture while working with children on an international service project.

At college she was involved in: Delta Phi Alpha German honor society, Honors and Scholars, Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society, Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic honor society and Model United Nation.

Future Plans: Accepted into the Peace Corps, teaching English in the Samoan Islands.

Career Goals: To work for a non-profit international organization.

Favorite aspect of College: " Being able to do so much and travel because I was a student at Virginia Wesleyan."

 

MELISSA HENDRICKS

Hometown: Norfolk, Va.

Background: As a political science major with a minor in history, Melissa took advantage of the many opportunities Virginia Wesleyan has to offer. She studied abroad in Rome, Italy, during her sophomore year and completed two internships during her junior year – one with Thomas and Associates P.C., and the second through the Washington Internship Program at the American Legislative Exchange Council in Washington D.C. Melissa also participated in the IMAGINE alternative spring break program, traveling to Pearlington, Miss., to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. 

At college she was involved in: Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society, Virginia Wesleyan's week-long homeless shelter, College Choir, Wesleyan Singers and Model United Nations.

Future Plans: Attending graduate school at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C.

Career Goals: To work for the government of Congress. Considering the Law and Public Policy Institute at Catholic Law, which would allow her to receive a JD with a concentration in public policy.

Favorite aspect of College: "I think the professors at Virginia Wesleyan are one of a kind – all of my professors have helped me immensely to achieve my goals!"

 

KORI ROBINS

Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.

Background: A double major in history and religious studies, Kori spent 30 days in the summer of 2007 studying Buddhism in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery through the Woodenfish Program. "The liberal arts have given me a desire to want to explore and make connections. Going to Taiwan was really a culmination of education and lessons I had received thus far," she said. By pursuing her liberal arts degree, Kori was able to experience life abroad while also being involved in and outside the classroom.

At college she was involved in: Theta Alpha Kappa religion honor society, Phi Alpha Theta history honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, VWC Theater, ICE (Wesleyan Activities Council) and Honors and Scholars

Future Plans: Attending Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, working on her master's in divinity. 

Career Goals: To study and work abroad. Plans to obtain her Ph.D. after finishing divinity school.

Favorite aspect of College: " Too many to count. My experience performing in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown as Sally Brown was one of the happiest and most fulfilling opportunities of my life. Studying abroad in Taiwan as a representative of Virginia Wesleyan was a life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever. But I think my favorite individual moments have occurred in the classroom, being able to learn, laugh, and sometimes cry with amazing professors."

 

MATT RYAN

Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.

Background: Matt, a double major in communications and the liberal arts management program, has woven his double major and liberal arts coursework into a tapestry of experiences. From internships with an insurance brokerage to being the cinematographer for the documentary, Making Peace with Viet Nam, Matt has used his knowledge from inside the classroom and applied it to real-world experiences. He is the recipient of the 2009 Hampton Roads American Marketing Association/Smithfield Foods Most Promising Marketer Prize.

At college he was involved in: Campus Radio, Lambda Pi Eta communications honor society, Sigma Beta Delta management/business/administration honor society and the Making Peace with Viet Nam documentary.

Future Plans: Summer internship with the Ad Council in New York City through a fellowship with the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS).

Career Goals: To become a film producer and make movies

Favorite aspect of College: "Being immersed in an environment that promotes critical thinking and analytical thought. I enjoyed the opportunity to study closely with professors in a small, intimate learning environment."

Heather Templeton ’10 contributed to this article.

05.20.09