Making Their Mark: Class of 2019

Each year in the lead up to Commencement, we take a moment to gather some members of the graduating class for some parting thoughts on their time here. This year, we selected five students from different backgrounds and courses of study to find out what brought them here, how they have grown in the last four years, and what they will take with them in the next phase of their lives.

Kharimat Alatise
The biomedical engineering major is a McNair Scholar from Nigeria and a first-generation student. She arrived at the University passionate about science but not sure she belonged and intimidated at the thought of approaching a professor about research opportunities. The David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity helped her overcome that shyness. She learned critical skills for networking and grad school preparation and seized upon two summer research opportunities. In the fall, she will attend graduate school at Clemson University where she will continue her studies in biomedical engineering. She is determined to be a professor herself and improve the underrepresentation of minorities among the ranks of engineering faculty.

Nik Angyal
The East Fishkill, NY native has a 3.99 GPA as a chemical engineering major. A standout defender for the men's soccer team, Nik is only the third Academic All-American of the Year in UR history. In 2018, he was a key member of the team that reached the NCAA Division III Final Four, the best result in program history. Nik was named an Elite 90 Award winner, given to the student-athlete with the top GPA at the Final Four. He spent the summer before junior year working for NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, helping mitigate petroleum leaks and prevent them from reaching drinking water sources. He plans to go on to graduate school and eventually work on research into fuel technology.

Hannah Dick
Originally from Schenectady, Hannah is completing a dual degree in percussion performance (Eastman School of Music) and brain and cognitive sciences. She just won a prestigious Fulbright Grant to Sweden, where she will research studies in percussion performance, improvisation, and pedagogy. She was co-chair of the student advisory committee for the University presidential search. She is a member of the University's Performance and Dance Movement group, working with students from local high schools. She has been accepted into the e5 program, which allows selected students the chance to launch a project and engage in an economic of social experiential pursuit.

Gillian Gingher
With parents who both graduated from the University of Rochester in the class of 1984, Gillian initially wasn't sure she could make her own way here. That changed after making a visit on her own from her home on Long Island. She quickly fell in love with the place and embraced the connection her parents had here. A dual major in business and art history, she plans on pursuing a master’s degree in architecture following graduation. In addition to being a Meridian, Student Alumni Ambassador, and the events manager at the Hartnett Gallery, Gillian interned at several art museums in NYC and at the Memorial Art Gallery.

Suman Kumar
Growing up, Suman learned how to build things from his father, who is a welder and machinist by trade. Looking around at his home city of Kathmandu, Nepal, he could see how many problems there were with infrastructure and wanted to do something about it. He had his first business contract through the UN just out of high school and knew he wanted to study mechanical engineering to better understand the theoretical side of design and fabrication. After a devastating 2015 earthquake in his native Nepal, Suman was part of a group of UR students helping to build shelters for 26,000 people and several schools using locally sourced earthquake resistant materials. After graduation, he plans to continue his humanitarian work using his engineering skills and attend graduate school. He would eventually like to return to Nepal to get involved in policy and governmental work.

Subscribe to the University of Rochester on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRLVZGCUZWYUEj2XQlFPyQ
Follow the University of Rochester on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UofR
Be sure to like the University of Rochester on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/University.of.Rochester/