Humanities Student Spotlight:

Three Students Named to HUMAS Board

Sophomores Rob Bonacci, Sara Kolhoff, and Brittany O'Neill have been named to the Humanities Alumni Society Board of Governors to serve as the voice of humanities majors. This trio has much in common—all are honors students and members of Student Alumni Council and Mirrors Sophomore Class Honorary.

Rob, a major in Spanish, microbiology, and pre-medicine, will attend medical school to pursue an M.D./M.P.H. to work in public health in Latin American or perhaps hospital administration in the U.S. His interest in Spanish is both personal and professional: "My mother is from Mexico and my goal is to talk fluently with her family. Also, there is a huge deficit of bilingual doctors." His favorite class as a freshman, however, was an honors philosophy class taught by Professor Robert Kraut: "He taught us how to present a logical philosophical argument and challenge conventional methods of thinking."

An undergraduate representative to the University Senate, Rob is active in Undergraduate Student Government, which named him Intern of the Year. He also received the Ohio Union's Outstanding First-Year Student Award, a Morrill Scholars Program Distinction Award, and an Ohio Board of Regents Ohio Academic Scholarship. Rob is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Sara is pursuing Spanish and international studies majors with plans to attend law school. A Florida native, she says, "I grew up around the Spanish language and have a passion for Hispanic culture; knowing the language will create more opportunities for me." Professor of history Stephanie Smith has instilled in her a love of history as well. Sara's career interests lie in foreign service, departments of state, international law, teaching, and social advocacy. She said, "With these majors and a law degree, I'll have the means to do whatever I decide."

As a resident advisor, Sara is also an active member of a Spanish language and culture learning community called MUNDO. One of her best student experiences was traveling with MUNDO to Chicago to volunteer at the Greater Chicago Food Bank, an "eye-opening experience that helped [her] put things in perspective." She's also involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Sportsmanship Council.

A National Merit finalist, Brittany chose majors in Italian and molecular genetics. She was a semi-finalist for the President Scholar, was named an Outstanding First-Year Student, serves as a University Ambassador, and plays French horn in Collegiate Winds. Assisting with research on micro RNA and its effects on tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes moves Brittany closer to pursing a master's degree in public health and medical school. Becoming a pediatrician or oncologist is her career goal.

So, why Italian? Brittany says, "I really enjoy expressing both my scientific side and my creative side. Learning Italian helps me do that and gives me a better understanding of different cultures. Professor of Italian Janice Aski has had a wonderful influence on me; she works hard to get students involved in the coursework." Along with Buckeye football, an Honors study abroad trip to London ranks among Brittany's favorite college experiences.

The Board of Governors is pleased to welcome these high achievers who are eager to play a role in keeping alumni connected to the university.