Catholic University Congratulates Student and Alumni Achievers

• Exploring a Passion for Service

  

  Psychology major Larissa Scarpa has used her time at CUA to explore her passion for service.

• Planning a Career Grounded in Theology

  

  As a young D.C. professional, Angela Chiappetta is staying true to her passion for theology.

• Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe

  

  Doctoral student Amy Soto spends her time researching the evolution of galaxies at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

• Dedicating Her Life to Caring for Others

  

  Recent grad Colleen O'Neill is putting her education to work as a nurse at Georgetown University Hospital.

• Architecture Major Builds Custom Furniture

  

  Joseph Binck is using his architecture skills and his family's background in carpentry to design and build custom furniture.

• Art Grad Pursues Dream Career

  

  Anne Schrandt aspires to a career in art conservation. She is on her way with two elite internships.

• Senior Competes in Renowned Irish Festival

  

  This summer, Allison Wetterauw traveled to Ireland to participate in the International Rose of Tralee Festival.

• Sign Language Opens Doors for Student

  

  Suzanne Kwoka learned sign language, and now she is using that ability to help others.

• Art History Major Planning Gallery Auction

  

  Elizabeth Denholm is taking what she learned in her major and using it at her job with an art gallery.

• Young Elected Official Leads at CUA

  

  Junior Connor Kurtz balances work for his hometown school board with his studies and role as speaker of CUA's student government.

• Rookie Officer is Boston Strong

  

  Meghan Walsh returned to her hometown, where she now patrols the streets in the neighborhood where she was raised.

• From CUA to Fashion Week

  

  Recent graduate Taylor Boozan has already found a place in the high-glamour world of New York City, working in fashion public relations.

• Combining Technology and Sustainability

  

  CUA grad Chris Urban is studying how to design environmentally sound architecture.

• Grad Films Documentary on Redskins Name

  

  Meg McElroy took on a controversial topic for her senior seminar production project: the Washington Redskins name.

• New Grad Celebrates Degree plus Life

  

  Katherine Warrick is about to receive her M.S.W. While working toward the degree, she battled cancer and worked full time.

• Taking Her Talents to Memphis

  

  Eager to explore new cities after graduation, senior sociology major Bernadette Poerio chose Memphis, Tenn., as a top choice on her Teach for America application.

• Lacrosse Player Makes Inspirational Comeback

  

  Junior Tori Neill overcame illness to return to the field this season as a top player.

• Pursuing an Unending Love for Animals

  

  Senior biology major says she is fortunate to have found an environment that allows her to study science and continue her love for music.

• Grad Student Shares Her Art to Help Others

  

  Through theater, Annalisa Dias helped the people of a small village in Malawi share their stories. Now she is screening a film about that experience.

• Engineering Student on a Mission

  

  James Roche will travel with 10 other students to Jamaica, as part of a mission trip. He hopes to raise $29,000 to benefit disabled children.

• Digging into Iraqi Jewish History

  

  Doctoral student Ryann Craig is part of a team at the National Archives that resurrected the legacy of Iraqi Jewish heritage.

• Compassionate Policing

  

  Conor Hardy (B.A. 2012) is using his theology and religious studies degree from CUA in a surprising profession.

• Music Alum Takes the Lead

  

  A musical theatre alum is called up from the ensemble at the last minute — to glowing reviews for his role in Miss Saigon.

• Liturgical Musician and Composer

  

  At the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, John Henderson found success with performances of some of his original pieces.

• Exploring Global Perspectives in Medicine

  

  CUA grad Timmy Le learned about culture within medicine while volunteering in Vietnam's National Acupuncture Hospital's pediatric cerebral palsy unit.

• Studying Marriage, Family at JP II Institute

  

  Elise Crawford planned on going to law school. Instead, she decided to enroll at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

• Alumnus Helps Children to Learn Music

  

  Edward Leaf founded the Arlington Music Initiative to provide music lessons to children in need.

• New Grad Combines Politics and Social Justice

  

  John McCarthy (B.A. 2013) runs Future Civic Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to underserved high school students.

• Media Studies Major Helps Plan Arts Gala

  

  Rising senior Gabriella Solimine had an internship this summer at a performing arts center in Newark, N.J., a city that holds a special place in her heart.

• Racking Up Sales on Alumna's Website

  

  As an undergrad, Briana Pashcow nurtured her idea to start a business. That idea is now a reality.

• A CUA Education Leads to Role as Educator

  

  Emily Lazor's experiences at CUA led her to seek a path that combined her faith with a program that would create structural change in society.

• Alumna has Love of Music and Physics

  

  Tara Lakeman sings for the Christian/Catholic ministry band Full Armor while studying for a graduate degree in medical physics.

• Art Student Finds Early Success

  

  Mark Thomas recently won a scholarship award for one of his photos. The studio art major already has his own photography business.

• Graduating Senior Discerns Vocation

  

  Brett Garland, who was accepted to the seminary in his home diocese, says experiences at CUA helped him discern his vocation to the priesthood.

• Research Leads to Five-Year Master’s

  

  Chris Furman had the opportunity to begin a research project as an undergraduate that he completed while in the biology department’s five-year master’s program.

• Commuter Student Finds Purpose at CUA

  

  Sophomore Reanna Sealey explores service and a future career path at CUA.

• Senior Wins Fulbright to South Korea

  

  Brendan Duffy will embark on a year of teaching English as a Fulbright scholar, but it’s not his first taste of international travel.

• German Teacher Comes Full Circle

  

  Salvatore Veniero, who earned dual degrees in secondary education and German, recently brought a group of American and German high school students to his alma mater.

• Senior Discovers Passion for Teaching

  

  Senior Lindsay Puvel has spent four years in service to the University and the community, culminating in her decision to pursue a teaching career.

• Sisters Grow Closer at CUA

  

  Twins and student athletes Jenny and Mary McGann were reluctant to go to the same college, but at CUA they have strengthened their relationship.

• Alumni Med Students Value Service

  

  Three alumni attend the same medical school, driven by a desire to serve others and treat the whole person.

• Journalist for Justice

  

  Joshua McElwee is an award-winning reporter for the National Catholic Reporter.

• Senior Gets Hands-on News Experience

  

  In her time at CUA, senior media studies major Monica Pastores has had a chance to work next to some recognizable news figures.

• Lacrosse Player Finds a Balance

  

  Lacrosse player and master's student Katie Miller has managed to balance athletics and academics in her time at CUA.

• Marathon Runner Excels in Academics

  

  Senior Jess Ford has pursued sport psychology research while at CUA and run four marathons in her spare time.

• Graduate Student Focuses on Research

  

  Wadad Alsalmi sees infectious disease research as a way to impact her world for the better.

• Senior Maps Out a Career

  

  Molly Thompson plans to use her knack for problem-solving as an operations analyst for J.P. Morgan when she graduates.

• Using His Voice to Build the Church

  

  This past summer, Ajani Gibson spoke to youth at the National Black Catholic Congress. On campus, he expresses his love for the Catholic liturgy in many ways.

• Siblings Inspired by Summer Service

  

  Junior Elizabeth Ratke and her brother, Pat (B.A. 2009), both made service abroad a priority this summer and returned with new perspectives.

• Senior Explores Passions at CUA

  

  At Catholic University, senior Alexa Doncsecz has had a chance to explore her passions: science, writing, and her faith.