Due to the Pandemic, the Class of 2023 had an especially challenging college experience. In March 2020, just months after they arrived in for their first year as Gettysburg College students, the campus closed with some students returning for the 2020 fall semester and others attending classes remotely. Circumstances continued to evolve throughout their sophomore year, finally settling to allow the Class of 2023 a somewhat normal Junior and Senior years.
In spite of COVID disruptions, 60% of the 2023 graduating class participated in research. The Office of Institutional Analysis reports that this is the highest rate of students participating in research since they began tracking this statistic. Chemistry majors in the 2023 graduating class participated in research at a much higher rate with 7 of 8 graduates reporting that they worked on research projects.
We congratulate the following students who graduated in 2023 with majors in Chemistry. We are proud of all you have accomplished here at Gettysburg College and all you will accomplish in the future.
Edith Aguilera graduated with a Chemistry major (BA) and a minor in Spanish. Edith transferred to Gettysburg College from Shippensburg University in her sophomore year. In addition to her studies, Edith was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She plans to attend medical school after graduation.
Ramouna Charlton graduated with a Chemistry major (BA) and a minor in Math. In addition to her studies, Ramouna worked as an office assistant in the Office of Multicultural Engagement, served as President of the VIBE Dance Crew and was a member of the Black Student Union and the Brown Nipple Collective. In addition, Ramouna volunteered in the Big Brothers & Big Sisters program and Campus Kitchen. Ramouna received the Anne Bucher Lane Women of Distinction Award. Prior to graduation, Ramouna received an offer to teach early childhood education in New York City through Teach for America.
Danielle Kleinberg graduated summa cum laude with majors in Chemistry (BA) and Environmental Studies (BS) as well as a minor in Spanish. Danielle received honors in Chemistry. In addition to her studies, Danielle was a member of the Gettysburg College Choir, tutored for adult ESL classes and volunteered at the Painted Turtle Farm. She worked for the Chemistry Department as a teaching assistant and for the Biology and Environmental Studies Departments as a Peer Learning Associate. Danielle was on the Dean’s list every semester and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She studied abroad in Ecuador and traveled to Costa Rica and Iceland during her years at Gettysburg Colleges. In the summer of 2021, Danielle worked in Prof. Funk’s lab in the summer of 2021, researching micellar catalysis and in the summer of 2022, worked in Prof. Principato’s lab studying water quality. After graduation, she worked as an Environmental Educator at the Wildlands Nature Conservancy over the summer, and in September began her job as an Environmental Chemist at Gradient, an environmental consulting company in Boston.
Erin McGrath graduated with a Chemistry major (BA) and a minor in Neuroscience. In addition to her studies, she was a member of Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity, Sigma Sigma Sigma, the Pre-Health Professions Club, and Campus Recreation. Erin worked for the Chemistry Department as a teaching assistant. She was active in Prof. Jameson’s lab working on the synthesis of cobaloximes with Co-carbon bonds. Erin has a job at BioMagnetic Solutions in State College, PA.
Henry Namiot graduated cum laude with majors in Chemistry (BA) and Physics (BA) as well as a minor in Math. In addition to his studies, Henry was the academic chair of Alpha Chi Rho and the Interfraternity Council Inclusion chair. He worked as a teaching assistant for both the Chemistry and Physics Departments and as a Peer Learning Associate. He was active as a student research in Prof. Sato’s lab, was on the Dean’s list for multiple semesters and is proud of helping to create the current version of Not in Our House, a program that aims to prevent sexual and interpersonal violence. After graduation, Henry will be entering the Chemistry Ph.D. program at Penn State.
Mark Seibert graduated with a Chemistry major (BS). In addition to his studies, he played on the College baseball team every year, was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, the Interfraternity Council. Mark worked for the Admissions Department as a tour guide. Mark was active in Prof. Buettner’s lab. After graduation, Mark hopes to work for ThermoFisher.
Bryn Werley received honors in Chemistry, ACS certification and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In addition to her studies, Bryn was a member of the Sunderman Conservatory wind symphony, the symphony orchestra, the Bullets marching band, and the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. In her senior year, Bryn was a drum major for the marching band. She worked as a Peer Learning Associate for both the Chemistry and Music Departments. Bryn was active in Prof. Funk’s lab, primarily doing mechanistic studies iron catalysts. In the summer of 2022, Bryn participated in a highly competitive internship in the Process Chemistry group at Bristol Myers Squibb.
Bryn received multiple awards both on- and off-campus, including the Chemistry Department’s Stine Chemistry Prize, the Southeastern PA Section of the ACS Award and the 2022 Judith Bond Award. She is proud of receiving a Goldwater Scholarship during her junior year and speaking (and winning an award) at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium at Rice University. In fall 2023, Bryn began a Chemistry Ph.D. program at UNC Chapel Hill on the organic track.
Julia Wert graduated magna cum laude with a major in Chemistry (BA). In addition to her studies, she participated in indoor and outdoor varsity track all four years (mainly as a sprinter), is a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, and has volunteered with Girls on the Run. She worked for the Chemistry Department for several semesters as a teaching assistant. She is proud of making the Dean’s list almost every semester. After graduation, Julia expects to attend law school.
The following students graduated with majors in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology:
Rebecca Blaszczyk, Micaylah Bowers, Taylor Engle, Maura Farinelli, Emily Howe, Gwenevere Kucera, Delaney McCormick, Tommy Megna, Lan Nguyen, Bao Tran. For more information, please see the latest BMB Program Newsletter.
