Class of 2020
Dear Class of 2020,
On behalf of the Department of Classics and Modern Languages, I am delighted to congratulate you on your many and diverse accomplishments. We are proud to have majors and minors who pursue complementary courses of study in all four of Xavier’s Colleges. Indeed, it is a testament to the pervasive value of linguistic and cultural knowledge that U.S. students pursuing a B.A. in a language double major at a higher rate than nearly any other group. That the rate of double majors at Xavier exceeds those national averages by over 30% speaks to our special mission as a Jesuit University founded in the liberal arts tradition. As passionate humanists and life-long students of language and culture, we welcome you into a community of graduates, and look to you to use your knowledge for the continued good of our society, as men and women for others. It is my privilege to wish you well in all of your coming endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jamie H. Trnka
Prof. of German and Chair of Classics and Modern Languages
Meet Our 2020 Graduates
Classics
French
Awards
Classics
Evan Lamping
My name is Evan Lamping, and I am from Indiana. My senior honors thesis investigates claims that Galilei Galileo was not truly tried in 1633 for holding or teaching heliocentric views, but that this trial was designed to take the focus off of Galileo’s atomic theories of matter in The Assayer that would have challenged the Catholic Church’s core doctrine of transubstantiation.
I am currently an intern with Western and Southern developing web and mobile applications, and will be continuing to work there as a full-time developer after graduation.
I have loved the small class sizes and professor-student engagement during my time at Xavier. Although I never lived on campus, I also really enjoyed spending time with other CPHAB students over the years, who are always good for a laugh and have been an extremely supportive group through some challenging coursework.
Catherine Martini
My name is Catherine Martini and I am from Northern Kentucky. I will be receiving my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Classical Humanities, with a minor in Biochemistry. I have absolutely adored my time at Xavier, but some of my favorite memories include attending the basketball games and Sunday masses with Father Graham. Also, this past summer I studied abroad in Rome and had the time of my life! In August I will be moving to New York City to attend dental school at Columbia University.
Justin Scott
My thesis is an analysis about Roman delatores under the Principate and how they were able to undermine democratic processes to replace a republic into an empire. The paper serves as analysis and warning for democracies to be on guard for similar alterations within a democratic institution.
I plan to attend law school and hopefully pursue a career in politics.
I particularly cherished my summer abroad trip to Greece. Being able to see the real places that I read about in my Greek classes was one of the most informative and special memories at Xavier University.
Derek Seifert
My name is Derek Seifert and I am from Indiana. In my senior honors thesis, I examine what appealed to becoming a Christian during the time of Early Christianity, particularly leading up to Constantine, and why Christianity became as popular as it did during that time period.
After graduation, I hope to work towards earning a Doctorate in Psychology. Short-term, I might be starting with a Master's in Mental Health Counseling.
I think one thing I love most about Xavier is that my overall experience here has helped strengthen and deepen my faith, for which I am extremely grateful!
French
Marissa Busch
Marissa is a graduating senior from Cleveland, OH with majors in International Studies and Political Science, along with minors in French, Peace and Justice Studies, and Gender and Diversity Studies. She is eternally grateful for all the support, knowledge, and cultural involvement the French Program at Xavier has provided her with throughout her four years. She was a Fredin Memorial Scholarship recipient, allowing her to spend a semester in Grenoble, France that was an incredible, eye-opening and irreplaceable experience. She cannot speak highly enough of all of the immersive study abroad opportunities and encourages every student to push themselves out of their comfort zones, c’est la joie de vivre!
Kelsey Kraft
Kelsey Kraft is from Libertyville, Illinois, and is graduating with a degree in Social Work with minors in French and Gender and Diversity Studies. Kelsey studied abroad in Paris in the fall semester of 2017 as a Fredin Scholar. Studying abroad, traveling to El Salvador for Alternative Breaks, and being a mentor and tutor with Muskie Tigers have been Kelsey’s favorite Xavier experiences.
Zain Mehal
Hello, my name is Zain Mehal and I am from Connecticut. I am a French and Modern Language & International Economics Major. I studied for two years at the University of Edinburgh before transferring to Xavier. Then, while at Xavier, I studied abroad at University Grenoble Alpes in France and Sogang University in South Korea. Every place that I have been to has taught me lessons and I am grateful for all that Xavier has taught me.
Olivia Simons
Salut! My name is Olivia Simons and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I’ll be finishing my undergraduate education at Xavier with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in French. During the 2019 spring semester of my junior year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Grenoble, France! Those months living internationally truly shaped who I am today. I had the chance to meet lifelong friends and create extraordinary memories. I hope to take what I have learned from my time living abroad, learning languages and cultures, and apply it to my future endeavors!
Tine Sokun
Bonjour! My name is Tine Sokun. I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio and will be graduating with Communication Studies major along with Advertising and French minors. I studied abroad in Grenoble, France during the fall semester of my junior year. Studying abroad was definitely my favorite experience from Xavier, I got the chance to get out of my comfort zone, experience new cultures, and meet amazing people from all over the world. My post-Xavier plan will be attending Bowling Green State University pursuing a Masters in the College Student Personnel program.
German
Zach Arriaga
Winner of the 2020 Joseph E. and Jeanne Bourgeois German Memorial Award.
From the Awards Committee: Zach has a gift for languages and brings his thoughtful perspective to all of his work. After skipping a level of intermediate German to join advanced courses last fall, he continues to add depth and complexity to class discussions and individual assignments, connecting his interests in law, ethics, and politics to the analysis of German language culture. His teachers and classmates value his attention to such diverse topics as human rights in Goethe’s dramas to popular front politics in interwar German film. He is an excellent writer, and has thoughtfully and diligently worked to cultivate his own voice and style in German, a truly remarkable accomplishment. In addition to his course work in German, Zach has taken classes in French and Spanish during his time at Xavier.
Wilson Compton
Alec Meszaros
I am a graduating senior from West Chester, Ohio. My majors are German and International Business. Last summer, I studied abroad in Eichstätt, Germany and it was one of my most exciting experiences that I had during my Xavier journey. During my time at Xavier, I was also the president of the Triathlon team and the Vice President of the German Club.
Spanish
Kinzie Baker
My name is Kinzie Baker, and I’m from Indianapolis, IN. I am graduating from Xavier University with majors in Nursing and Spanish and minors in Gender & Diversity Studies and Peace & Justice Studies. While at Xavier, I studied abroad with the Cura Personalis program in Peru and I led an Alternative Breaks experience to El Salvador. After graduation, I will be working as a nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. A favorite moment from my Xavier experience was getting to use my language skills to connect with my Spanish-speaking patients during nursing clinicals.
Gina Deaton
My name is Gina Deaton and I am from Mason, Ohio. I am graduating with majors in Spanish and Occupational Therapy, and minors in Latin American Studies and Peace & Justice Studies. During my time at Xavier, I have participated in three study abroad programs in Peru, Costa Rica (pictured), and Guatemala. An unforgettable moment of my Xavier experience was hearing immigrant stories firsthand in El Paso, Texas, on a Xavier-sponsored Alternative Breaks program. I am so grateful for the Spanish-speaking travel opportunities I have had at Xavier that have shaped and inspired who I am today. Go Muskies!
Micaela Donatello
My name is Micaela Donatello and I’m from Rochester NY. I am a Spanish major with minors in secondary education and special education. I hope to find a job teaching Spanish in a middle or high school after graduation! My favorite memory from my time at Xavier is studying abroad in Alicante, Spain and all the great friends I made along the way. My advice to any incoming Spanish majors is to study abroad and take any opportunity to speak Spanish and experience the culture in real life!
Megan Hammond
Megan Hammond is a senior at Xavier University from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is currently studying Marketing and Spanish and has a minor in Peace & Justice Studies. Throughout her time at Xavier, Megan studied abroad through a faculty-led program in Peru focused on service, solidarity, and sustainability. Traveling across Peru is one of her favorite Xavier experiences, though basketball games at Cintas Center are a close second! Upon graduation, Megan will begin working for Google where she hopes to combine her passion for business and Spanish as she helps small business owners grow their organizations through digital marketing.
Julie Reichley
Hello! My name is Julia Reichley. I am from Richmond, IN and graduating from Xavier with a Spanish and biology major and a minor in chemistry. When at Xavier, I was able to study abroad in Santiago, Chile, where I explored the Atacama Desert, walked through one of Pablo Neruda’s homes and stayed with my host family (pictured here). I cannot choose one perfect moment from my time at Xavier, because each moment was as great as the next. But my most favorite memories were the ones I spent with the lifelong friends I made at the university.
Grace Rolman
Grace Rolman is originally from Nashville, TN and is a double major in Spanish and International Studies with a concentration in Latin America and a minor in Latin American Studies. She has spent her four years at Xavier University involved in intramural volleyball, various clubs, and studied abroad in Northern Spain during the summer of 2018. She will be continuing her education in August of 2020 at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law where she will be studying International Law in hopes of working with an international non-profit organization to aid those in need around the world.
Briana Ruzanka
My name is Briana Ruzanka, and I’m from Louisville, KY. I’m graduating with a double major in Philosophy, Politics, & the Public and Spanish, as well as a minor in Economics. Throughout my time at Xavier, I was also on the dance team and served as one of the captains for two years. My favorite Xavier memory is dancing on the court at Cintas during halftimes of basketball games. While I was supposed to study abroad in Spain this summer, I am unfortunately finishing my degree from the comfort of my own couch.
Sarah Schaller
Ellen Siefke
I'm a Spanish and English double major from Mount Prospect, Illinois. As you might surmise from my majors, I happily filled much of my Spanish schedule with literature courses, from analyzing Argentinean crime fiction to learning about Spanish Romanticism. Although I never studied abroad, I did travel to Ecuador for a family vacation, and it was thrilling to test my Spanish skills and immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking community. I cannot pick a single favorite Xavier memory, but I can say that what I will remember most are the moments I shared with friends, co-workers, and professors.
Nathalie Solorio
My name is Nathalie Solorio and I am a Chicana woman from St. Louis, MO. Throughout my four years at Xavier I have been studying Spanish with a double minor in Secondary Education and Gender & Diversity Studies. During the summer of 2018, I had the opportunity to study abroad with Dr. Ceo-DiFrancesco and accompany the occupational therapy department on a two-week immersion program in Guatemala. I was able to collect intercultural competency data for an article that was published in April 2020. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Lima, Perú Spring semester of 2019. Through both of these immersive learning experiences I was able to live with host families, learn different dialects within the Spanish language, build global community, and be formed through experiential learning as a future educator. My favorite memory at Xavier would be celebrating on the yard my freshman year when Xavier made the Elite Eight during the NCAA March Madness tournament.
I am forever grateful for Xavier University for not only forming me as a professional, but equally so in regards to as a person. My future plans include moving to Madrid, Spain for a 1-year teaching/masters program studying Multicultural Bilingual Education.
Ihsan Walker
Hi, I’m Ihsan Walker and I’m proudly from Newark, New Jersey and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where I attended St. Xavier High School. My majors while at Xavier were Criminal Justice and Spanish. I love language and people! I've been fortunate enough to travel to 8 different countries on three different continents from as far as Sonora, Mexico to Prague, Czech Republic. My fondest memory at Xavier was my trip to Senegal, West Africa, where I participated in Diasporic Soul’s Racial Healing Leadership Experience, which was a result of Xavier’s Stain Glass Initiative to address its historical connections to slavery.
2020 Award Winners
- Joseph E. Bourgeois German Award - Zachary R. Arriaga
- Clement H. Luken Sr. Award – Carrigan L. O’Reilly
- Joseph and Jeanne Bourgeois French Award - Julia G. Daanen
- Matias Vega Spanish Award – Ellen E. Siefke
- John M. Zahurancik Award – James P. Stebbins
- Alice D. Ragland Latin Award - Steven A. Prevoznik
- Joseph A. Verkamp Greek Award – Steven A. Prevoznik
- Classical Association of the Middle, West, and South Award – Derek A. Seifert