Class of 2009

Link to just a few of our graduating student profiles and watch video interviews with several of them...

Swimmer's career overflows with achievement A life-long swimmer, Kelsey Foy was attracted to the University by the swim team and her passion for the sport. But she graduated with a much richer experience than she could have imagined. Out of the water, the communication studies major improved her strokes with an internship at URI's Department of Communications and Marketing.		Brighter futures When Robin Covington was kicked out of her house at age 17, her future was not looking bright. She was rebellious, and she didn't think college was right for her. But she had received good grades in high school and remembered a visit from URI's Talent Development Program. When she was accepted to the program, her life took a turn for the better. Now the straight-A student plans to make the future brighter for others.

URI's youngest graduate Valerie Sahakian took her first college courses when she was just 11 years old. On May 17, as a mature 18-year old, she will receive a bachelors degree in math from the University as the year's youngest graduate.		Family's engineering legacy continues His father owns an engineering business, and his brother is an engineer as well. As Mark Dowdell prepares to graduate from the University's International Engineering Program, he looks forward to continuing his family's engineering legacy.

Student learns 'to be the best of the best' Pharmacy major Chris Sibicky experienced many facets of the University during his six-year tenure in Kingston. He graduates with a doctor of pharmacy degree and a sense of confidence as he enters the world of professional pharmacy. Tight-knit nature of the pharmacy program keeps majors on top of their game.		Textiles graduate is all business Allison Dobish found herself getting a bit choked up when members of the Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design faculty walked in the day she opened the doors to her first store. The textiles major had used her study abroad, internship experience to open first solo professional business venture, University Trinkets.

Senior is considered to be 'best tressed' Kellene McCaffrey is now known as URI's "best tressed" student. But this is no school-based title, a national honor resulting from the journalism major's victory in the "Tressed to Impress" competition, which was run by Herbal Essences Hydralicious products and Glamour magazine.		Service is central to this URI senior Just a glance at Alicia M. Lopez's resume shows that not only will the marketing and management major graduate from the University with highest honors, she will continue to put into action the tenets of feeding the hungry, clothing the needy and welcoming the stranger.

Accounting career adds up for award-winning graduate Sean Finneran earned a new name during his final semester. He became "The Champ" after his performance in the global Capsim Challenge, a business simulation game developed by Capsim Management Simulations. Finneran finished third in the world, and was the highest finisher from the U.S.		Graduate eyes career in genetic counseling Originally a communications major wanting to join the field of medical journalism, Haleigh Lipnick recognized a different career goal at URI. She switched to biology with a minor in psychology to pursue a field that merges counseling, patient care and medicine -- genetic counseling.

One degree closer to career goals As she graduates with a nursing degree, Martha Ofeibea-Tenkorang says she is a giant step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a nursing professor to make a difference in Ghana.		Student's internship in Germany leads to job back at home International Engineering student Adam Muratori spent a year studying and working in Germany. Now he knows that it was this time in Germany that led to the job in Rhode Island that he will start next month.

Top environmental science student really digs soil Jessie Dyer arrived at the University as a freshman with an intense interest in a subject that few students ever learn much about soil. It's a topic that led her to a Udall Scholarship, worldwide internships and many options for the future.		Marine biology major rows her way to graduation Although Lauren Killea had been an athlete for most of her life, she didn't think she would be able to compete at the varsity level in college. But that was before she was introduced to the life of a rower.

Ocean engineering student turns year abroad into career Loren Eckardt says the life-changing year he spent as a student in Germany reshaped his career goals and the International Engineering Program helped set him apart. Now he looks forward to returning to Europe and living there full-time after having accepted a job in Bremen, Germany.		Graduate filled every moment with community service, leadership Melissa Callahan hadn't planned to attend URI, but a mix of circumstances led her to enroll. She looks back with fondness to a college career brimming with enriching experiences that led the communication studies major to minors in leadership, womens studies and psychology.

Nutrition student gets boost from celebrity cook Rachael Ray en route to graduation During her years at URI, Stephanie Perruzza worked with the campus dietitian to promote healthy eating and even prepared a cookbook for college students. But her most exciting opportunity came as the first intern in the test kitchen at Everyday With Rachael Ray, the magazine featuring the Food Network celebrity cook.		Study abroad, research opportunities help sisters excel Rebekah and Rachel Wigton traveled very different paths during their years at URI, but they both find themselves near the top of their class having achieved tremendous success on campus and off. Rebekah, 23, is headed to graduate school in the fall, perhaps in England, to study neuroscience, while sister Rachel, 21, will enroll at Old Dominion University on her way to a Ph.D. in marine biology.

Student rides passion about aquaculture to a new level Lauren Korecky enrolled at URI, she knew she wanted to ride horses and study marine biology. But the top aquaculture student, had no idea that a career in aquatic medicine was in her future.		Student creates a new pattern for success As first in her family to earn a college degree, URI textiles, fashion merchandising and design major, Stephanie Pati honors her parents and is lauded by faculty for her achievements. New graduate says she is proud to provide an example for younger brother.

Student heads vet school after graduating It took Jeana Atkins a few years after graduating from high school to figure out her plans for the future. She managed horse farms for a few years, then worked at a veterinary hospital. That's when she decided she wanted to become a veterinarian and now she knows she's half way to achieving that goal.		Wildlife biology major keeps close watch on terrapins and more Alex Patterson became interested in studying biology as a result of his childhood enthusiasm for finding reptiles and amphibians in his neighborhood. But now the top wildlife biology major's well-developed research skills on tropical mammals, local turtles and more has led to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service job.

Interest in science and desire to help people inspires top nursing student After starting her college career as a marine biology major in North Carolina, Elsa Fennelly changed her major to nursing and transferred to URI. The top nursing student says she "likes helping someone feel comfortable, feel calm, feel safe" and eventually, hopes to attend graduate school to expand her nursing knowledge even farther.		Sailing movie stardom doesn't derail student's design for career on land Robbie Kane said recently that sailing has taken over his life. He was featured in a Disney movie about sailing in 2008, and as a result he gets the star treatment at sailing races around the world. But the landscape architecture major is looking forward to designing his career on a solid surface.

Student fulfills legacy behind-the-scenes in athletics As a young boy, Sean Sullivan was a regular at all of the games in Keaney Gymnasium as his oldest brother, Mike, was a work-study student in the URI sports information office. Fast forward several years, and now Sean, a communications major, is graduating after spending four years working in the very same office.		Atypical path to college provides unexpected benefits Somravanh Litthisack readily admits that she didn't have the usual college experience. She didn't live on campus, pledge a sorority or participate in extracurricular activities. But the human development and family studies' major found unexpected benefits en route to earning her degree.

Student makes her education a global experience Pharmacy graduate and French major Mei Ka Fong saw the world during her years at URI. In fact, she did a pharmacy internship in France, volunteered at a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, and taught English to children in Panama. The future clinical pharmacist says she hopes to bring all lessons learned to her work with patients.		Marketing student learns through leadership Preparing for a marketing career, Jessica Wolchok took a leadership role in several organizations throughout her years at URI. For example, she put her teamwork, event planning and project management skills to work with great results as president of URI Hillel and URI's American Marketing Association chapter.

Track star, teacher, outstanding student to graduate again from URI Most athletes wouldn't consider a back injury and a car accident that probably aggravated it strokes of good luck. But Caitlin Hurley said these incidents may have put her on track for earning her masters degree in kinesiology.		Visit our YouTube Channel See videos of these students and many others.