Earlham College | News from Public Affairs

UWC Scholars Leave a Legacy of Diversity as Class of 2008 Graduates from Earlham

Earlham's Davis United World Scholars Class of 2008. From left: Janny Concha Urday Zaa, Adelina Mustafa, Kenneth Martin, Stephen Wambiga, Nadine Abdallah, President Doug Bennett, Jawad Joya, Makwach Bol, Ana Kamila Quijano, Karel Raba, Nhlanhla Maduna, Sergey Grechukhin and Director of International Admissions Musa Khalidi.

RICHMOND, Ind. — Earlham College's first-ever class of Davis United World Scholars will be among those receiving their degrees during Earlham's 161st Commencement on Saturday, May 3.

The group of 11 students embarked on their collegiate journeys at Earlham four years ago after having completed their final two years of high school at one of 12 United World College (UWC) schools, which bring together talented students from all over the world with the aim of fostering peace and international understanding.

Earlham's Class of 2008 is made up of students from 37 U.S. states and 24 countries. President Douglas C. Bennett will personally confer 294 Bachelor of Arts degrees and 46 master's degrees during the ceremony.

Even a Phi Beta Kappa distinction is not enough to shake senior apprehension from Sergey Grechukhin, a UWC Scholar from Russia. His attachment to Earlham is strong. "I'm not sure I want to graduate," he says.

While Earlham, named one of America's most international campuses, proudly hosted students from Afghanistan to Swaziland to Bangladesh for the last four years, the College is equally proud of the 57 Indiana graduates who are also members of the Class of 2008. Fourteen of those Indiana graduates are local students from Wayne County.

"An Earlham College education prepares our students to better understand and be leaders in a complex and diverse world," says Academic Dean Gregory Mahler.

"Being here at Earlham has definitely been a great experience on many different levels — academic, social, sports. Living in a community on this campus also has been wonderful," says Sergey Grechukhin, a UWC scholar from Russia who earned College Honors and the Phi Beta Kappa distinction while majoring in international studies at Earlham. "To be honest, I am not sure I want to graduate."

Grechukhin admits to being a bit nervous about life after college. He hopes to return home and work for a year while exploring and applying to graduate schools.

Ana Kamila Quijano, a UWC Scholar from the Philippines, says that her international experience and insight enhanced discussions with classmates while at Earlham.

UWC scholar Ana Kamila Quijano of the Philippines is a bit nervous for a different reason. She has been asked to read 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 during the Baccalaureate Ceremony, which precedes Commencement.

"When they told me what passage they would like me to read, I was very delighted because this passage centers on loving which, I think, is the main idea in the Bible," says Quijano, who earned College Honors and is double majoring in Human Development and Social Relations and economics. "I think those listening, whether Christians or not, will be able to connect and draw inspiration from it."

Grechukhin says he was surprised by the travel opportunities that Earlham offered. While a student, he attended and presented at conferences from California to Washington D.C., he spent a semester in London, and as a varsity tennis player, he traveled to matches in neighboring states. He was also surprised by the diversity the campus offers.

"I didn't think a little school in the Midwest would have such diversity in its student body," he says.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jawad Joya discuss foreign policy in Levin's office on Capitol Hill. Joya, a UWC Scholar from Kabul, Afghanistan, who is a Sociology/Anthropology major, worked on the Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Banking committees during his fellowship and internship with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.).

Jawad Joya, a UWC of the Adriatic graduate, earned College Honors and has a Sociology/Anthropology major. He says he also appreciated the diverse dialogue he encountered on campus.

"You learn what matters to some and what does not," he says. "In the end, you realize that there are a vast number of issues that interest us all, although some more than others. That gives me a reason to be hopeful for our common future."

Joya is from Kabul, Afghanistan, and said that Earlham has served as a base for his exploration of America.

"When I came to the United States in 2004, it was my first visit ever," he says. "I was quite unfamiliar with what makes America as it is. This has changed tremendously."

To Joya, an Earlham education means that the educational experience is not limited to the amount of time spent in the classroom.

"In fact, a great amount of idea development, exploration and progress are achieved outside the classroom," he says. "At the heart of that is a healthy personal relationship between me and my professors."

Joya participated in the Japan-America Student Conference at Stanford University, gained corporate banking experience at UBS during his semester at the Philadelphia Center, and learned about government and politics as a summer intern and fellow with U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.).

"It is interesting that when you travel to places as diverse as Kabul or San Francisco, you are in touch with your professors to work on ideas, issues and other things that come your way," he says.

Musa Khalidi, senior associate dean of admissions and director of international admissions, says the UWC students have contributed to the intellectual and ethnic diversity of the campus.

Quijano agrees. "As a UWC grad, I have brought diversity. In class discussions especially, offering my international experience and insight has enriched the exchange of ideas."

The Davis United World College Scholars Program, which is funded privately by investment fund manager Shelby M.C. Davis and his wife Gale, provides college scholarships for UWC graduates. The scholarships are administered by some of the nation's best colleges, including Earlham.

To ensure the continuation of the program, the Davis Foundation will provide Earlham with $20,000 per UWC student beginning this fall, subject to Earlham meeting the rest of the students' financial aid needs, according to Khalidi. The scholarship amount had been $10,000 per UWC student since 2004.

In addition to other events, two ceremonies will occur on Saturday, May 3. Unfamiliar to some, but reflecting the Quaker nature of the College, is Baccalaureate. At Earlham, this ceremony incorporates elements similar to those found in programmed Friends Meetings for Worship — typically opening and closing prayers, readings, hymns which everyone is invited to sing, a prepared message by a speaker from the faculty, times for silent worship and reflection and songs by the Baccalaureate Choir, which is made up of seniors, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. This year's Baccalaureate speaker is James Logan, assistant professor of religion and African and African American Studies.

The more familiar event may be Commencement, which is when students receive their degrees. Both ceremonies are scheduled outdoors at Chase Stage on the lawn of Lilly Library. Baccalaureate begins at 10:30 a.m. and Commencement at 2:30 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, events will be held indoors at Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center. Tickets are only required if events are held indoors.

Contact:
Mark Blackmon, director of media relations
765/983-1256 — E-Mail Mark