ALUMNI

Jennifer Van Par

Class of 2020

Jennifer is currently studying biology and engineering at Kennesaw State University where she’s working as a lab assistant in the biology department. Last summer, she completed a summer research internship at Cornell University and she looks forward to participating in more internships each summer.

“I am having the best time in college, making so many friends, studying abroad in Europe and exploring so many opportunities!”

SHIRLEY TANG

Class of 2016

Shirley attended college at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Her favorite memory at Academe was the zoology trip to Maine where she experienced learning and studying while being on a fun trip. Shirley is currently working with a global investment firm as a Portfolio Reporting Analyst.

Evy Keeney-Ritchie

Class of 2012

Evy earned her Bachelor of Science from Lynchburg College and her Master of Science from Georg-August Universität Göttingen in Germany. Evy works in environmental health and safety in Germany.

“The tenth grade Odyssey trip was particularly significant to me, a lot of fun, and challenging. I remember returning home with a feeling of inner contentment.”

William Reed

Class of 2017

William is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Coaching at Kennesaw State University.

His favorite memory of Academe is senior project work. His aspirations in the next decade include finishing his Master of Science, performing research, completing his CSCS certification, and working on DPT/Ph.D. Wow!

William is currently working as a graduate research assistant and plans to pursue his CSCS certification and DPT/Ph.D.

Meggie Kamb

Class of 2018

Meggie is attending the University of San Francisco where she is pursuing a major in media studies and a minor in psychology.

“I’m hoping to do a service project after I graduate, perhaps in the Peace Corps. After that, I plan to work in the film industry and I would love to work on social justice documentaries.”

Julia Ruff

Class of 2010

Julia graduated from Academe in 2010 and is attending the University of North Carolina Asheville for her BA in Sociology and BS in Psychology, and Plymouth State University for her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Her favorite memory at Academe was when she graduated and experienced an immense sense of communal support. Julia is motivated to create professional relationships to receive more client referrals, get married and keep singing in her 9-piece band Ska City.

She’s currently a Wilderness Therapist for middle schoolers and provides an intensive 60-90 day intervention for youth and families in crisis.

Thomas Fleming

Class of 2022

Thomas participated in a summer basketball program in Florida with the goal in mind to play ball at the collegiate level.

Thomas loved English class at Academe and his favorite teacher was Mr. Pelham. His favorite memory at Academe was the inner graduation. This gave him and his fellow classmates the opportunity to look back on all the fond memories they had together while at Academe.

Matthew Alston

Class 0f 2013

Matthew studied Computer Science at Duke and Queen Mary University of London, earning certificates in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Community and Culture. He’s conducted research in biomedical engineering lab, interned as a growth analyst at a Silicon Valley startup, and worked as a business software engineer at Goldman Sachs in New York.

“While I was at Academe I had a very different idea of what I wanted to study in college or do with my life than I do now. What I took away from Academe were those core qualities that were going to make me successful in anything I pursued: creativity, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to think critically. In a rapidly changing world, these are the skills that I believe will never stop serving me, and I owe a lot of the credit to Academe.”

Emily Friedman

Class of 2012

Emily Friedman attended McGill University in Montreal, where she studied art history and English literature. She spent time in Edinburgh and Berlin, where she was an assistant editor for the magazine 032c. Emily has worked at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, The High Museum, and Atlanta’s own ART PAPERS. She is a contributing editor with the independent magazine The Editorial, and she wrote this year’s catalogue essay for South African artist Georgina Gratrix. Emily is pursuing her doctorate in art history at Johns Hopkins University, concentrating on the art of the Northern Renaissance.

Laurel Haislip

Class of 2012

Laurel Haislip graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia Honors Program with her B.A in Communication Studies and minor in music. She was an active violinist with the UGA Symphony Orchestra and principle dancer with the UGA Ballroom Performance Group. As an Honors International Scholar, Laurel completed a six-week intensive study in Paris to further her thesis research on the state of arts in the U.S. and around the world. She currently works as a public relations professional at BRAVE Public Relations in Buckhead, where she manages a client roster of businesses in entertainment, lifestyle, retail and the arts.

“The abilities to form connections with professors, produce strong written content, and deeply appreciate the arts were largely the keys to my success in college. The rigorous Renaissance background that Academe provided set me apart from my college peers, nurturing creativity, verbal expression, and a deep understanding of the world at large. These skills are undoubtedly those I will rely on most in my career.”

Cali Lubrant

Class of 2007

Cali Lubrant, ’07, was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in December 2011; she is now in her final year of medical school at Tulane University and applying for a residency in radiology. After college, indulging her love of equestrianism, Cali completed a year-and- a-half internship with an Olympic-level professional rider and reached several significant personal goals.

Of her career at Academe, Cali writes: “Attending Academe contributed to my personal and academic successes after high school by creating an accepting and encouraging teaching environment that fostered creativity, determination, and a feeling of concrete support.” After considering emergency medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology, Cali “finally decided that radiology was my calling.” She hopes to remain in the Southeast as she continues her medical training.