May 30, 2023
Bethesda, Maryland — The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation celebrates the 100 A. James Clark Scholars who graduated this year from Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, The University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, and Virginia Tech.
Each year, the Foundation’s Clark Scholars Program partners with 11 top-tier universities to provide scholarships, mentorships, and guidance for underrepresented engineering students. The program demonstrates students can succeed in rigorous programs with targeted support.
The exceptional students chosen for the Clark Scholars Program have completed a rigorous engineering program and business courses at their respective universities. Alongside their studies, they have participated in activities to elevate their leadership and community-building skills. All Clark Scholars receive the resources and support they need to excel.
The Clark Scholars Program ensures that, regardless of financial need, the next generation of engineering leaders is equipped with the finest education and the mentorship that will fuel their success. This was a lifelong passion of the Clark Scholars namesake, A. James Clark, an engineer, businessman, and philanthropist.
“Every year, I am honored to watch the Clark Scholars graduate and embark on a new, exciting adventure,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, Board Chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “I know my father’s legacy of opportunity and leadership will be carried on by these talented young people. I wish all the graduates a successful future and look forward to their future involvement as Clark Scholars alumni.”
Through the Foundation’s $165 million investment in its signature academic program, the endowed scholarships will support more than 475 students annually in perpetuity at 11 of the nation’s top engineering institutions. The Clark Foundation recognizes that our success as a nation depends on us equipping the best and brightest minds with the tools and knowledge to solve our biggest problems.
Learn more about the Clark Scholars here.
Clark Scholars Class of December 2022 and May 2023
| Duke University |
|---|
| Himani Bhat, Civil Engineering |
| Devin Ellis, Mechanical Engineering |
| Alexa Goble, Risk, Data, and Financial Engineering |
| Gloria Odenyo, Civil Engineering |
| Marcus Ortiz, Mechanical Engineering & Computer Science |
| Jessica Wey, Civil Engineering – Environmental Track, with Certificate in Architectural Engineering |
| Georgia Institute of Technology |
|---|
| MacKenzie Sicard, Industrial and Systems Engineering |
| Simrill (Nina) Smith, Environmental Engineering |
| Sidney Winfield, Aerospace Engineering |
| Victoria Lynn, Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Fatima Sheriff, Mechanical Engineering |
| Sierra Villarreal, Environmental Engineering |
| Huong Ho, Industrial and Systems Engineering |
| John Igieobo, Computer Engineering |
| George Washington University |
|---|
| Connor Burnett, Computer Science |
| Lauren Hahn, Computer Science |
| Victoria Hennemann, Computer Science |
| Davis Hundt, Civil Engineering |
| Meilian Kurlas, Biomedical Engineering |
| Christopher Lemkan, Civil Engineering |
| Arielle Maignan, Biomedical Science |
| Adam Poche, Mechanical Engineering |
| Michael Ryan, Biomedical Engineering |
| Kevish Shah, Civil Engineering |
| Jenna Pressman, Biomedical Engineering |
| John Hopkins University |
|---|
| Danbi Rhee, Applied Mathematics and Statistics |
| Marc Helou, Computer Science |
| Tyler Shin, Computer Science |
| Adriana Pena, Environmental Engineering |
| Alexander Rovalino, Biomedical Engineering |
| Kathy Cao, Mechanical Engineering |
| Nyeli Kratz, Biomedical Engineering |
| Ricky Cheng, Computer Science |
| Will Rong, Materials Science & Engineering |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
|---|
| Christian Szablewski-Paz, Computer Science |
| Michael Botros, Mechanical Engineering |
| Caroline Corr, Biomedical Engineering |
| Adrian Garcia, Software Engineering |
| William Martin, Software Engineering |
| Vaughn Rice, Biomedical Engineering |
| Lily Stevenson, Civil Engineering |
| Sophia Turci, Chemical Engineering |
| Skyler Doherty, Mechanical Engineering |
| Susan George, Biomedical Engineering |
| Vanessa Huerta, Chemical Engineering |
| Kelcie Keenan, Mechanical Engineering |
| Vijay Persaud, Chemical Engineering |
| Leah Villanueva, Mechanical Engineering |
| Samantha Weckesser, Industrial and Systems Engineering |
| University of Maryland |
|---|
| Amaya Caggino, Mechanical Engineering |
| Amy Suk, Mechanical Engineering; Global Engineering Leadership/General Business |
| Sterling Mead, Mechanical Engineering; Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| Jwoyal Ranjit, Aerospace Engineering; Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture |
| Kristen Yee, Mechanical Engineering |
| Miranda Pierce, Civil Engineering; Project Management |
| Vinomie Galagama, Mechanical Engineering |
| Andrew Green, Computer Engineering |
| University of Pennsylvania |
|---|
| Abudurazaq (Razaq) Aribidesi, Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics |
| Abdelwahab (Aboudi) Babiker, Chemistry & Bimolecular Engineering; Chemistry (minor) |
| Ricky Gonzalez, Computer Science; BS: Entrepreneurship & Innovation |
| Brendan Kim, Electrical Engineering; MS: Electrical Engineering |
| Fatima Koroma, Systems Science & Engineering; Mathematics (minor) |
| Terence Lin, Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics |
| Sadek Munawar, Computer Engineering; MS: Robotics |
| Aisha Olapade, Applied Science – Computer Science; Urban Studies (minor); Mathematics (minor) |
| Jimmy Ren, Computer Science; Data Science (minor); Mathematics (minor); MS Data Science |
| Davis Tran, Computer Science; Engineering Entrepreneurship (minor); Mathematics (minor) |
| University of Virginia |
|---|
| Andrea Kian, Biomedical Engineering |
| Anne Felipe, Biomedical Engineering |
| Cameron Williams, Chemical Engineering |
| Daniel Boachie, Computer Science |
| David Tran, Computer Science |
| Emmalyn Kim, Biomedical Engineering |
| Gina Brown, Biomedical Engineering |
| Isaac Heath, Biomedical Engineering |
| Marina Awad, Biomedical Engineering |
| Samantha Nicholson, Mechanical Engineering |
| Sin Lin, Civil Engineering |
| Trenton Bilyeu, Mechanical Engineering |
| Vanderbilt University |
|---|
| Rehoboth Abera, Computer Science; Cinema and Media Arts (minor) |
| Lorena Cruz, Engineering Science & Child Development; Engineering Management (minor) |
| Jack Evans, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Materials Science, Engineering Management, Computer Science (minors) |
| Hannah Farley, Computer Science; Engineering Management, Mathematics (minors) |
| Jordyn Herrington, Biomedical Engineering |
| Alexandra Kusio, Engineering Science |
| Joshua Payne, Computer Science; Engineering Management (minor) |
| David Perez, Computer Science; Mathematics (minor) |
| Jonathan Wieland, Engineering Science; Digital Fabrication (minor) |
| Rubin Zou, Computer Science |
| Virginia Tech |
|---|
| Kojo Akrong, Industrial and Systems Engineering |
| Araceli Cabrera-Otuno, Computer Engineering |
| Parker Henrick, Chemical Engineering |
| Kevin Lizarazu-Ampuero, Computer Engineering |
| Rodney Okyere, Computer Science |
| Naylle Pando, Computer Science |
| Long Phan, Computer Science |
| Nathan Stanley, Mechanical Engineering |
| Kien Tran, Computer Engineering |
| Andrew Chan, Computer Science |
| Carter Patterson, Building Construction |
About the Clark Scholars Program
As part of our dedication to the engineers of the future, the Foundation established the A. James Clark Scholars Program. The Clark Scholars Program has been implemented at Duke University, George Washington University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Penn State University, The University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech.
The program supports first-generation students and students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields that exhibit strong academic and leadership potential and have financial need. Students enrolled in the program pursue a rigorous curriculum of engineering study, take at least 1-2 business classes, and participate in community service. They also attend leadership seminars and events with leaders in the field.
About the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation
The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation partners with organizations to strengthen their ability to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and communities they serve. In keeping with Mr. Clark’s desire to spend down within a decade and maximize the impact of this funding, the Clark Foundation established its current philanthropic model in 2016. The Foundation focuses its philanthropy in three strategic areas: educating future engineering leaders, improving the lives of veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive. To learn more, visit: www.https:/clarkfoundationdc.org/.
Media Contact:
Sarah Elbert, Sarah.elbert@clarkfoundationdc.org, (301) 657-7176