Class of 2015 graduates from McConnell Scholars Program

Ten McConnell Scholars will graduate May 10 from the University of Louisville. Their time as McConnell Scholars culminated with a "senior dinner" ceremony on April 19 at the PNC Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, attended the event.

The Center extends its congratulations to the following students on their undergraduate achievements and wishes them well on their future endeavors.

• Paige Brewer, of Wilder, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Russian studies. She is the recipient of the Critical Languages Scholarship to Russia and will spend a year in Kazakhstan through a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.
• Arsh Haque, of Elizabethtown, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in creative writing. He was named the top orator in the U.S. as part of the McConnell Scholars’ Moot Court Team.
• Cathrine Mountain, of Frankfort, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and anthropology.
• Danielle Robinette, of Ft. Thomas, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and political science. She was named to the Teach Kentucky program and will pursue a master’s of arts in teaching at the University of Louisville.
• Samantha Roney, of Danville, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in finance with minors in economics, international business and political science. She is a wealth manager at Creative Capital Group.
• Sean Southard, of Owensboro, Ky., earned a degree in political science and history. He is working with RunSwitch PR firm as an account coordinator.
• Andrew Stewart, of Radcliff, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in psychology as a full-time athlete with UofL’s track and cross-country team. He was an ACC Postgraduate Award recipient and an Arthur Ashe Award finalist, both academic/athletic awards.
• Joel Ben Thomas, of Cadiz, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and political science with a minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. He was named an Emerging Leader in Anthropology by the National Association of Student Anthropologists.
• Benjamin Whitlock, of Greensburg, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. He has accepted a position as Cadet Trooper at the Kentucky State Police Academy.
• Sam Whittaker, of Paducah, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in history with minors in political science and economics. He was named the top undergraduate student in history at UofL and will pursue a master’s degree in history at the University of Cincinnati on a full-tuition scholarship.

By Chloe Zoeller, Class of 2016