2008 Graduating Class

This section provides brief profiles and photos of the Davis United World College Scholars Program’s graduating Class of 2008.

During the preparation of this yearbook, each senior scholar responded to several questions from the Davis UWC Scholars Program. They wrote about the impact of their college experience on their lives, learning, and goals. Many also briefly described their plans and hopes for the future. The profiles that follow quote from their responses.

A B C D E-F G H I-J K L M N O-Q R S T U-V W-Z

	Purushotham Naidu India Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Methodist University At Methodist, I’ve gained not only academic and cultural experiences but also I’ve shared my ideas and learned a lot from students and teachers. I’ve met many intellectuals and have many friends. I am majoring in marketing, and I like the idea that marketing is involved in everything in today’s world. With a degree in hand, I am about to face the corporate world and see what I have to offer society and what society has to offer me.
	Gautam Nair India Mahindra UWC, India Colby College At Colby, I have moved forward more than at any other time in my life. My studies in philosophy, politics, and economics have illuminated my consciousness, compelling me to think with new clarity about the world and the need for change. Maine has taught me about the beautiful outdoors; my professors, the pleasures of education; and my friends, the rewards of companionship. As I chart a career in public policy, it is hard to think of better relationships, lessons, and skills for the future.
	Priyanka Nair India Mahindra UWC, India Lafayette College I have been curious about the multiple types of diseases that plague the human body as well as the ways in which the body defends itself. Along with coursework at Lafayette, I have helped to conduct several research projects. I have been fortunate to find my niche in cancer immunology, and I hope to go to graduate school to continue that study. In doing so, I hope to make a difference by alleviating disease and suffering in the world.
	Ramiro Nandez Acosta Uruguay Pearson UWC, Canada Macalester College Following my experience at UWC, the Davis scholarship enabled me to gain access to an outstanding education while also applying myself as a committed citizen. Throughout these years, I became involved in the field of medical research. I was able to pursue my passion for discovery and innovation while also engaging in projects that intend to improve quality of life. In the future, I plan to work at the interface of research and medicine, translating scientific discoveries into practical applications for social benefit.
	Sanval Nasim Pakistan UWC-USA Colby College I have gained a strong liberal arts education and established lasting friendships at Colby. As a continuum of the UWC, Colby provided an environment rich in diversity and challenging in its demands; my experiences have raised my level of intellectual prowess and social abilities. I thank my professors for their guidance, my friends for their support, and the Davis foundation for its philanthropy, as they have all contributed to my grounding. I leave Colby a more mature, knowledgeable, and content person.
	Husein Nasiro-Sigo Ethiopia UWC of the Adriatic, Italy Methodist University During an orientation game, some students thought I was a good runner and encouraged me to join the cross-country team. I am now the two-time USA South Athletic Conference Runner of the Year, the U.S. South/Southeast Region Division III Runner of the Year, and the region’s 2005 Athlete of the Year. With a degree in business administration and computer science, I hope to enroll in the MBA program at Methodist and to keep running. Maybe you’ll see me on an Olympic medal stand one day.
	Latif Nasser Canada Pearson UWC, Canada Dartmouth College In the last three years, I have seen vastly different landscapes, met a diverse set of interesting people, and played with new and old ideas. Every adventure followed and was followed by another seemingly disparate one. I hope that my life will continue to be as eventful and, dare I say, artful, in the years to come. I hope the same for you.
	Elisabeth Y. Ndour Senegal UWC-USA Harvard College Harvard has shaped me in a way that I would not have thought likely when I first arrived. The quality of my teachers and the caliber of the people (friends, different speakers) have significantly stretched my mind and made me a much more thoughtful, knowledgeable, and articulate person but also a much more humble one. College also has shaped my personality. This journey of discovery of the world of myself has given me a solid foundation, which will stay with me when I leave.
	Nomvula Kipsy Ndwandwe Swaziland Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Skidmore College Living life without purpose is like running a race without a finish line. While in Sydney on a study-abroad experience, I volunteered with Hillsong Church’s SHINE Girl program. Communicating worth, strength, and purpose to mainly Aboriginal teenage girls made me appreciate the power of kind words. The planted seeds will help these 15 girls navigate successfully from girlhood to womanhood. This experience changed my life; I plan to do the same for many Swazi and other African girls in the very near future.
	Nokwazi Ndzabandzaba Swaziland UWC of South East Asia, Singapore University of Richmond I have used this college opportunity to explore and learn a number of things through volunteering and taking part in student organizations. One of the most significant experiences was being part of the small group of African students who founded the first African Student Association on campus. Our aim is to educate and expose the UR community to different African cultures and African issues, while supporting worthwhile causes geared towards helping Africans.
	Itay Neeman Israel UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Brown University I have been a teaching assistant in computer science, economics, and persuasive communication courses and also have done volunteer work. I am preparing myself to understand where I can have the most benefit and also support campaigns for quality government in Israel.
	Mija Nenezic Montenegro UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Wellesley College I am a double major in economics and German studies; I’m writing a thesis on the multinational empire of the Habsburgs. I was abroad for a year in Vienna to study the language and work for a think-tank, the Austrian Institute for International Affairs. I also worked as the instructor for the NGO Safe Women’s House in Montenegro, which helps victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. I am planning to either venture into the financial world or attend graduate school in international relations.
	Kin Funf (Kevin) Ng Hong Kong Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Middlebury College Middlebury keeps me inspired and excited. The challenging curriculum, the caring professors, and the intellectual student body have shaped a unique experience for me. Middlebury’s flexible study-abroad program allowed me to pursue my goals in music in Berlin. I am most thankful to the Davises, who have made my Midd experience possible, my host family, my advisors in music, the German and economics departments, and Middlebury School in Germany. Their advice and encouragement mean a great deal to me.
	Brett Adam Nitchke Canada Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Princeton University My time in college has been productive and fun, and I think I owe much of that to the perspective I gained in Hong Kong. In the future, I hope to attend medical school and work with a non-profit organization for some years. Take care, and much love to everyone.
	Pattarapong Nitikarn Thailand UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Franklin and Marshall College Throughout my education, I was fortunate to meet people with talents and passion, to learn the differences, and to celebrate similarities. Every day has been a learning opportunity. I am thankful for the solid foundation that UWC built for me. To my fellow graduates: The most important thing is to figure out who you are and how you can best fit into the world without having to sacrifice the essence of who you are.
	Julio C. Noguera Venezuela Pearson UWC, Canada Westminster College Coming to Westminster from my UWC, I found myself in the middle of one of the least diverse and most conservative places in the United States. I learned quickly that, in order to survive, making a difference was not a choice but a necessity. Fortunately for me, Westminster’s intimate atmosphere made it easier to achieve positions of leadership. I leave convinced that, during my time here, positive strides have been made, and I am proud to have been part of them.
	Petra Norlund Sweden Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Macalester College My interest in the world and different cultures blossomed at Macalester College through my study of geography. Geography, and the department at Macalester have forced me to reconsider my preconceived notions of what global citizenship really entails and have given me valuable tools with which to further explore the world. I hope to work as a geographic information systems professional.
	Kamila Nowak Poland UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Bryn Mawr College I’ve always been fascinated by life in every single one of its forms. At Bryn Mawr, I majored in biology. I’ve engaged in research since my first year, and I am currently doing research in a molecular biology lab. The freedom of a liberal arts program allowed me to explore many new interests and to volunteer with local organizations. After college, I am planning to attend medical school.
	Natsai Nyakudarika Zimbabwe UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Princeton University Majoring in molecular biology has been a rewarding challenge that has helped me to better understand my strengths and weaknesses. Above all, this experience has provided me with the enthusiasm, the mindset, and the skills required to turn ideals into reality. Although the future is both unclear and daunting, I am certain that, armed with all that UWC and Princeton have taught me — the value of compassion, diversity, and giving back to society — I cannot, and will not, fail.