Dahlia Kronfli
University of Maryland, College Park Scholarship
University of Maryland, College Park Circle
Dahlia Kronfli, a 2017 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, received a Bachelor of Science with majors in physiology and neurobiology and a minor in Spanish language and culture.
Throughout her undergraduate experiences in shadowing physicians, mentoring students, and volunteering in Washington D.C., Dahlia enjoyed the humanistic aspect of getting to know each person. From organizations such as Terrapin Beats Society to her involvement as advertising director of the American Medical Students Association, her dedication never wavered.
During Dahlia’s year away from academia, she became the chief medical scribe in the Emergency Department of her hometown community hospital, further developing her love of clinical medicine and getting firsthand experience of the demands of leadership in the workplace. Through all of these interactions, she knew that she wanted a career in which she could not only pursue science and develop relationships but also apply those understandings to offer personal, comprehensive medical care. In August, Dahlia started her M.D. degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her goal is to become a physician who embraces clinical care with consideration of a patient’s social, economic, and mental concerns.
Ali Lannom
Scott R. Goodale Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Tennessee Technological University Circle
Ali Lannom, former vice president of the Tennessee Tech Circle, graduated with a degree in exercise science and physical wellness: pre-occupational therapy in December 2017.
During her time at Tech, Ali was active on campus – promoting leadership, innovation, and community involvement. Ali served as the student coordinator of New Student and Family Programs, developer of a luer-lock medical chest tube device, and campus chairperson of Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinics where she organized statewide free medical care to underserved populations. These accomplishments led her to be recognized with the university’s highest honor – the 2018 Presidential Everett Derryberry Award.
Ali is enrolled in Huntington University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. She is interested in specializing in hand therapy and hopes to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). She also has aspirations to start a non-profit to help educate developing countries on how to work with people with disabilities to increase their independence and quality of life. Ali attributes her success in leadership and professional development to the values instilled in her through Omicron Delta Kappa.
Ashley Leeds
Foundation Scholarship
Rider University Circle
During her undergraduate career at Rider University, Ashley Leeds was
an active executive board member in the Leadership Development Program, and she is currently serving at the Mental Health Caucus at Columbia University. In addition, she was vice president of Hillel at Rider. She served as the secretary of Alpha Lambda Delta, a first-year student honor society. Ashley was also the community ambassador for her school’s Odyssey Chapter, an online national writing platform for college students, as well as an ambassador for the university’s library.
Currently, Ashley is involved as the college liaison for the Arc of Mercer, a nonprofit organization that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to interact with collegiate volunteers.
As an involved student and president of O∆K during several of her undergraduate years, Ashely understands that Omicron Delta Kappa provides community-oriented aspects. She will eternally hold onto her experiences of being in Omicron Delta Kappa through being awarded this scholarship, which serves as a crucial stepping stone to begin her next chapter of graduate education as a Columbia University School of Social Work Graduate School student.
Charlotte McFaddin
Foundation Scholarship
Hillsdale College Circle
University of Virginia, School of Law, J.D. In May, Charlotte McFaddin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in finance from Hillsdale College where she served as treasurer for O∆K. Literacy advocacy played an integral role in her collegiate career and represents an issue she hopes to continue supporting after earning her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia.
While in O∆K, Charlotte coordinated a literacy fundraiser benefiting the public high school in her college town. Partnering with a local coffee shop, members of O∆K met with teachers and promoted an all-day coffee and literacy fundraiser. Outside of O∆K, Charlotte’s service as chapter president of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, allowed Charlotte to lead her sisters in literacy advocacy. In 2017, her sorority surpassed previous years’ fundraising goals, partnered with other chapters to donate more than 25,000 books to community organizations in Detroit, and supported a public elementary school by reading with children.
After graduation from law school, whether through her career or pro-bono work, Charlotte hopes to continue advocating for education through community organizations or at the policy level.
Madison Nguyen
Foundation Scholarship
University of Richmond Circle
Madison Nguyen served as president of the Epsilon Circle at the University of Richmond and graduated in May 2018, receiving a Bachelor of Science with majors in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in healthcare studies. During her time as circle president, Madison sought to improve the transparency and equity of the member selection process.
At Richmond, Madison also acted as the vice president of member development for her sorority, volunteered with Church Hill Activities and Tutoring as well as RVA Reads, served on the University’s Honor Council, worked as a writing consultant, wrote and edited articles for the campus healthcare magazine “Osmosis,” and performed and presented biochemistry research on the mutagenic effect of various enzymes during genetic replication.
Madison began her Doctor of Medicine studies at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in July 2018. She is looking forward to blending her knowledge of the natural sciences, healthcare, and medicine and is particularly interested in performing translational research that she can explain in depth to her future patients.
Cody Sain
Foundation Scholarship
University of Tennessee-Knoxville Circle
Cody Sain graduated from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville in 2018 with a major in microbiology and a minor in Africana studies. Admitted to the university’s Haslam Scholars Program, Cody focused on service-learning, community leadership, the pursuit of knowledge through research, and civic engagement during his undergraduate career. He worked across campus to support students as a resident assistant, a tutor through the Student Success Center, and as the Honors and Scholars Programs Chair on the Provost Student Advisory Council. In the community, Cody volunteered at local University-Assisted Community Schools through the Clinic VOLS program teaching science experiments during Science Saturday and developing and organizing local community school public health fairs.
Cody served his circle as president, and he established the formation of the Honors and Scholars Multicultural Inclusion Council to support and retain minority and diverse students. For his undergraduate research, Cody worked in a microbiology and virology lab where he studied the involvement of neutrophils in cytomegalovirus dissemination and pathogenesis. In the fall of 2018, Cody began pursuing his M.D. at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in aspirations of becoming an anesthesiologist or entering the field of palliative medicine.
Andrea Sajewski
Foundation Scholarship
Duquesne University Circle
Andrea Sajewski was a biomedical engineering and mathematics major and secretary of her circle at Duquesne University. She has been involved in image processing research at Duquesne, applying mathematical theory to medical image data. In the summers, she has been an MRI research assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and an engineering intern for GE Healthcare, designing and testing MRI surface coils.
As a member of O∆K, Andrea helped plan Professor Appreciation Day, Senior Celebration, and a campus-wide fundraising event for the Women’s Shelter of Pittsburgh. She was also president of her section of the Society of Women Engineers, a member of Flute Choir, and an active participant in Start-PLAY Hackers, a campus group of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and biomedical engineering students who modify electronic toys for children with disabilities. As part of Start-PLAY Hackers, she organized a Build-a-Thon, a soldering workshop for freshmen engineering majors, and several fundraisers.
Michael Schulte
Foundation Scholarship
Creighton University Circle
Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Michael Schulte graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2017. He was inducted into the Creighton University Circle in 2015 where he served as co-president his junior year and as president during his senior year. Through these positions, O∆K taught him a great deal about leadership and gave him the opportunity to work with others as a member of a team to plan programs and lead an organization. Michael remembers the many lessons he’s learned about organization, communication, and perseverance while organizing a Christmas gift drive for a struggling family. His other involvements included serving as a public relations officer for the athletics pep band, a tutor for the local Boys and Girls Club, and a mentor for at-risk middle school aged youth through a community outreach organization.
He is currently a second-year medical student at Creighton University School of Medicine. His passion for medicine lies in working with others to improve their health while being a source of support and understanding. Michael’s interest lies in the field of family medicine because he believes holistic, long-term doctor-patient relationships and preventative medicine provide the greatest promise of healthy, fulfilling lives for patients.
