Loyola University Chicago

Photos: Gannon Scholars participated in the Bandana Project in Spring 2008 (left); Gannon Scholars help to mentor the Madonna Scholars (right).

Here’s what the 2008-09 Gannon Scholars have to say about themselves, their experiences at Loyola University Chicago, and what it means to be a Gannon.

Maheen Ahmad
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hobbies: Shopping, eating, napping, watching movies.
Something people should know about me:  love learning about the human body! I enjoy volunteering in women services at a local hospital. I am passionate about research in medicine and helping the sick. I hope to pursue a career in Medicine.

Annemarie Barrett
Year: Freshwoman
Major: Communications/Undeclared & Minor in Peace Studies
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hobbies: Music, coloring, drawing, painting, reading, writing, social justice activism, singing, dancing, watching the moon, staring at Lake Michigan and baseball
Something to know: I have a passion for nonviolence and I am working to mold that passion into a career
Being a Gannon Scholar: I am excited to spend this first year with the Gannon Scholars, learning, growing, and making an impact on our community

Hadjer Bounama
Year: Junior
Major: Molecular Biology
Minors: Arabic and French

Hadjer’s hobbies are traveling, speaking Arabic and French, progressive politics, tennis, cooking Middle Eastern food, bonding with her Gannon sisters at Metropolis, Mario Kart Wii, multi-tasking. Hadjer is passionate about humanistic and alternative medicine, women’s health, and the wonderful world of genetics. Hadjer is a mentor for African refugees at Pan-African Association and enjoys volunteering at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Hadjer is your future physician!   

Michelle D’Onofrio
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science & Women’s Studies
Being a Gannon Scholar has made a huge impact on my college experience.  I have become close to other fabulous women who are passionate about so many important issues. I hope to go on to work at a women’s rights organization in honor of everything the Gannon Scholars Program has taught me.

Maria Angelica DeGaetano
Year: Senior
Hometown: Maria lived in Central America for 13 years in Guatemala most of the time, and moved to San Francisco in 2000
Major: International Studies and Anthropology
Hobbies: Amnesty International, College Democrats, and international studies club
Something people should know about Maria Angelica: Maria hopes to go to law school where she wants to study international and human rights law. She spent her junior year studying abroad at the John Felice Rome Center.

Teresa Gloppen
Year: Junior
Majors: Sociology and Women's Studies and Gender Studies
Minors: Criminal Justice, Peace Studies, and Latin American Studies
Hometown: Fridley, MN

The Gannon Scholarship program has been an essential enrichment piece in my Loyola career. I enjoy being part of such a fantastic group of empowered women leaders who have dreams of changing the world. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, movies, exploring the city of Chicago, and watching baseball. When I grow up, I want to work with people. I hope my job, in some way, changes the world. Perhaps this world changing career will be as an immigration lawyer--only time will tell. Growing up may happen on several occasions as I have multiple dreams of being a lawyer, writer, teacher, and activist.

Devin Gosberry
Year: Freshwoman

Azkar Hussein
I'm Azkar Hussein, a freshman, and I’m studying pre-optometry. I like being a Gannon, because Gannons are unique in what they do... They are amazing young women leaders who care about women's issues, and not only that, but the community as well. Also the Gannon Scholars are all so nice, and distinctive. In my spare time, I like to read, spend time with friends and family, design, paint, play basketball, and swim. When I grow up, I want to become a successful optometrist, and help all those who "can’t afford to see, see," be it here and in foreign under-developed countries. I also hope to help those who are oppressed gain justice. Also, within the next four years, I would like to write my own book and have it published (God willing).

Victoria Kolbuck
Year: Sophomore
Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Cicero, IL
Hobbies: Painting, volunteering, swimming, bowling, writing
Something people should know about Victoria: Victoria is a die-hard Beatles fan.

Yjohanan "Hana" Kong
Year: Senior
Major: International Studies
Hometown: The World and Dayton, OH
Hobbies: General goofiness, chairing committees, watching foreign films, keeping herself busy
Something people should know about Hana: Hana is a general go-getter whose life is a wonderful mess. She is spending her final semester studying abroad in China.

Johanna Montoya
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Originally from Lima, Peru but lives in Villa Park
Major: Nursing/ with emphasis on International Studies
What I like to do in my spare time: I LOVE sports! Watch TV, read non-fiction and fictional books, watch documentaries about social issues or/and medical shows (The Discovery channels, National Geographic) watch tons of movies, and spend time with my friends!

I love being part of the Gannons because of the friendship and knowledge that I can obtain. The Gannons take great pride in helping women in the community around Loyola. I feel that the experiences that I am going to encounter by being part of the Gannons will empower me as a woman. In the future I hope to become a pediatric nurse with specialization in neonatal. I would like to join the Doctors Without Borders and travel to countries where medical aid is greatly needed. If I accomplish that in my lifetime I would be VERY HAPPY! =)

Nicole Paprocki
Nicole Paprocki is a sophomore not only studying Biology and Sociology, but also taking coursework across the curriculum through Loyola's Interdisciplinary Honors Program. She thoroughly enjoys the Gannon Scholar Leadership Program because it provides her with the unique opportunity to work with Loyola's women leaders and to learn from their diverse perspectives. In addition to being a Gannon Scholar, Nicole leads in organizations including the American Red Cross, AMSA, Amnesty International, and CARE. She also volunteers regularly at a women's clinic in Chicago. Nicole hopes to pursue an MD/MPH so that she can achieve her ultimate career goal: to bridge the healthcare gap for women in underdeveloped and developed countries worldwide.

Corey Portell
Year: Sophomore
Major(s): International Studies, Political Science, and Religious Studies
I love being a Gannon because of the incredible sphere of perspective it has added to my everyday college life, and I love these women!  I have no idea what career I would like to pursue, but at least I have my majors!  In my spare time I like to be outside, drink coffee, read, and be with the people I love!

Nicki Shamel
Nicki Shamel is starting her junior year this fall. She is pursuing degrees in both Music and Advertising & Public Relations and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She loves being Gannon Scholar because she is empowered by a diverse group of intelligent and supportive women. In her spare time she writes, plays and studies music. Nicki will miss this coming Chicago winter as she will be spending her spring semester abroad studying and volunteering in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing her studies, Nicki aspires to work in the Artist & Repertoire department of a record label.

Anna Springer
I am double-majoring in International Studies and Sociology and will be graduating in December of 2008. Right now I am hoping to go into some form of an international non-profit, possibly focused on women's rights advocacy or nonviolence. I like to spend my time catching up on current events, making up new and (sometimes) delicious recipes, or checking out fun restaurants and music venues in Chicago. While I'm looking forward to graduating, I will definitely miss being a part of the Gannons. They have challenged and supported me in ways that I never expected or will ever forget!

Margaret Stansbury
Year: Senior
Major: Social work
Hometown: River Forest, IL
Hobbies: Running, sewing

Ann Terrell
My name is Ann Terrell, and I’m from Batavia, Illinois. I’m a sophomore International Studies and Social Work double major, and am excitedly pursuing a Women’s Studies minor! Gannon has changed the way I carry myself; it has enabled me to understand myself as a female, not just a human being, and being able to call myself a women is an incredible honor. In my spare time, I like to enjoy any or all of the following: Painting, Hanson, anyone and anything from Minnesota, fresh produce, hip hop/the blues, The Vagina Monologues, other people. I think I can sum myself up with this quote from The Red Tent: “For a moment, I weighed the idea of keeping my secret and remaining a girl, but the thought passed quickly. I could only be what I was. And I was a woman."