Archives

Annelisea M. Brand ’21

Title: Information and Digital Asset Manager
Company: World Monuments Fund
Graduate School: Columbia University – Museum Anthropology

Annelisea Brand, class of 2021, earned her B.A. in anthropology from Wooster before obtaining her master’s in museum anthropology from Columbia University. Following her time at Columbia, she joined the World Monuments Fund, where she currently serves as the information and digital asset manager. Her strong sense of civic and social responsibility can be seen through her passion to protect, preserve, and promote culturally significant monuments across the globe. Annelisea’s dedication to partnering with diverse communities, cultures, and people reflects her deep commitment to lifelong learning and global engagement.

Recognition Year: 2025

Gabe Wasylko ’19

Title: Sr. Social Media Manager
Company: Destination Cleveland
Graduate School: Case Western Reserve University – MBA

Gabe graduated with a B.A. in political science and earned his master’s in business from Case Western Reserve University. After receiving his masters, Gabe began working as a creative services coordinator for a major league baseball team. When COVID hit and stadiums closed, Gabe took this as an opportunity to challenge himself and try something new. His goal? Post one picture every day. And so began his passion for capturing life’s precious moments. Now, as a Senior Manager of Social Media for Destination Cleveland, Gabe uses his talent to promote Cleveland. He communicates Cleveland’s unique cultures, communities, and traditions, through his photography, providing a glimpse into all that this amazing city has to offer.

Recognition Year: 2025

Susannah Montgomery ’15

Title: Business Development Manager
Company: EIT Culture & Creativity
Graduate School: The Ohio State University – Arts Policy and Administration

Susannah Montgomery, class of 2015, received a B.A. in religious studies and sociology and went on to earn her master’s in arts policy and administration from The Ohio State University. As a business development manager at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Culture & Creativity branch, Susannah uses art and technology to explore the various challenges facing today’s society. For example, Susannah created an exhibit that examined how the intersectionality of technology, communication, and media can influence politics and shape democracy. Throughout her career, Susannah has utilized her dynamic and interdisciplinary liberal arts education to create transformative art that takes a new approach to how we understand and address society’s most pressing issues.

Recognition Year: 2025

Bailey Bowers ’17

Title: Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Company: Oberlin College
Graduate School: Carnegie Mellon University – Ph.D. Chemistry

Bailey Bowers, class of 2017, received her B.S. in chemistry from Wooster and continued her education at Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned a Ph.D. in chemistry. Bailey’s ability to inspire the next generation of scientists has been evident ever since her time as a STEM tutor here at the college. Bailey continues to share that same passion with her students today. As an assistant professor of chemistry at Oberlin College, Bailey is dedicated to shaping students into future leaders. Her impact goes beyond the classroom. Working alongside students, Bailey challenges them to consider the broader impact chemistry has on society, specifically the environment.

Recognition Year: 2025

Stephanie Sugars ’15

Title: Senior Reporter, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker
Company: Freedom of the Press Foundation
Graduate School: New York University – MA, Journalism and MA, International Relations

Stephanie graduated with a B.A. in international relations and anthropology and later received a master’s in both journalism and international relations from New York University. Stephanie has traveled all over the world, from Serbia to Bosnia to Kosovo, igniting a passion to use her voice to cover human rights and identity politics. By immersing herself in the field, Stephanie has learned multiple languages and gained an authentic understanding of the cultures and communities she reports on. Today, Stephanie has shifted her focus to U.S. politics and is serving as a Senior Reporter at Freedom of the Press Foundation in New York City.

Recognition Year: 2025

Sujith Sajan

Hometown Chicago, Illinois Why Wooster The staff and faculty are genuinely invested in each student’s academic, personal, and professional growth. There is a real sense […]

Patrick T. Mohorcic ’18

Title: Executive Director
Company: Lake Development Authority
Graduate school: Cleveland State University – Master of Public Administration-MPA, Public Financial Management

Patrick Mohorcic, class of 2018, graduated with a B.A. in political science and earned a master’s in public financial management from Cleveland State University. At Wooster, Patrick was a leader, an APEX Fellow, Tour Guide, and Captain of the Football Team. Now, Patrick is a leader for Lake County, Ohio where he leverages his roles as Executive Director of Lake Development Authority and City Councilman to drive business development and economic growth. Additionally, Patrick serves on the board of numerous non-profits that invest in leadership and workforce development programs. Through these initiatives, Patrick’s impact extends beyond economic development and invests directly in the people of Lake County.

Recognition Year: 2025

Katie Gable

Leslie Walker

Melissa Hartman

Ally Conlon

Degrees B.A. Media & Society & Minors in Public Policy and Entrepreneurial Studies, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Samuel Peppers ’25

INVOCATION SPEAKER: Samuel Peppers ’25 is a political science major and religious studies minor from Roanoke, Virginia. While at the College, he has been on the board of multiple clubs, including serving as president of Model UN, and holding positions in the Jewish Student Organization, and the Slavic, Eastern European, and Central Asian Culture Club. He pursued interests in music, religious studies, and Middle Eastern politic, and economic sanctions have been a focal point of his studies. His Independent Study focused on authoritarian governments’ responses to sanctions. After graduation, he will be moving to Washington, D.C. 

Rev. Matthew E. Davis

BENEDICTION SPEAKER: A parent to Wooster students in the classes of 2024 and 2025, Rev. Matthew Davis is pastor at Mendocino Presbyterian Church, a historic carpenter gothic style church serving its community in Northern California since the 1850s. Leading the congregation for the last ten years, Rev. Davis has built upon a traditional worship with a leadership development approach focused on “giving thanks” and “blessing.”

He sees ministry as an invitation to build community, sharing one’s gifts exploring God’s world and making a difference, whether by hiking the Grand Canyon with students “Looking at Life with God from the Top-Down and the Bottom-Up” or confronting the devastating wildfires in California by developing a herd of 80 goats and sheep called “Holy Goats: Your Fire Prevention Angels.” When band was cut at the local public school because of lack of funding, he introduced a classical guitar program that has enabled over 400 students to learn how to read music and play music at a high level.

Davis earned his master’s degree in divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1997 and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in anthropology and religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis in 1993. His son Hudson Davis ’24 majored in geology at Wooster, and Drew Skylar Davis ’25 is a communications studies major with a minor in environmental studies.

Karmellah Buttler ’25

Karmellah Buttler, a physics major from Canton, Ohio, supports fellow students as a STEM Zone intern, sings a cappella with Round of Monkeys, and participates in Astronomy Club and Physics Club. Serving as a research assistant in earth sciences and physics, she coauthored a study investigating the inside-out galaxy disk formation theory with Laura DeGroot, assistant professor of physics. For her senior I.S., Buttler contributed to the next phase of development in a long-running project in physics at the College, researching avalanches in a conical bead pile, a critical system that applies to broader ideas like landslides or earthquakes. Buttler plans to pursue graduate studies in atmospheric science after a gap year.

Rayan Dos Passos ’25

Rayan Dos Passos, a global & international studies and Spanish major from Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brazil, has served in numerous leadership roles at Wooster, including as a residential assistant, class representative, orientation leader, and senior intern and tour guide with the Office of Admissions. He participates in Model UN, Club Soccer, Latinas Unidas, and Jenny Investment Club. He has been previously recognized as a Kendall-Rives American Research Fellowship recipient. Through his Independent Study, Dos Passos examined the political economy of U.S. bilateral food aid and its impact on trade and welfare in Mexico. He plans to pursue graduate studies in international economics or global development.

Mesky Bhrane

Meskerem “Mesky” Brhane ’89 is the regional director for the planet department in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the World Bank, where she leads the formulation of the bank’s strategy, engagements, and all lending, technical assistance, partnerships, and policy advisory work for sustainable development across the region. Her portfolio covers a broad range of areas, including agriculture and food, climate change, environment, natural resources, the blue economy, social sustainability and inclusion, and water. Brhane oversees a lending portfolio of $8 billion serving nearly 300 million people and leads a team of 120 professionals across Washington, D.C. and 10 country offices.

With over 25 years of experience in international development and poverty alleviation, Brhane has worked in the Middle East, East Asia, South Asia, and Africa, shaping sustainable development initiatives in diverse country contexts. Prior to her current role, she held several key leadership positions in urban development, resilience, disaster risk management, and land administration. She served as practice manager for the World Bank’s urban development, resilience, and land initiatives in West and East Africa and South Asia, as well as program leader for Sustainable Development in Nairobi, Kenya, where she pioneered the Bank’s engagement in regions that are left behind from development. Additionally, she was a senior urban development specialist, leading operations and policy dialogues on housing, local economic development, urban upgrading, municipal management, and municipal service delivery in East Asia and MENA.

At Wooster, Brhane majored in English and French and credits her liberal arts education for preparing her for each step on her path to a successful career in international development. After graduating from the College, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English in Paris and earned her doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago. After two post-doctoral research and teaching positions, Brhane started working at the World Bank in 2004. Fluent in Amharic, and French and speaking Arabic, Brhane’s global expertise and leadership continue to make a significant impact in sustainable development worldwide, particularly in advancing initiatives that aim to eradicate poverty and promote economic resilience.

Abhinav Randive

Hometown: Mumbai, IndiaAcademic Interest: MathematicsOn-Campus Activities: Chess, Scot Council, Jenny Investment ClubAdditional Language: Hindi,Urdu

Josie Fleischel

Hometown: Chicago, ILAcademic Interest: Global Media & Digital StudiesOn-Campus Activities: College of Wooster Dance Company, Woo-91, O-Huddle House

Yajas Kandel

Academic Interests: Computer Science and Environmental Studies On-Campus Activities: Club Soccer, Table Tennis, SE Asia Committee Additional Language: Nepal

Allison Osei-Okrah

*Studying abroad Fall 2025 Academic Interests: Communications and EconomicsOn-Campus Activities: Student Leadership Institute, Resident Assistant, PeerAdvisor