Curb Scholars

Keith Berquist, Calistoga, CA

Expected majors: Economics and contemporary music

Keith envisions a career combining his passions for music and economics. Keith pioneered a blues guitar program for underprivileged youth in downtown San Francisco, and organized a benefit concert—Rock 2 Relief—to raise money for a young, non-profit organization.  Keith managed his school’s varsity football team, was a member of the San Francisco Boys’ Chorus, and participated in theatre productions.

Hannah Berke, Salt Lake City, UT

Proposed majors: Neuroscience and Art History

Hannah Berke is passionate about researching and solving endocrine disorders–especially those related to diabetes and obesity.  Hannah has volunteered at a medical clinic for underinsured and at a hands-on lab program at the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Hannah couples this work with entrepreneurial pursuits in the arts–founding a film internship at the Salt Lake Film Society and editing and writing on independent music and fashion for her school newspaper.

Natalie Coker, Tampa, FL

Expected majors: Engineering Science (Concentration: Engineering Management)

Natalie Coker is a midshipman at Vanderbilt University’s renowned Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program.  As one of our country’s future officers, she hopes to bring new ideas, energies, and perspectives to help solve the many challenges the Navy faces around the world.  Natalie is pursuing a BS in Engineering Science and a minor in Creative Enterprise, and is helping bring the DIY Science and Technology Maker’s Faire to Vanderbilt and the Nashville community.

Karissa Deiter, Indianapolis, IN

Expected majors: Human and Organizational Development, film studies, and English

My first year of college was transformative for me in that I realized that the pursuit of knowledge, open-mindedness, creativity, and awareness are the keys to unlocking the enormous potential that lies within every person. Throughout the year I was continually awed by the abundance of knowledge available, along with the rewards that learning yields: passion, individualism, understanding, honesty, and a feeling of not only being alive but being “awake”. I, myself, enjoy life the most the most when I am up and about, moving around, and trying new things that keep me in this engaged state. Through the achievement of a degree in Human and Organizational Development, along with involvement in creative enterprise, art, dance, and film programs, I hope to learn ways by which I can help others reap a similar degree of inspiration through learning about the world and oneself, especially through artistic expression. I plan to establish an organization at Vanderbilt through which student volunteers can serve as artistic mentors for middle school children, similar to the likes of the Big Brother/Big Sister program, in hopes of encouraging the children and student’s own personal growth through individual expression.

Daniel Eubanks, Germantown, TN

Expected majors: Economics and mathematics

In the past year I’ve discovered the common thread that unites all of my sometimes seemingly unrelated interests: I’m drawn to the idea of connectivity and interrelated systems. In economics, one change in any part of the economy can cause a cascade of events that can lead to big changes for everyone. In mathematics, a small change in an initial condition or variable can alter the whole system. Likewise, the roots of modern events can be traced through history. Small events in the past can echo through the centuries and culminate in events that shape humanity. The same fascination with inter-connectivity explains my passion for travel and engaging with foreign cultures. Nothing happens independently; everything fits into a larger framework.

Activities/Hobbies: Juggling (Vanderbilt Juggleville); oboe (Memphis Youth Symphony, etc.); travel (People to People Student Ambassador)

James Gillin, Livonia, NY

Expected major: Computer Science

My time at Vanderbilt so far has been extremely rewarding. It was scary at first when I realized I would have to work extremely hard to pass my classes, but as my study habits developed I’ve been reaping the rewards of good work as reflected in my test grades. I came here with the idea that I should join a bunch of organizations and try a bunch of things to figure out what I like, and that has worked really well. I trained as a DJ at WRVU first semester, and now I’m a DJ with my own show and a music director at the station. I volunteered with Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science for a semester, and I plan on doing it in the future. I also got pulled into the Slant (satire periodical) on activity fair day by some wise-cracking writers and I’ve been writing for it as time allowed all year. I’m doing my best to have lots of fun with my organizations and to balance that with hard work within my major, as I hope to be a digital entrepreneur before or after I graduate. I’m excited for where my exploits will take me, and for the future of the Curb center as the program continues to grow and Vanderbilt becomes a creative campus.

2009-2010 Activities: WRVU 91.1 FM, Musical Director & DJ; The Slant

Caitlyn Le, Dallas, TX

Proposed majors: English and Biological Sciences

An award-winning poet and pianist, Caitlyn Le flourishes when harnessing her creative skills and interests to benefit others.  As Co-President of her high school debate team and regular volunteer at CC Young Retirement Home, Caitlyn fostered a sense of community within her surroundings by expressing ideas and encouraging collaboration.  Caitlyn is the Founder of Art and Soul, a community service club that brings students together to produce and donate handcrafted items for the local Children’s Hospital.

Madeline Mooney, Lexington, KY

Proposed majors: Neuroscience and theater

Madeline Mooney’s drive and talent led her to be chosen to play the lead (male) role in Twelve Angry Men as a freshman, her very first dramatic play.  Since then, theatre has provided Madeline the space to experiment and stretch beyond her comfort zone.  Having danced her entire life and having performed in over a dozen plays, Madeline has worked passionately to promote the arts in the state of Kentucky.  At Vanderbilt, she seeks to integrate interests in theatre and neuroscience.

Maria Hibbard, Gahanna, OH

Expected majors: Musical Arts and  Human & Organizational Development, with a minor in piano

I am a junior in the Blair School of Music, majoring in musical arts (bassoon focus) and minoring in piano performance. I’m also completing a second major in Peabody College in Human and Organizational Development (public policy focus). Over my past two and a half years at Vanderbilt, I’ve constantly looked for ways to combine my two majors, and I’ve enjoyed working with groups across campus, including Pencil Projects, Versus, Great Performances, the Undergraduate Honor Council, and working as a freshman RA. Being involved in the programs at the Curb Center, however, has been one of the most challenging and exciting experiences of my time at Vanderbilt, and the process has helped me harness my diverse interests into a more defined direction. Currently, my dual interests have combined in my focus on information policy and digital music, and I’m working on initiating a chapter of Students for Free Culture at Vanderbilt, a national student organization that advocates for digital rights. In the coming year, I am excited about focusing my interests in a future career and continuing my involvement the Curb Center as the Creative Enterprise and Public Leadership program grows.

Danielle Morrison, Farmington Hills, MI

Expected majors: Biological Sciences and Spanish

Danielle seeks to be a reconstructive plastic surgeon and dedicate her life to creating new lives for children with birth defects and accident victims. Danielle is a scuba diver and student pilot, design editor-in-chief of her school yearbook, and an award-winning flautist and pianist.

A. Sanders

Expected majors: Neuroscience and philosophy

Amethyst seeks to develop a career in Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences.  In addition to exploring the interplay between the brain, perception, and philosophy, Amethyst’s passions include music—she is an award-winning violinist—and writing poetry and creative fiction.  Amethyst shares her love of performing music with young children at the child development center of a local airforce base.

Branden Sanders, Riverdale, NY

Expected major:  Economics

As I continue along the paths of my economics and independent entertainment business majors, I am also pursuing various extracurricular activities. I am currently putting the finishing touches on the yet-to-be-named recording studio in the Curb Center, where I plan to work with some of the various young musical talents in Nashville that reside on and off campus. I am also a member of the Music Group, the student organization responsible for producing the popular musical performances at Vanderbilt. Our successful fall “Quake” show featured Snoop Dogg, Passion Pitt and B.o.B, and we are now in the midst of determining acts for the “Rites of Spring” festival. Last summer I interned for Violator Management/Brand Asset Group, and this summer I hope to return to the same, or a similar, company.

Anjelica Saulsberry, Memphis, TN

Proposed majors: Medicine Health and Society and Molecular and Cellular Biology

Anjelica Saulsberry aspires to work in neonatology.  She developed a passion in this field through extensive volunteer work at the LeBonheur Children’s hospital.  She is currently conducting lab research in the Experimental Hematology Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the Sickle Cell Internship sponsored by the NIH.  Anjelica is a competitive Varsity Tennis player, tv reporter/producer, and Hugh O’Brian Female Leader of the Year.

William Schreiber, Mountain Brook, AL

Expected majors:   Economics, history, and communication studies

It is not the knowledge you absorb, the tests you may ace, the material you understand, or the textbooks you read that make you brilliant; instead, true genius lies behind the creation of something new, something unique. Dreaming beyond classroom material, thinking of things that have never been, and making it a goal to go out and accomplish those tasks is the true form of contribution and learning. It is my goal to go beyond what already exists in everything I undertake; I have the entrepreneurial bug to create systems, businesses, and art from scratch to try and improve upon what we already know. This mindset has led me to start my own business, Bus Productions, LLC, which designs and produces t-shirts and websites; I have joined with fellow scholar Branden Sanders to create a new recording studio and music club on campus; as a member of VSG, I am working on re-launching the current Vandy Vans system by overhauling the logo and adding features such as GPS tracking; and I am working to develop a new social network that will redefine how we utilize email.

Ben Shane, Springfield, IL

Proposed majors: Philosophy and English

Ben Shane is an award-winning comedy writer and actor, and developing dramatic actor.  He enjoys improvisation and novelty in all walks of life, and was founder of the Easily Amused Teen Improv Troupe (E.A.T.I.T.), which holds comedy shows to benefit local charities.  Ben was an attorney on the Illinois State Champion Mock Trial team, which placed 12th nationally.  He also invigorated his school’s chess club and tumbled with a competitive cheerleading squad.

Harrison Shapley, Western Springs, IL

Expected majors: Computer Engineering, with a minor in Film Studies

Harrison Shapley, a rising junior, seeks to push the limits of technology and its integration with the world, exploring the intersection of computers with music, art, games, and community. Harrison helped start an organization at Vanderbilt focused on the One Laptop Per Child initiative, and recently finished working on a research project exploring the capabilities of smartphones, including using an aggregate of smartphones to create a cloud. Harrison’s hobbies and interests include music production, remixing, and DJing, video editing and animation, visual performance, and interactive art, programming, and urban culture.

Melinda Shearer, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Expected majors: Business, environmental resources, and psychology

As one can see from my multiple expected majors, I do not have a clear idea of what I want to major in, because my interests are very diverse. I like chemistry and am very passionate about protecting the environment, but I also enjoy economics and giving back to the community. In order to explore my interests, I have joined Vanderbilt Students Volunteering for Science, Habitat for Humanity, and Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative. Through VSVS, I help inspire kids to think about science as a possible career path through fun and interesting experiments, as well as get them excited about college. And I love that feeling of accomplishment you get after a hard day’s work on a house with Habitat for Humanity. With VBI, I convert coking oil into biodiesel fuel that is then used in numerous machines around campus. I also love to play piano. My goal is to experience as many different activities as possible in order to broaden my horizons!

2009-2010 Activities: Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science; Habitat for Humanity; Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative

Caleb Umlauf, Wausau, WI

Expected majors: English, art, and secondary education

Caleb wants to be a storyteller—using film, creative writing and illustration. Caleb has started a t-shirt design company, is an Ambassador in a “Safe School” program to reduce bullying among students, and is a member of the Youth Rotary Club.

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