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Class of 2009
College of Arts and Science
Intended Major: Sociology
Hometown: Tariffville, CT
In 2001, Christen’s passion for service was inspired when she rose over $3500 for the World Trade Center Disaster relief fund to help children affected by 9/11. Throughout her high school experience, Christen continued to serve her community in connection to the American Cancer Society, the American Reading Corps, the Anti-Defamation League and several music organizations.
At Vanderbilt, Christen has been fortunate enough to experience more eye-opening service opportunities. She now enjoys working each week with children at the House of Mercy, a transitional home where single mothers recovering from drug and alcohol addictions can live together with their children as they recover. After co-organizing the Expressions dance program on campus with her fellow Ingram scholar Gabe Hemphill, she is now transitioning and organizing the program herself this year.
This fall, she has also started a caroling group on campus. All money that is raised by the group will go towards buying presents for children that frequent the Nashville Loaves & Fishes at the holidays. She is also philanthropy chair for her sorority this year. Christen looks forward to coordinating the annual fall Fashion Show to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as continue service endeavors throughout the year with her sisters.
The service atmosphere provided by Vanderbilt’s campus and particularly the Ingram Scholarship program is motivating and exciting. Service has always been an important part of maintaining balance in Christen’s life. As an Ingram Scholar, she is grateful for the experiences this program has already added to her life and can recognize that the possibilities ahead of her are endless. Christen would add that finally, as an Ingram Scholar, she could not ask to be surrounded by a more passionate group of young people who are truly certain to change this world.
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