Then and Now: Senior Reflections from the Class of 2019

What’s better than bookending your WPI years with a Prez selfie? Caitlyn Peterson and Amanda Alves hesitated to ask President Leshin for a photo because, you know, she’s the president. “Amanda and I made a choice to ask after a little deliberation about it, but we both knew we wouldn’t regret it,” says Peterson. Alves agrees. “I was anxious about starting my first year of college as a woman in STEM,” she says. “But seeing President Leshin’s accomplishments and her personality and willingness to really interact with the students was so inspiring … hopefully one day I can inspire girls to get involved in STEM the way President Leshin helped me!”

Friends from the very start, this trio of Jennifer Whelehan, Kyle Hanlon, and Laura Sawin now consider themselves "part of a growing fam. I'd say that not all that much has changed—we've all just gotten a lot busier,” says Whelehan. “These two have been a huge part of what has made WPI my home. I'm excited to see how our relationship continues even after graduation.” With close support from the fam, they thrived. “Back then I was more introverted and didn’t really have a plan,” Hanlon says. “My time at WPI helped me become more of an extrovert and take ownership of my own path in life. I’ve become more sure of what I want.”

As an international student, Carla Romo had been nervous about meeting new people when she started school. Her fears were short-lived as she quickly met new friends, including Jess Walsh, Katie Williamson, Ermina Damlamayan, and Anastasia Karapanagou, all of whom she’s remained close with to this day. “My friends have been my family away from home and my support system these past four years,” she says. “... I am grateful that I was able to make strong bonds early into college that I know will remain strong for many years.”

Caroline Johnston and Melissa Galgano were first roommates during Frontiers, which they both participated in the summer before their senior year of high school, and they’ve been college roommates and close friends ever since. “I feel so lucky to have been able to grow with these people throughout my four years at WPI,” Johnston says. “To be able to say, ‘Remember that time freshman year...;’ and reminisce together is truly a special experience.”

Trung Tran Trong and fellow international students Shreeja Bhattacharjee, Nicol Garcia, and Andy Ng saved most of their shopping for move-in day (and honestly, there’s never not enough time for a quick selfie with new friends). “My friends helped me open my eyes to new opportunities," says Trong, "and they supported me through the best and the worst of times … Andy, Shreeja, and Nicol have been the encouragement I’ve needed to do my best at WPI.”