Telling the Stories of Several Outstanding Members of U.Va.'s Class of 2010

May 7, 2010 — Between 30,000 and 35,000 people are expected to descend upon the University of Virginia Grounds on May 22 and 23 for graduation weekend.

Outgoing U.Va. President John T. Casteen III will give the commencement address at U.Va.'s 181st Final Exercises on May 23. He will speak on the Lawn following the traditional academic procession, which begins at 10 a.m.

David Baldacci, a 1986 graduate of the U.Va. School of Law and author of 19 political thrillers, including "Absolute Power," "The Whole Truth" and his latest, "Deliver Us From Evil," will give the valedictory address on May 22 at 11 a.m., also on The Lawn.

Below are the names of several outstanding members of U.Va.'s Class of 2010. Click to read their profiles.

— By Dan Heuchert

Cuban U.Va. Degree Candidate Lives the American Dream (Carlos Cueto)

Two Curry Graduates Ready to Teach in Bangladesh (Savanna Kuisle and Diane West)

For Benjamin Chrisinger, Sustainability is a Widely Encompassing Field

Injustice Drove Joey Katona to Pay a Friend's Tuition, and It Fuels His Future

Dawn Culpepper: Devoted to Mentoring Girls in Leadership

Ian Czekala Merges Engineering, Astronomy

Miller Heads to Medical School After Recovering From Near-Fatal Accident

Advocate for International Students Leaves Indelible Impact (Batkhuu Dashnyam)


The Graceful Engineer: U.Va. Student's Diverse Experiences Prepare Her for Challenges Ahead (Elizabeth Martin)

Iberedem Ekure: Versatile Engineering Student Headed to Wall Street

Wright's Omnivorous Mind Excels in Arts and Sciences (Madeleine Wright)

Stephanie Yawa de Wolfe Combines Leadership with Community and African Interests

Emily Corazon Nelson Expands the Definition of Art (with slideshow)

Undeterred by Deafness, Graduate Pursues Dream of Becoming a Doctor (Jasmine Saleh)

An Engineering Legacy: U.Va.'s Oldest Alum to See His Great-Grandson Follow in His Footsteps (Charles McMurdo and Matthew Vinson)

Clinical Rotation in Honduras Alters Outlook of Nursing School Graduate (Madeleine Gawne)

Making Sustainability a Reality: U.Va. Engineering Student Finds Focus After Break from Academics (Cara Magoon)

U.Va. Engineering Grad Takes Her Analytical Skills to Fashion and Finance (Brittany Williams)

Law School Grad Set to Join National Forest Service (Erin Thompson)

A Passion for Equal Access (Mary Nguyen)

Markowitz Serves Area with New Tennis Camp for Youths

Drama Graduate Lured by Law (Caroline Siobhan Ryon)

Turkey Beckons Architecture Student Jordan Matthews

Creative Writing Program Prepares Graduate for Life as a Poet (Jasmine Bailey)

Law School Grad Set to Join National Forest Service (Erin Thompson)

Environmental Student Leaves Legacy at University (Dan Michaelson)

Awake or Asleep, Julie Schiff Has Improved the Surrounding Community

Budding Polymath Rahul Gorawara Masters Business, Engineering and Public Policy

Yvonne Appea Develops Global Vision for Her Chosen Profession — Nursing


Art and Business Work Together for Allison Anderson McKee


Ashley McCormack Is a Light for Democratizing Environmentalism

Medicine Is Next Ministry for Rebecca Donald

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