Paving The Way 2012 Pre-Orientation Staff
Erik Farley '03
Associate Dean of Students & Director of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs
Major: History
Hometown: Warrensville Heights, OH
Philosophy on Life: "The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think – rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men.” (John Dewey)
Interesting Fact: I used to skateboard. I will be picking it back up this summer!
Favorite Food: curry, pepper, crushed red pepper.
Mark Anthony Arceño '10 (Albion College)
Program Coordinator of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs
Majors: French and International Studies (regional focus: Africa)
Hometown: Southfield, MI
Philosophy on Life: Ukuhamba kukufunda. (isiXhosa for "Travelling is learning.")
Interesting Fact: I started self-teaching myself the French language when I was in the fourth grade; today, I’m self-teaching myself German and Esperanto.
Favorite Food: bacon, cheese, and dark chocolate.
Michelle Agunloye ‘14
Ambassador
Major: Sociology/Anthropology
Hometown: Lynwood, IL
Philosophy on Life: Life is difficult, frustrating, unbearable at times, but life is also beautiful and worth living.
“We don’t see the world the way it is, we see it the way we are.” (Anais Nin)
Interesting Fact: I went to a boarding high school.
Favorite Food: banana bread; cayenne pepper, curry, and black pepper.
Diana P. Argueta ‘13
Ambassador
Major: Dance and Environmental Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Philosophy on Life: When you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.
Interesting Fact: I am the first Dance and Environmental Studies major in the history of Denison University.
Favorite Food: steak, rice, lemon.
Robert Barry ‘13
Ambassador
Major: Psychology and Black Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Interesting Fact: I broke my ankle while dancing.
Philosophy on Life: "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." (Invictus, William Ernest Henley)
Favorite Food: baked mac and cheese.
Talia Brock ‘13
Ambassador
Major: English Literature and Spanish/LACS concentration
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Philosophy on Life: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." (Oscar Wilde)
“There can be no racial animosity, because there are no races. The theorist and feeble thinkers string together and warm over the bookshelf races which the well-disposed observer and the fair-minded traveller vainly seek in the justice of Nature where man's universal identity springs forth from triumphant love and the turbulent huger for life. The soul, equal and eternal, emanates from bodies of different shapes and colors. Whoever foments and spreads antagonism and hate between the races, sins against humanity.” (Our America, José Martí)
Interesting Fact: I can wiggle my ears.
Favorite Food: ground pepper.
Kevin Dao ‘15
Ambassador
Major: Communication
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Philosophy on Life: "Live simply so others can simply live." (Gandhi)
Interesting Fact: I love to dance (break dance).
Favorite Food: olives, chicken, oranges.
Jermaine L. Ellis ‘13
Ambassador
Major: Dance
Hometown: Boston, MA
Philosophy on Life: You’ll never know what will happen until you try.
Interesting Fact: I never knew I was an artist. I found out from others that I’m talented.
Favorite Food: ice cream!!!
José García ‘14
Ambassador
Major: Communication; Spanish and Education minor
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Philosophy on Life: 30 years from now it won’t matter what shoes you wore, how your hair looked, or the jeans you bought. What will matter is what you learned and how u used it.
Interesting Fact: I write with my left hand, but throw with my right.
Favorite Food: tortillas, chili, carne asada (steak).
Marissa Gilbert ‘15
Ambassador
Major: International Studies and Economics
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Philosophy on Life: “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” (Oscar Wilde)
Interesting Fact: I have part of the bone from my shin in m kneecap.
Favorite Food: noodles, Alfredo sauce, coconut.
Kai Kyles ‘15
Ambassador
Major: Sociology/Anthropology, Environmental Studies, and Black Studies
Hometown: Shaker Heights, OH
Philosophy on Life: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” (Mariane Williamson)
Interesting Fact: I escorted the South African Archbishop of Capetown (Desmond Tutu) at a dance performance when I was 6 years old.
Favorite Food: tortilla chips and salsa.
Brittane Maddox ‘14
Ambassador
Major: Sociology/Anthropology and Educational Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Philosophy on Life: “You are better than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Interesting Fact: I have never broken a bone in my body, but I have a pin in my hip from a slipping growth plate!
Favorite Food: rice, beans, cheese.
Marina Martinez ‘15
Ambassador
Major: Communication and Women’s Studies
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Philosophy on Life: The important thing is not to be bitter over life’s disappointments. Learn to let go of the past and recognize that not every day will be sunny, but when you’re lost in the darkness of despair, remember that it’s only in the dark of night that you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home.
Interesting Fact: I laugh at pretty much anything, even if it’s not funny. =D
Favorite Food: chicken, cheese, hot sauce!
Joe Nichols ‘13
Ambassador
Major: Religion and Black Studies
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Philosophy on Life: "They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)
Interesting Fact: I have no favorite color; I like them all.
Favorite Food: cinnamon.
Larissa Rivera ‘15
Ambassador
Major: Biochemistry; Spanish minor
Hometown: Lorain, OH
Philosophy on Life: “Work for a cause, not for applause. Live your life to express, not impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.” (Unknown)
Interesting Fact: I love to scrapbook!
Favorite Food: shrimp, coconut, sweet potatoes.