Wrenn was homeschooled and has an intimate knowledge of numerous foreign languages and cultures, especially those of Japan and France. Since fall 2007, Wrenn has studied Asian Policy with a focus on Japanese foreign policy at the Monterrey Institute of International Studies. Her career goal of working in the U.S. Foreign Service as a cultural attaché incorporates her affinity for foreign languages and cultures as well as her desire to pursue a career in public service.  She will conduct research on population decline in Japan on the NSEP fellowship.

Zackary Licudine will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina for the 2008-2009 academic year.  Awarded $20,000 through the NSEP Boren program, he plans to engage in language study.  Licudine worked for the Newport Beach Police Department as a Police Explorer from 2004 to 2007. He became Explorer Captain and was named Young American Award for most outstanding Law Enforcement Explorer in Orange County along with the Presidential Gold Award for over 3,500 hours of community service.

Braden Mogler
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar
Major: Sports Medicine

Braden Mogler hopes to spend his life in working as a doctor with Spanish-speaking people who do not have access to basic healthcare in the US and abroad. He is the co-leader of UM's Freshmen Ministry and works as a science tutor for the Athletics Department. He will graduate in 2009 and travel to Latin America to study health sciences and explore how public health is carried out in local communities.

Keith Colclough was actively involved in both the music and theatre departments playing leading roles in several operas and musicals. Keith has been awarded vocal scholarships from the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Sigma Alpha Iota Pasadena Alumni Chapter and the Village Voices Chorale. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honor society, and he  hopes to continue pursuing a career in opera upon his return to the US.  Keith will study vocal technique at the Mannheim Musikhochschule  in Germany.

Laura Merwin  participated in the Florence International Program from 2005-2006 and in the NSF funded Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Biology in 2007. She continued to do research and work in the Natural Science Division during her senior year.  She was awarded Outstanding Graduate of the Natural Science Division.  Laura will spend 12 months at Curtin University, Australia, examining plants in drought and fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems that have evolved unique life-history types.

Erin Shitama spent a year abroad in Heidelberg and has participated in Model United Nations, served on the Global Tides Review Board, Forum for Political Understanding (vice-president), and has co-founded a group exploring women's role in peacebuilding. She worked at the International Studies and Languages Division for four years, and held an internship with Rich Dawson, Director of OISS. Erin will travel to Indonesia as an English Teaching Assistant.

Alissa Smith served as the vice-president of philanthropy of Pi Beta Phi, Student Service Coordinator in Florence, Italy, United Friends Coordinator for the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. She also served as the President of the Student Alumni Organization, as a member of the Seaver Executive Council, as a class leader for the Senior Challenge initiative and the President of Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy Honor Society.  She will travel to Turkey next year and then pursue a career in publishing in New York.