Meet the 2017–18 Presidential Fellows

Nine ambitious students representing a diverse set of backgrounds, disciplines and aspirations comprise the 2017–18 Gordon Presidential Fellows cohort. Their majors range from physics to biblical studies, and they bring experience in athletics, city government, missions and global startups. These Fellows will spend the academic year under the mentorship of College Cabinet officers. Modeled on the highly competitive, highly effective White House Fellowship, the Gordon College Presidential Fellows Program affords Gordon students the chance to work directly with one of the Cabinet officers. Through substantive work assignments and special mentoring opportunities, the Fellows learn firsthand what it’s like to lead a major institution. Meet Gordon’s sixth cohort of the Presidential Fellows (pictured above L to R). Antonio Vargas Jr. ’19 | Office of the President Antonio is a first-generation college student and business administration major from New London, Connecticut, who applies his passion for inner-city development to outlets including Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership programs, Residence Life, Student Ambassadors and leading a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the Clarendon Scholar works for SkillsUSA, a collaborative nonprofit that equips workers in education, training and assessments with skills. Kristin Mello ’18 | Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Having spent most of her life as the child of missionaries in the Azores, Kristin cares deeply for culture, nature and people in transition. This psychology major with a Pike minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages has played roles in many programs on campus, including International Student Services, Residence Life, La Vida, the Chapel Office and service-learning trips. Noah Henkell ’19 | Office of the President A Kenneth L. Pike Scholar and Men’s Baseball player with a political bent, Noah has served in capacities including chapter president of the College Republicans Club and vice president of the Political Discourse Club. In high school, Noah worked as a legislative intern for Senator Joel Anderson (CA-38) and as a policy analyst for the Lincoln Club of San Diego County in California. Majoring in public policy, he plans to attend law school and serve in public office. Madeline Berry ’18 | Office of the Vice President for Student Life With a heart for ministry and leadership, Madeline was recently employed by Northeast Arc, an organization that provides lifelong support for individuals with disabilities. This social work and biblical studies major from San Luis Obispo, California, has served in capacities including international service trips, spiritual life groups, mentorships and tutoring children in need. Mason Casady ’18 | Office of the Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President for Advancement Hailing from Southern California, Mason has been active in the Gordon College Student Association, the Department of Economics and Business, and Athletics, as captain of the Gordon Men’s Tennis Team. Playing tennis also provided the opportunity for Mason to volunteer at a local elementary school. The business administration and psychology double major has received Presidential Honors, worked at Lake Powell and the organization A Christian Ministry, and mentored high school students at his home church. Kate Willeman ’18 | Office of the Provost A Gordon scholar-athlete from New Hampshire, Katie serves campus and the community through Athletics, Residence Life, Admissions, Women’s Ministry, mission trips and Alzheimer’s Buddies Club. The biblical studies and history double major was the 2016 recipient of the Dick and Judy Gross Award for Student Leadership, and has helped students with special needs through A Night to Shine, an event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. In 2016, Katie interned for Dartmouth College’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center for their 36th annual Prouty fundraiser. Grace Shaw ’19 | Office of the Vice President for Marketing and External Relations A native Texan passionate about truth, learning and gleaning knowledge, Grace is majoring in philosophy with minors in creative writing, theology and pre-law. She has been a campus tour guide, philosophy peer tutor, participant in Gordon’s Northern Ireland service-learning trip and stage manager for theatre arts. To exercise her writing, Grace has published pieces in student journals The Idiom and Princemere. Michelle Buettner ’18 | Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration Former Forrester Venture Fellow Michelle is an entrepreneurial business and finance double major from Danvers, Massachusetts. This spring, she participated in Gordon’s annual Social Venture Challenge, where her team earned second place by helping advance a nonprofit textile company in India. Over the summer, Michelle worked at FERI, an investment management company in Germany. Tim Bean ’19 | Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration A 3-2 physics and engineering major from Trumbull, Connecticut, Tim strives to put his skills to use for the good of others. Prior to Gordon, Tim established his own home repair/maintenance business, and now helps to maintain trails in nearby Gloucester. At Gordon, Tim is a teaching assistant and has interned with engineering and “big data” companies in Connecticut, including Valley Tool & Manufacturing and Environmental Data Resources. Learn more about each Fellow >