Celebrating Our Graduating Interns: A Tribute to Their Contributions and Future Endeavors
As the academic year draws to a close, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our four outstanding interns who are graduating this year. Their dedication, passion, and hard work have made a significant impact on our community, and we are excited to see where their journeys will take them next.
Owen Donahue: Building Community Through Dining
Owen Donahue, a senior Mathematics major, has been a vital part of our team as the student board representative. With a deep love for building community through dining, Owen has made the Magnolia Room his favorite spot to connect with friends over great food. His role as a bridge between Deacon Dining and the student body has been instrumental in creating the best dining experiences possible. Owen’s dedication to fostering a sense of belonging through food has left a lasting impact on our campus. After graduation, he will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and will support Cadet Summer Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. This fall, he will attend the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course (B.O.L.C.) in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Finally, Owen will be stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.
Isabella Gerace: Championing Sustainability
Isabella Gerace, our Dining Engagement Intern, is completing a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. Her passion for sustainability was ignited during her first year at Wake Forest, leading her to found a campus organization dedicated to promoting eco-conscious behaviors. Isabella has been a proactive force in expanding our sustainability efforts in dining. We are excited to see her continue her journey in higher-education sustainability and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. After graduation, Isabella plans to spend some time with her family in New York City to recharge from a demanding semester and continue her job search for roles within sustainable development, food justice and corporate sustainability.
Maddy Wecker: Advancing Sustainable Sourcing
Maddy Wecker, our Dining Carbon Reduction Intern, is a Biology major with minors in Environmental Studies, Chemistry, and Entrepreneurship. Maddy has been focused on enhancing our sustainable sourcing strategy, becoming well-versed in the AASHE STARS 3.0 guidelines and helping our team increase the percentage of certified sustainable products we purchase. Beyond her passion for sustainability, Maddy loves exploring new places and trying new foods. We are confident that Maddy will continue to make significant contributions to sustainability in her future career. This fall, Maddy will pursue a Ph.D. in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. There, she plans to combine her passions for biology and environmental activism to work towards creating solutions for environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution.
Ally Werstler: Creative Marketing and Engagement
Ally Werstler, a double major in Chinese and History, has been our marketing chalkboard intern this past year. Ally has played a key role in our marketing team, participating in food reviews and events, and creating beautiful chalkboard art for our dining events and community ingredient call-outs. Ally will be joining FTI Consulting at their headquarters in DC after graduation. We are grateful for her creativity and dedication and wish her great success in her new role.
As we bid farewell to Owen, Isabella, Maddy, and Ally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their contributions and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Their hard work and passion have made a lasting impact on our community, and we are excited to see the positive changes they will bring to the world.