Post-Commencement catch-up: Students share proudest accomplishments
Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse
By Julian Cardillo ’14
Photography by Mary Horan and Leah Steele
May 20, 2024
Brandeis Stories caught up with members of the Class of 2024 one last time as they exited their graduation ceremony.
We asked the newly-minted alumni to reminisce on their four years on campus and share their proudest accomplishments.
Sydney Schur: ‘I had a great community here’
Philadelphia native Sydney Schur ’24, who studied biology and women’s and gender studies, will teach eighth grade science in Lawrence, Massachusetts following her graduation from Brandeis.
Schur thanks her friends for playing such a vibrant role during her time on campus.
“I’m proud of the great people with whom I surrounded myself,” she said. “Having a great community from really early on made my experience here.”
Lang Cheng: A trailblazer
“My proudest accomplishment is being a first generation college student,” said Medford, Massachusetts native Lang Cheng ’24, who majored in environmental studies and minored in Italian.
Cheng’s next stop is Northeastern University, where she will study climate science and engineering as a graduate student.
Cousins in arms: Alex Weisman and Dara Anhouse
Alex Weisman ’24 and Dara Anhouse ’24 are graduating cousins who hail from Connecticut and New York, respectively. The two posed for photos with their families at the entrance of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center following graduation.
Anhouse, a history and Health: Science, Society and Policy (HSSP) double-major, said her proudest accomplishment was writing a thesis on the history of women’s team sports in the early 20th century.
“My research is on the paradoxes of first-wave feminism,” Anhouse said. “Women started playing team sports for the first time but it was very controversial. In the 1920s and 30s, they actually pulled back on the amount of competitions, which lasted all the way up until the passage of Title IX in 1972. It really defines how women’s sports still work today.”
Weisman studied psychology.
“I didn’t write a thesis, but honestly, I’m just proud to have gotten it all done,” he said. “That’s hard in and of itself!”
Hannah Pearlman revived Liquid Latex: ‘I’m president now, yay!’
Tucson, Arizona native Hannah Pearlman ’24, who studied chemical biology and fine arts, took over the direction of Liquid Latex, an annual performance piece on campus that blends dance, modern arts, creativity, and personal expression.
“Liquid Latex had no e-board, no members, no leadership, nothing was happening at all,” said Pearlman. “I’m proud to have brought the club back from absolutely nothing.”
Lauren Barkley: A commitment to service
Seattle, Washington native Lauren Barkley studied biology and music. Her proudest accomplishment is presenting her own research on RNA interference and cellular stress response at the annual SciFest poster session.
Barkley, who is going on to work as a medical content writer, said she is also proud of her commitment to service over the last four years.
“I’m wearing the bronze medal I won for serving as a clinical assistant at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, and for my time on the Brandeis Student Union,” Barkley said. Barkley served as both assistant and deputy treasurer for the Union, and served on the constitutional review committee.
Jaden Farquhar takes pride in his work
“I’m really proud of the work I did for the computer science major,” said Newton, Massachusetts native Jaden Farquhar ’24, who also studied economics and creative writing. “It is a very hard degree to complete.”
Farquhar has accepted a job as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent Office.
Eye-opening experiences: Ella Subramanian
Ella Subramanian ’24 of Parkland, Florida is proud of her work with the Brandeis Educational Justice Initiative, which spreads awareness of incarcerated citizens via storytelling and campus events.
“I made a lot of connections and opened my eyes to what I want to do in the future,” said Subramanian, who studied politics and legal studies and plans to move to Washington, DC, this summer to work on Capitol Hill.
