From building their own startups to fighting for social justice, creating better health care practices and cleaning up our world, the class of 2023 is ready to fly high — in some cases, literally.
Check out these Ohio State grads to watch and read their stories.
AJ Bennett
Major: Psychology (Ohio State Marion)
As a standout basketball player, AJ experienced the incredible stress sports can put on a young person. Now, his startup is helping counsel young athletes to bolster their physical and mental approach to the sports they love.
Garrett Carder
Major: Computer and information science.
As the CEO of his own startup through the Buckeye Accelerator program, Carder is improving educational and employment opportunities for blind people by addressing braille literacy.
Larkin Cleland
Majors: Geography, Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Since arriving at Ohio State, Larkin has started a nonprofit, studied abroad, learned multiple languages and succeeded in three majors. And all of that work is dedicated to helping people live better lives.
Adin Feliz
Major: Finance
Adin’s Ohio State experience has included exploring real estate, politics, government, law and the business world. Now he hopes to further his experience in finance this summer through an internship before beginning law school where he will pursue his dream of fighting for victims in court.
Torrington Ford
Majors: Aviation management, air transportation
A first-year student at the age of 15, Torrington chose Ohio State to continue his lifelong passion for aviation while developing his business acumen. His long-term aspiration? His own airline.
Lia Gomez-Perez
Major: Biomedical Engineering
After experiencing language barriers first-hand as a child, Lia has worked to alleviate those hardships in health care. As part of her Eminence Fellowship, Lia helped start Vocalize Columbus — a free medical interpretation service.
Eve Myadze-Pike
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Eve’s fascination with artificial intelligence and a well-timed internship with her ‘academic hero’ have opened up a world of possibilities.
Mary Kate Rinderle
Major: Environmental Science with a specialization in Water Science
Mary Kate became fully immersed in water quality efforts through an internship with H2Ohio and a research fellowship at Ohio State’s Stone Laboratory.
Summernickol Stewart
Major: Public Health
Summernickol is dedicated to bringing about reproductive justice for Black women as she continues her work as a doula – a care provider to pregnant people before, during and after childbirth. She plans to train to become a midwife and eventually open a birth center — a facility that balances the comforts of birthing at home with medical resources.
