OBON Ambassadors
Anna Cassell:
Anna Cassell will be a junior from Salt Lake City, Utah and is double majoring in Anthropology and Science in Human Cultures while also completing her premed requirements. This summer she is interning as a cultural adjustment intern at a refugee resettlement organization in the Chicago area. She is a goalkeeper on the varsity soccer team and in her spare time loves to read, hike, camp, mountain climb, and hangout with her adorable dog Nesbitt.
Aria Jelinek:
Hi all, my name is Aria and I'm a senior in Weinberg studying economics, international studies and french. On campus, I'm involved with Habitat for Humanity, InterVarsity, ASG Student Life Committee, and Gamma Phi Beta; outside of NU, I love traveling, hammocks, reading, and a good smoothie. I cannot express how cool I think it is to unite as a campus to read and learn from an amazing book like The Last Hunger Season, so I'm extremely excited to be a part of the One Book program this year!
Catherine Rolfe:
I’m Catherine Rolfe, a rising senior majoring in Sociology and Creative Writing. I’m originally from New York, and love reading the “weird news” section of the newspaper, writing creative nonfiction, and just hanging out with friends at the lakefill. I once went through an intense (and probably too-prolonged) Sporcle phase. At Northwestern, I’ve been involved in GlobeMed, the Northwestern Conference on Human Rights, and Chicago Field Studies. This is my second year being involved in One Book One Northwestern, and I’m really excited for what this year has to bring!
Chris Harlow:
Chris is a sophomore from Nebraska studying Political Science and Organizational Change. When not working on Associated Student Government projects, Chris can be found running sound for Pick-Staiger Concert Hall or helping Evanston small businesses with LEND.
Emily Vernon:
My name is Emily Vernon and I'm a rising junior majoring in American Studies and Legal Studies. This past summer I studied abroad in Beijing to finish up my Chinese minor, and I'm now considering picking up Arabic in the fall. I was involved in One Book during my freshman year for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and I am so excited to be back this year! Some of my other activities include working as a tutor in The Writing Place, playing cello in Philharmonia (Northwestern's orchestra for non-music majors), and participating in Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), a Christian ministry on campus. In my rare moments of spare time, I enjoy running, discovering new indie music, and watching Downton Abbey.
Gina Gaerke:
My name is Gina Gaerke and I'm from Centerville, Ohio. I'm majoring in Communications Studies with minors in Spanish and Political Science; since I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, I'm hoping that will at least lead me in the right direction. In my free time I like to hang out on the lakefill (when it's warm enough), go to Cheesie's, and go into Chicago to explore. I love Northwestern and had a good experience with One Book my freshman year, and am looking forward to helping out with the program! I'm excited for another fun year at NU!
Jill Cordes:
I'm Jill Cordes, a rising senior studying economics and global health. I am from Glenview, IL which is so close to campus that I can easily run or bike home whenever I want (though I prefer spending my time in Evanston). I enjoy traveling and spend a lot of my free time around water, typically sailing or swimming. I enjoy being part of the swim club here at Northwestern and am excited to be a part of the One Book One Northwestern program!
Megan Wood:
I’m Megan Wood, a junior studying journalism and American History. I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, so hiking and skiing are inevitable favorites of mine. Northwestern has exposed me to myriad experiences, including writing for Margin, spending time with my 13-year-old Project Soar mentee, and learning to run a large organization as a member of my sorority’s executive board. I love how One Book brings everyone from every major together. It’s such a simple effort to bridge the divides between people from all corners of our community!
Pooja Garg:
My name is Pooja Garg and I am a senior in Weinberg majoring in Psychology and minoring in Global Health. My hobbies include reading, photography, and cooking. I think the One Book program is a great way for students to think deeply about global issues and interact with their peers.
Samantha Yi:
Samantha Yi is a rising junior in SESP, studying Social Policy. She is a Korean Jew from Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, NY. Reading has always been a huge part of her life. Over the past few years, she has developed a strong interest in public education. It has been a joy for her to watch the students she has worked with slowly come to understand why she loves to read so much. She hopes to someday have the opportunity to improve American students introduction to reading in school. She has been awed by the passion and intellectual curiosity she has been lucky enough to encounter at Northwestern, and is very excited to be an ambassador for One Book One Northwestern.
Shelby Logan:
My name is Shelby Logan and I am a Sophomore Psychology major and am obtaining my Civic Engagement Certificate . I proudly come from Canton, Ohio. I love to run, read Amish novels, kayak, go on adventures, and learning about different cultures.
Greetings from Guatemala! (I’m spending a few weeks here over the summer for research although I am originally from Los Angeles.) My name is Tracy and I’m a senior studying history and international studies with a focus in Latin America. Aside from academics, I am involved in the Northwestern University Conference on Human Rights. I am also a student docent at the Block Museum of Art and an anchor for WNUR News. Last year I studied abroad in Istanbul and I’m hoping to live and work abroad when I graduate. This is my second year as a One Book Ambassador and I look forward to meeting you all this upcoming year!
Julia Watson:
I'm Julia Watson, a rising junior studying Political Science, Middle East and North Africa Studies, and American History. I'm originally from Sherborn, Massachusetts, a small town with only one stoplight! At Northwestern, I'm the Associated Student Government Public Relations Vice President, the Public Relations Chair for Deering Days, a member of Mayfest, and a tour guide.
