‣ Meet the Fellows
Name: Andy Crump (Herndon, VA)
Major: Undeclared
Committee: Interfaith
Favorite Middle East country: Israel
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester thus far: Going to Israel!
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: There’s a group called the Parent’s Circle that is putting together both Israeli and Palestinian families who have had direct family members killed by someone from the other side. They are recognizing how they both feel the same pain.
“I am a Fellow because I’m really interested in the Middle East and I felt that joining Euphrates would be a great next step to learn more and help the conflict.”
Name: Amber Dahlin (Western Massachusetts/Seattle)
October 30th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Environmental studies, Minor: Religion
Committees: Social Media, Blogging, Campus Events
Favorite Middle East country: I don’t have one! But at this point I think I’d most like to go to Turkey and the Palestine and Israel (or Egypt, or Morocco, or Jordan…).
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Organizing events on 9/11 and Peace Day was especially rewarding
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: Current events around people’s movements, the Arab Spring, and the Israel/Palestine relationship
“I am a Fellow because I am incredibly inspired by Euphrates’ peace-building mission and those like it around the world, and want so much to be a part of the expansion of this middle ground. Most of all, I am happily absorbing lesson after lesson after lesson!”
Name: Anna-Zoe Herr (Berlin, Germany)
Fellows Committee: Campus Events
Favorite Middle East country: Morocco
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: The amazingly rewarding Euphrates Summit: Our World Beyond 9/11 that changed my perspective on power and peace and gave me hope for its actual possibility.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: That we are all indeed one, with one mind and one yearning for love and one idea for equality. Every country has its struggle, and the Middle East is just as close to us as St. Louis…for what happens there is of huge importance everywhere.
“I am a Fellow because I want to learn about the Middle East, about the conflict and I am longing to see solutions and not just problems. And if there are solutions, I want to be part of it and help at least a little bit to move peace an inch more forward.”
Name: Vincent-Immanuel Herr (Berlin, Germany)
September 11th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: History, Sociology & Anthropology
Committees: Campus Events, News Updates, Lunch Time Discussions
Favorite Middle East country: Turkey
Most rewarding Euphrates experience: My prayer shifts during the International Day of Peace enriched my spiritual growth and understanding substantially
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: The diversity and creativity of people from that region and how that adds to our societies in the West.
“I am a Fellow because I want to learn more about the Middle East. There is often talk about Arab countries in the news, but my personal perspective is rather limited. Euphrates Institute gives me the opportunity to get a bigger insight in this fascinating part of the world, and also help others to have the same opportunity!”
Name: Katie Hynd (Maine)
Major: English Literature
Fellows Committee: Blogging Committee
Favorite Middle East country: As I learn about a country it becomes one of my favorites.
Most rewarding Euphrates experience thus far: Last spring, I was the first Euphrates Intern. I can’t express my gratitude for all that I learned.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: Damascus is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world!
“I am a Fellow because I love learning and applying what I discover. As a Euphrates Fellow I am able to share what I experience with others who are equally excited. I love the mind-expanding atmosphere of the Euphrates Institute. From the first moment I met Janessa I knew I wanted to be involved. I am grateful I have been!”
Name: Gabe Korinek (Wisconsin)
November 13th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Engineering Sciences
Committees: Middle East Resources and Social Media
Favorite Middle East country: Egypt
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Getting to know the Fellows and helping prepare for the Euphrates Summit.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: Changes in the Middle East
“I am a Fellow to get to know more about the Middle East and the people who are working toward non-violent conflict resolution.”
Name: Sarah Litwiller (Concord, CA)
Major: Undeclared
Fellows Committees: Video, Interfaith
Favorite Midde East country: Israel
Most rewarding Euphrates experience last semester: Just becoming more educated and aware, as well as learning a little Arabic!
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: The amount of people there was want peace far outweighs those radicals do not.
“I am a fellow because I believe peace is possible and want to be an active advocate of that.”
Name: Julianna Mangelsdorf (Palmer, Alaska)
December 4th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Sociology and Global Perspectives, with a minor in Religion
Committees: Middle East Update and Lunchtime Discussions
Favorite Middle East country: They’re all interesting
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Taking part in the 24 hours of prayer because that does have such a healing effect for the whole world!!
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: I love learning about all the organizations working for good!
“I am a Fellow to help promote peace. Peace is so attainable, and I love being a part of an organization that works for that.”
Jewelle Matheny (Portsmouth, NH)
Major: Environmental Studies
Committee: Interfaith Committee
Favorite Middle East country: Bahrain
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester thus far: The talk given to us by Janessa about United States approach to Foreign Policy. I thought this was so interesting and I have never heard anyone explain this topic with such simplicity but backed behind so much depth and knowledge.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: researching and reading about the Arab Spring
“I am a Fellow because I have learned that peace can only be obtained through solving issues surrounding the environment. I want to help promote these ideas and learn more about how to practically obtain peace in a part of the world that has been labeled as anything but peaceful.”
Name: Brianna Mayer
(Seattle, WA)
Major: Mathematics
Committee: Middle East Updates
Favorite Middle East country: Palestinian Territories
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: I loved helping with the Euphrates Summit: Our World Beyond 9/11. It was both rewarding and inspiring to hear such amazing speakers share their experiences and passions and rejuvenated my passion to work for peace.
“I am a Fellow because I want to take a stand for peace. Euphrates is a wonderful organization whose vision I share, and by being a Fellow I can show my support for their work as well as add to it by complementing it with my own research. I also love being surrounded by people who truly care about what is happening on a global scale. Conversations that take place during Fellow meetings are some of the most enriching conversations that I have during the day and I would not have it any other way.”
Name: Elisabeth Bancroft Wessel Meindl (Houston, TX)
AUGUST 29th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Religion & Music
Committee: Summit Production
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Meeting the amazing people involved!
“I am a Fellow because if we’re ever going to have peace, we have to learn, love, and listen. What better place to do that then here?
Name: Emily Odell (Bothell, WA)
November 6th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Music
Committee: Middle East Resources
Favorite Middle East country: Libya
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: September 11, 2001 Day of Prayer
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: I’m still learning so much it’s hard to name one thing.
“I am a Fellow because I have the chance to learn about the Middle East with incredibly amazing people. It’s so super to have a group of people unified in supporting the Middle East metaphysically and physically!”
Name: Emily Osborne (Seattle, WA)
October 23rd: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Global Perspectives
Committees: Blogging, Social Media
Favorite Middle East country: Turkey, because that’s where Paul did a lot of journeying and currently because this country has huge potential to be a mediator between the West and the Middle East.
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Contacting different organizations and universities to share everything I’m excited about regarding the Summit, and engaging in some really cool conversations with fellows.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: Just because what we hear about in the news doesn’t always highlight progress, doesn’t mean that good isn’t going on. There ARE agents for change promoting peace in the Middle East and the good they are doing is unstoppable!
“I am a Fellow because I love Euphrates’ mission to bridge the gap between American and Middle Eastern cultures by empowering the moderate middle. I am inspired by everything I’m learning and I love working toward peace with an enthusiastic group of peers.”
Names: Eric D. Pagett (West Hartford, CT)
September 18th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Business Administration
Committee: Advancement
Favorite Middle East country: Saudi Arabia
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Preparing for the Summit
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: That Jerusalem is the center of the three monotheistic religions.
“I’m a fellow because Euphrates is an extremely valuable resource for me to learn more about the Middle East and to get involved with the thought-leaders of the world and engage in promoting peace in our own lives, communities, and across the world.”
Name: Kimberly Sheasley ( Bellevue, Washington)
September 5th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Undeclared
Committee: Interfaith
Favorite Middle East country: Israel
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: I was able to hear other faiths speak about their religion. It inspired me to continue discussions with other faiths after the meetings were over.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: I have learned that peace is taking place, that there is change, and that we can have hope.
“I am a Fellow because I want to learn more about the Middle East and to be able to understand the true facts, to break the misconceptions I may have about these countries. I also want to contribute to a program which supports building bridges.”
Name: Abbie Steckler (Norwalk, Connecticut)
September 25th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Undecided
Committees: Video Production and Middle East Updates
Favorite Middle East country: Egypt
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: It was so rewarding to research Lebanon. I have never known much about the country before. However, through researching Lebanon, I feel like I have a solid grasp on the issues in the country and possible solutions to the problems.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: I think it is so interesting to think about how Christianity, Islam, and Judiasm all worship the same God. While there may be some variations on how everyone views Him, the same God is still the foundation for all three major religions. This gives me such a feeling of unity with people all around the world.
“I am a Fellow because I want to learn more about the Middle East and help inform others about this extremely significant area of the world. It is so important in all of our lives. By learning more about the situation in the Middle East, we can help promote understanding and spread peace.”
Name: Laura Tibbetts (Darien, CT)
November 27th: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Undecided
Committees: Social Media, Video
Favorite Middle East country: Tunisia
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: Participating in the 24-hour prayer on 9/11 and on the International Day of Peace
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: I was amazed to learn that the entire Arab Spring was triggered by one person–a Tunisian man who burned himself to death in protest of the government and limited opportunities in Tunisia. His protest sparked other protests in Tunisia, which spread throughout the country and then to other countries. I just thought the ripple effect caused by one person was incredible.
“I am a Fellow because I really wanted to learn more about the Middle East and how to help promote peace.”
Name: Kynan Witters Hicks (Golden, CO)
OCTOBER 2nd: FELLOW OF THE WEEK
Major: Global Perspectives
Committees: Blogging, Middle East updates
Favorite Middle East country: I haven’t decided yet, there are too many good ones.
Most rewarding Euphrates experience this semester: This semester I really like being part of the lunch time discussions that are held every couple of weeks covering a wide range of Middle Eastern topics.
Coolest thing learned about the Middle East: Very few people in the Middle East are hostile to the west. Only a few compose the radical Islamists that we hear about in the news today and we are pushing them to the outside.
“I am a Fellow because I love challenging myself to address the complex issues in the Middle East and helping others to learn about this region of the world.”
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