Bonner majoring in physics at TCNJ, Michael Polania ’25, has been named a Goldwater Scholar for 2024–2025, a prestigious national designation for students in science and engineering. Among his many research interests, he has a particular focus on dark matter. Polania, who has been involved in numerous research projects from the start of his college career, plans to pursue a PhD in theoretical astrophysics post-graduation.

For Bonner Leader Devin Brown’s capstone project, a geography student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, he is developing a plan to create a sustainable “dish library” on campus for event planners to utilize instead of purchasing disposable paper and plastic tableware that end up in the landfill. The Bonner Program, along with some state funding, is supporting Brown’s paid internship at Zero Waste Hawaiʻi, a local nonprofit with a mission to help Hawaiʻi Island communities achieve zero waste.

Aidan Isaac has always held service close to heart. 

Even before his service as a Bonner Scholar at Centre College, the senior and Lexington, Kentucky, native earned the rank of Eagle Scout and served his local community. 

He highlighted his service as a Bonner Scholar at Centre College and a lifetime of community involvement in his application to the American University School of International Service, a top-10 program for international affairs and Bonner Foundation graduate school partner.

Danielle Aira Savellano, a Bonner Scholar majoring in Biology and double minoring in Computer Science and Global Health Studies at Allegheny College, was recently selected for the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship. As a 2024 fellow, Danielle will be participating in the data analytics track for the Junior Summer Institute in Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Noah McQueen, Morehouse Bonner Alum 2019, was recently featured in a highlight from President Obama showcasing Noah’s role in the My Brother's Keeper Alliance – a story of mentorship, togetherness, and community.

Meet Dexter Horne '16! Passionate about public policy and government, Dexter works at The Council of State Governments, focusing on leadership development. Inspired by Centre College, he values empathy, research and lifelong learning. Dexter was honored with the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award this past fall.

An excerpt from the Q&A below. Read the full interview here.

Mary Kamikazi ’21 has always had an aptitude for taking on new challenges. A native of Burundi, Kamikazi has made the most of every opportunity — from her lived experience as a refugee in Africa to immersing herself in college and service as a Bonner Scholar, to post-Centre leadership experiences with General Electric and Amazon. Now, she’ll make the move from a corporate position to become Centre College’s first ever Rangel Fellowship recipient.

The 2016 election cycle left an indelible impression on a young Matthew Brodsky. “I knew I really wanted to get involved in politics and policy and create change,” Brodsky recalled. “It just happened. I mean, I went through a bunch of other phases growing up—dinosaurs. Baseball is something I still love. But politics has always just stuck. And I knew that's where I was meant to be.”

Brodsky, now a senior political science major at Rutgers University in Camden, has never wavered from that political pursuit. With a congressional internship on his résumé and future plans that include public office, Brodsky serves as Student Governing Association (SGA) president, advocating for student organizations and civic engagement, particularly around voter registration. 

A College of Arts and Sciences student, Brodsky is the student lead of the RUC Votes, a nonpartisan group whose goal is to increase campus voter engagement and education. Last year, the coalition helped Rutgers–Camden win the state’s Ballot Bowl, a competition among New Jersey colleges and universities to register the most voters and secure the most pledges to vote. 

The RUC Votes Coalition project stemmed from Brodsky’s work as a Bonner Civic Scholar, which prepares students for public service leadership through community-based partnerships. The program, which includes 300 hours of service per year, is “just a really rewarding opportunity,” said Brodsky; he credits that work with preparing him for acceptance into the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program. 

Six schools in the Bonner Network were recognized in the 2024 cycle for the Carnegie Classification: Bates College, Bellarmine University, High Point University, Rutgers University-Camden, Siena College, and Washington & Lee University. Read more about High Point University, Bellarmine University, and Rutgers University-Camden, and Washington & Lee University’s achievements in their press releases.

This recognition is awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification is a significant acknowledgment of an institution's dedication to making a positive impact beyond the campus. Each recipient goes through a rigorous self-study process to demonstrate their community engagement efforts. Over the past 19 years, the classification has become a leading framework for assessing and recognizing community engagement in higher education.