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Mariya Ilyas ’13 fi nds her calling
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Mariya Ilyas ’13
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EYES OF THE WORLD
Mariya Ilyas ’13 had her sights set on a completely different career before finding her calling as a diplomat.
WHEN I ARRIVED IN BRUNSWICK, I was passionate about math and law because I wanted to become an astronaut or a lawyer. I majored in math and minored in government studies, but sociology, religion, acting, and forensic science gave me new lenses to understand the world and the human spirit.
I JOINED THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE as a diplomat in fall 2018. I am serving my nation because it has given me a voice, an aspiration, and opportunities. I was eight years old when my family immigrated to the US from Pakistan. That moment in time profoundly changed the trajectory of my life: from being a young girl growing up in a small village expected to be a housewife to becoming an educated woman with the ability to chart my own future. Attending public schools, growing up Muslim in the nation’s capital, and attaining a liberal arts education have given me a unique appreciation for diversity, service, and identity. My father, who took a leap of faith to uproot himself and start a new life in America; my teachers and friends, who have supported my development as a human being; and my travels in foreign lands connecting with others in different languages have inspired me to lead a life of mercy and optimism.
For more of our interview with Mariya, visit bowdoin.edu/magazine.
was instrumental in planning and implementing a meaningful celebration of fifty years of women at Bowdoin. Her work was enjoyed by fellow alumnae and hundreds of members of the Bowdoin and Brunswick community. Her unflappability, creativity, good humor, and the remarkable way she motivates others is truly unmatched. Bowdoin is grateful for all that she does and is pleased to recognize her for her truly distinguished service. The Foot Soldier Award is presented to “one who exemplifies the role of a foot soldier of Bowdoin through his or her work” for the College. It was created through the generosity of David Z. Webster of the Class of 1957. Along with the recognition, a scholarship will be awarded to a deserving Bowdoin student in the recipient’s name through the Foot Soldier of Bowdoin Scholarship Fund.
2008 David K. Thomson’s recently released book, Bonds of War: How Civil War Financial Agents Sold the World on the Union, is “a fascinating work of financial and political history during the Civil War era that shows how the marketing and sale of bonds crossed the Atlantic to Europe and beyond, helping ensure foreign countries’ vested interest in the Union’s success. Indeed, David K. Thomson demonstrates how Europe, and ultimately all corners of the globe, grew deeply interdependent on American finance during and in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War.” The book was also featured in the New York Times article “How Civil War History Explains Memestocks,” published on April 2, 2022. From amazon.com.
Nick Tomaino, founder and general partner of 1confirmation, a leading cryptocurrency-focused investment firm, has been named to the 2022 Midas Brink List. The list is selected by TrueBridge Capital Partners and Forbes, and “highlights talented, emerging investors making a name for themselves in the increasingly competitive world of venture capital. Nominees are evaluated based on qualitative and quantitative measures that weigh an investor’s momentum, position, reputation, and other variables. This year, they once again enlisted the expertise of a panel of investors previously named to the Brink List to provide their insight into the selection process. The 2022 list of up-and-coming investors represents a diverse range of problem-solvers whose unique experiences, backgrounds, and expertise position them to take center stage in the world of venture capital.” From a Forbes online feature article, April 12, 2022.
2010 Devin Walsh: “2010 classmates Van Krueger and Devin Walsh are completing their orthopedic surgery training at Brown University with fellow Bowdoin alum and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Schiller ’96.”
2012 Reunion
La’Shaye Ervin Cobley recently returned to Bowdoin to give two public talks: one about women in science, and another on how studying the nitrogen cycle in cities can reveal income disparities. Cobley majored in biology and Africana studies before earning a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Utah. She currently works at the California Air Resources Board, where she helps the state clean its air through “strong regulations grounded in science,” she said. During her two days on
campus, Cobley first sat down with Sara Nelson ’22 to speak about her experiences as a graduate student, teacher, and climate policy analyst. Her interview served as the kick-off to a new series, “Meet the Bowdoin Women of STEM.” In their discussion, Cobley touched on many topics, including how to break into science and environmental policy, the role of socioeconomics in urban ecology, and her personal experience navigating the science world as a Black woman. The following day, Cobley was invited to give a seminar talk hosted by the biology department for scientists from outside Bowdoin. In her presentation, she made a case both for studying urban ecology and for recognizing the role that class and income play in ecological studies. From a bowdoin.edu/news story, April 11, 2022.
Sherrone Torres has been honored by the Alumni Council with the Young Alumni Service Award
in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service to Bowdoin. In the ten years since she graduated, she has been a steadfast volunteer, giving time for the College in many different ways despite her demanding career as a lawyer. She has stayed connected to the College as a BCAN Advisor, Sophomore Bootcamp volunteer, mock interviewer for the Office of Career Exploration and Development, and served with distinction as a chair of the AF/AM/50 celebration. She has formally and informally served as a mentor for countless young alumni as a leader of the Bowdoin Multicultural Alumni Network of New York and continues her service in representing multicultural alumni in her new role as vice president of the Bowdoin College Black Alumni Association. As a volunteer, she is known for her professionalism, organization, and seemingly endless capacity to give back. She connects with alumni and students in a way that is truly meaningful.
2013 Tasha Sandoval “is one of twenty- five student journalists to receive the 2022 ProPublica student conference stipend to attend conferences including NABJ, AAJA, ONA, and IRE. This year’s recipients were chosen from more than 125 applicants. Each of the talented journalists will receive a $750 stipend to attend a virtual or in-person conference in 2022. The stipend program is part of ProPublica’s ongoing efforts to help make it easier for journalists from underrepresented communities to take advantage of everything the conferences offer. Sandoval is a Colombian and Cuban American writer and journalist based in New York City. She started pursuing journalism at the Bogotá Post, an English-language outlet in Colombia, after six years of working in higher education and international admissions. She is currently a bilingual master’s student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, where she is specializing in audio journalism. She is a spring 2022 intern for Univision’s El Detector, the first Spanishlanguage fact-checking platform in the US.” From a ProPublica online news article, April 5, 2022.
2016 Sophie Sawyers “has been hired as the new director of education at the Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA) in Sun Valley, Idaho. Sawyers said as the director of education she is excited about the opportunity to support and learn from committed, creative educators in the community and engage with learners of all ages. Before moving to the Wood River Valley, Sawyers was a third-grade teacher of math, history, and English language arts in New York City. Within education, her interests are culturally responsive and social and emotional learning. Sawyers, who joined the education department at SVMoA in October 2021, began her new responsibilities on March 1. In addition to building upon existing relationships with Blaine County educators while fostering new ones, she looks forward to promoting opportunities to explore museum exhibitions and continuing to develop SVMoA’s Classroom Enrichment Program and scholarships for students and teachers.” From a Boise, Idaho, Idaho Business Review article, April 25, 2022.
Young Alumni Service Award in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service to Bowdoin. During his short tenure as an alum of Bowdoin, he has established himself as a dedicated and reliable volunteer with a seemingly endless enthusiasm for all things Bowdoin. He has stayed connected to his class as an associate class agent and serves the College more broadly as a BRAVO volunteer with admissions and as an important networking contact for the Office of Career Exploration and Development. Gil has been described as an “exemplary agent” and the prime example of why peer-to-peer outreach is so important. He connects with his classmates in a way that is meaningful, authentic, and motivational. He is a dedicated ambassador and always offers new insights and creative suggestions to the great benefit of the College. 2021 Jasper Gordon has rolled out quite a project for himself, and he hopes it gives rise to creativity, exploration, and delicious pizza. A Million Pizza Challenge, billed as “the greatest pizza challenge to ever hit the internet—maybe,” came out of Gordon’s long-standing enjoyment of making and eating pizza and his quest to understand what makes the best pizza. In early February, Gordon posted a video introducing the challenge. Every week since then, he and his friends have produced a video of themselves making a pie. Each YouTube view is counted as “a pizza” toward the million-pizza goal. Gordon says the project’s objectives are “to make more pizza, to make better pizza, and to have fun doing it together as friends.” From a bowdoin.edu/news story, March 22, 2022.
Mohamed Kilani, “a Spanish teacher intern at Lincoln Middle School, was recognized on April 1 as a Preservice Teacher of the Year at the Educators Rising Conference hosted by Thomas College in Waterville. Kilani and Ivy Robinson, a student teacher at Jonesport Elementary School, were both selected as Preservice Teacher of the Year and received $1,000 for their future classrooms. There were twenty applications of seniors in a teacher preparation program across Maine for the inaugural award, which was judged by Maine County and State Teachers of the Year. Successful candidates had to have a passion for teaching, a drive for self-improvement, strong communication skills, and adaptability. The judges praised Kilani, who has been working with Lincoln Spanish teacher Sheila Conlan since January, for his teaching skills.” From a Portland Public Schools News article, April 15, 2022.
