Top Fellowship Recipient Bios
1897 Fellow
Grayson Buning
Nominating Chapter: University of Michigan
Graduate Institution: University of Michigan
Grayson Bunning embodies the academic excellence and dedication to service that has become associated with being named the Phi Kappa Phi 1897 Fellow. Buning is a 2022 graduate of the University of Michigan where he majored in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience. Academic excellence is a given to receive an invitation to Phi Kappa Phi, but service is also a hallmark of Phi Kappa Phi members. While committed to excellence in the pursuit of their own goals, they are equally committed to applying their talents to help others. Bunning exemplifies the blending of academic excellence and service to the broader community within and outside of the bounds of the academic community. His 3.97 GPA speaks to that academic excellence in a challenging curriculum spanning three distinct curricula. While compiling that impressive academic record, Bunning engaged in several thousand hours of activities that focused on service to others. 1
Sherrill Carlson Fellow
Eric Dillon
Nominating Chapter: Marshall University
Graduate Institution: University of Cambridge
Eric Dillon has been selected as the 2023 Sherrill Carlson Fellow. Dillon graduated from Marshall University in 2023 with a B.A. in English and a B.S. in computer science. A Yeager Scholar at Marshall, he was president of the Honors College Steering Committee, Student Vice President of the University’s Phi Kappa Phi Chapter, and a member of the Undergraduate Scholars Program Administrators Association Scholar Summit Planning Committee. Dillon was also selected as one of 100 Amazon Future Engineer Scholars and admitted to the National Society of ACTA Scholars, which “recognizes and promotes achievement in liberal learning.” His award-winning work has been presented at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Integrated STEM Education Conference and the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Marshall’s Student Research and Creativity Symposium and Computer Science Symposium on Emerging Technologies, and University of Alberta’s Digital Humanities Conference. This fall, Dillon will pursue the MPhil in digital humanities at the University of Cambridge. His research interest is in electronic literature and examining the relationship between traditional representation and vocal disobedience. 2
Marcus L. Urann Fellows
Rocco Bruno
Nominating Chapter: Youngstown State University
Graduate Institution: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Rocco Bruno graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He is a Marcus L. Urann Fellow and is the recipient of the Alice and Russell True Fellowship. Rocco compiled a 4.0 GPA for his 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit. His service to Phi Kappa Phi included a term as Student Vice President on the Chapter 143 Executive Board. As a member of the Sokolov Honors College, Bruno filled a role as senior honors ambassador. His duties included visits to area high schools to share his experiences in the honors program at Youngstown State University. While at YSU Bruno engaged in over one thousand hours of service activities which included over five hundred hours of service as a clinical volunteer with St. Joseph Hospital. His other activities included work as a peer tutor, extensive volunteerism with his church, contributions to the International Pen Pals Program, and over three hundred hours serving as a Neuroscience Research Assistant with Akron Children’s Hospital. Drawing upon his own experience with Organic Chemistry, Bruno published a book to help students navigate the complexities of Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. Bruno will continue his studies at the Medical School at The Ohio State University. 3
Gabriel Cutter
Nominating Chapter: Clemson University
Graduate Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Gabriel Cutter, a 2023 graduate of Clemson University, has been named a Marcus L. Urann Fellow by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. At Clemson, Cutter studied Computer Engineering and Economics. He started working in Dr. Pingshan Wang’s lab as a first-year incoming Honors student as part of Clemson’s Eureka! program. Cutter continued this research through his senior year, developing expertise in microwave engineering and receiving the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, Astronaut Scholarship, and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. A leader inside the lab and on campus, he was Clemson’s Student Government Chief of Operations, Student Body Treasurer, Chair of the Student Funding Board, Tiger Band trumpet player, PEER & WISE Tutor for minorities and women in STEM, and Founder of Clemson Students for Tuition Freeze and of the Clemson Take Back Pride March. In recognition of his service, Cutter was one of two graduating seniors awarded Clemson’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; he was also selected as a Point Foundation BIPOC Scholar. As a research intern at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, he developed an interest in quantum computing, and he will pursue a Ph.D. in quantum engineering at MIT this fall.
Taylor Diggs
Nominating Chapter:The Citadel
Graduate Institution: Harvard Law School
Taylor Diggs is a remarkable young scholar and advocate for vulnerable communities. A recent Honors Graduate of the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, she earned her bachelor's degree in political science while being quite active on campus and in her community. At the Citadel, Diggs served as the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Gold Star Journal, played on the Citadel’s Division I soccer team and was a member of the African American Society. As part of her studies, she participated in the Citadel’s Study of Slavery and expanded that research to create a biographical history of the Citadel’s first Black employee (Mr. Arthur B. Mitchell), which she presented at the Southern Regional Honors Council Conference. Diggs was and is quite involved in her local community. While at the Citadel, she worked for various advocacy groups, including Mandate Democracy, the ACLU, and the Legal Aid Society. She currently works in NYC as a paralegal case-handler advising and advocating for low-income tenants. In the fall, Diggs will attend law school at Harvard University, where she seeks to gather the skills to create a more equitable future for all under the law.
Ivy Nguyen
Nominating Chapter: University of South Alabama
Graduate Institution: Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine
Ivy Nguyen is an accomplished first-generation college student with a passion for the medically underserved. Ivy is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. She received numerous academic awards during her studies, including the Jaguar Senior Medallion Society (a leadership award) and several endowed scholarships. She also co-authored two papers and presented four papers and professional conferences. Nguyen was quite active on campus, serving in several leadership positions, including the President of Alpha Epsilon Delta, The Vice President of Phi Kappa Phi and as a Board member for Mega Musical Chairs Philanthropy. She also continues to be active in her local community, tutoring underprivileged students and volunteering at two hospitals. Nguyen will be attending the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine in Mobile, Alabama on a 75% scholarship. She chose this college because she wants to participate in their primary care program which will let her work with physicians and patients starting in her first year. Ultimately, Ivy seeks the opportunity to intervene meaningfully at the most challenging moments of her patients’ lives and to be able to uplift their spirits.
Breanna Shen
Nominating Chapter: The University of Texas at Dallas
Graduate Institution: UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School/MD Anderson Cancer Center
Breanna Shen is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. Shen is pursuing a dual Ph.D. and Doctor of Medicine to become a physician-scientist serving those affected by neurological diseases. As an undergraduate she maintained a 4.0 GPA and was active in a number of campus organizations as well as pursuing research opportunities both during the academic year and the summer. Shen was the first author of an article in Scientific Reports. She is also a classical violinist and has published a book of poetry.
Nimisha Srikanth
Nominating Chapter: Texas A&M University
Graduate Institution: Yale University School of Public Health
Nimisha Srikanth is a recent graduate of Texas A& M University with a bachelor's degree in public health. As an undergraduate she maintained a 4.0 GPA. at A&M was active in several campus and community organizations that were involved in health education and awareness. She will attend Yale University School of Public Health to prepare for a career in public health education and advocacy. She is the first author of two professional journals and a contributing author for two others.