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UIC News Wednesday, May 9, 2018uicnews.uic.eduINSPIRING GRADS5College of Education commencement a family affairBy Francisca Corona — fcoron3@uic.eduThree members of the same family willcelebrate their achievements togetherduring the College of Education commencement ceremony May 11.Eddie Taylor Jr., his brother, Evan Taylor, and Kara Taylor, whois Evan’s wife, all sharethe philosophy of teaching as a way to giveback.Kara Taylor, who received her bachelor’s in English from UIC, will be honoredduring commencement with a Ph.D. incurriculum and instruction, with a concentration in literacy, language and culture. Evan Taylor, who received hisbachelor’s degree in urban educationfrom UIC, will receive a master’s degreein language, literacies and learning.Eddie Taylor, who will graduate with amaster’s in science education, hopes toteach anatomy and physiology or biology.“The Black Lives Matter movementmade me want to do something to helpthe community,” said Eddie Taylor, whoreceived his bachelor’s in animal sciencesfrom the Urbana-Champaign campus.“My veterinary dreams or medical schooldreams didn’t really work for what I want-ed to do, but with urban education, I sawthat as a way to actually do somethingwith and for the community.”As graduate students, Eddie and EvanTaylor became advocates for the underserved.Eddie Taylor got involved with Project SEEEC,which provides mentorshipfor future science teachersto increase equity and excellence in science teaching. Evan Taylor joined ProjectSUSTAIN, a group of educators and researchers who study culturally relevantteaching in different contexts.And then the brothers met Kara Taylor.Many publications and one dissertationlater, Kara and Evan Taylor went to BusyBurger for their first date. They marriedlast August.“[Evan and I] formed a friendshipthrough our research group,” Kara Taylorsaid. “We saw each other in a lot of research capacities, we researched together, we saw each other as teachers andknew each other’s teaching practices. I’ma nerd for that kind of stuff. An awesometeacher makes me happy.”As a longtime student and a teacher,“IT’S A DREAMCOME TRUE.” Eddie Taylor Jr., Evan Taylor and Kara Taylor (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)she’s weathered late nights and financialhardships.“It’s surreal” Kara Taylor said about hertime at UIC.“It’s impossible to do all this by yourself,” added Evan Taylor.They all noted that friends, professorsand mentors have helped them get wherethey are now, and that they’re excited forwhat’s to come.“It’s a dream come true,” Kara Taylorsaid.Engineer’s career plans are out of this worldBy Farooq Chaudhry — mchaud23@uic.eduIt’s common to hear people say theywant to grow up and change the world.Even more rare, though, is when someonegrows up and says they want to changetwo worlds.However, growing up to change multiple worlds is becoming a reality for seniorBarak Stoltz. After graduation, the mechanical engineering student will work forSpaceX, the famous aerospace companyfounded by Elon Musk in Hawthorne, California.Stoltz’s journey to working withSpaceX — an aerospace company withthe goal of enabling people to live onother planets — started with him firstmaking a tremendous impact on thelives of people on this planet throughEngineering World Health.“Engineering World Health is a biomedical engineering organization thatcreates devices for people in third-worldcountries, and I eventually worked my wayup to manager,” Stoltz said.“My first project was a flow hood project that you mix medications under. So,they (Engineering World Health officials)go to Vietnam and scope out the area andyou see what projects they need to workon. The laminar flow hood was in a neona-Barak Stoltztal hospital, and they were mixing medications out in the open.”Stoltz’s project helped decrease infantmortality rates at the neonatal hospital by30 percent.His work with Engineering WorldHealth opened the door for him to earnan internship with SpaceX, which helpedshape him as an engineer.“That professionalism and the documentation and the getting-stuff-doneaspect of the industry is what you getwhen you go to an internship with a realcompany with deadlines, ambition andmoney. That drive to complete productsand get them out the door, all while teach-ing others, too,” Stoltz said.Being the people-first person he is,Stoltz had UIC in mind when working atSpaceX.“When I came back, I wanted to makesure everything I learned at SpaceX — thetechnical skills and everything else — wasbrought back with me,” Stoltz said.Stoltz, who was born and raised in Israel, credits UIC for exposing him to awide variety of people from diverse backgrounds.“It was the people I hung out with atUIC — older and younger — who showedme what I can do and what can be accomplished as a student and as an individual,” he said.“There are so many people from othercountries, and you see the way they culturally operate, the way they treat eachother, and cultural norms they have inother countries, and it really opens youreyes to the norms we have in the U.S.They really kind of broaden your scope ofunderstanding of how this world works,how society works, and how you can be abetter understanding and contributingmember of society.“It made me a more understandingperson.”

6UIC News Wednesday, May 9, 2018INSPIRING GRADSLincoln Laureate finds passion in giving back to communityBy Farooq Chaudhry — mchaud23@uic.eduFor UIC senior Mariel Rancel, service ispart of being human.“I think service comes from the recognition that because you are a human, youintrinsically need to depend on others,”said Rancel, a senior in biological sciences who is in the Honors College. “It’s thatconcept of interdependence. It’s the nature of being a human.”Rancel is the 2018 recipient of the Lincoln Laureate award, which honors anoutstanding senior at each undergraduate institution in Illinois. Service is a majorcomponent of the award, and Rancel’stremendous record of service spans backto her experience volunteering for the GirlScouts in seventh grade.“My job was to help out the camp counselors, teach the girls about wilderness,fire safety, to be really goofy, and it was sofun,” she said. “I loved every second.”Her experience with the Girl Scouts,combined with her passion for service,inspired her to pursue a career in education. She has guaranteed admission toUIC’s master’s in science educationthrough the GPPA program.Her love for serving others has takenher down many paths. Rancel has volunteered at the University of Illinois Hospitaland Rush University Medical Center;albino PuertoRican woman whois visually impaired, Rancel hasfound communities on campusthat have contributed to her growth.“I think my disability politic reallyflourished herebecause when Iwas growing up, Ialways felt like itwas burdensometo ask my teachersfor accommodations,” she said.Serving others is “the nature of being human,” says Mariel Rancel,“But once I tolda senior in biological sciences and the Honors College.people, I didn’t like(Photo: Jenny Fontaine)the paternalistictreatment I got. Iserved as mentor in the Women in Sciwanted the ability to self-determine whenence and Engineering (WISE) program;I needed help — and so I internalizedand was a participant in the Urban Publicthese issues of ‘I’m different.’”Policy Fellowship program, where sheHowever, minoring in disability studieshelped women in Englewood learn aboutproved to be an enlightening and empownutrition.ering experience for Rancel.As much as Rancel has given back to“Every time I went to class I was like,the community, UIC has given her a‘Holy cow! I went through that!’” she said.stronger understanding of herself. As an“I didn’t understand how big of a partbeing visually impaired is in my life, andthe role it played until I unpacked that inclass. But now it’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m disabled.’ And this isn’t a negative thing.”Rancel also found another home forherself in the Latino Cultural Center.“I remember going to one event as afreshman, and it ended up with megoing to 90 percent of their events,” shesaid.“I finally know (Latino) people whoaren’t my family. And I’ve always struggled with that because I’ve never lookedPuerto Rican.“On the inside, I’m a disabled brownperson. On the outside, I’m an able-bodied white person. It’s funny how societydoesn’t tolerate variance very well. Wesimplify, simplify, simplify, and it thenleaves people like me who don’t fit intoone category, and it makes you feel conflicted in my life. But I’m Puerto Rican.And it feels so good to be able to connect with that.”Rancel feels like she’s just gettingstarted with her service.“Winning this award is nice, but I’mnot done,” she said. “The work hasn’teven started. I’m not a teacher yet, sowhat service have I really done? We’re atlike 5 percent, man.”Advocating for herself, others with disabilitiesBy Christy Levy — christyb@uic.eduKatie Longos aspires to be an advocate to help others who, like herself, livewith a disability.When she was in high school, Longoswas diagnosed with NeurofibromatosisType 2 (NF2), a neurological disorder thatcan lead to tumor growth within the nervous system. Because of the condition,Longos has lost her hearing and uses awheelchair.“The physical effects of NF2 didn’tpresent themselves until my late 20s, butunfortunately they progressed quite rapidly,” she wrote in an email.“It’s really profound how much society’s judgement changes with a person’sappearance. Becoming a minority virtuallyovernight has been a greater learning experience than a formal education will everprovide. I am so much more conscious ofthe barriers that minorities face in everyday life.“Ironically, I think these unfortunateevents will be the biggest contributor tomy ability to advocate and serve on behalfof others.”She joined UIC in 2016, after transferring from the City Colleges of Chicago topursue a psychology degree.“I chose UIC because of the opportunities offered by the Honors College,” shewrote. “Best decision ever. I will never forget the private luncheons they offeredwith city and state officials. I got to askquestions about the current administration that [MSNBC political commentators]Chris Hayes or Rachel Maddow didn’t.”Longos has conducted research in thelab of Bette Bottoms, professor of psychology and dean emerita of the HonorsCollege. Her interest in psychology wasinspired by her self-advocacy work.“I have spent hundreds of hours researching my illness, learning medical terminology, how to read MRIs and theanatomy of the brain and nervous system,”she wrote. “I always make sure that I amgetting the best care. All of these experiences have cultivated a passion for bothneuro and behavioral psychology.”Her work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticedby Bottoms.“Katie Longos is the most inspiring student I have ever encountered in my entireacademic career, among thousands ofothers,” Bottoms said. “On top of unusualintellectual skills, she has more grit, determination and fortitude than anyone I haveever known.”This fall, Longos will pursue her master’s in social services administration atthe University of Chicago.Katie Longos“Katie has all the characteristics of aperson who will distinguish herself, and inthis case, distinguish herself not for herown personal glory, but on behalf of others – people with disability who sometimes need powerful advocacy to reachtheir full potential,” Bottoms said.“Katie will become an advocate, publicpolicy expert, and a leader who will effectchange broadly in the city of Chicago.”For her Honors College capstone research, Longos interned at Artfully Gifted,a nonprofit for individuals who have intellectual and physical disabilities who arepursuing entrepreneurship.“It was an amazing and humbling experience that I otherwise would havenever had,” she wrote.Through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, she was awardedthe Urban Public Policy Fellowship towork with the Department of Family Support Services in the Mayor’s Office. Shehelps support the team of women whoadminister the One Summer Chicago program, which provides summer employment and internship opportunities foryoung adults.“I will leave that fellowship with somuch insight into what it takes to producecity programs,” she wrote. “I will reflect onthe qualities of the women who run thatprogram when I begin my career in socialservices.”She looks forward to a career servingothers.“Ultimately, I’ll feel satisfied when I amable to say that I’m part of the solution,”she wrote.

uicnews.uic.eduUIC News Wednesday, May 9, 2018Senior wins national jazz awards7By Carlos Sadovi — csadovi@uic.eduUIC student Morgan Pirtle, who isboth merit and academic scholarships.graduating from the College of ArchitecAt UIC, Pirtle studied with vocalistture, Design, and the Arts and the HonorsCheryl Wilson and said the UIC School ofCollege this week, has received severalTheatre and Music provided her with opnational jazz awards for vocal music.portunities to work with some of the mostDownBeat magarespected and tal“I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ented musicians inzine recently announced that Pirtle is FROM MY FOUR YEARS ANDChicago. She saida recipient of TheAM SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE the Jazz FestivalDownBeat Studenthosted annually byMusic Awards 2018 HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TOthe School of The“Outstanding Perfor- STUDY WITH THESE AMAZING atre and Music wasmance” award in the MUSICIANS,” SHE SAID.an invaluable expeVocal Jazz Soloist catrience. It granted aegory, Undergraduate College. Each year, young artist like herself “unmatchable opDownBeat magazine, one of the nation’sportunities” to work with and learn frompremier jazz publications, singles out exwell-known artists, including Rufus Reid,emplary jazz students across the countryRobin Eubanks and Jon Faddis.for their Student Music Awards.“I have learned so much from my fourPirtle also recently won the prestigious years and am so fortunate to have had theChicago-based Luminarts Jazz Fellowopportunity to study with these amazingship, after winning the People’s Choicemusicians,” she said. “These opportunities,Award at the Luminarts 2018 Jazz Finals.among others, have shaped my career as a“As I approach graduation, receivingmusician and a student at UIC, and I bethese awards is exciting and humbling.lieve they will help jumpstart me into myThey are a reflection of the hours and pas- life after graduation.”sion that I have poured into my art theseThis summer she will be performing atpast four years, and I am extremely gratethe Jazzin’ at the Shedd series and theful to be recognized nationally,” Pirtle said. 2018 Chicago Jazz Festival.Pirtle will graduate with honors fromIn addition to her career as a jazz vocalboth the Jazz Studies program and theist, she currently works as membership,Honors College, which she attended onvolunteer and office coordinator at theUIC graduating student Morgan Pirtle has won a DownBeat Student Music Award.(Photo: Colleen Garcia )Jazz Institute of Chicago and is aco-founder of the Women’s Jazz Leadership Initiative. She will continue to run theinitiative, which fosters a community ofprofessional female musicians and students in the Chicago area by focusing ondialog between artists, making connections and exchanging musical ideas.“Morgan represents the kind of talentthat is not commonly seen,” said ChrisMadsen, interim director of Jazz Studiesat the School of Theatre and Music at UIC.“Not only is she gifted with an immensenatural talent, but she possesses thework ethic and drive to consistently improve upon that talent. To top it off, she isa stellar student, as well. I have no doubtthat she can become a household name.”

8UIC News Wednesday, May 9, 2018Finding my senseof self at UICBy Farooq Chaudhry — mchaud23@uic.eduWhen I came to UIC in 2014, I enteredas a sociology major, thinking that studying society and analyzing social structures would be interesting. A year downthe line, I added a second major, economics, as I fell in love with ideas aroundeconomic development, econometricsand answering questions.This journey took me all sorts of interesting places. I worked as a researchassistant studying the affects of race ondecision making in a jury; I tutored economics to students from all sorts ofbackgrounds; I’m writing a thesis on theaffects of mass media on the treatmentof women in Pakistan.When I came to UIC in 2014, I enteredas a passive Muslim and apathetic Pakistani-American. Growing up in a townwith no diversity, not only did I never encounter opportunities for me to learnabout my traditions and heritage — Ididn’t even have the language to describe who I was as a person. I was a statistic reflected in demographic surveysclaiming diversity in skin, but not thought,or practice.This lack of understanding took me ona journey of exploration, resulting in becoming the co-president of the MuslimStudent Association, a civil rights activistand visiting Pakistan in 2017 (and findingmy heart there).As I walk away from UIC, I realize themost important knowledge one needs tohave is not of an academic or industrialdiscipline.Rather, it is knowledge of the self.Who are you, and who do you want tobe? Why are you here, and what are youdoing here? The answers to these questions are infinite and come in a multitudeof forms, but they all serve a singular purpose: to root you.The most important things I walk awayfrom UIC with are my sense of self, rootedin knowledge of who I am, where I camefrom and why I’m here.My roots span from Wazir Khan Masjidin Lahore, Pakistan, to The Gambia, thebeautiful city of Chicago, and all the wayto St. Charles, Illinois.My roots are treating others as thebest versions of themselves, whether ornot they’ve gotten there yet; my roots areloving and serving people as they are, not Farooq Chaudhry (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)who I expect or want them to be.My roots are Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah.My roots are The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and Purification of the Heart byHamza Yusuf.My roots span well beyond this page,and the point isn’t for me to list mine. Butrather to ask you, reader, who, what, whereare yours?As a dear mentor taught me, thosewho are rooted do not uproot, and thosewho are rooted are not shaken by storms.‘At UIC, I dared to dream’By Michelle Garcia De La VegaMichelle Garcia De La Vega (Photo: Jenny Fontaine)It feels like only yesterday that Istepped foot onto campus for the firsttime — an enthusiastic, yet insecure,19-year-old — unable able to answer themost basic question: What is your major?Today, as I sit in this commencementceremony with my fellow classmates, Icannot help but congratulate myself as Irecall these past four years of countlessprojects, essays, exams, presentations,readings, all-nighters and more coffeethan I should have consumed. I also recallsomething deeper: the process of personal growth.In these past four years, I’ve learned somuch from so many. Semester after semester, professors reminded me to exercise my mind, place my creativity intopractice, think critically

Facebook / uicnews. Twitter / uicnews YouTube / uicmedia. Instagram / thisisuic & uicamiridis. Photo: UIC Photo Services. CONGRATS, GRADUATES! 2. . Eboo Patel, who holds a doc - torate in the sociology of reli-gion from Oxford University, will address guests. Patel is the founder and pres -