Class of 2026

cHRIS Byrnes

Hi frens! I’m Chris Byrnes (he/they). I’m a junior double majoring in Government & Law and Asian Studies and minoring in Data Science. I’m from Sparta, New Jersey and this is my second year in the house and as McKelvy Alumni Relations co-chair. I can’t wait to have so many fun talks with scholars and to get to know everyone! Outside McKelvy, I am an Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar, director of LafayetteVotes and research assistant for a couple professors in the Gov/Law department. When I’m at the house, you can find me in the gardens taking pictures of cute lil flowers, reading old books in the study and/or arguing with other scholars about how cereal should be eaten dry. Oh, and you’ll probably see me with my stuffed animals. Overall, I’m super excited to be a part of a community, form some memories, share some laughs, and learn a whole lot from other scholars. If you see me, don’t be afraid to say hi to me and my plushies :)

Olivia combs

Hallo! I am Olivia (She/Her) and I am your local Cary, North Carolina representative. I am a Junior, which makes this my second year in McKelvy House! I am excited to continue my involvement in this wonderful community. I am a Physics major with a German minor and, potentially, an Astronomy concentration. As for campus involvement, I am a Development Assistant in Markle Hall, an EXCEL researcher, a member of the Student Conduct Board, President of the Lafayette Astronomy Club, and a part of McKelvy Alumni Relations. It may seem like a lot, which it is, but you don’t notice the workload when you’re having fun! In my limited free time, you can most likely find me sewing, reading, exercising, or practicing guitar. Most likely though, I’ll be grumbling over physics homework. When I’m in McKelvy, you can most likely find me in my room. When I’m not in McKelvy, you can most likely find me in Hugel/Skillman. If you ever see me around just give me a quick wave. Feel free to stop by my room, grab a candy, and ask what sewing project I’ve got cooking; I’ll even replace your lost buttons if you ask nicely (a.k.a food).

jack delaney

Hey lovelies! My name is Jack (he/him) and I’m a junior biochemistry major with a math minor (I promise there is some substance in my life). I am from Gettysburg, PA and you will never hear me say a good thing about it! This year I am SO excited to be McKelvy co-president with the lovely Tessa Giardi. McKelvy is such a special community to be a part of and I would not trade it for anything. On campus, I am a hermit of Hugel. I’m both a TA and SI this semester for gen chem, I am involved with ACS, and I work in Professor Hines’ lab researching prion diseases and, more importantly, chaperone proteins. If you see me around campus, please please please don’t hesitate to chat and ask about McKelvy! I was one of the recruitment chairs last year, so am an excellent resource for anyone considering applying for the program. Anywho, see you around!

ari ismail

Wazzaaaaaaa. I’m Ari (they/he). I’m a junior International Affairs and FAMS double major with a minor in Chinese. I’m from Guilderland, NY. I am on exec for Refugee Action, the Muslim Students Association, and Middle Eastern Studies Association. I volunteer with Landis MOSAIC programs, take photos for The Lafayette, and am part of ISA. I work at the WCA as a technician, for the FAMS department, and am an EXCEL with Professor Nandini Sikand. In my free time, I sleep, go to community gardens, play guitar & bass, lose at Catan, watch bad movies with my friends, rock climb, take photos and then wake up :) You can most likely find me on a roof in McKelvy. I’m excited for McKelvy to expand beyond our lovely stone walls and also to get to know all of my fellow McScholars better ♡

moira humphrey

Hey guys! I’m Moira (she/her) and I’m a junior Economics and Mathematics double major. I’m originally from Florida but my family just made a big move to Connecticut… so take that as you will. On campus, I do more than I probably should… I do EXCEL Research, I’m a Microeconomics MSG, Admissions Ambassador, Kaleidoscope Peer Educator, Refugee Action Outreach Chair, Open Education Researcher, Whitman Fellow, and a few other things. I also serve as the Social Media Chair for McKelvy (@lafmckelvyhouse – check it out!) In my free time, you’ll likely find me spending way too much time in the swanky new Econ building or enjoying the lovely McKelvy Gardens. You can also spot me all the way across campus considering my hair is basically impossible to miss. Feel free to stop and chat with me–I’m always happy to meet someone new!

anthony malshyti

Hi! My name is Anthony. I am a junior Chemical Engineering major. I’m from The Bronx, NY. I am a member of AICHE, do research with Professor Senra on biofuels, and am a part of Running Club. In my free time I love to do anything outdoors whether that is hike, run, or kayak. I also love to travel and went abroad in Germany this past semester and traveled to over ten countries! I love spending time in the garden or walking around College Hill. You’ll also spot me in the engineering building or working at the library. Feel free to come talk to me about anything from the House, study abroad or engineering!

CAMSEY Noonan

Howdy! My name is Camsey (they/them) and I’m a junior English major with a Chinese minor from Washington, DC. This is my second year in the house and I’m so excited to return as one of the co-recruitment chairs looking for our next cohort of scholars! Alongside being a scholar, I’m a tour guide, Writing Associate, Kaleidoscope Peer Educator, and the best forensics competitor living in the house (despite what Ben says). When I’m not falling asleep in Mckelvy’s gardens, you can find me grabbing coffee at Mojo’s with a friend, hiding in a corner of the library with a book, or getting competitive over Wii Sports at unholy hours with my fellow scholars. Although I’ll be abroad in the fall, I’m excited to return in the spring to my fellow scholars. If you see me around campus, come say hi! You’ll get bonus points if you ask me about books, Taiwan, or Mckelvy :)

nate rashkind

Hello, my name is Nate Rashkind, and I am a third-year from Wilmington, Delaware. I am currently double-majoring in Economics and Policy Studies. I joined McKelvy at the end of my first year, and am a member of the executive board as the treasurer. Before coming to Lafayette, I took a gap year, where I worked at the University of Pennsylvania in the Athletic Department. Outside of McKelvy, I am a member of Student Government (Sustainability, Budgets, Census, Academic Affairs Committees). I am also on the executive board of the Lafayette Investment Club. In my free time I work for the Men’s Lacrosse team, helping to run their social media channels. You can often spot me (slowly) running stairs at Fisher Stadium or around College Hill.

ben risley

What’s cookin’ good lookin’, my name is Ben and I’m from Hebron CT, basically in the middle of nowhere. I’m on the Pre-Law track, double majoring in Government & Law and Econ and minoring in Data Science. This is my second year as a member of the Mckelvy Scholars program, and I’m spending it a million miles away in Washington DC. I hope they don’t forget about me when I’m gone! This year I’m excited about my fall internship, going to museums, and being in Eastern Standard Time (Haha, Camsey). In the spring at Lafayette, my goals are to attend running club 3-5 times, win the spike ball world championship, and continue my career as a tour guide. This semester you most likely won’t find me but when I’m back in the spring I will be frequently stationed in the study. I can’t wait to meet all the new scholars when I get back!!!