Class of 2026

Cara bechtler

cHRIS Byrnes

Ciao! My name is Chris Byrnes (he/him). I’m a sophomore Government & Law major and Data Science minor from Sparta, New Jersey. This is my first year in the house and I serve as the co-chair of McKelvy Alumni Relations and I can’t wait to have so many fun talks with scholars and get to know everyone! In my free time, I work in the college archives on letters written by the Marquis de Lafayette. I also do research with the art galleries, run my own radio show in WJRH (104.9 FM, shameless plug), I’m a part of LafayetteVotes, and I work with the Meyner Center and college development office. 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 penguin, Carl (pictured above). 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 chat and to say hi to Carl :)

Olivia combs

Hallo! I am Olivia (She/Her) and I proudly represent Cary, North Carolina on this fine campus! I joined McKelvy this year so I am excited to find things to do in the house. I have recently decided that I am Physics major with a German Minor and, hopefully, an Astronomy Concentration. I am a Development Assistant in Markle Hall on campus. I also am a member of the Student Conduct Board, Secretary of the Lafayette Astronomy Club, and a part of the McKelvy Alumni Relations Committee. Now that I decided my major, I am excited to start branching out within the major and other areas of campus. Perhaps I’ll get into research or go on a study abroad; I suppose I better start planning! In my free time you can catch me in my room or occasionally wandering about the house. I’ll probably be sewing, practicing guitar, reading, or whatever else captured my interest that day. Most likely, I’ll be grumbling over physics homework. If you ever see me around just give me a quick wave or 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

Hi lovelies! My name is Jack Delaney (he/him) and I am a sophomore biochem major with a minor in math (I promise there is some substance in my life). I am from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and you will never hear me say a good thing about it! Actually, it did prepare me for Mckelvy by being the most haunted town in America, our house ghost has nothing on the battlefields. Anywho, I am SO excited for my first year in Mckelvy! In the house, I spend a lot of time in my little nook of the quad or roaming around finding Mcscholars to bother. I also love catering to my plant babies’ needs, switching between four or five books without sitting and actually finishing one, and playing Scrabble with the other lovely scholars. On campus, I am a hermit of Hugel. You can find me TAing gen chem labs, convincing myself I chose the right major, or researching chaperone proteins and prion diseases with Professor Hines’ research lab. Additionally, I am a member of ACS, math club, and oSTEM. If you see me around, say hi and ask about the house, or whatever really; I love new faces!

ari ismail

Wazzaaaaaaa. I’m Ari (they/he). I’m a sophomore International Affairs and FAMS double major with a minor in Chinese. I’m from Guilderland, NY. I live in the house and am a Co-External Relations Chair. 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, at Special Collections, and am an EXCEL with the Queer Archives Project. In my free time, I sleep, go to community gardens, play guitar & bass, lose at Catan, watch bad movies with my friends, rock climb, 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 ♡

jinrong hu

Hello everyone! My name is Jinrong Hu, and I am a sophomore majoring in math and philosophy. This is my first year living in McKelvey. I’m from Shanghai, China, great place with subjectively the best restaurants in the entire world. On campus, I am an Excel Student Researcher in combinatorics, a member of Math Club, ACA, Philosophy Club, and Data Science Community. Other than academics, I play trumpet and sing as a chamber singer. Please contact me if you are interested in skating in Steel Ice Center in Bethlehem, this is a D-1 division college, but literally, nobody figure skates. I’m also an enjoyer of tea, you can find me doing a tea ceremony in the study, which is pretty cool. Coming into the house, I’m very excited to meet with other scholars and discuss various topics.

moira humphrey

Hey! My name is Moira Humphrey (she/her) and I am a sophomore Economics major—although being the overachiever I am, I’m bound to add a double major at some point. I am from Winter Springs, Florida (a fact I have a love-hate relationship with). This year will be my first year living in the house, and I’m really excited to be a part of such an amazing community. I run a meticulous Google Calendar that helps me keep track of classes and my extracurricular involvements, which include being an Ambassador for the Office of Admissions, an EXCEL Research Scholar, a Student Government representative, and more. Something I’m looking forward to most about this year is participating in the LIME study abroad trip to Madagascar during the winter interim! For fun, I enjoy crocheting, baking, or whatever random hobby I decide to pick up for two weeks and later forget about. My goals for the year include doing a Madagascar movie series marathon, finally finishing the blanket I’ve been crocheting, trying new things, and maintaining my sanity. Check in with me to see how I’m doing on that last goal—or just to chat, that’s fine too.

anthony malshyti

Hi everyone!! My name is Anthony Malshyti and I am majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in German. This is my first year living in the house! I am from New York City AKA The Big Apple. On campus I am secretary of the Running Club where we run all kinds of road races anywhere from a 5K to a Half Marathon, member of LOST, and a library worker. This past summer I did research with Professor Senra in the Chemical Engineering Department on Biofuels. In my free time I love to run, hike, cook, and travel. Next semester I will be studying abroad in Germany which I am super excited about. In McKelvy you will mostly find me at the table upstairs doing work, playing Wii on the main floor or when the weather is nice outside you’ll see me hanging out in the garden. I am excited to get to know everyone more in the house and to cook a few dinners for the house!

CAMSEY Noonan

Howdy! My name is Camsey (she/they) and I’m a sophomore English major with a Chinese minor from Washington, DC. This is my first year in the house and I’m so excited to be one of the co-recruitment chairs looking for our next cohort of scholars! Alongside being a scholar, I’m a tour guide, Writing Associate, EXCEL Scholar with Professor Belletto, class representative for OUT Lafayette, 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 watching Too Hot to Handle at unholy hours with my fellow scholars. I’m really excited to get to know my fellow scholars better this year, and for all the great discussions we have planned! If you see me around campus, come say hi! You’ll get bonus points if you ask me about books, music, or Mckelvy :)

nate rashkind

Hello, my name is Nate Rashkind, and I am a second-year from Wilmington, Delaware. As of now, I plan on double-majoring in Economics and Policy Studies. I joined McKelvy this year and am a member of the Executive Board as the Co-treasurer with my freshman-year roommate, Ben Risley. 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 the Lafayette Investment Club, the Lafayette Consulting Group, and the Club Golf team. I also work for the Men’s Lacrosse team, helping to run their social media channels. Around the house, I can be found in the backyard or the study (when I am not dead asleep in my room). This year, I am most excited to participate in various discussions with the other scholars, and make an attempt at cooking the house (mediocre at best) food.

ben risley

What’s cookin’ good lookin’, my name is Ben and I’m from Hebron CT (where Sarah is from) basically in the middle of nowhere. I’m on the Pre-Law track, double majoring in Government & Law and Econ and a minor in Data Science. This is my first semester as a member of the Mckelvy Scholars program, and I’m honored to be the house treasurer. I like being the treasurer because I like money, but if some funds go missing it’s because I’m bad at math ;) I’m super excited to make a lot of new friends, have fun memories and bully Camsey. In my “free” time on campus I’m a flighty member of the running club, an avid spikeball player, and a tour guide. Outside of college I train for and compete in triathlons and spend money like I’m Jeff Bezos (I am not Jeff Bezos). You’re most likely to find me in my room because it’s the best room in the house, no debate. This year I’m excited to branch out and learn so much more about my Lafayette community with all my McHousemates.