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Young Alumni Philanthropy Council Welcomes Inaugural Class

March 11, 2021

Twenty-four alumni will have the honor of connecting with the college’s top alumni leaders from the Dean’s Advisory Council and the College of Engineering’s Campaign Committee.

The Young Alumni Philanthropy Council, a newly launched group whose mission is to inspire supporters to create a world that works by providing life-changing opportunities for future generations, has cemented its inaugural class. Twenty-four alumni have been welcomed as members.

“Each member of the Young Alumni Philanthropy Council is an exceptional leader who will significantly influence the mission of the college,” said Rudy Buchheit, Dr. Rebecca Burchett Liebert Dean of the College of Engineering, when the application period opened. “I can’t wait to see what this powerful group of alumni will do.”

The prestigious group comprises engineering graduates under the age of 40 and will have the honor of connecting with the college’s top alumni leaders from the Dean’s Advisory Council and the College of Engineering’s Campaign Committee. Amna Al-Jumaily (BSCHA 2019), a member of the inaugural Council, is thrilled to work alongside campaign committee member Stan Pigman (BSMNG 1981).

"During my senior year at UK, I had the amazing and lifetime opportunity to be a part of Mr. and Mrs. Pigman’s leadership class and travel to D.C. with them and the class,” said Al-Jumaily. “Since then, I have remained awe-inspired by the Pigmans. I’ve never witnessed such generosity from any other individual. I was particularly moved by how Mr. Pigman recruited students to engineering, paid for tuition costs and kept mentoring them along the way. Witnessing the change and outstanding positive impact they made on my life and the life of my peers has aspired me to give back with dedication and without hesitation.”

To join the Council, every member gave $1,000 to the college to be pooled together and given to the program(s) of choice as voted on by the Council. Members will also mentor current engineering students, serve as alumni ambassadors and network with other young alumni professionals.

“I am excited about this opportunity to give back to the College of Engineering that enabled me to pursue my dream of working on the cutting edge of human space flight,” said Jacob Ingram (BSME 2015). “As a young professional, I find this council to be a great way to engage like-minded graduates. I think it's incredibly important to engage both time and financial resources to impact meaningful change with the university and college. This new council of young alums provides such an opportunity.”

The prestigious Council is led by inaugural chair Michael Graehler Jr. (BSCE 2018). “There has never been a better way to give back to the college that gave us so much—and have fun with other engineers while doing it!” said Graehler. In this role, Graehler will serve on the College’s Campaign Committee and provide input from the Council to impact and shape the future generations of College of Engineering graduates. Dr. Joseph Halcomb (BSME 1974), chair of the College of Engineering’s Campaign Committee, has been supportive of the Council’s initiative since its inception.

“I am very grateful for the commitment these young alumni are making to the College—and the leadership they will offer in the years ahead,” said Dr. Joe Halcomb (BSME 1974), philanthropy committee chair for the UK College of Engineering. “Together, we can help shape the future of the College—and UK Engineering can make a difference in the world.”  

The full list of inaugural members is below. You can learn more about the Council and its members here.

  • Amna Al-Jumaily (BSCHE 2019), Refining Engineer, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
  • Zack Anderson (BSCS 2017), Software Engineer, Northrop Grumman
  • Maya Anthony (BSBAE 2014), Project Engineer, Fairbanks Morse, LLC
  • Jami Arrowsmith (BSCHE 2005), Marketing Director, Eastman Chemical Company
  • Emmanuel Brace (BSCE 2008), Consultant
  • Andy Conway (BSCS, BSCOE 2018), Operations Analyst, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
  • Marie Coughlin (BSME 2018), Project Engineer, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
  • Michael Graehler (BSCE 2018), Investment Banking Analyst, SVB Leerink
  • Vanessa Holloway (BSMAT 2015), Organizational Strategy Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Jacob Ingram (BSME 2015), Mission Integration Engineer, SpaceX
  • Emily Kerns (BSCE 2019), Director of Geotechnical Engineering, Thoroughbred
  • Haden Marrs (BSEE 2013), Associate and Registered Patent Attorney, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
  • Austin Mitchell (BSCE 2018), Civil Engineer in Training, AECOM
  • Jess Ozier (BSCHE 2018), Formulation Development – Parenterals Engineer, Evonik Corporation
  • Amirala Pasha (BSMNG 2008), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic
  • Casey Proffitt (BSCE 2018), Civil Analyst—Land Development, Kimley-Horn and Associates
  • Isabella Ritz (BSMAT 2020), Materials Engineer—Edison Engineering Development Program, GE Aviation
  • Sarah Schweitzer (BSCE 2017), Operations Preparations Engineer, PEAK Wind
  • Mujan Seif (BSMAT 2017), Graduate Research Assistant/NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow, University of Kentucky
  • Will Thurmond (BSEE 2015), Electrical/Technology Designer, CMTA, Inc.
  • Madeline Tourt (BSCE 2020), Project Engineer, Messer Construction
  • Zachary Usselton (BSCE 2018, MSCE 2019), Project Engineer, Marine Solutions, Inc.
  • Andrew Weber (BSCE 2019), Field Engineer, Columbia Gas of Kentucky
  • Rebecca Wingfield (BSME 2007), Flight Director, NASA