2018-Bryan Sherrill

Bryan Sherrill

Dual Degree: B.S. Civil/Environmental Engineering/ A.B. International Studies
Second Major: A.B. Spanish
Minor: Mechanical Engineering

300 Word Statement

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says feeding a man a fish lets him eat for a day while teaching him to fish will let him eat for a lifetime. Through my time at Lafayette, I have learned to fish not only so I could feed myself, but so others can learn to fish as well. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I have been surrounded by supportive faculty and peers who have taught me the value of empowering others. By working with peoples and organizations all around the world, from Kentucky to Guatemala, I have had the opportunity to not only realize what I have learned during my time on campus but also to forge strong relationships with others who are also working to make the world a more just place. I have come to believe that the Lafayette ideal is embodied in the student who not only sees inequity and discrimination but who collaborates with other members of the community to champion a collective will to combat these issues. By formulating plans with students across campus to promote projects such as climate change awareness and food donation initiatives in Easton, my goal has been to provide opportunities to enrich both the Lafayette community and the students who comprise it. In addition to furthering my work and education in the field of sustainable development in the US and abroad, I will take all that I have learned at Lafayette and strive to empower others to become change agents in their own right. It is through my dedication to community building, academic success, and international development that I have tried to embody the Lafayette ideal, an effort I hope will leave a lasting legacy of social change and civic engagement that will continue long after I am gone.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Society of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (4)

I was involved for four years in the club, during which time I was treasurer my second year, community outreach chair my third year, and president my senior year.

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (2)

Joining as a Junior, I was elected president and spent the next year rebuilding the club which culminated in a visit by the president-elect of the national ASCE organization.

  •  Marquis Scholars Award (4)

Selected as one of the 120 Marquis Fellows finalists, I was awarded the Marquis Scholars award.

  • Carolynn Van Dyke Award (1)

This award through the Career Services office allowed me to study and work in Guatemala my Junior Summer where I held two internship positions and perfected my Spanish.

  • EXCEL Scholar/ Hunsicker Fellow (1)

I spent my Freshman summer as an EXCEL scholar and hunsicker fellow working with Professor Hutchinson and Economic Empowerment and Global Learning Project (EEGLP) in Kentucky with a non-profit Appalshop in economic growth data acquisition and management structuring.

  • Order of the Omega (2)

Inducted as a Junior, the Order of the Omega is a National Honor Society for members of Greek life who excel in academics and campus involvement. I am currently the treasurer.

  • Tau Beta Pi (1)

Tau Beta Pi is the engineering national honors society.

  • Kershner Scholar (2)

This award is given to a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity who has excelled in his studies for at a minimum of three semesters.

  • Schwarzman Scholar Finalist

I was selected as a Schwarzman Scholar Finalist in October of 2017, where I was one of 600 finalists from over 6000 who applied for a final selection of around 140 spots at Tshingua University in Beijing. This is a prestigious, international scholarship.

  • Fulbright Scholars Program

I was selected as a Semi-Finalist for the Fulbright Scholarship and am still waiting to hear back as to whether I will be granted the award. If selected, I will be researching Sustainable Urban Drainage systems in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

  •  Marquis Fellow Shepard

I supervised a group of Marquis Fellow Finalists in February to determine their eligibility for the award.

  • Lafayette College Tour Guide (4)
  • ATTIC Tutor (2)

Community Service – Total Years Involved

  • English Teacher in Madrid Spain
  • Math and English Teacher in Guatemala
  • Make a Difference Day (2)
  • Easton Area Community Center Tutor

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

  • Intramural Floor Hockey (4)
  • Intramural Soccer (1)

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

  • Sustainable Easton Eats Community Restaurant Initiative (3)

The Easton Eats initiative is an attempt to establish a community restaurant in downtown Easton utilizing donated food from both the college and the community. Trial runs for community interest are currently underway, with at least three key community partners in collaboration, and a business plan is contracted.

  • Water Test Kit Idea

I am currently working on an idea for a water testing device for developing countries and am working towards creating a prototype.

  • Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala Certification of the Popol Wuj

This award was given to me while in Guatemala for my study of the Popol Wuj, the sacred text of the Mayan faith.