The Gummere Fellows Program is made up of a talented and diverse group of students selected annually to represent the College as ambassadors who play pivotal roles in both Enrollment and Alumni Engagement efforts.
2025-26 Gummere Fellows Annual Report
Admissions Impact
The Gummere Fellows program plays an essential role in supporting Lake Forest College’s admissions efforts. In an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, it is imperative that the College put its best foot forward at every opportunity. Over the past year, prospective students and their families have consistently praised the Gummere Fellows for how thoughtfully and authentically they represent the College, offering nuanced perspectives on their experiences as students. Below is a summary of admissions activities supported by the program:
- 2 fall open house programs
- 9 admitted student programs
- Numerous individual outreach efforts to admitted students
- 1 Junior Visit Day for rising high school juniors
- 1 fly-in program for 24 high school counselors from across the country
At in-person events, the Gummere Fellows are trusted in a variety of high-impact endeavors, notably:
- Participating in student panels
- Providing campus tours
- Hosting admitted students in their residence hall rooms
- Serving as content experts in many facets of the student experience (leadership opportunities, internships, off-campus study, athletics, etc.)
Despite the challenges confronting higher education, the College was pleased to announce another successful enrollment campaign as Lake Forest welcomed the largest class in College history. 423 new first-year students and 116 transfer students joined the Forester Family this August. The Gummere Fellows played an outsized role as student ambassadors in supporting the College’s ambitious enrollment goals.
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As a transfer student, I was so pleased that my experience at Lake Forest College aligned with how Admissions spoke about both academics and athletics. I applied to be a Gummere Fellow because I hoped to have a positive impact on prospective students and their families by sharing my college experience in an authentic way. Beyond graduation, Spike continues to check in and celebrate my successes, consistent with the sentiment that I'm a "Forester forever."
Sangjun Hornewer ’20
Advancement Impact
The Gummere Fellows once again played an integral role in supporting the Office of Advancement this year, helping strengthen connections between students, alumni, donors, and other members of the Forester community through events, fundraising initiatives, and personal engagement.
At 2025 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Gummere Fellows joined alumni at the Golden Foresters Luncheon, an annual celebration honoring alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Fellow Keisha William ’27 shared remarks with an audience of more than 60 Golden Foresters, creating a meaningful opportunity for alumni to hear directly from a current student. Fellows and alumni alike shared how much they enjoyed connecting across generations, making the luncheon an especially memorable experience. Bob Hernquist ’65 shared his reflections on the event in a recap feature story shared with alumni. Bringing Gummere Fellows together with Golden Foresters has become a new tradition, and one that we look forward to continuing at future Homecoming and Reunion Weekends.
The Fellows also played an important role in 2026 Forester Day celebrations both on campus and in Chicago. On campus, Fellows supported the telethon, helped with setup for the student celebration, and brought their enthusiasm and Forester spirit to campus. In Chicago, Fellows assisted with event check-in and had the opportunity to meet and mingle with alumni, giving them a firsthand glimpse into the lifelong Forester community beyond campus. These experiences helped Fellows see how the connections they are building as students can continue long after graduation.
Throughout the year, Gummere Fellows also hosted numerous one-on-one campus tours for alumni, donors, and other special guests. Their ability to welcome guests, share their experiences, and tell authentic stories about student life adds a personal dimension to every visit. Advancement is deeply grateful for the Fellows’ enthusiasm and their ability to help donors, alumni, and guests experience Lake Forest College through the eyes of a student—making each campus visit more meaningful and memorable.
Professional Development and Campus Leadership
In January, the Gummere Fellows participated in a virtual “Ask Me Anything” session with former Gummere Fellows, creating an opportunity for current Fellows to learn from alumni who had recently navigated the transition from Lake Forest College to life after graduation. Alumni Fellows shared their experiences pursuing full-time careers and graduate education, offering practical advice, encouragement, and perspective as the current class of Fellows prepares its own next steps.
Professional development is a key focus of the program for the 2026–2027 academic year, with plans to incorporate more opportunities for Fellows to explore career paths, build professional skills, and expand their networks.
In addition to the professional development opportunities afforded to all Fellows, seniors in the program are awarded a $500 grant to be used at their discretion to support launching their careers as well as a one-year subscription to LinkedIn Premium. This year, all our graduating Fellows utilized the LinkedIn Premium subscription. Examples of how the development grant was used include: graduate school application fees, professional organization memberships, and costs toward professional clothing.
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I was drawn to the Gummere Fellows program because of Spike’s commitment to Lake Forest College and its community. The program embodies the spirit of service, connection, and Forester pride that I wanted to share with others. Whether welcoming prospective students or connecting with alumni, the fellows are united by a shared commitment to leave the College better than we found it.
Jake Sharifi '24
Recent Graduates
We are pleased to celebrate the seven Gummere Fellows who graduated from the College in May. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their service to the program and wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives.
- Isabel DeStefano ‘26, economics (Chicago, Illinois) | Client Service Associate at Lynch McPeek Wealth Management
- Megan Dodrill ‘26, biology and politics (Boulder, Colorado) | Legal Administrative Assistant at Colorado University, Boulder’s University Counsel
- Alex Hanin ‘26, English literature (San Francisco, California) | Analyst Trainee at DigiStream Investigations
- Daniel Leuchtenberger ‘26, economics (Chicago, Illinois) | Docket Specialist at Jenner & Block
- Anna Palianichka ‘26, business (Mundelein, Illinois) | Marketing Coordinator at Field Theory Consulting
- Emilia de Paula Fonseca ‘26, international relations and economics (Chicago, Illinois) | Finance Trainee at Kraft Heinz
- Chelsea Sinclair ‘26, communications (Northbrook, Illinois) | Advancement and Athletics Operations Assistant at Lake Forest Country Day School
Selection Process and New Additions
The Gummere Fellows program continues to occupy a highly regarded status among current students at the College, so the selection process has grown more competitive each year. The program received over 20 applications for just a handful of openings, and we are pleased to welcome the following new Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year:
- Wengipreye Indiamaowei ’28 (Bayelsa, Nigeria)
- Christian Kakhome ’28 (Lilongwe)
- Roxanne Lazanyi ’29 (Niles, Illinois)
- Luz Ocana Dessen ’29 (Portland, Oregon)
- Annika Sankner ’27 (Pennington, New Jersey)
- Desang Tenzin ’28 (Bhutan)
- Jillian Beaster ’28 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Staff Advisors
- Michael Cohen | Office of Admissions
- Emily Pokryzwa | Office of Admissions
- Michelle Mittelman | Office of Advancement
- Haley Randall | Office of Advancement
