The following students have been selected as President’s Diplomats at William Penn University for the 2008 – 2009 academic year: Steve Benischek, Janna Carson, Lean Doolan, Ashley Garvis, Kacee Grub, Semsa Hasic, Eric Nesbitt, Nik Rule, Fernando Sanchez, Bram Vermeulen and Jaimie Williamson. 
      The President’s Diplomats are an elite group of students nominated by faculty and staff and selected by the president who best represent the university. They are chosen based on academics, leadership and potential for success. The program was started by Penn President Richard Sours and his wife, Charlotte, in August of 2005.  
      Diplomats serve as a voice between the president and the students, travel with
the president on occasion and have the opportunity to meet many alumni and friends of the university through various events.

Steve Benischek
      Steve Benischek is from Lisbon, Iowa and a 2005 graduate of Lisbon High School. He is the son of Mark and Julie Frederck and is a senior at Penn majoring in physical education with emphasis in sports administration and minors in health and business management. His extra curricular activities include football, Alpha Chi honor society and serving as president of Alpha Lambda Delta freshman honor society.
      Benischek was recruited to play football for Penn and appreciates all of the friends he has made during his time at Penn. He is also excited to have watched the construction of the new activity center the last few years. As a Diplomat he looks forward to the networking opportunities that will become available and attending events.
      Following graduation Benischek hopes to move to Chicago, Illinois, and work in marketing for an athletics team.

Janna Carson
      Janna Carson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, is the daughter of Jim and Cindy Carson and a 2006 graduate of Bonneville High School. Currently a junior, Carson is majoring in communications with an emphasis in public relations. At Penn, Carson is the head resident assistant of Lewis Hall, vice president of Student Government Association, editor of the yearbook The Quaker, a Student Ambassador, and participates in women’s golf. 
      She was familiar with William Penn because her sister Jodi Carson Steinlage attended the university and graduated in 2006. 
      “I always said I would not follow her to Penn, but I did not want to get lost in the crowd at a bigger university,” Carson said. “I came out here to Iowa rather reluctantly but have loved it ever since.”
      Carson sees her peers as a second family and appreciates having friends from across the world. While at Penn she also met her fiancé, Tony Eveland, who graduated from the university in May 2008. 
      She sees the President’s Diplomat program as an opportunity to educate others about William Penn while also being able to better herself. Following graduation, Carson plans to pursue a career in public relations and hopes to plan large events or work on political campaigns.

Leah Doolan
      Lean Doolan of Oskaloosa is the daughter of Mike and Linda Doolan, and a 2005 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. Currently a senior at Penn, Doolan is majoring in pre-professional biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. Her extra curricular involvement at Penn includes InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Ministries and international club. She also works at Wilcox Library.
      Doolan is excited to serve as a President’s Diplomat because she enjoys representing the university and sharing with the community her Penn experience. “I would like to share how my schooling here has helped me become the person I am today,” she said. 
      She also enjoys meeting new people and feels her time at Penn has offered many chances to develop one-on-one relationships with students and professors at the university.

Ashley Garvis
      Ashley Garvis is originally from Eldora, Iowa, and is the daughter of Gary and Laurene Garvis. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 2005 and is currently a senior at Penn majoring in communications with an emphasis in public relations. Her extra curricular activities include College Republicans, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Student Government Association and volleyball. 
      Garvis came to Penn after realizing the influence the university has on the community.
      “I recognized that Penn does a lot for this community and I wanted to become a part of the William Penn family,” Garvis said.
      She credits her involvement with politics as leading her to one of the best learning experiences of her life: working for the Fred Thompson political campaign as a regional coordinator. 
      Garvis looks forward to the lessons she will learn to become an excellent leader while being a Diplomat.
      “The President’s Diplomats at William Penn are known for being not only great students, but great leaders. Diplomats are exposed to learning opportunities that the average student would never get to experience,” Garvis said.
      After graduation, Garvis plans to further her education by earning a master’s degree and hopes to pursue a career in politics.

Kacee Grubb
      Kacee Grubb is from Oskaloosa and a 2006 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. She is the daughter of Greg Grubb and Renee Hamburg. Currently a junior at Penn, Grubb is majoring in business management with minors in accounting and economics. At Penn she is also involved in Student Ambassadors and the business club.
      “I really enjoy Penn because it’s a smaller school so you are able to get to know the professors and students pretty well; and being party of a university that is so diversified has been a great learning experience,” Grubb said.
      She wanted to become a Diplomat feeling the program offers valuable skills and information that will prove useful in the classroom environment as well as after college. Following her graduation from Penn, Grubb plans to pursue her master’s degree in business and work in sales or marketing near Oskaloosa.

Semsa Hasic
      Semsa Hasic is a native of Bosnia and came to William Penn from Richmond, Virginia. She is the daughter of Djerza Hasic and Nurija Hasic and graduated from Hermitage High School in 2005.  Hasic is a senior at William Penn this year and is majoring in business management with a minor in economics. Her involvement on campus includes volleyball, serving as president of the business club, treasurer of Student Government Association and working as a resident assistant.
      Hasic’s interest in William Penn developed upon learning the university has a strong business program and offers volleyball as an activity. She also liked the idea of attending a smaller school so she would feel comfortable in her environment.
      “Being away from my family was a big step to make, but looking back at my decision, I’m extremely glad I made that choice,” Hasic said.
      She feels her extra curricular involvement has helped her to prepare for life after graduation and appreciates the opportunity to meet new people. 
      “Penn has allowed me to extend my career opportunities, and one of those was completing an internship at a bank. Being at Penn, I not only gained leadership skills, but also used them by serving students, faculty and the community,” she said.
      Following graduation, Hasic plans to find a job and eventually attend graduate school and start a family.

Eric Nesbitt
      Eric Nesbitt is the son of Brian and Kelli Nesbitt and came to William Penn from Bismarck, Illinois. A 2006 graduate of Bismarck-Henning High School, he is a junior this year majoring in accounting with minors in business and economics. Nesbitt is a member of Student Government Association, business club, College Republicans and the men’s basketball team. 
      He was recruited to play basketball at Penn by Coach John Henry and said the team’s trips to the national tournament two years in a row tops some of his most memorable experiences at the university.
      As a Diplomat, Nesbitt looks forward to networking with others affiliated with William Penn. 
      “Getting the chance to work with and learn from Dr. Sours is an experience I couldn’t pass up,” Nesbitt said.

Nik Rule
      Nike Rule came to William Penn from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and is a 2005 graduate of Skyline High School. Currently a senior at Penn, he is the son of Milt and Shonni Rule and is majoring in U. S. Government with emphasis in pre-law and communications with emphasis in public relations. He is also pursuing a minor in business. At William Penn, Rule is currently serving as president of Student Government Association, is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Alpha Chi honor societies, College Republicans, men’s golf and writes for the student newspaper, The Chronicle.
      When starting his college search, Rule looked at many colleges across the Midwest and credits his mom for her assistance. “Without her, I wouldn’t be at this great place,” he said.
      Rule has found one of the most enjoyable aspects of his Penn experience is the opportunity to join various organizations and the people he has met through his involvement.
      Following his graduation from Penn, Rule plans to attend law school in the Midwest and aspires to have a career in politics.

Fernando Sanchez
      Fernando Sanchez of Baytown, Texas, is the son of Jesus and Josefina Sanchez and a 2005 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. Majoring in mechanical engineering, Sanchez is a senior at Penn, and in his spare time is involved in soccer, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and College Democrats.
      Sanchez learned about William Penn through his soccer coach who graduated from Penn. He has enjoyed the experience of living on his own while attending school in Iowa and making new friends. He also looks for ways to learn from those around him.
      “I am interested in Penn’s Diplomat program because it is a great opportunity to be around very intelligent people and learn as much as I can from them,” Sanchez.
      Following graduation, Sanchez plans to return to his hometown and look for a job.
 
Bram Vermeulen
      Bram Vermeulen is from Oskaloosa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 2006. He is the son of Cor and Gale Vermeulen and is currently a junior at Penn majoring in sociology with an emphasis in criminology and applied computer sciences with an emphasis in communications. On campus he is involved in Alpha Chi honor society, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, computer club, psychology/sociology club, soccer and also writes for the student newspaper, The Chronicle.
      He appreciates the friendships he has developed with fellow classmates from across the world at Penn. As Vermeulen prepares for his future, he is looking forward to developing more friendships and networking opportunities.
      “Before, just going to college was something that would give you an edge in the job market, but with more and more people attending college, this program provides another foothold,” Vermeulen said.
      Following graduation, Vermeulen hopes to become employed as a police officer.

Jaimie Williamson
      Jaimie Williamson is from Oskaloosa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 2006. She is the daughter of James Williamson and Tammy Brandt. This year, Williamson is a junior majoring in accounting and business management with a minor in economics. In addition to the President’s Diplomats, Williamson is also a member of freshman honor society Alpha Lambda Delta. Following her graduation from William Penn she hopes to further her education by earning her masters of accountancy and working as a Certified Public Accountant.
      Williamson was interested in becoming a Diplomat because she feels the program offers excellent opportunities to become better acquainted with students and university employees. “I think Penn’s Diplomat program has a lot to offer that will benefit me now and in my future,” she said.