Fellow Profiles

Efrem Bycer ‘09 was born in Seattle, Washington and has since lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, Oakton, Virginia, and South Burlington, Vermont. He enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking, snowboarding, and hiking. An avid basketball player, Efrem can be found shooting around and playing pick up before or after his shifts at the Cornell Fitness Center. If you can't find Efrem outside or on the court, he is likely partaking in his favorite pasttive--eating. A Cornell Tradition Fellow since his freshmen year, Efrem has also serves as a peer advisor for incoming Fellows. A leader in his fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, Efrem is the current Executive Vice President and former Philanthropy Chair. Efrem is committed to improving the community around him through service, advocacy, and a quest for social justice. This commitment was borne from Efrem's experience working on the recovery plan for the Upper and Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. The plan, written by students and faculty in Cornell's Department of City and Regional Planning, was adopted by the City Council and has resulted in $140 million of pledged public investment in these neighborhoods. To further this commitment, Efrem participated in the Cornell Urban Scholars Program in Summer 2008. On being a Tradition fellow, Efrem said "I am getting far more out of my college experience because I am more involved in the Cornell Community… even when my time here is done, I will remain a socially responsible member of my community.” After graduation in May 2009, Efrem hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in local government and/or non-profit management.

Kelsey Donahue ’09, like many Cornell Tradition fellows, is known as someone who consistently goes above and beyond in contributing her time and energy to various work and service projects.  During her sophomore year, when she wasn’t working as a student manager of Willard Straight Dining, she spent over 250 hours serving her hometown community as well as the campus and Ithaca communities.  Much of her involvement has been with Delta Delta Delta, the sorority she is a part of, and the Student Assembly Finance Commission (SAFC).  She is a leader in both organizations, serving as the Vice President of Administration in Delta Delta Delta, and the Vice President of Internal Operations of the SAFC.  In addition to her academic year activities (including Relay for Life and fund and awareness raising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital), she volunteers over the summer working with an AIDS clinic and other organizations.  In commenting on the impact Tradition fellows have had, Kelsey says “I truly think that the Tradition students of Cornell University have given the local community so much over the course of this program, this program is a staple of the community.”

Julie Lundgren ’09 is a fellow who not only excels in the classroom, but also on the Big Red Varsity Track team.  When Julie came to Cornell she thought she wanted to be a doctor, but after taking classes in several different disciplines she is a Policy Analysis and Management Major in the college of Human Ecology.  Julie is one of the Cornell Tradition’s Community Action Fellows (CAF).  Through her CAF she has worked with the City of Ithaca Controllers Office where she has been able to use her skills in finance and research to help improve policies in the city of Ithaca.  When Julie is not running on the track she can be found in various places on campus weather it be going to class, working in Mann Library, or volunteering with the Cornell Tradition.  Julie says that, "When I tell employers or community organizations that I am a Cornell Tradition Fellow, they immediately think of the honorable reputation that Tradition fellows have.  The community is definitely aware of the impact that Tradition Fellows make in both short and long term developments.”

Thomas Seery ’09 is an individual who truly has lots of Cornell spirit.  Thomas is the Drum Major of the Big Red Marching Band and he can be scene at many sporting events and spirit events throughout the year.  Not only can he be scene on the side lines pumping up an audience, he can be found on the field as he is the manager of 7 different Cornell intramural sports teams!  Thomas spirit is not confined to the Cornell community as he is an actively involved in Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  He is also an active member of the Cornell Commitment Leadership, Emergence, Assessment & Development Program (CC LEAD).  During the school year you can find Thomas up at Mann Library working as a student library assistant and during summers he works at the Office of the County Executive in Rockland County.  Even with all of Thomas Community and Campus involvement he still has time to go to class and is on the Dean’s List for the college of Arts and Sciences as a history major.  Thomas says that, “being a Cornell Tradition Fellow has enabled me to participate in activities such as CC LEAD that have facilitated the growth of my leadership skills, which I have used in my many leadership roles on campus.”