Snodell Scholars Reception
Wabash College celebrated its newest group of Snodell Scholars, April 27, 2025, at a gathering in Oak Brook, Illinois. The reception honored a group of incoming freshmen who will make up part of the Class of 2029. Snodell Scholars come from the Chicagoland area and the scholarships are a gift of Walt ’68 and Kathy Snodell.
Class of 2029 Snodell Scholars
The Wabash College Class of 2029 Snodell Scholars. Front row (l to r): Daniel Escobedo, Jack Loftus, Kathy Snodell, Noah Mintie, and Luca De Rosa. Back row: Benjamin Donaldson, Riley Kesler, Michael Sisk, John Jarosz, Alex Klockow, Matthew Ostrowski, Bradley Stratton, Chasen Kazmierczak, and Gabriel Robinson.
(from left) Wendy and Scott Feller meet with the Robinsons. Garbriel (far right) is soon to be a Wabash College rising freshman.
Mintie listens to the conversation at his table.
Dominic Paul '28 (left) poses warmly with his family.
Kazmierczak (left) listens intently during lunch.
Robinson (left) chats with Chip Timmons '96, dean of enrollment management.
Isaac Jansen '27 ponders a point during lunch conversation.
Stratton was an active listener.
De Rosa (center) listens as a point is made at his table.
Kathy Snodell (left) talks with Loftus.
Snodell was all smiles on this afternoon.
Nathaniel Biniam '28 thoughtfully listens.
Tim Stohl '27 (right) shares a note with his father.
Kesler smiles during a light moment.
Chad Cleaver '00, a Wabash Board of Trustees member, enjoys the conversation at his table.
Nicholas Kries '28 converses easily.
Noah Villalon '26 (right) eyes the news on his mother's phone.
Klockow enjoys a relaxed moment.
Sisk reacts positively.
Snodell Scholar Grant Brewer '28 smiles knowingly.
Shane Zabinski '27 shares a smile.
Joe Hunt '28 (left) and his mother enjoy the moment.
Michael Kopecky '27 makes a point.
Jarosz enjoys a light moment.
Escobedo surveys the room.
Donaldson (left) listens as his father makes a point.
Kries (right) catches up with Kathy Snodell.
A parent enjoys the conversation around the table.
Senior Associate Director of Regional Admissions Kyle Vowell (left) talks with Cleaver.
Declan Chhay-Vickers '26, a Snodell Scholar and studnet body treasurer, welcomed the attendees and spoke specifically to the students, saying, "I really want to leave you now with some advice that I wish I learned a lot sooner in my Wabash career. The best piece of advice I’ve ever heard during my time at Wabash is that in order to be successful, every day you should be putting points on the board. What that means is that every day you should be doing something that moves you forward, whether that’s personally, professionally, or academically, as long as it’s moving you forward and making you a better man then it counts. No one is going to keep score for you. You have to be the one making sure you’re getting better and making the most out of the opportunities around you."
He continued, "Another lesson I’ve learned during my time here is that you can’t try to do everything your freshman year. That is why you have four years here. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is stretching yourself so thin that you can’t give your best to anything that you’re a part of. It’s important to be involved on campus, but it’s just as important to be smart about where you’re spending your time and energy. Pick one or two things, one or two organizations that you really enjoy and that you really want to invest your time in, and do that during your freshman year. During your sophomore year, if you feel like you can handle more, join more organizations, get more involved on campus."
As is usually the case, parents were beaming.
Wendy Feller (center) is a huge supporter of Wabash students.
"it’s very important to connect with our alumni network early," said Chhay-Vickers. "You can’t wait until you’re a senior. The alumni really do want to help you. They really do want to see you succeed, but you have to put yourself out there, and you have to start those conversations early in your Wabash career to be able to take full advantage of the Wabash network. The earlier you start building those relationships, the stronger your network will be by the time you need it."
Cleaver, portfolio manager at Driehaus Capital Management, delivered a keynote address.
Cleaver captured this parent's attention.
Cleaver told the students, "To the class of 2029, welcome to the Wabash brotherhood. I'd offer three little nuggets of how I would encourage you to take advantage of what Wabash has to offer. First, speak up. You're going to be in small classes with discussions where there is often no right or wrong answer. You’re here because we value your perspective and we want you to grow and gain from the perspectives of those around you. That’s the richness of the Wabash experience..."
He continued, "Second, reach out. While we may be busy, we are never too busy to help Wabash students. Third, get a passport. There are so many opportunities for immersion experiences, for study abroad. It’s a big world and it’s fascinating to get to know what’s out there. Take advantage of all these things and the countless others that Wabash offers to really transform your life the way that it’s transformed mine. I’m so excited for your journey."
Luca De Rosa (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Benjamin Donaldson (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Daniel Escobedo (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
John Jarosz (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Chasen Kazmierczak (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Riley Kessler (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Alex Klockow (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Jack Loftus (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Noah Mintie (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Matthew Ostrowski (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Gabriel Robinson (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Michael Sisk (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
Bradley Stratton (right) receives his Snodell Scholars certificate from Vowell (left) and Kathy Snodell.
"Those of you who are matriculating this year are joining the Snodell Scholars network," President Feller said. "You’ve got a great group of young men who want to see you find the same type of success that they have discovered. They’re dedicated to the college. They’re dedicated to your success. You will be given tremendous responsibility. Much will be expected of you, but every young man in this room, we have faith that you are going to take that responsibility and you’re going to make something great happen."
"Some intense experiences await you at Wabash College, and we are really glad that you have taken the road less traveled to come to a small, all-male college in west central Indiana," Feller said. "It’s a bold choice, gentlemen, a very bold choice, and I can endorse the bold choice, because for 193 years, it’s been a choice that has changed young men’s lives. The fact is, Wabash College is an institution that is committed to developing in you the virtues that will lead you to a productive life, a happy life, a life where you will be a young man who makes a difference in this world."
Chhay-Vickers (right) smiles during a conversation as Biniam looks on.
Conor Hindernam '28 takes in Feller's advice.
Feller ended by saying, "I believe that the young men who have chosen Wabash want to come because they want to go and do good things. I’m so excited that each of you is going to come and spend four years with a great group of students, a great group of faculty, coaches, and staff, because we want you all to go out and do good things in this world."
It's a great day to be a Wabash parent.
Chhay-Vickers closed by saying, "To the incoming freshmen, I’m excited for you. You have a lot ahead of you, a lot of opportunities waiting for you, and I hope you take full advantage of them and make your most out of your time at Wabash. Welcome to Wabash!"
Vowell wraps up the festivities.
Parents enjoy conversing with President Feller (left).
A group shot with Kathy Snodell, the incoming Class of 2029, and all other Snodell Scholars in attendance.