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Senior Spotlight 2025
Class of 2025 Senior Spotlight on Mary Boucher ’25, William Wallace ’25, Amanda Nnodim ’25, Elijah Poritzky ’25 and Denisse Castro-Rivera ’25.
University Communications congratulates the Class of 2025 and thanks the students, faculty and staff who helped us tell their stories, and, through them, the stories of Furman University. Special thanks to these five graduates, who represent a class of immense talents and immeasurable promise.
Mary Boucher ’25. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University
Mary Boucher ’25
Majors: English and psychology
Hometown: Camden, South Carolina
Favorite Furman memory: I have to say March Madness in 2023. Now a picture of me is in the Furman basketball facility holding my head in shock when JP Pegues hit the game-winner. I became a meme at that game.
Biggest influence: At Furman, everyone is accessible and wants to help you. My three advisors – Margaret Oakes, Veronica Flores and Maya Russell – each shaped my path in different ways. There’s absolutely no way I’d be in the position I’m in without them.
The Furman Advantage is real, but you must take advantage of it. No one is going to do it for you.
After graduation: I’ve chosen the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law to pursue my law degree. I’ll receive the Carolina Legal Research Fellowship that includes a full scholarship and a research stipend.
Elijah Poritzky ’25. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University
Elijah Poritzky ’25
Major: Communications studies
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, New York
Favorite Furman memory: I loved being captain of the tennis team and having the success we had together. I never thought I would find myself in leadership positions, but slowly and deliberately I got to that point. I’ve led teams, I’ve led groups and I’ve loved every moment of it.
Biggest influence: Mary Sturgill (media specialist and instructor at Furman) was one of the most influential people I met at Furman. I learned the most I’ve learned from any class with her. She helped me find my voice and got me into the Communications Advisory Board and so much more. And, of course, my advisor, Adam Richards, made life so easy with his advice and the attention he showed. He truly shaped my Furman career.
After graduation: My goal is to play professional tennis, but my thoughts have shifted a bit. If my wrist injury doesn’t get better, I know I’ve found ways to utilize the Furman network to my advantage including some talks with BMW or maybe working with a sports media company. I’m used to adapting to situations and no matter what I will do my very best.
Amanda Nnodim ’25. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University
Amanda Nnodim ’25
Major: Health sciences
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Favorite Furman memory: One that stands out is the Moonlight Breakfast. Seeing all the professors there serving food and eating breakfast late at night with all my friends is just wonderful. And I wouldn’t be where I am without my sorority and my sisters there. Moments with them are some of the best memories I’ll ever make. They have helped me become the person I am and the person I want to be.
Biggest influence: Franklin Ellis, director of the Center for Interpersonal Connections. When you meet him, he is a ray of sunshine. He’s like a friend, he’s like a father, he’s like a mentor. It’s all in one. He’s there for you whenever you need it, he supports you, but then he’s also going to keep it real with you.
After graduation: I’m going to be moving to Dallas as a certified nursing assistant with labor and delivery while I earn more patient hours. I will earn those hours and, by next year, I’ll go ahead and apply to physician’s assistant school.
William Wallace ’25. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University
William Wallace ’25
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Favorite Furman memory: My favorite memories have often been with my fraternity brothers. We had a night when it was pouring rain, and we just pulled out a tarp in front of the apartments and turned it into a slip-and-slide. Those spontaneous moments are what college is about, and those moments are what I’ll remember.
Biggest influence: I didn’t realize how strong the Furman network was until I started job hunting. Just mentioning Furman made people immediately want to help me. My professor, Sandy Roberson, has been more than just a teacher – she’s been a mentor. And Marion McHugh has been instrumental in my academic journey, not just as a professor but as a research advisor. He’s helped me think beyond the classroom.
After graduation: I’ve accepted an offer with KPMG in their Jacksonville, Florida office as an international tax associate, focusing on global shipping, logistics and cruise lines.
Denisse Castro-Rivera ’25. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University
Denisse Castro-Rivera ’25
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Favorite Furman memory: It’s about the memories that multiply for me. Anytime I’ve stopped to talk to somebody on campus, the next thing you know, we’ve been talking for like two hours. It doesn’t matter what they are about or what we have going on, we just talk for a while. Those conversations are always so satisfying.
Biggest influence: My professors Eunice Rojas and Kaniqua Robinson have been so encouraging of me and my path. Dr. Rojas was the person who stopped me after class and got me involved in publishing some of my work. And Judith Williams, my anthropology professor, was like my second mom. She made sure I heard what I needed to hear, not just what I wanted to hear.
After graduation: I plan to continue my internship with the Pickens County (South Carolina) Museum and finish work on a few projects that I have there. After that, I will go to graduate school and hopefully work toward my current dream of opening a community-centered museum to highlight humanity through cultures and across generations. And I’m going to try and learn the accordion.