Mackenzie Bolen, Ph.D. '21

Mack began pursuing her curiosity in research related to the brain as an undergraduate at Austin College. She conducted work in Dr. Renee Countryman’s lab, which evolved into an honors thesis and culminated in her 2020 TEDx talk on sports-related brain injuries. Mack then pursued a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Florida (UF), where she defended her dissertation on biomarkers that exist outside of the brain as a consequence of neurodegenerative disease. In addition to her scholarly work, Mack regularly volunteered at the UF Neuromedicine Intensive Care Unit and served on the Intensive Critical Care Medical Artificial Intelligence board. After completing her Ph.D. training in May 2025, she was accepted as a Postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences at Stanford University. Now at Stanford, Mack is working on biomarkers that indicate neurodegenerative risk early in life, via the gut-brain axis.

Laura J. Lawson '10

Laura J. Lawson is an interdisciplinary artist who connects the humanities to interstellar exploration. She is a graduate of Austin College (BA) and The University of Memphis (MFA). She was awarded a residency at the Centre d’Art Marnay Art Center in Marnay-sur-Seine, France, and was selected for the first cohort of studio artists at the Cedars Union art incubator in Dallas. In 2026 she will join The Arctic Circle residency for a two-week voyage. Her work has been shown in Vignette Art Fair, New Texas Talent XXVII, the Amarillo Museum of Art Biennial, and in international juried exhibitions. Her TEDx talk at Austin College stressed the importance of better standards for time and space to do creative work. Lawson works with the Lunar and Planetary Institute to foster collaboration between artists and scientists at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference through a series of workshops, which she is returning to for a third time in 2025. She is also full-time art faculty for Dallas College. 

Ann Crews Melton '03

Ann Crews Melton is a facilitative leader, nonprofit strategist, and consensus builder. She joined Consensus Council as executive director in 2020. Ann first used the consensus model of decision-making as co-moderator of the National Network of Presbyterian College Women. Her career has prioritized ecumenical and interfaith relations, including roles at the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Temple Israel Boston. 

Ann remains committed to dialogue across differences, as well as to the transformative power of the arts and humanities. She previously served as an editor at the State Historical Society of ND and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, and as religion reporter at the Bismarck Tribune.

A Texas native, Ann holds a bachelor’s degree from Austin College and a master’s degree from Emerson College in Boston. She presented “Building Consensus Across Differences” at TEDxAustinCollege in 2021.

Ann is a council member of Heart River Lutheran Church, which meets at the ND Heart River Correctional Center. She is an Aspen Institute Better Arguments Ambassador, former board officer of Humanities North Dakota, and a strong proponent of civic engagement, restorative practices, and participatory decision-making. Ann lives in Bismarck with her family.

Casie Rivas, J.D. '03

A 2003 graduate of Austin College (go Roos!), Casie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with honors and then went on to obtain an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas and a JD from Baylor University School of Law. In 2019, Casie opened her own law and absolutely loves the balance of being a successful attorney and the owner of a thriving small business.

Above all else, Casie is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the world around her. Whether volunteering with local non-profits or supporting community initiatives, her passion for making a difference is evident in all she does. Her steadfast faith, family-focused spirit, and drive to better herself and inspire those around keep Casie moving forward.

Casie lives in her hometown of Sherman, TX with her incredible husband Carlos and her three beautiful children, who are her highest inspiration and her greatest cheerleaders.

Aly Tharp '12

Aly Tharp lives in Austin, Texas, and has ten years of experience in community organizing for climate change mitigation and environmental justice. She is the Nutrition and Wellness Manager at RBJ Senior Housing, an independent living community where she runs a food pantry and other community programs. Aly is also a core leader of Festival Beach Food Forest, a grassroots community organization growing edible and medicinal landscapes on public parkland that nourish, educate and inspire.

David Whelan, Ph.D.

David Whelan’s first job out of college was with a space mission team. This experience opened his eyes to the sometimes peculiar properties of interstellar matter. His work now mostly revolves around teaching and research in physics and astronomy, but he keeps his eyes peeled for interstellar discoveries. David is an Associate Professor of Physics at Austin College and co-director of the Adams Observatory.