Akilah Cathey
Akilah Cathey (she/her) is a first-generation college student from Memphis, Tennessee, pursuing a double concentration in international and public affairs and Africana studies. A dedicated leader both on and off the field, Cathey is a four-time All-NIRA All-American in 15s and a two-time consecutive nominee for the MA Sorensen Award, recognizing the nation's top collegiate rugby player. As a three-time national champion and MVP of the 2025 CRC 7s Championship, Cathay’s athletic prowess exemplifies her commitment to excellence in sports. As captain of the Brown women’s rugby team, Cathey combines athletic excellence with a passion for mentorship and team building. Her leadership extends to the national stage as well — Cathey was selected to represent the USA Junior National Team in 2023, showcasing her dedication to rugby at a global level.
Cathay’s campus involvement extends beyond athletics. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a historically Black Greek letter organization committed to community service and empowerment. Since her initiation in Spring 2024, Cathey has served as the corresponding secretary, contributing to programming that focuses on economic development, educational development, international awareness, political involvement and mental health advocacy, both within the Brown community and in Providence. Cathey also has worked with Brown Votes to encourage student voter registration and civic engagement, championing the importance of political participation among her peers. Through her academic and extracurricular pursuits, she is dedicated to creating impactful change, both within her community and in her professional career. Cathey hopes to continue her work empowering others, fostering community and advancing social justice throughout her life.
John “Jack” Kelly
John “Jack” Kelly (he/him), from Yonkers, New York, will receive a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering. Known as “Jelly” on the swim and dive team, Kelly established himself as both an elite athlete and a devoted community member. His faith formed a cornerstone of his Brown experience as an active participant in the Brown-RISD Catholic Community, where he could be found in the first right pew during Sunday evening masses and gathering with fellow athletes for weekly Bible study.
Kelly's engineering passion manifested through his contributions to Brown Formula Racing, for which he collaborated with diving teammate JR Byers to design and optimize the fuel tank for Chasis, the club’s competitive formula one race car. Beyond engineering, Kelly demonstrated financial acumen as a founding member of Brown Derivatives Investment Group (BDIG), creating a fun and accessible environment for students to learn about derivatives. As chief investment officer during his senior year, he helped lead BDIG to its second and third most successful investment semesters since the group’s founding.
In the pool, Kelly distinguished himself as a three-time NCAA First Team All-American, placing him among the nation’s top eight swimmers in his events. He captured two Ivy League championships in the 100-yard breaststroke and, as team captain during his senior campaign, led the Bears to a fourth place finish at the Ivy League Championships. Kelly was awarded the Harold S. Ulen Career High Point Swimmer honor, recognizing his consistent excellence over four years. His athletic legacy includes swimming the 13th fastest 100-yard breaststroke and 12th fastest 200-yard breaststroke by any U.S. swimmer in the history of the sport.
After graduation, Kelly will pursue his Olympic dreams as a professional swimmer. Though a New Yorker at heart, Kelly approaches this next chapter with enthusiasm as he sets his sights on representing Ireland at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.