David Qasem

Hometown: Burbank, Ill.
High School: Illinois Math and Science Academy
Major: Economics
Intended career: Business

David attended the Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA), a public residential educational school. While at IMSA, David participated in numerous research projects including research at Drexel University's Biomaterial and Drug Delivery laboratory, co-authoring a published paper on charged hydrogels.

At IMSA, David was a dedicated participant in the International Career Program in which 24 teens were introduced to international relations, cultural issues, economic impact and business trends. Other high school activities included varsity swim team, Mock Trial, Freedom's Answer (State Advisory Board and Webmaster), and Mu Alpha Theta (Board Member and Treasurer).

During his freshman year at Swarthmore, David used his Evans opportunity fund to join a group of local men and women in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina struck. Although David came to Swarthmore as a Quest Scholar as a member of the Class of 2009, he has taken time off to travel abroad and work in the field. His experience includes working at Livingstone Partners, a mid-market investment bank, and Katten Muchin Rosenman, an international law firm. Most recently, David has embraced entrepreneurship and is pursuing a technology start-up in the telecom space.

David will complete his graduation requirements after the fall semester of 2011 and graduate next May with the class of 2012.