A look at some of the members of the Class of 2007, where they've been, and where they're going.

Name: Emily Dawes
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Mother McAuley High School
Major: political science

Emily Dawes didn't want to attend Ohio State University, where her two older brothers attended. She wanted to study political science in a capital city where there were sure to be internship opportunities and she also wanted a warmer climate.

"We visited colleges all around the South, but I fell in love with the University of South Carolina's campus, and the ambassadors were so nice and helpful," said Dawes.

Not surprisingly, Dawes served as a university ambassador throughout her four years of study. She also was a leader in student government, having served on freshman council, as a clerk in the student senate, chief of staff for student body president Tommy Preston and, finally, as a freshman council adviser.

After commencement, Dawes, will be heading to Liberia to set up a school mission for 25 girls between the ages of 7 and 14. She says African history classes taught by Dr. Ron Atkinson and Ismail Lagardien inspired her to do service work in Africa.

"The civil war in Liberia has gone on for 10 years," said Dawes who has committed to working and teaching in Liberia for two years but admits she expects to stay three or four years. "Many of the kids were abandoned, and AIDs has ravaged the country. It is heartbreaking, but I'm optimistic that we will create a better situation for these young people.

"Ultimately, I want to get my masters in public administration and work in the U.S. Department of Education.

Wanting to make a difference isn't something new for Dawes. Like so many university students, service leadership played a big part of her college experience. She served on the executive board of Dance Marathon for two years.

"Through Dance Marathon, we surround ourselves with people who want to be part of a better cause and make a difference," said Dawes. "You look around at all these energized people and realize you are looking at the next generation of community leaders.

"The University of South Carolina doesn't just produce people with good grades but people who are involved in the campus and the community and who give back to the community. It is a wonderful place where I've learned that one voice can change things."