Vanda Taupradist

President

Email: president@planetlonghorn.net

Two words. Party Panda. I’m known as Vanda the Party Panda. I’m an endangered species that can only be spotted after 11pm on Austin’s infamous 6th St. I frequently hibernate at the UT campus at the business and communication school since I’m the only Panda double majoring in public relations and international business. Spotting me on campus is difficult as I wear a disguise, but if you think you’ve seen me just yell out hey Vanda the Panda! I’m an internationally traveled Panda and love watching soccer and jamming out to some sweet tunes. Other names I’ve been given are Planet Longhorn Soccer Mom, Wandy, Vanda the Rapist (don’t ask) and you can see me drive my bullet proof Panda-mobile to the shooting range because I love shooting guns especially an AR-15. I’m a drinking, partying, shooting Panda who loves Planet Longhorn and exchange students!

 

Caroline Verver

Vice-President

Email:

carolineverver@hotmail.com

Caroline is a fourth-year MPA student in the McCombs School of Business. She is half Dutch but also a proud native Texan from the Dallas area. Caroline grew up spending her summers in the Netherlands and got involved with Planet Longhorn in Spring 2009 while living with three exchange students from The Netherlands and France. For the 2009-2010 school year, Caroline took a sabbatical from McCombs to study Dutch law at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (and simultaneously gained a true appreciation for Texan weather after barely surviving the most horrific, snow-filled winter of her life). After spending a year abroad, Caroline is happy to be back in Texas and ready to help internationals discover the many great things Texas has to offer. In her free time, Caroline enjoys hot yoga and going to Town Lake. She also loves exploring Austin and taking in all the city has to offer. Her favorite thing to do is drive around aimlessly and listen to reggaeton. She also has a new puppy named Roo who will probably go with her (almost) everywhere next semester, so get ready to meet him too!

 

Anna Tkabladze

Director of Student Affairs

 

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Anna is a sophomore Finance major at McCombs, mainly because business people get to wear suits (insert Barney Stinson reference from “How I Met Your Mother,” a must-see American show). She also enjoys art and literature, mainly the confusing kind, like Expressionism or stream of consciousness writing. She is originally from Russia, and has traveled to Georgia (both the country and the state), Bulgaria, Germany, France, and Belgium (chocolate!). Right now, she is wondering how one becomes a Texan, in addition to secretly wishing she was born in the 70s (better music than now). Thanks for reading, y’all! (because nothing is more Texan than a y’all?)

 

Erin Chmela

Director of Public Affairs

 

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Erin was born to show You Texas. She loves all things outdoors- hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking… So hold on to your hat as we explore all Austin has to offer! She also likes to wreck shop on the dance floor (or at least do some sort of flailing about she likes to pretend is dancing). Food is a passion on the verge of obsession, so if you want to cook or eat something just holler. In her opinion food is the best way to get to know a city. She has one more semester at UT, studying costume technology and art, before leaving this state to explore the rest of the globe! Feel free to call, text, Facebook…

 

Jacob Crumrine

Jedi Master of Business Relations

Phone:

(210) 259-7814

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Jedi Jacob is a senior double major in Government and History from San Antonio. He studied for the Spring 2010 semester in Sheffield, England where he saw snow for the first time in his life and bravely broke out of his comfort zone by joining the American Football club. Tupac is said to have recorded a secret album written entirely about Jacob, and some people actually count their age from the day they met him because the experience is like being reborn into a new, much more awesome world. Feel free to give him a call/text/email/Facebook message if you need some advice or are just looking for somebody new to hang out with. His semester abroad was pretty much the best time of his life, and wants to make sure all the international students will be able to make the same of their time here.

 

Enrique Rico

Business Relations

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Enrique is a junior majoring in business. He is originally from Mexico City and moved to the U.S. when he was 10 years old. He will be studying abroad in Barcelona in the spring and he cannot wait to embark on this journey. Enrique is involved in several organizations at UT and is looking forward to serving Planet Longhorn as an officer and getting to form new friendships this semester. Apart from school, Enrique enjoys partying, cars, sports, going to concerts, and exploring Austin.

 

Chris Afshar

Historian

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Christopher is a junior half-Mexican and half-Persian hybrid studying psychology. After being pot-lucked with a foreign student his freshman year, Christopher was inspired to meet more internationals and thus joined PL. Christopher is excited to become more involved with PL, meet a bunch of new people and improve his language skills (Spanish/Farsi anyone??). His main interests include ethnic cuisine, roaming trails/dog parks with his canine companion, Sebastian, and listening to trap music/trap beats

 

Drew Cassetta

Treasurer

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net

Drew is a junior Business Honors and Finance major in the McCombs School of Business. He was born and raised in Texas, and has immense Texas pride. OU sucks and so does country music. He has traveled to Spain, France, and Italy. He will be living with Enrique next year, both of whom are prone to drop everything and hang with little persuasion, so give us call, text or email(we are business majors).

 

Patrick Barsallo

Webmaster

Email:

members@planetlonghorn.net