Kalen Doleman

Kalen double majored in international studies and history (with a minor in economics). He spent a summer semester in Berlin. He helped establish UNCA’s first chess club. He began playing chess in middle school and likes the game because it offers “endless possibilities.” He said, “It’s unpredictable – like life. I like studying the board, making a plan and then seeing if the plan works or fails. Of course, I love it when it works.”

During his study abroad program, he discovered chess is an international language. He doesn’t speak German – although he picked up some essential phrases while he was there – but he said, “I connected with people through the universal nature of the game. Chess helped me build bridges.”