USU College of Science Honors Scholars, Donors at Fall Convocation
USU alumna Mary Ann Ebbeler, right, with Tim Wright, recipient of the 'Mary Ann McDonald Ebbeler Scholarship,' was featured speaker at the USU College of Science Fall Convocation Oct. 27, 2016, on campus.
Grateful student recipients of scholarship funding and alumni inspired to ‘give back’ came together as Utah State University’s College of Science celebrated its inaugural Fall Convocation and Banquet on campus Oct. 27, 2016.
“We have much to celebrate as we honor our scholarship donors and our scholarship recipients, along with our student ambassadors and council members, who drive our land and space grant mission,” said Maura Hagan, dean of the College of Science.
Hagan, who recounted her own experience as a first-generation college student, noted the importance of investing in students’ educations.
“Scholarships change lives and allow students to achieve their potential,” she said.
The evening’s featured speakers included student scholarship recipients Danielle Johnson and Marcus Jackman, along with alumna and scholarship donor Mary Ann McDonald Ebbeler.
Ebbeler, who earned a degree in medical technology from USU, said she was inspired to give by her ancestors’ examples.
“Even when finances were slim, they set aside money to support education,” said the northern Utah native. “And from their example, I learned if you educate a female, you educate a family for a generation.”
Johnson, a biology composite teaching major, recounted her experiences at Utah’s Mountain Crest High School in the classroom of the late USU alum Larry Litizzette ’84, MA’86.
“He made biology come alive,” said Johnson of the longtime AP biology teacher and recipient of the Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education, who died in 2013. “I’d like to carry on his legacy and also make a difference in students’ lives.”
Jackman, a physics major who is minoring in mathematics and computer science, said the movie Interstellar inspired his academic pursuits. After seeing the movie, he eagerly read The Science of Interstellar by Logan native Kip Thorne, a renowned physicist who was the scientific consultant and an executive producer of the film.
Jackman thanked convocation guests Ned and Gail Weinshenker, who established a scholarship of which the undergraduate researcher is a recipient.
“Their genuine sense of generosity and community in providing this scholarship has helped me focus on school,” Jackman said. “With their support, I’ve been able to pursue meaningful research. I plan to pursue a doctorate in radiation therapy that I hope will benefit patients in need of cancer treatment.”
Students honored at the convocation included college ambassadors Johnson and Jackman, along with Abigail Bird, Travis Dowdle, Marcos Garcia, Kelsy Rhodes, Fallon Rowe, Katie Sweet and Gunnar Wolfe.
College of Science student senator Joseph Day, serving his second term, was recognized, as well as fellow Science Council members Lindsey Parrish, Marcus Jackman, Mariah Panoussi, Chris Peterson, Hailey Judd, Jesse Steadman, My Nguyen, Danielle Johnson and Ashley Smurthwait.
Benjamin Lovelady was honored as a 2016 Goldwater Scholar and Caroline Bourgeois was recognized as a 2016 Goldwater Honorable Mention recipient. Jinni Meehan was honored as the 2016 USU Institute of Government & Politics Fellow.
Undergraduates recognized as scholarship recipients for the 2016-17 academic year were Chandler Kinch, Erin Rickenbach, Nicholas Chaney, Travis Dowdle, Jamie Hansen, Gunnar Wolfe, Brittney Walsh, Nathan Hoffman, Haley Teuscher, Devin Wright, Katrina Waugh, Tim Wright, Marcus Jackman, Kara Swenson, Keegan Weedop, Eric Olsen, Kaylyn Madany, Tyler Ayers, Michael Berentzen, David Maughan, John McClatchy, Tanner Nielsen, Jordan Strobel, Christian Morrill, Jace Riley, Richard Roylance, Kendra Bunnell, Sarah Schulthies, Dylan Anderson, Dustin Nellesen, Brantley Bond, David King, Adam Lowe, Andrew Wilson, Benjamin Lovelady, Danielle Johnson, Tyson Lumbreras, Jamie Hansen and Joshua Hansen.
College of Science graduate students honored as recipients of fellowships and scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year were Emily Sadler, David Denlinger, Melissa Filmore, Gwendolyn Moise, Tamar Caceres and Vincent de Paul Nzuwah.
USU’s College of Science includes the academic departments of biology, chemistry and biochemistry, mathematics and statistics, geology and physics.
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Contact and writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
College of Science ambassadors Danielle Johnson, left, and Marcus Jackman, right, with Science Dean Maura Hagan, were featured speakers at the college's inaugural Fall Convocation and Banquet held Oct. 27, 2016, at Utah State.
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