Five Augsburg students were named in national fellowship and scholarship competitions this spring. Students from around the country applied for these programs, and Augsburg is proud to be represented by such dedicated students.
Brianna Noland, Mathematical Economics major, was one of 60 students nationally who was accepted to Posters on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Chosen from over 800 applicants, Brianna will have the opportunity to present her research on college loans and first-year retention at the Capitol, and to talk with current legislators. Dr. Stella Hofrenning served as Brianna’s research mentor on the project titled “An Economic Analysis of Financial Factors on Undergraduate Persistence” and will be accompanying Brianna to D.C. and to meetings with MN legislators. Special thanks to Jen Nagorski in Marketing and Communications and Tina Tavera of the McNair Scholars Program for layout and design advice on the poster.
Samantha Cantrall, Communication Studies major, received Honorable Mention for Posters on the Hill in Washington, DC., ranking within the top 80 applicants (out of 800 plus). Dr. Robert Stacke of the Music Department served as Samantha’s research mentor on the project titled “The Influence of Rap in the Arab Spring.”
Joe Buchman, Chemistry and Biology major, received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that will provide $40,500 each year for the first three years of his doctoral study in Chemistry. The selection of these fellows is very competitive and is based on the viability of the student’s proposed research. Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Vivian Feng and Dr. Joan Kunz all wrote letters on Joe’s behalf and helped him shape his research proposal. Joe has been admitted to doctoral programs in chemistry at University of Colorado-Boulder, Iowa State University, University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and the University of MN-Twin Cities. He has decided to attend the University of MN.
Allison Zank, Chemistry major, received the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a $7,500 award given to students from around the country who excel in STEM and intend to pursue a career in science, math, or engineering. Allison’s enthusiasm for research and its practical application was clear in her application, which was read and reviewed by Augsburg’s Goldwater committee, Dr. David Crowe, Dr. David Murr, Dr. Jody Sorensen, and Dr. David Hanson, as well as by Allison’s recommenders, Dr. Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Dr. Michael Wentzel, and Sandra Myers (U of M School of Dentistry). Allison is Augsburg’s first female Goldwater Scholar and one of only eight in the state to receive the award.
Ashley Waters was named Honorable Mention in this year’s Goldwater Scholarship Competition, one of only seven from the state. Ashley’s plans are to become a Chemistry professor to inspire the next generation of chemists. Dr. Michael Wentzel, Dr. Sandra Olmsted, and Dr. Ronald Fedie served as her letter writers with input from Richard Flint. Dr. Wentzel worked closely with Ashley on the writing of her research proposal and Augsburg’s Goldwater committee also read and provided feedback to help her develop a successful application.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!