Scholarship, Award and Grant Recipients

Erin Roberts — International Business, Lewis College of Business (Spring 2023 Award)

In February 2023, Erin Roberts, a Marshall University Honors College Student, participated in a conference led by Beta Gamma Sigma and the Fellowship for Environmental Stewardship. Roberts, on behalf of the Lewis College of Business, placed second along with her teammates. Beta Gamma Sigma is a business honor society within AACSB accredited schools that accepts 7% of juniors, 10% of seniors, and 20% of graduate students. In this conference, students learned about the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). The competition had 17 teams comprised of international students from varying universities. Roberts was required with four other students to make a written action plan strategy and a B impact assessment. This measures social and environmental aspects of an imaginary corporation they created. Placing second in a competition on such a large scale is a great honor, and Roberts owe a large portion of that to the Honors College. It promotes the type of creative thinking that was required to excel in this competition, and the tactics she learned throughout her seminars gave her an advantage over students who had only taken traditional courses. As she plans to attend law school upon graduating in Spring 2024, presenting a plan with explicit detail is beneficial to her future studies.

Kacey Poe — Biological Sciences, College of Science (Fall 2022 Award)

Kacey Poe, a student in the Honors College at Marshall University, was selected to the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Early Assurance program in September of 2022. This program allows Poe to matriculate into the medical school upon completion of her undergraduate degree and all program requirements without taking the Medical College Admissions Test. Poe plans to complete her undergraduate degree in biological sciences and continue to medical school with the intent of becoming a pediatrician. In addition to being an student in the Honors College, Poe is also a Resident Advisor in the Honors House located in the Freshman South dormitory. Poe is a recipient of the Jean McAlister Albarran Scholarship for Fall 2022 as an outstanding student in the College of Science who has achieved distinction and served the college and its community admirably.

Mika McCormick — Pre-Nursing, College of Health Professions

Mika comes to the Honors College from Prichard, West Virginia as an outstanding student in academics with a broad commitment to contributing to the welfare of the communities of which she is a part.

Ava Taylor — Biological Sciences, College of Science

Ava comes to the Honors College from Maysel, West Virginia as an outstanding student in academics and student government. Ava has a strong commitment to the open-minded exchange of ideas and to becoming a leader championing equality in the field of health care.

Brooklyn Rood — Media Production, College of Arts and Media.

Brooke comes to the Honors College from Elizabeth, West Virginia as an outstanding student in academics and athletics with a commitment to pursuing a degree at Marshall that will allow her to contribute to the greater good by fostering greater diversity and inclusion.

Madeline Watts — Biological Sciences, College of Science [Study Abroad in Italy].

Watts has wanted to study abroad for as long as she can remember and now it is finally happening! Watts will be attending the KIIS study abroad experience “Chemistry and Art in Italy” at the end of 2022. Speaking of the Honors College, Watts says “being a part of the college has been such a wonderful experience throughout my time at Marshall. I have supported the Honors College mission through my level of engagement in every one of my honors classes and seminars and I have learned how to apply the knowledge acquired in work for a greater good. I have spread this knowledge in many different parts of my life. The Honors College has definitely prepared me for my future endeavors!”

Post-Grant Report: “I was awarded the Honors Council Grant in the Fall semester of 2022. The generous funds that I received from this grant helped make it possible for me to study abroad in Italy in the Winter of 2022. I took a class while in Italy that taught me about the chemistry behind art restoration. This study abroad experience was life-changing, and I could see the world from a whole new perspective! The Honors College provides students with excellent opportunities to enhance their education at Marshall University, and I am so grateful that I had the chance to do this! I strongly encourage each student who is a part of the Honors College to apply for one of the several funding opportunities they kindly offer!”

 

TBA.

Lauryn Poole — Dietetics, College of Health Professions

Lauryn demonstrates a work ethic and commitment to creativity that distinguishes her from her peers. HON 480 Cinepoems challenges students to create experimental films that express their original creative writing. Lauryn is a fearless writer and a methodical filmmaker. Despite working outside the world of creative writing and digital media with little instructor-led experience in either field, she took diligently to the work of creating her voice in film. Her poetic work focuses on confronting and examining the processes of nature and the world around while wrestling with her own philosophical questions and perspectives. In her writing, she isn’t afraid to explore big ideas and find the language to express them. As a filmmaker, Lauryn is careful and detail-oriented. She has a keen eye and patience required to edit tight, professional pieces. Lauryn excels at identifying the key tasks of a large creative project and dedicating the time and effort necessary to produce good work on a tight deadline. She is willing to learn and is unintimated by technology—excited to explore new tools and see what she can make with them. She pushes herself, takes chances, accepts criticism, and works hard to make the best product she can. She is self-directed and self-motivated in a way that creates good work.

Sydney Smith — Biological Sciences, College of Science

Sydney has demonstrated a level of scholarship and curiosity that distinguished her from her peers. Her term paper for HON480 Science and Science Denial covered the topic of homeopathic medicine. This work was exhaustively researched and extraordinarily well written. In Sydney’s term paper and throughout the course she was adept at relating science denialism and misinformation to her career goals in a biomedical field. Sydney was curious about the topic of science denialism not simply as an abstract, intellectual concern but as a tangible, real-world challenge that will impact her future ability to practice medicine. She articulated real concern for the impact of science denialism and misinformation on public health. In class discussions Sydney was judicious in her comments and always insightful and demonstrating sincere interest. Sydney shows a remarkable combination of studiousness, seriousness, and interest as in HON480, all the while juggling the responsibilities of a student athlete on the Marshall University track team.

Olivia Gilligan — Psychology, College of Liberal Arts

As part of the Honors 480 class, The Other Side of the ’80s, Olivia and her peers examined a wide range of countercultural American aesthetic works during the 1980s, including novels, films, popular and experimental music, and photography. As a psychology major, Olivia was not within her disciplinary home for any of the course content, but consistently offered insightful comments and connections throughout class discussions. In addition, Olivia’s written work was outstanding throughout the course, especially in her ability to analyze the finer points of textual patterns and nuance. For her final project, Olivia applied her background in psychology to the film Raising Arizona, looking at the ways in which the movie subverts, while also ultimately reaffirming, conventional conceptions of an American “ideal family.”

Mallory Stanley — History and Psychology double major, College of Liberal Arts

As part of the Honors 480 class, Trash or Treasure: An Introduction to Archives, each student selected an archives collection from the Special Collections department to work with for the entirety of the semester. Mallory selected a collection about the Owen Clinic Institute, a mental healthcare facility from the 1950s-1970s in Huntington. As part of the collection, students had to digitize an item from their collection and provide metadata for it. Mallory selected an item that comprised of newsletters written by the patients who were there at the time from 1955. This amounted to over 250 pages of materials that required creating metadata and making documents full-text searchable. She submitted this item and provided the appropriate metadata as required, but what was even more surprising was that she indicated an interest in digitizing this entire collection (which is estimated to be around 3500 pages, images, and ephemera). As a history and psychology student, her enthusiasm for this collection perfectly blends areas that spark her curiosity for a future career. Her instructors found that she knows what she wants and was able to craft her own niche area in which to work.

These students were selected for the 36th class of Yeager Scholars after a rigorous process that included multiple interviews, an intensive seminar, and a weekend on Marshall’s campus. The class is named for Don and Doris Ferguson, Huntington natives, Marshall alumni, and ardent supporters of the Society of Yeager Scholars.

• Asha Bora, Hurricane High School, Hurricane, West Virginia
• Isaac Campbell, Paul G. Blazer High School, Ashland, Kentucky
• Erik Cochrane, Man High School, Man, West Virginia
• Kyleigh Hoey, Huntington High School, Huntington, West Virginia
• Tyler Marcum, Cabell Midland High School, Ona, West Virginia
• Ryann Province, Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, West Virginia
• Will Raines, St. Albans High School, St. Albans, West Virginia
• Alexus Steele, Fairland High School, Proctorville, Ohio
• Bella Thompson, South Iredell High School, Statesville, North Carolina
• Connor Waller, St. Joseph Central High School, Ironton, Ohio

Asha Bora currently serves as the Hurricane High School Student Body President, Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta and National Art Honor Society, and Parliamentarian of National Honor Society, as well as team captain of the girls’ cross country and track teams. She is also a member of the Youth Leadership Association, Leo Club, National English Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. In her free time, Asha enjoys reading, spending time with her dog Zuzu, and volunteering at local events. At Marshall, Asha plans on majoring in Biology with a minor in Statistics and has signed to run for the Marshall University Cross Country and Track teams.

Isaac Campbell serves as captain of the golf team, a student council representative, a member of the National Honors Society, National Science Honors Society, and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow team at Paul G. Blazer High School. In his free time, Isaac enjoys volunteering at various organizations, playing golf, and spending time with friends and family. At Marshall, he is interested in studying Biology and Political Science.

Erik Cochrane will graduate as valedictorian this spring from Man High School where he serves as the president of his class and as member of various extracurricular clubs, such as BETA Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Student Council.  He is very active in his church, Claypool United Methodist Church, where he plays the piano, sings in the choir and in various singing groups, and serves on various administrative committees. In his spare time, Erik enjoys playing various musical instruments, studying, and spending time with his friends. At Marshall, he is interested in studying biochemistry, psychology, and accounting.

Kyleigh Hoey is graduating from Huntington High School, where she is ranked fifth in the senior class. She has been a part of many programs in and outside of her high school, such as The HHS Honors Program, National Honors Society, Science Olympiad, 4-H Teen Leaders, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honorary, Science Honorary, and Art Honorary. She has also been invited to do research at Greenbank Observatory. Kyleigh completed her Senior Capstone project, 300 Lives, this past April. Kyleigh and her partner organized a Save a Life Day with a goal of distributing 300 doses of Narcan, the overdose reversal drug, in one weekend. Outside of school her interests include art, hiking, camping, and cooking. In the fall, Kyleigh will major in Biology.

Tyler Marcum will graduate first in his class from Cabell Midland High School this Spring. He plans to major in biomechanics with an emphasis in Pre-Med. Tyler is one of nine students in WV this year to be named as a semifinalist for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars program. He is also an avid scuba diver and has helped to restore coral reefs along the Florida Keys through his work with the Coral Reef Restoration Foundation.

Ryann Province serves as president of thespian troupe #264 and captain of the Parkersburg High School debate team, of which she is a varsity member. On her days off from theatre rehearsals and debate tournaments, Ryann is likely writing her next album or story. At Marshall, she is interested in studying film and creative writing.

Will Raines will graduate as valedictorian this spring from St. Albans High School, where he serves as student body president, president of the Keystone Chapter of the National Honor Society, and president of the Interact Club. He was also captain on the soccer, swim, and lacrosse teams. In his spare time, Will enjoys the outdoors, playing sports, video games, and weightlifting. Will has spent two summers working full-time as an environmental technician for an environmental consulting firm. Due to work experience and learned interests, at Marshall he plans to study civil engineering, business, and political science. Furthermore, he will proudly be a fourth generation Marshall student.

Alexus Steele will graduate this spring from Fairland High School, where she serves as the president and founder of Junior State of America, president of the Math Club and Prom Committee, Vice President of the environmental club, and a member of several other clubs such as the Beta Club and Spanish Club. Alexus also serves as captain of the cheer, track, and soccer teams, and is a member of the powerlifting and futsal teams. In her spare time, Alexus models at Barbies Formals in Milton, West Virginia, tumbles at Tumble World, and volunteers within her community. At Marshall, Alexus is interested in studying political science, constitutional law, and forensics.

Bella Thompson graduated from South Iredell High School in Statesville, North Carolina, a semester early to play volleyball at Marshall. She was in National Honor Society and Beta club, and National English Honor Society. She was a captain of the Carolina Union Volleyball Club national level premier team for three years and served on the club’s leadership council, spearheading the community service initiative. In her spare time, she likes to read, paddle board, and spend time with her dog Earl.  At Marshall, she plans to pursue a degree in cybersecurity and forensics.

Connor Waller will graduate this spring from St. Joseph Central High School in Ironton, Ohio, where he serves as the two-year Student Body President, president of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, vice president of the National Honor Society, student director of the mathematics tutoring department, and captain of the varsity quiz bowl team, as well as a member of the golf team and mock trial team. Connor has participated in the Lawrence County, Ohio Civic Scholars Fellowship Program for two years, which has allowed him to become a leader in the community. He worked diligently this year to have a week dedicated to a local World War II Prisoner of War who had passed away and to organize a county-wide project to collect letters and cards for first responders and military personnel. He also worked with the American Red Cross to organize two blood drives at his school which resulted in the collection of nearly 70 units of blood. In his spare time, Connor enjoys reading books in the subjects of politics and history, walking his dog, and volunteering with various organizations. At Marshall, he is interested in studying political science.