{"id":607,"date":"2025-02-18T12:05:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T17:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/honors\/?page_id=607"},"modified":"2025-09-16T11:35:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T15:35:30","slug":"2023-2024-scholarship-announcements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bsu.edu\/honors\/oncs\/2023-2024-scholarship-announcements\/","title":{"rendered":"2023-2024 Scholarship Announcements"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NoahSeptember 2024: <\/strong><\/em>Noah Berryman<\/strong>, a recent BSU graduate and member of the men\u2019s swimming and diving team and a 2024 recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship<\/a>, <\/strong>has also been awarded the Bob James Memorial Award<\/a>.<\/strong> Like the NCAA award, the Mid-American Conference\u2019s\u00a0Bob James Memorial Award\u00a0recognizes excellence in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and community service. Only one male and one female MAC athlete are selected each year.<\/p>\n

In May 2023, Noah graduated cum laude<\/em> from Ball State, with a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science and economics and a minor in psychology.
\nThen, in May 2024, he completed a graduate certificate in business administration. This fall, he entered a master\u2019s degree in sport management at Southern Methodist University, with the goal of becoming a collegiate athletics director.<\/p>\n

Noah, who is from Pittsboro, Ind., served for four years on Ball State\u2019s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), two of those years as President, during which he reestablished the \u201cChirpies\u201d awards program for BSU athletes. Off-campus, he has been actively involved with the Indiana Swimming Inc. Board of Directors for seven years, serving as an Athlete Representative and, most recently, an intern. During his sophomore year of college, Noah also became actively involved with USA Swimming and is currently serving a two-year term as a member of the Athletes Executive Committee, for which he helps plan and implement programs and events.<\/p>\n

As a swimmer, Noah specialized in the breaststroke, serving as a mainstay in both individual and medley events for five years and earning wide recognition for his leadership, character, and mental attitude. University-wide, he was named to the Top 25 Student list, for his \u201cacademic excellence, campus leadership, and community impact.\u201d Even more impressive, at the conference level, Noah was selected for the MAC\u2019s highest honor, the Medal of Excellence, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, and service. At the national level, he was recently awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, which aptly acknowledged Noah\u2019s exceptional strengths in academics, leadership, character, and athletics, as well as his promise to accomplish great things in the future.<\/p>\n

Regarding his future career, Noah commented, \u201cAs an athletic director, I will ensure an emphasis on student success in academics and leadership as well as athletics. In my experiences as a student-athlete myself, I have learned that college athletics is about more than just winning; it\u2019s also about developing the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"MakennaAugust 2024:<\/strong><\/em> Makenna Poindexter<\/strong>, a May 2024 graduate of Ball State University and the Honors College, has received a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship<\/strong><\/a>! Nationwide, 62 fellowships were awarded by Phi Kappa Phi (PKP)\u2014the nation\u2019s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society\u2014to members who are entering their first year of graduate or professional study. Each PKP chapter may select one candidate to compete for the national awards. Makenna specifically received the Marcus L. Urann Fellowship.<\/p>\n

Makenna completed a major in history and minors in women\u2019s & gender studies, literature, and African American studies, graduating summa cum laude<\/em> with a 4.00 GPA. This fall, she will enter the dual J.D.\/Master of Library and Information Science program at Indiana University\u2019s McKinney School of Law. Her career goal is to become an academic law librarian, \u201cto play a vital role in bridging the gap between universities and prisons, as the librarians are often the ones who oversee book-to-prisoner projects.\u201d The Muncie native added, \u201cI envision leveraging sources, advocacy, and community engagement to foster positive social change.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a Ball State student, Makenna was an accomplished researcher on a diverse range of historical, cultural, and literary topics, some of them carried out under the auspices of three different Honors Undergraduate Fellowships and the Teacher-Scholar program. She was the founder and president of two campus organizations\u2014Cardinal Prison Initiative and Cardinal Classics\u2014and held leadership roles in several other organizations, including the Digital Literature Review. She also served as an Undergraduate Teaching Fellow in the History Department.<\/p>\n

“Receiving this fellowship is a tremendous honor that will ease the financial stress of law school, letting me focus on my studies and get involved in activities that really matter to me,” said Makenna. “With this support, I can focus on becoming a more passionate advocate and making a real difference in my new academic community.”<\/p>\n

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July 2024:<\/strong> <\/em>Five BSU undergraduates\u2014Caroline Erny<\/strong>, Carly Lehman<\/strong>, Dylan Mann<\/strong>, Dani Sipp<\/strong>, and Annet Victorio<\/strong>\u2014were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships<\/a> earlier this summer to support their international studies!<\/p>\n

The federally funded scholarship supports undergraduates who study abroad. Upon their return to the U.S., all Gilman Scholarship recipients are required to carry out a follow-on service project that helps promote international education and understanding.<\/p>\n

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\"CarolineCaroline Erny<\/strong>, a junior with a major in psychology and minors in neuroscience and foundations of management, spent two weeks in Japan<\/strong> this summer. There she studied the Western and Eastern sociocultural and psychological influences that affect Japan\u2019s culture, in both Tokyo and Kyoto.<\/p>\n

With the goal of becoming a psychology professor, the Anderson, Ind., resident said, \u201cI\u2019m excited to widen my cultural scope and understand psychology in a deeper and more universal way. I\u2019m going into this study abroad experience with an emphasis on learning from other cultures and becoming more culturally sensitive.\u201d<\/p>\n

For her follow-on service project, Caroline will give a presentation about her cross-cultural experiences to Ball State\u2019s chapter of Active Minds, a national mental health awareness organization.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Carly<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carly Lehman<\/strong>, a senior biology major from Alexandria, Ind., studied ecology and conservation biology in Namibia<\/strong> for three weeks in May.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to interact with several communities with different languages and cultures, as well as see wildlife that one may only ever get to see in a zoo. I got to see giraffes, hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and several other incredible animals, all in their true habitat!\u201d said Carly. \u201cThis experience allowed me to strengthen my skills as an aspiring biologist, but also allowed me to expand my world view and grow as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n

For her service project, Carly will give presentations about her experience in Namibia to STEM classrooms on Ivy Tech\u2019s Muncie campus, with the goal of inspiring them to study abroad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dylan Mann<\/strong>, of southern Indiana, also studied ecology and conservation biology in Namibia <\/strong>this summer. A senior biology major with a wildlife biology and conservation concentration, Dylan commented, prior to departing for Namibia, \u201cMy program in Namibia will introduce new ecosystems, organisms, and ideas to consider when conducting research throughout my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSharing a mutual respect for wildlife with local Namibians will allow me to develop new perspectives on how we are bonded to our natural world,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Dylan\u2019s follow-on project will be an interactive presentation to Ball State\u2019s student chapter of The Wildlife Society, with other chapter members who also studied abroad this summer. His presentation will include preparing and sharing foods that he learned about in Namibia.<\/p>\n


\n\"DaniDani Sipp<\/strong>, a junior with a major in urban planning and development, spent nearly three weeks in South Korea<\/strong> this summer, analyzing traditional markets alongside Kyung Hee University students and studying sustainability initiatives in Seoul.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an aspiring urban planner, I knew that this opportunity would give me a better understanding of modern urban planning practices, problems, and solutions,\u201d said the Gary, Ind., resident. She also learned about cultural identities and traditions of South Korean university students.<\/p>\n

For her service project, this fall Dani will give presentations to two organizations at Ball State\u2014the Student Planning Association, the campus chapter of NOMAS (the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students)\u2014and a third presentation to students at the City Life Center in Gary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"AnnetAnnet Victorio<\/strong>, a junior elementary education major from Noblesville, Ind., participated in a five-week summer program in the United Kingdom<\/strong>. There she gained hands-on experience learning about primary schools in London, to understand how the British educational system compares to that of the United States.<\/p>\n

These experiences, along with explorations of culture in both London and Edinburgh, \u201chelped me gain new experiences and knowledge essential for being a teacher,\u201d said Annet. \u201cI was excited to experience the personalities of the individual children in the classroom where I was placed as well as the culture of London through interactions with the children and teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Annet will present her experiences to Cardinal Teacher Corps, a group of student ambassadors for Ball State\u2019s Teachers College.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The federally-funded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides up to $5,000* to U.S. undergraduate students pursuing academic studies abroad, in order to better prepare them to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.\u00a0 (*Additional support is available to selected students who will study Critical Need Languages or conduct STEM research while abroad.)<\/em><\/p>\n

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June 2024:<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0In a record-setting year, six recent BSU graduates\u2014Julia Canty, Jayana Fennell, Cady Garcia, Denver Hammons, Katelyn Redman, <\/strong>and Haley Stevens<\/strong>\u2014have been selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> which will allow them to spend the coming academic year abroad! \u00a0As Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), each of them will help students in their host countries develop English language skills and will serve as cultural ambassadors between nations. Another recent graduate, Makayla Schuelke<\/strong>, is currently an alternate for an ETA position. Until this year, no more than four Ball State students and alumni had ever been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Award program in a single year.<\/p>\n

\"JuliaJulia Canty<\/strong>, an Honors College student who graduated in May with a major in economics and minors in Chinese and international studies, will be an ETA in\u00a0Taiwan <\/strong>for 11 months. There, in addition to helping children or adolescents develop their skills in English, she\u2019s eager to support young women in her host community through tutoring, club activities, and other forms of mentorship.<\/p>\n

Julia\u2019s many leadership activities at Ball State included her presidency of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and vice presidency of the Chinese Club.\u00a0 In the community, she has been a regular English teaching volunteer for Afghan refugee children, and last summer she was a research intern for the US-Taiwan Business Council in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Fulbright Award will act as a catalyst for the achievement of my long-term goals,\u201d said Julia, who is from West Bloomfield, Mich.\u00a0 \u201cI am passionate about using my position as a young American to share my culture and, more importantly, to learn from others across the world.\u00a0 With this experience, I hope to pursue a career in global economic policy development, with a focus on U.S. and Indo-Pacific relations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JayanaJayana Fennell<\/strong>,<\/strong> a May 2023 graduate with a major in telecommunications (digital production video concentration) and minors in French and American Sign Language, will be an ETA in\u00a0France<\/strong>\u00a0, where she\u2019ll help teach English to high school students and also help advise French students on studying in the U.S., through EducationUSA<\/a>, a State Department initiative.\u00a0 In her spare time, she wants to volunteer her videography and photography skills with a nonprofit organization in France, as she has done with her communities in the U.S..<\/p>\n

Jayana\u2019s long-term career goal is to become video production teacher, at either the high school or college level, sharing her cross-cultural knowledge and experience with her future students.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an African American woman and as someone who has been exposed to a broad range of cultural backgrounds in the U.S., I believe I can provide a distinct perspective on American culture while in France,\u201d said the Bloomington, Ill., native.\u00a0 \u201cI want to fully understand French culture while teaching young minds about the United States, drawing upon the perspectives that I have developed over the years\u201d and \u201chelping students achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CadyCady Garcia<\/strong> completed a bachelor\u2019s degree in 2022, with a major in history and minor in psychology of human development, followed by a master\u2019s degree in secondary education in December 2023.\u00a0 She has been awarded a Fulbright ETA position in Poland<\/strong>, where she will help teach English at the university level.\u00a0 Building upon her love of U.S. history and experience teaching in Indiana schools, she also plans to create a “History through the Decades” club that will allow her students to explore current events, pop culture, sports, and cuisine in the U.S. and Poland.<\/p>\n

\u201cFulbright in Poland is going to be an amazing experience because I will have the opportunity to work with highly respected educators, while immersing myself in their beautiful country and culture,\u201d said Cady.\u00a0 \u201cI will also get the chance to connect with my family heritage. \u00a0Fulbright is opening doors that will challenge me and help me thrive as an educator, scholar, and person. \u00a0I couldn\u2019t be more thankful.\u201d<\/p>\n

After returning to the U.S., Cady, who is from Versailles, Ind., plans to teach social studies or history in a middle or high school.<\/p>\n

\"DenverDenver Hammons<\/strong>, who graduated in May with majors in English education and theatre education and minors in English as a new language and entrepreneurship & innovation, will be an ETA in Malta<\/strong>.\u00a0 There he will help teach English and American studies to high school and university students, including refugees.\u00a0 Outside the classroom, the Beech Grove, Ind., resident wants to create an after-school theatre program and help tutor students who desire extra practice in English.<\/p>\n

An avid participant in jump rope events and competitions for more than a decade, Denver served as president of Ball State\u2019s Jump Rope Sport Club and as camp director and tournament director for jump rope programs, among many contributions to the sport and other campus and community service activities.\u00a0 In 2019 he earned first place in a World Jump Rope Grand Championship event.<\/p>\n

Drawn to Fulbright\u2019s \u201cemphasis on openness, cultural exchange, and intellectual freedom,\u201d Denver said that by participating in the ETA program in Malta, \u201cI will gain experience teaching in a non-traditional setting, which will allow me to expand my worldview, therefore bettering the education of my future students in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KatelynKatelyn Redman<\/strong>, who graduated in May with a major in German education and minors in history and linguistic & global communication, has been awarded an ETA position in\u00a0Germany<\/strong>,<\/strong> where she expects to work with high school students. \u00a0In her spare time she wants to take German language courses at a local university and also become involved with (or create) a small coffee hour group through the Germany\u2019s \u201cKaffeekultur.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Avon, Ind., resident studied in Germany for five months last year and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of language learning pedagogy in Germany even further.\u00a0 \u201cAfter my Fulbright experience, I intend to bring ideas back to the U.S. for the future of secondary education generally and for improvement in foreign language education that will better reflect and prepare students for our globalized world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

After completing her year with Fulbright, Katelyn wants to enter a master\u2019s degree program in Germany, then teach in either the U.S. or Germany.\u00a0 Through both the Fulbright ETA program and in her career, she said, \u201cI look forward to supporting students and sharing my love of language.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HaleyHaley Stevens<\/strong>, who just completed an M.A. in English, with a creative writing concentration, will be an English Teaching Assistant at a university in Romania.\u00a0 <\/strong>Outside of the classroom, she plans to pursue independent creative writing and research on Jewish history, myth, and folklore. \u00a0She also wants to develop a creative writing program in English for Romanian writers interested in writing in or translating their work into English.<\/p>\n

Haley, who was born in Green Bay and raised in Milwaukee, Wisc., completed a bachelor\u2019s degree in English and theatre arts at Lawrence University.\u00a0 In Ball State\u2019s English Department, she has taught English 103 (Rhetoric and Writing) and served as Assistant Director of the Creative Writing Program.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was drawn to Romania because of its rich cultural history and its pursuits in reclaiming Jewish history and stories. \u00a0I know I can flourish there,\u201d said Haley. \u00a0\u201cFulbright will allow me the inspiration to continue my own intellectual pursuits while developing my professional skills. \u00a0It will help me grow not only as a person, but also as a writer.\u201d\u00a0 After her year with Fulbright, Haley plans to pursue an M.F.A. or Ph.D. in creative writing.<\/p>\n

\"MakaylaMakayla Schuelke<\/strong>\u2014a May 2023 graduate with a major in theatre and minors in classical culture and creative writing\u2014is an alternate<\/strong> for the ETA program in\u00a0North Macedonia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two other BSU semi-finalists<\/strong>\u00a0in this year\u2019s Fulbright competition were graduating seniors\u00a0Betsy Lynn<\/strong> (who had a major in speech language pathology and minors in Spanish and American Sign Language) and Molly Page <\/strong>(who had\u00a0a major in landscape architecture and minor in construction management).<\/p>\n

The Fulbright U.S. Student program<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is sponsored by the U.S. State Department and is aimed at increasing mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and those of nearly 140 countries. This year, approximately 2,100 applicants nationwide are being selected, based on the quality and feasibility of their proposals, their academic and professional qualifications, and their potential to serve as effective cultural ambassadors.<\/em><\/p>\n

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June 2024:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Marketing major Isaac Rogers<\/strong> has been awarded a Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant<\/a> to support a semester of study in Rome during fall semester!\u00a0 Isaac, who will graduate in May 2025, also has minors in digital marketing strategy & analytics and Six Sigma.<\/p>\n

\"IsaacHe will be studying marketing at John Cabot University, where he wants to develop a broad range of knowledge and skill sets for his career in business. \u201cBy actively engaging with the people, social norms, and traditions found in Italian society, I aim to achieve a broader perspective that goes beyond a traditional classroom,\u201d said the Shipshewana, Ind., native. \u201cBecause immersion in a foreign culture fosters empathy, communication, and a global mindset, it pairs with my commitment to the welfare of others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Isaac is one of 125 undergraduates nationwide selected for the grant, based on academic achievement, campus and community service, and relevance of applicants\u2019 travel plans to their academic and career goals. At Ball State, Isaac’s many activities include his service as Marketing Coordinator for the Miller Leadership Academy (in the Miller College of Business), Marketing Director for the Dean\u2019s Study Advisory Council, and Media Director for Ball State Cardinal Chaos (to promote BSU athletics).<\/p>\n

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) is the nation\u2019s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary collegiate honor society.\u00a0 Ball State established a PKP chapter in 2003.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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June 2024:<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em>Noah Berryman<\/strong>, a recent BSU graduate and member of the men\u2019s swimming and diving team, has received an\u00a0NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship<\/a>!<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>He was one of only 21 male spring sport athletes nationwide to receive the $10,000 scholarship, recognizing his accomplishments in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and community service.<\/p>\n

\"NoahIn May 2023, Noah graduated cum laude<\/em> from Ball State, with a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science and economics and a minor in psychology.\u00a0 Then, in May 2024 he completed a graduate certificate in business administration.\u00a0 This fall he will enter a master\u2019s degree in sport management at Southern Methodist University, with the goal of becoming a collegiate athletic director.<\/p>\n

Noah, who is from Pittsboro, Ind., served for four years on Ball State\u2019s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), two of those years as President.\u00a0 Off-campus, he has been actively involved with the Indiana Swimming Inc. Board of Directors for seven years, serving as an Athlete Representative and, most recently, an intern.\u00a0 During his sophomore year of college, Noah also became actively involved with USA Swimming and is currently serving a two-year term on the Athletes Executive Committee.<\/p>\n

As a swimmer, Noah specialized in the breaststroke, serving as a mainstay in both individual and medley events and earning recognition for his leadership, character, and mental attitude.\u00a0 University-wide, he was named to the Top 25 Student list. \u00a0At the athletic conference level, \u00a0he received the MAC\u2019s highest honor, the Medal of Excellence, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, and service.<\/p>\n

Regarding his future career, Noah commented, \u201cAs an athletic director, I will ensure an emphasis on student success in academics and leadership as well as athletics.\u00a0 In my experiences as a student-athlete myself, I have learned that college athletics is about more than just winning; it\u2019s also about developing the next generation of leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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May 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Chelsea Murdock<\/strong> has been selected for the Fulbright University of Bristol Summer Institute on Arts, Activism, and Social Justice<\/a>! In mid-June she\u2019ll depart for Bristol, where she\u2019ll spend three weeks exploring the local culture and investigating the ways in which literature, storytelling, music, visual arts, dance, philosophy, and critical social theories have shaped movements for social justice across the globe.<\/p>\n

\"ChelseaChelsea, an Honors College student from Fishers, Ind., is completing her freshman year with a major in English education and a minors in African American studies and multicultural education. On campus, her many activities include the Student Government Association and Black Student Association.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so excited about this opportunity, as it will allow me to immerse myself in a global culture that has such a rich history in the realms of Black culture and the humanities,\u201d said Chelsea. \u201cI will be able to use this experience as an eye-opening chance to diversify my understanding of the world around me and gain better cultural competencies to use in my classroom one day.”<\/p>\n

Two other Honors College students are currently alternates for the Summer Institute at Aberystwyth University (Wales): Lily Haley<\/strong>, a freshman with a major in chemistry and minors in biology and American Sign Language, and Miguel Ortega<\/strong>, a sophomore with a major in psychology and minors in sociology and communication. A fourth Honors College student, Destiny Wells<\/strong>\u2014a sophomore with a major in English (creative writing) and a minor in computer science\u2014was named a finalist to the Bristol Institute.<\/p>\n

\"Lily\"Miguel<\/p>\n

\"Destiny<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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The Bristol University Institute is part of the Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute Program<\/a>, which offers freshmen and sophomores from U.S. colleges and universities fully-funded opportunities to explore the culture, heritage, and history of the United Kingdom while experiencing higher education at a U.K. university. This year, the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission was expected to select nearly 40 students nationwide for seven different institutes.<\/em><\/p>\n

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April 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> A significant BSU milestone was reached this month when three Ball State undergraduates were selected for Boren Scholarships!<\/p>\n

Federally-funded Boren Scholarships<\/a> support undergraduate study in regions considered critical to U.S. interests\u2014including Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East\u2014in order to help students acquire the language and cultural competence needed to communicate effectively across borders, understand other perspectives, and analyze increasingly fluid economic and political realities. Recipients must commit to working for the federal government for at least one year.<\/p>\n

\"Simon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Simon Webster<\/strong>, an Honors College junior with majors in math and mathematical economics, will study Turkish for eight weeks this summer in Baku, Azerbaijan<\/strong>. By living with a Turkish-speaking family and using soccer as a means for meeting local residents, Simon hopes his immersion in the language and culture will help prepare him for a career supporting the United States\u2019 foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Boren Scholarship will allow me to build the language skills that I will need in my professional career in government,\u201d said Simon, a Fishers, Ind., resident. \u201cI will experience a different culture and improve my cross-cultural understanding, learning things abroad that could be useful in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Madison<\/strong><\/p>\n

Madison Willingham<\/strong> is an Honors College sophomore with a major in international business and minor in Chinese. She will be studying at National Taiwan Normal University, in Taipei, Taiwan<\/strong>, from January to June 2025. With the goal of working for the U.S. State Department, Madison aims \u201cto facilitate communication and understanding between American and Chinese entities, helping them navigate the complexities of intercultural exchange and strengthening partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Elkin, N.C., native adds, \u201cI am really passionate about fostering empathy among those with differing world views, and I believe in the power of open communication for national security. My time abroad will deepen my understanding of diplomatic challenges and prepare me to be a greater asset to the federal government.\u201d<\/p>\n

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April 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Jillian Cieslik<\/strong>, a current senior, and two recent graduates\u2014Isabelle Behrman<\/strong> and Kelsey Woodruff<\/strong>\u2014have been selected for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program <\/strong>(NSF GRFP)! Two other recent graduates also were selected for Honorable Mention.<\/p>\n

The NSF GRFP<\/a> recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based master\u2019s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions.<\/p>\n

\"JillianSenior and Honors College student Jillian Cieslik<\/strong>, who has a major in biology (genetics) and minor in piano, has worked an undergraduate research assistant in an aquatic microbe ecology lab. Her many extracurricular activities included serving as both vice president and president of the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Club.<\/p>\n

Off-campus, Jillian completed a Field Museum Women in Science Internship in Chicago, and last summer she interned in the botany department of the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of Natural History, through an NSF-funded REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates).<\/p>\n

This fall Jillian will begin a Ph.D. program in ecology and evolutionary biology at Washington University (St. Louis). \u201cI\u2019m excited to have the opportunity to work with plants to uncover their evolutionary history and the selective pressures on the development of key traits,\u201d said Jillian, who is from Lake in the Hills, Ill. Her career goal is to become a research botanist at a natural history museum or botanical garden.<\/p>\n

Fellowships were also awarded to two recent graduates:<\/p>\n

\"Isabelle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isabelle Behrman<\/strong> (2023 graduate) had majors in chemistry and Spanish at Ball State, and for more than three years she helped conduct chemistry research on a newly developed acid. In 2022 she received a Goldwater Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding understands in STEM fields. She is completing the first year of a Ph.D. program in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University, as a member of the Sustainable Polymer Innovation Lab. In her career, Isabelle\u2014a Muncie native\u2014plans to teach at the university lab and lead a lab focused on sustainable polymers.<\/p>\n

\"Kelsey<\/p>\n

Kelsey Woodruff<\/strong> (2022 graduate) completed majors in chemistry (biochemistry) and pre-medical preparation at Ball State, along with minors in French and biology and the Honors College curriculum. She conducted research in a cell biology lab at Ball State for three years and also participated in an REU program at the University of Michigan. Kelsey is now a second-year Ph.D. student in molecular and cell biology at the University of Washington, where she studies the role of sugars on the cell\u2019s surface in regulating signaling necessary for cancer cell growth and chemotherapy resistance. The Richmond, Ind., native is preparing for a career as a researcher and science writer and communicator.<\/p>\n

Honorable Mention was awarded to two other recent graduates:<\/p>\n

\"Lauren<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lauren Andrews<\/strong> (2022 graduate) completed a major in chemistry, a minor in biology, and the Honors College curriculum at Ball State. She is now a second-year Ph.D. student in chemistry at the University of Virginia, where she is making compounds that have the potential to become a treatment option for patients with glioblastoma. After completing her degree, Lauren\u2014an Ada, Mich., native\u2014wants to work in the field of pharmaceutical research and development.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kayle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kayle<\/strong> Bender<\/strong> (2022 graduate) had majors in biology and chemistry at Ball State. She is now a second-year Ph.D. student in chemistry at University of California, Davis, where she is studying changes in the biomolecules of the central nervous system during development (birth to adulthood) in mice, with a focus on specific carcinoma tumors. After graduate school, Kayle\u2014who is from Fishers, Ind.\u2014wants to work in the biotech industry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Approximately 2,000 NSF Graduate Research Fellowships were awarded nationwide this year to graduating seniors and to first- and second-year graduate students, with the aim of helping \u201censure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.\u201d Selected fellows receive a generous living stipend for three years, and their graduate institutions also receive a tuition and fees allowance for three years. For more information, visit www.nsfgrfp.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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April 2024:<\/em><\/strong> Junior Taylor Bias<\/strong> has been awarded a Goldwater Scholarship<\/strong>, the nation\u2019s most prestigious scholarship for undergraduates planning to pursue research-focused careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) fields.<\/p>\n

\"TaylorTaylor, an Honors College student from Elkhart, Ind., has a major in biochemistry and minors in biology and studio art. After completing a Ph.D. in biochemistry, she plans to launch a career conducting research in protein-ligand interactive molecular chemistry and teaching at the university level.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to advance knowledge of protein-ligand interactions to help address health concerns, such as immune responses to infection and disease\u2014and I want to do so as a faculty member engaged in both teaching and research,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cMy goal is to work in a team of students and scientists contributing to scientific understanding. In doing so, I want to mentor students in deciding what they want from their own research journeys and give these students the same support that I am currently receiving.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taylor has been a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Mary Konkle (Associate Professor of Chemistry) since January 2022, initially through Ball State\u2019s Teacher-Scholar program. She also spent a summer conducting research at Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis. Her many other pursuits include active participation in Indiana LSAMP (Louis Stakes Alliances for Minority Participation, an NSF-funded program) and Ball State\u2019s Student Affiliates of the American Chemistry Society. She is also a teaching assistant for organic chemistry.<\/p>\n

Taylor has given several presentations about her research at the national, state, and campus levels, and she was fifth author for a 2022 article that appeared in ACS Chemical Biology. That same year, she was awarded a national ACS (American Chemical Society) Scholarship, and at the 2023 National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers’ conference, she won first place for a poster presentation.<\/p>\n

Taylor is the fifteenth Ball State student to receive the Goldwater Scholarship, along with nine others who have received honorable mention. She was one of 438 sophomores and juniors selected this year, from a pool of 1,353 students nominated by colleges and universities nationwide.<\/p>\n

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater. By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in STEM fields, the Goldwater Foundation is helping ensure that the U.S. is producing the number of highly-qualified professionals the nation needs in these critical fields. For more information, visit goldwaterscholarship.gov<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em>March 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Emma Hilton<\/strong>, a senior and member of Ball State\u2019s field hockey team, has been awarded an NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women\u2019s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship<\/strong>! She is one of 26 student-athletes selected nationwide for the scholarship, which recognizes \u201coutstanding citizens and excellent role models\u201d in extracurricular activities and academics. Applicants must also demonstrate promise for success in an intercollegiate athletics career.<\/p>\n

\"EmmaEmma, who is poised to graduate summa cum laude<\/em> this May, has a major in exercise science and minor in coaching. She will then enter Ball State\u2019s M.A. program in athletic coaching education, with a concentration in sport performance. She plans to pursue a career in college athletics, specifically in strength and conditioning.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy determination to succeed, willingness to work hard, and love of encouraging and mentoring others through athletics will enable me to work my way up from an assistant strength and conditioning coach to the director of strength and conditioning at a university, ultimately helping to provide opportunities to students from all backgrounds, including those who have persevered in sports despite challenges,\u201d said the Clark, New Jersey, native.<\/p>\n

During her undergraduate career at Ball State, Emma has been a volunteer fitness instructor for the Erskine Green Learning Institute\u2014which offers hospitality and food service training and employment to adults with disabilities\u2014and has been active at two different YMCAs, in both her hometown and in Muncie.<\/p>\n

Each year, the NCAA awards $10,000 to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of graduate studies. Learn more at the NCAA website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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March 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Four Ball State undergraduates\u2014all students in the Honors College\u2014have been selected as finalists for Fulbright U.K. Summer Institutes<\/a>! The program offers freshmen and sophomores from U.S. colleges and universities fully-funded opportunities to explore the culture, heritage, and history of the United Kingdom while experiencing higher education at a U.K. university.<\/p>\n

\"Lily<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Lily Haley<\/strong>, a freshman with a major in chemistry and minors in biology and American Sign Language, is currently an alternate for the three-week Aberystwyth University Institute, in Wales.<\/p>\n

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\"Miguel<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Miguel Ortega<\/strong>, a sophomore with a major in psychology and minors in sociology and communication, is also an alternate for the three-week Aberystwyth University Institute, in Wales.<\/p>\n

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\"Chelsea<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Chelsea Murdock<\/strong>, a freshman with a major in English education and minors in multicultural education and African American studies, hopes to spend three weeks in the Black Humanities Institute at the University of Bristol, in England.<\/p>\n

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\"Destiny<\/strong><\/p>\n

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D<\/strong>estiny Wells<\/strong>, a sophomore with a major in English (creative writing) and a minor in computer science, hopes to participate in the three-week Arts, Activism, and Social Justice Institute at the University of Bristol, in England.<\/p>\n

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Lily and Miguel were recently interviewed by representatives of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, and Chelsea and Destiny will be interviewed in mid-April, then learn soon after if they\u2019ve been selected. This year, a total of 38 U.S. students to participate in the seven institutes being offered.<\/p>\n

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March 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Mona Hamad<\/strong>, a graduate student in Ball State\u2019s Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program, was selected as the 2024 Charles Fountain Scholars Graduate Award<\/a> winner!<\/p>\n

\"MonaThe scholarship recognizes \u201cBlack, Indigenous, and persons (students) of color in landscape architecture with exceptional leadership and design skills, and who use their skills and ideas to influence, communicate, lead, and advance design solutions for contemporary issues.\u201d Each year, CELA (the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture) selects one graduate and one undergraduate student in landscape architecture for the scholarship.<\/p>\n

Mona, who will complete her MLA program in May, practiced architecture and landscape architecture in Khartoum, Sudan, for five years before coming to the U.S. At Ball State she has focused much of her research and design work on a public square in Khartoum that served as the site of a massive sit-in protest in 2019. In her career, she wants to practice landscape architecture \u201cin a manner that adapts to constantly occurring societal changes based on current issues and struggles of the community to help support social equality and raise awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n

In being named this year\u2019s graduate Fountain Scholar, Mona commented, \u201cit is an honor to follow into the footsteps of Dr. Fountain\u2019s legacy in serving as an advocate towards fulfilling a diverse professional practice in Sudan in the field of landscape architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n

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March 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Lindsey Hayse<\/strong>, a junior with a major in English education and minors in both English as a new language and Spanish, has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)<\/strong>! The scholarship will provide her with two months of intensive language study of intermediate Chinese <\/strong>(Mandarin) in Taiwan this summer.<\/p>\n

\"LindseyLindsey\u2019s time abroad will capitalize upon her virtual study of the language and culture last summer, when she was awarded the CLS Spark for beginning Mandarin. Throughout the current academic year, too, she has participated in the CLS Spark Academic Program. In Taiwan, she will develop language and cultural knowledge to support her career plans to become an English teacher in Taiwan and later an ESL teacher in the U.S.<\/p>\n

\u201cLearning my future students\u2019 home language through the CLS program will allow me to both better connect to their frustrations in learning a new language, as well as ensure that I will be able to explain concepts in Mandarin when needed,\u201d said the New Salisbury, Ind., native. \u201cKnowing Mandarin will also allow me to integrate into my future community and break bread with those who live there.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Ball State, the Honors College student is an officer in College Mentors for Kids and Alpha Mu Gamma, a foreign language honors organization.<\/p>\n

The Critical Language Scholarship<\/a> is a State Department program that facilitates two months of intensive summer language study in 13 languages considered essential to the United States\u2019 engagement with the world. Approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students nationwide are selected each year.<\/p>\n

Lindsey\u2019s award is the latest of 11 Critical Language Scholarships received by Ball State students over the past 16 years.<\/p>\n

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March 2024<\/em>:<\/strong> Two fall athletes\u2014Maria Broering<\/strong> and Marie Plitt<\/strong>\u2014have received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships<\/strong>, which recognize their excellence in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and community service. A total of 126 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships<\/a>\u00a0are awarded each year, with 21 female and 21 male athletes selected for each sports season. The $10,000 scholarship must be used to support postgraduate studies.<\/p>\n

\"MariaMaria Broering<\/strong>, a member of the soccer team, has a major in biochemistry and a minor in biology and is poised to graduate in May with a 4.00 GPA. This fall the Southgate, Kentucky, native will\u00a0enter a PhD program in biochemistry, with the goal of becoming a biomedical researcher.<\/p>\n

Maria has gained extensive research experience in Ball State\u2019s Chemistry Department, through CRISP (Chemistry Research Immersion Summer Program) and as a research assistant in the lab of Dr. Mary Konkle, Associate Professor of Chemistry, where she studies a protein implicated in diseases like diabetes, Parkinson\u2019s, and cancer. \u201cI aspire to become a principal investigator in academia and conduct research that will advance scientific understanding of the biochemical underpinnings of human health,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Maria has served as the soccer team representative and secretary for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Ball State, and she is also a member of the MAC Council of Student Athletes and the MAC Transformative Leadership Program. In Muncie, she Initiated a STEM youth outreach program at the Ross Community Center.<\/p>\n

\"MarieMarie Plitt<\/strong>, a member of the women\u2019s volleyball team, graduated cum laude in May 2023 with a major in psychology and minors in human development and family engagement. She is now in the first year of Ball State\u2019s three-year Master of Social Work (MSW) program, with plans to become a mental health counselor to student-athletes.<\/p>\n

In her professional career, said the Loveland, Ohio, native, \u201cI will be giving back to the community that has meant so much to me throughout my college career. I hope to help student-athletes to thrive mentally and emotionally.\u201d In both high school and college, Marie has been active in organizations that help fellow athletes find mental health resources, including BSU\u2019s Chirp for Change.<\/p>\n

Marie helped lead the women\u2019s volleyball team to the 2019 and 2020 MAC championships. By the end of her collegiate volleyball career, she was 6th in BSU\u2019s team history and 26th nationwide for kills. She also set Ball State records as #1 in hitting percentage, number of matches played, and number of sets played.<\/p>\n

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February 2024:<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em>Seattle Greenwell<\/strong>\u2014an Honors College student with majors in public relations and advocacy and minors in theatre and women\u2019s & gender studies\u2014 has been named a finalist <\/strong>for the Truman Scholarship<\/strong>! One of the nation\u2019s most prestigious scholarships, the Truman is awarded to juniors who will be the nation\u2019s future change-makers. Deeply committed to preventing intimate partner violence, Seattle has regularly volunteered at A Better Way, a domestic violence shelter in Muncie, throughout her college career. As Vice President of Finance for Alpha Chi Omega, a women\u2019s fraternity at Ball State, Seattle has also led fundraising efforts to support the work of A Better Way over the past two years, among other leadership and service roles on campus.<\/p>\n

\"SeattleAfter completing her bachelor\u2019s degree, Seattle will enroll in a dual Master of Public Affairs\/Master of International Affairs program, with a focus on nonprofit management and international development. With plans for building complementary skills in communication and policy-making, Seattle is determined to play a role in creating a safer world for women, especially in developing nations.<\/p>\n

The Truman Scholarship is awarded to juniors who intend to pursue careers in public service and who want to create systemic change.\u00a0 They must possess extensive records of leadership and demonstrated commitment to public service.\u00a0 Seattle and other finalists for the Chicago region will be interviewed on March 22.\u00a0 Approximately 60 recipients will be announced in mid-April, at www.truman.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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February 2024:<\/strong> Congratulations to the following ten BSU students and alumni (pictured below), who\u2019ve made it to the semi-finalist round for the U.S. Student Fulbright program! Final decisions about recipients will be made by host country committees and announced later this semester.<\/em><\/p>\n

All are semi-finalists for the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) program, for which they would help teach English to students in their host country and also carry out self-designed cultural immersion activities.<\/p>\n