Meet the New Aggies - 2008

Fall semester 2008 is off to a running start at Utah State University. Connections has concluded, and the first week of classes is drawing to a close. Each fall, the university welcomes those new to campus — the incoming class of freshmen, those who have transferred to USU from other locations and new graduate students.

The energy of these new Aggies adds to the vibrancy and diversity on campus. The final numbers for new students have not been announced, but Utah State Today talked with four students who are new to campus, providing a look into the lives of USU’s campus family.

 

Welcome to campus and good luck in the coming year to all. Enjoy your studies, but take part in the multiple opportunities for involvement on campus.

 

 

 

If you ask incoming freshman May Bo Hsu why she chose to attend Utah State University, she would tell you the choice was an easy one.

 

“I came to USU because it felt great being up on campus,” Hsu said. “Everyone is really friendly. I'm excited to explore Logan and meet new friends!”

 

Her high school achievements, especially in the areas of science and math, allowed Hsu to receive an Educational Opportunity Scholarship (full tuition) and an additional $1,000 scholarship from Utah State. She also received a $1,000 scholarship from the Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA), a statewide public education program that works to increase the number of under-served ethnic minority and female students who pursue coursework, advanced study and possible careers in mathematics, engineering and science areas.

 

Hsu, from Sandy, Utah, is majoring in electrical and computer engineering and has already begun focusing on her career plans. The Hillcrest High School graduate snagged an intern spot at L-3 Communications Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah, this past summer and said her experience was “awesome.”

 

L-3 hired Hsu as a co-op intern and she was put into an electrical engineering group where she worked hand-in-hand with engineers. Hsu worked in the labs and did various projects, from data links, FPGAs, cables and circuit boards. She said the women engineers at L3 inspired her to study electrical engineering.

 

“I learned teamwork, problem solving and debugging skills,” Hsu said. “The best part was that I loved what I was doing.”
 
Hsu said she has always wanted to study engineering, but wasn’t sure which emphasis. Her experience at L-3 solidified her choice because she realized how much she enjoyed working with hardware and programming. She said the electrical engineering was what she was meant to study, but she is still thinking about what she wants to focus on within the major.

 

 

 

Life as an Army brat has prepared freshman Jared Wight well for college life. Born in New York, he’s moved from coast to coast and many destinations in between.

 

“Having lived all over the place, I’ve developed the ability to adapt easily to change,” said Wight, who recently graduated from Fort Campbell High School in Kentucky. “I’ve seen a lot of neat places and made a lot of friends. I can’t wait to jump right in and get involved.”

 

A Quinney Scholar, Wight is a wildlife science major in the College of Natural Resources’ Department of Wildland Resources.

 

“Living in Alaska made me realize my love of the outdoors and animals,” he said. “One day I’d like to work for Fish and Wildlife Management. I would love to give back to the environment.”

 

Utah State attracted Wight for two main reasons: snow and mountains.

 

“I plan on taking advantage of Utah’s ski resorts,” said the sports enthusiast, who also pursues soccer, tennis and cross-country running.

 

Beyond the classroom, Wight enjoys nature photography and hanging out with friends.

 

“In high school, I was active in the honor society, the German club and a service club called ‘Teens, Crime, and the Community,’” he said. “At USU, I look forward to being active in many clubs within the College of Natural Resources. I’d also like to be involved in the Residence Hall Association and area government. I think it would be a lot of fun to be a resident assistant next year.”

 

 

 

While USU’s branch campuses are an integral part of the university, Roosevelt, Utah, student Chenae' Shiner said she’s always wanted to attend school in Logan rather than the USU Uintah Basin campus because of the great feel on the main campus.

 

“I love Logan and always wanted a chance to move up here,” she said.

 

Move to Logan she did, and she now shares an apartment with five other young women — each with a separate room and bath.

 

“I don’t know any of the other girls I’m rooming with, so it will be fun to get to know new people.”

 

Shiner’s had plenty of opportunity to meet new people during the past year. The Union High School graduate just completed a year’s reign as the National High School Rodeo Queen, traveling across America representing the National High School Rodeo Association.

 

“I’ve been a part of rodeo since I was a little girl, so it was an amazing experience to get to travel and represent a sport I love,” she said.

 

And yes, Shiner said she plans to continue her rodeo career in some way while majoring in broadcast journalism at USU. She’s received scholarships through rodeo and as the National High School Rodeo Queen. She also received the Allred Scholarship from her high school.

 

Looking ahead, Shiner said she hopes to work on television. She said she wants to be the news person in the field conducting interviews.

 

 

 

Peichun Liu is a new master’s student at USU. Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Liu joked that she is the only brave one in her family because she has been the only one to venture across the world to live in a foreign country. She is getting a master’s of second language teaching and will teach Chinese 2010 as an international graduate instructor.  

 

In Taiwan, Liu taught English at the Sesame Street Languages School, where children get a jump-start on their English skills. She has always been interested in languages, especially English. Her father told her English was an important language and asked her and her sisters to give it a special emphasis in their studies.

 

She took his advice to heart and got her bachelor’s degree in translation and interpretation from the National Pingtung Institute of Commerce in Taiwan. After she finishes her master’s at USU, Liu hopes to get a job teaching Chinese that will allow her to stay in the states. 

 

Liu said one of her favorite ways to practice English is by watching movies in English. When she and her sister were younger, they chose English names for themselves based on movie characters’ names. Her older sister chose “Jessica,” but later discarded it for Ariel (from The Little Mermaid). Now, Liu goes by Jessica.

 

The beautiful, dry weather and easy access to public transportation are her favorite things about Logan.

 

“I am excited to learn and to teach Chinese at USU,” she said. “Everyone I have met so far has been very nice and helpful.”

 

 

 

Finally, Utah State Today asked the new Aggies to respond to a series of questions that provide a look into the preferences of today’s students. Whether looking at popular culture, music or technology, here’s what the group said.

 

 

May Bo: I build my own PCs. I have never liked Apple... but I still like you if you do.

 

Jared: Definitely, PC. I love my red Dell!

 

Chenae': Mac

 

Peichun: PC

 

 

May Bo: Iron Man! Watched the 2 a.m. show the day it came out!

 

Jared: Tough! I love both but I’m leaning toward The Dark Knight’

 

Chenae': The Dark Knight

 

Peichun: The only movie I saw this summer when I came to America in August was The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

 

 

May Bo: Yes, I will vote... I need to do my civic duty.

 

Jared: Definitely voting — just need to figure out who I’m voting for.

 

Chenae': Yes

 

Peichun: Definitely cannot do that, it would be impossible for me! (Peichun is not a U.S. citizen.)

 

 

May Bo: I have both. Find me! I check my Facebook more.

 

Jared: Facebook.

 

Chenae': Myspace

 

Peichun: Facebook

 

 

May Bo: Neither, Strawberry Cheesecake... actually… I just love ice cream!

 

Jared: I despise mint! And I haven’t tried Lemon Custard. My favorite Aggie Ice Cream is Strawberry Cheesecake.

 

Chenae': Neither, I’m a cookie dough fan.

 

Peichun: I don’t eat cold things (According to Chinese herbal medicine practices, women should not put cold things into their bodies too quickly because it can disturb the balance of the temperature inside the body).

 

 

May Bo: Both! I love music a lot... hope there's sweet local concerts in Logan.

 

Jared: Coldplay. I’m seeing them in Salt Lake City Nov. 22!

 

Chenae': COLDPLAY!!!

 

Peichun: I only know Queen.

 

 

May Bo: To be an Aggie is to be yourself. There’s something for everyone here. Go find something to do! Oh ... and to become a true Aggie of course.

 

Jared: I am an Aggie! I’m just a regular, 18-year-old college freshman who’s loving resident life and looking forward to a good year.

 

Chenae': I’m an Aggie.

 

Peichun Liu: The symbol of Logan; when we see the ‘A,’ we know it’s our hometown; our spirit center or connection to this place.

 

 

So, that’s it. Welcome to campus May Bo, Jared, Chenae' and Peichun. It sounds like you’ve already joined the Aggie family. Good luck. Here’s looking at a successful year for you and everyone who studies at Utah State University.

 

Writers contributing to this story include:

Maren Cartwright (435) 797-1355, maren.cartwright@usu.edu

Mary-Ann Muffoletto (435) 797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu

Annalisa Purser (435) 797-1429, annalisa.fox@usu.edu
Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354, patrick.williams@usu.edu