Meet the New Aggies - 2009

It’s become a tradition in Utah State Today, the campus online and electronic newsletter, to take a look at the new class of students who are joining Utah State University for the first time. Who are the new Aggies? What are their interests and what brought them to Logan?

 

The profiles offered in Utah State Today don’t try to duplicate the depth and detail included in the annual Beloit College Mindset List  — a list compiled by the Wisconsin school that looks at cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering the college and a list that draws media attention around the world.

 

No, the intent of Utah State Today is to welcome students back to campus — those who are new and a part of the freshman class, those who have transferred to USU from other locations and the university’s new graduate students, as well as the sophomores, juniors and seniors who are old hands at campus life.

 

A new academic year has left the starting blocks. Connections has concluded, the first week of classes is drawing to a close and resident halls and off-campus housing are bustling with activity. There is a wealth of knowledge, information and fun to be had throughout the year at Utah State University, so let’s get started.

 

Utah State Today interviewed eight students who are new to campus and who add to the vibrancy and diversity of campus life.

 

Let’s take a look at the new Aggies of 2009.

 

 

 

New Aggie Amy Rohman takes the USU College of Natural Resources’ motto, “Choose to Make a Difference,” to heart.

 

“I want to study conservation and restoration ecology because I want to do my part to make the earth a better place for everyone and everything,” said the Park City, Utah native. “If no one brings attention to the environment, then nothing will be done to preserve and protect it and we will be left with nothing. “

 

Utah State was a clear choice for Rohman.

 

“I chose USU because of its renowned natural resources programs,” the Quinney Scholar said. “The gorgeous location in Cache Valley helps, too.”

 

An accomplished writer, Rohman was named the Sterling Scholar in English at Park City High School. Her poetry appears in the summer 2009 issue of the national Teen Ink journal.

 

“I love to write in all forms, but my favorites are poetry and short stories,” she said. “Short stories are a little more difficult for me because each one seems to want to become a novel. I’m not ready for that kind of commitment and dedication yet.”

 

Away from the keyboard, Rohman, who was invited to join USU’s Honors program, is an avid reader and enjoys cooking, playing the guitar and cycling.

 

“I’m also completely obsessed with anything political,” she said. “I would love to become involved in student government and get a job that directly relates to the College of Natural Resources.”

 

Beyond USU, Rohman hopes to pursue a career in environmental impact analysis, wildlife biology or “somehow working within the EPA.”

 

“We’ve only got one planet, so we have to act wisely,” she said.

 

 

 

You might say Cameron Warr is jumping into his studies at USU or that he’s raising the bar, but those are bad puns and references to the new Aggie’s experience as a high school pole vaulter.

 

Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Cameron moved with his family to Boise, where his parents still live. He’s a graduate of Eagle High School and said he is ready for the college experience.

 

“I really like Logan and the campus here,” Cameron said. “And, I was ready to get out of Idaho for a while.”

 

Being a student from Idaho does have its advantages. Cameron is able to take advantage of a specific scholarship — a USU/ISU Scholarship — which he has received. Recipients must be a resident of Idaho and meet specific admissions index score requirements. The scholarship waives the out-of-state differential. 

 

At USU, Cameron has the declared major of law and constitutional studies, a natural for someone who plans to attend law school. His major, however, is “definitely subject to change,” he said.

 

With the numerous activities and clubs on campus, Cameron will have plenty of opportunity to explore his interests.

 

“I really enjoy playing guitar and singing every now and then,” he said.

 

Cameron and other students can check out the guitar ensembles in the Music Department or any number of performing options and choirs. Students can perform at open-mic nights at Poetry and a Beverage or other activities in the Taggart Student Center.

 

Following graduation, Cameron is looking east.

 

“I plan on going to law school,” he said. “I want to attend one on the East Coast, but I haven’t decided on one yet.”

 

 

 

Though she hates the snow, for freshman Chelsea Bergstrom coming to Utah State was like being reminded of home, and being close didn’t hurt either.

 

 “I was really undecided whether to attend USU or University of Wyoming,” Bergstrom said. “After a campus visit I decided USU because it is beautiful here and the atmosphere is great.”

 

As a native of Thayne, Wyo., and a graduate of Star Valley High School, the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Logan was much less painful than the six-hour drive to the University of Wyoming. Because of good ACT scores and a good GPA, she was able to get the 100 mile Scholarship that gives her in-state tuition.

 

Bergstrom has decided on a major in which she can help people, especially young people who have communicative disorders. When she was younger, Bergstrom had a neighbor who adopted a Korean boy with cerebral palsy who struggled to communicate. She found out that she could understand and communicate with the boy better than the adults. Now, as a speech pathology major, she is working toward her dream.

 

Though life in college will get busy, she plans to keep up with her favorite hobby, showing and riding paint horses.

 

“I’ve been showing horses since I was 9 and I plan to keep showing them,” Bergstrom said.

 

She loves doing it so much that she got the opportunity in 2005 to go to World Competition in Florida and finished sixth place in one of her divisions.

 

As for the future, Bergstrom plans to pursue a master’s degree in speech pathology, then find a nice warm place where snow can’t bug her anymore.

 

 

If you enjoy lively repartee, Justin Hinh is a new Aggie you’ll definitely want to meet. An avid debater, Hinh looks forward to joining both College Republicans and College Democrats.

 

“I’m a libertarian, so I kind of belong to both parties,” joked the Los Angeles native who moved to Utah about seven years ago. “I’m an atheist so I also look forward to joining USU’s ‘SHAFT’ Club – Secular Humanists, Atheists and Free Thinkers.”

 

A new entrant to USU’s Honors program, Hinh plans to major in biochemistry and political science.

 

“I love politics and government but also have a fascination with science,” said the recent graduate of Bountiful’s Viewmont High School. “I love how chemistry is related directly to biology, specifically microbiology. And I like being able to use my voice and communicate my opinions effectively.”

 

Hinh is the recipient of a 2009 Sam Walton Community Scholarship from the Wal-Mart Foundation, as well as an Aggie Merit Scholarship. He credits his high school counselor, debate coach, friends and the science department at his high school for his academic success.

 

“Pursuing a college education would not have been possible without their support,” he said. “I thank them for all that they have done to help me.”

 

Outside the classroom, Hinh enjoys airsofting — playing war games with replica guns — and video games, especially the first-person shooter genre.

 

Looking beyond his undergraduate years, Hinh plans to pursue a career with the FBI or other government branch related to national security. For now, he looks forward to getting started at USU.

 

“The campus is absolutely gorgeous and the people are friendly,” Hinh said. “I’m really happy with my decision to attend Utah State.”

 

Incoming freshman Amber Lynne Shaffer hails from a USU family and said it was an easy decision to follow in her father’s footsteps and make the decision to attend Utah State. Amber comes to USU from Keenesburg, Colo., where she graduated from Weld Central High School.

 

“The admissions office made it very easy to come from out of state,” Amber said. “I felt at home before I even moved up to Logan to attend school.”

 

Amber is a business administration major who is a 2009-10 Huntsman Scholar. She also received a USU Presidential Scholarship and a Denver Chapter USU Alumni Scholarship. Amber said great things about the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and said that during the time when she was trying to decide what to major in, the school of business won her over.

 

Besides her obvious interest in business, Amber’s favorite subject to study is American history. She also enjoys running, playing volleyball and playing the flute. She is “desperately trying to learn Spanish.”

 

One of Amber’s main goals during her time at USU is to achieve “True Aggie” status, and she would like to intern in international business. After graduation she has bigger aspirations, such as fixing the world’s economy.

 

 

 

Freshman Trevor Lyells heard about USU’s reputation as a great school and decided it was a good fit for him after hearing about the school’s new residential landscape design and construction major in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department in the College of Agriculture.

 

A native of West Jordan, Utah, and graduate of West Jordan High School, Trevor would like to one day own his own landscaping business.

 

He has many interests and enjoys playing lacrosse and mountain biking.

 

Trevor came to USU with the help of three scholarships and is looking forward to his college experience.

 

 

 

Lan Xiangyun is a new doctoral student studying sociology at USU and represents the new Aggies on campus in the School of Graduate Studies.

 

In America, she goes by Ellen, which came about because close friends called her A Lan (“A,” pronounced “ah,” is a prefix used in south China to address people who are close to you). Since Alan wouldn’t work, she chose Ellen.

 

She graduated from Liuzhou High School and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from South-Central University for Nationalities in Wuhan City in China. Her degrees are in Chinese language and literature and in history of Chinese nationalities.

 

Ellen wants to focus her doctoral research on rural studies and felt that USU was distinguished in this area. Additionally, the tuition award she received made the decision to attend USU a little easier.

 

Ellen enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends, watching movies and listening to pop music. She also likes to explore new places and old buildings and is excited about the new things she’ll be able to discover in Logan.    

 

 

 

A good engineering program, plus quick access to the great outdoors, plus the social life of campus, multiplied by a great scholarship equals USU. The math just added up for civil engineering freshman Stetson Bassett.

 

“Ever since I was a kid I always wanted to go to Utah State,” said Bassett. “I want be a civil engineer and Utah State was always at the top of my list.” 

 

Though he’s a self proclaimed “math nerd” Bassett, a graduate of Cedar High School, has an eye for art. In high school he became the Sterling Scholar in visual arts and got a five on the advanced placement ceramics exam. Though the opportunity has come up, he hasn’t sold his work … yet.

 

“I have always liked my work too much to sell it,” said Bassett, who also participated in clubs, soccer, cross country and many other clubs in high school.

 

His desire to be involved while at USU led him to the “Think Tank” Scholarship, where he and eight other students work to come up with new ideas and activities for the Admissions office.

 

For Bassett, he couldn’t leave his home town of Cedar City without some very precious gear —  his outdoor gear. Things like hiking, biking, rock climbing and snowboarding are very important to him and had to come with him from home.

 

While in high school he got some good practice for his future as an Aggie at the basketball games. In high school he was always on the front row cheering on the team, so he’s stoked for basketball, he said.

 

“The number one thing I am excited about is the social aspect of college, to meet new people, being on my own and living with my buddies, it’s very exciting.”

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 Mac or PC?

 

Amy Rohman: Mac!!!

 

Cameron Warr: PC.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: PC — but Macs are growing on me.

 

Justin Hinh: Of course, PC! Mac sucks – please let that be on record.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: PC.

 

Trevor Lyells:  PC.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): PC.

 

Stetson Bassett: PC all the way!

 

 

 

Amy Rohman: Star Trek. ‘Beam me up, Scotty!’

 

Cameron Warr: Xmen.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: To be honest, neither. Never watched either. Haha.

 

Justin Hinh: Star Trek, for sure!

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Star Trek...beam me up.

 

Trevor Lyells: XMen.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): Xmen. I haven’t seen Star Trek.

 

Stetson Bassett: X-men, I was a huge fan as a kid.

 

Amy Rohman: I just wish the media would give it a rest. It’s a Jackson family issue, not the world’s.

 

Cameron Warr: Eh…

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: I was shocked at first, but they went waaay overboard on televising it.

 

Justin Hinh: It actually made me glued to my mp3 player because I appreciate his music much more now.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Glued to TV...thriller changed my life ;)

 

Trevor Lyells: Could care less.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): I care. He is also a cultural mark and memory to people who grew up in China.

 

Stetson Bassett: Didn’t care. I’m not a huge fan, but it was funny to see what everyone else thought about him.

 

 

 

Amy Rohman: I would love to spend a semester someplace like Australia or Sweden, but no plans have been set in motion.

 

Cameron Warr: Spain. I plan on minoring in Spanish.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: Hopefully Australia.

 

Justin Hinh: Possibly — I’m looking into it. Great Britain is what I’m hoping for.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: YES!!! Peru & Europe!

 

Trevor Lyells: Maybe.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): Yes. :-) [And Ellen, welcome to USU and the United States. Editor.]

 

Stetson Bassett: I’m not really planning on it. It would be cool, but probably not.

 

 

 

Amy Rohman: Facebook. It’s the only way I can stay connected to everyone.

 

Cameron Warr: Facebook.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: Facebook!

 

Justin Hinh: Facebook>Twitter>MySpace>Real Life.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Facebook.

 

Trevor Lyells:  Facebook.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): Neither. I don’t know how to use these.

 

Stetson Bassett: Facebook.

 

 

 

Amy Rohman: Neither. I’m a Rocky Road fan all the way!

 

Cameron Warr: Aggie Blue Mint.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: Aggie Blue Mint.

 

Justin Hinh: I have not had Lemon Custard so Aggie Blue Mint.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Aggie Blue Mint (duh!).

 

Trevor Lyells: Aggie Blue Mint!

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): I haven’t tried Lemon Custard. Aggie Blue Mint is great. (For a woman of as little as my size, the amount of ice cream is too generous. But please don’t tell those people selling ice cream. :-)

 

Stetson Bassett: Aggie Blue Mint all the WAY!

 

 

 

Amy Rohman: Taylor Swift. I don’t usually like country music, but I’m a sucker for ‘Love Story.’

 

Cameron Warr: Taylor Swift … She’s hot.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom: Taylor Swift

 

Justin Hinh: Definitely Pink Floyd.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Taylor Swift.

 

Trevor Lyells: Black Eyed Peas... Fergie.

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): I don’t know who Taylor Swift is. But I’m not a fan of Black Eyed Peas. Currently, I’m a big fan of Khalil Fong, a Hawaiian-born, Hong Kong singer who writes and sings soul in Mandarin.

 

Stetson Bassett: Neither, not my kind of music.

 

Amy Rohman: I’m an Aggie! Just a young college student about to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

 

Cameron Warr: An Aggie is someone that is proud of USU and will hopefully be upgraded to a “True Aggie” eventually.

 

Chelsea Bergstrom:

 

A-True AGGIE!

G-Great Times

G-Great Friends

I-Incredible Ice Cream!

E-Extraordinary Academics

 

Justin Hinh: To me, an Aggie is someone who doesn’t lack direction; someone who works hard towards their goals with a happy attitude and a smile on their face.

 

Amber Lynne Shaffer: Someone who wears blue (true blue...not cougar blue...) religiously, never misses a USU basketball game and serves happily in their Cache Valley community.

 

Trevor Lyells:  ME!!

 

Ellen (Lan Xiangyun): I commit to some values and principles. For some reason, in my home country, I haven’t learned to commit to any identities or any organizations. It will take me some time to find out what a commitment to an organization means here.

 

Stetson Bassett: Someone who supports their school, who always has school spirit, wears their blue everywhere and gives the school a good name.

 

 

 

 

So, that’s it. Welcome to campus Amy, Cameron, Chelsea, Justin, Amber Lynne, Trevor, Ellen and Stetson. Good luck in the coming year. Enjoy your studies but take part in the multiple opportunities at USU and get involved in campus life. May the coming year be a successful one for you and everyone who studies at Utah State University. Welcome to the Aggie family.

 

Writers contributing to this story include:

Patrick Williams, 435-797-1354, patrick.williams@usu.edu

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

Annalisa Purser, 435-797-1429, annilisa.purser@usu.edu

Dallin Koeche, dallin.koecher@aggiemail.usu.edu