Scholars Day 2007 Celebrates Scholarship Recipients

The office of Admissions welcomed more than 100 prospective students to campus March 29 to celebrate their awards of Presidential and Deans Scholarships at the fourth annual Scholars Day.

“Utah State has set itself apart from other universities with its University Undergraduate Research Fellows Program,” said Joyce Kinkead, associate vice president for Research. “With its reputation for hands-on learning and a faculty that enjoys working with undergraduates, Utah State has been able to recruit those students who particularly want to begin inquiry in their field of study from day one of their undergraduate careers.”

Faculty teams from departments across the campus spent the afternoon interviewing students for fellowship awards, which add an additional $1,000 annual stipend to their scholarships.

“I enjoy getting to see these students early,” said Anthony Torres, who returned for a second year and who leads the pre-health interview team. “One of last year’s students is currently working on my autism research project, and she’s been terrific. Although only a freshman, she’s spending the summer as an American Heart Association researcher at the University of California, San Francisco.”

Based on previous years’ Fellowship awards, about 30-40 students will be named University Research Fellows.

Scholars Day provides Utah State’s scholarship recipients with a comprehensive overview of Utah State and informs them of opportunities should they decide to enroll at Utah State. Students attending Scholars Day noted how impressed they are with the recruitment staff at Utah State.

‘I am amazed by the dedication of USU to the future,” said Kayla Woodring, a senior from Weber High School. “I am extremely attracted to the university due to its commitment to its students, not only by helping them financially, but by valuing them as a person.”

Jennifer Putnam, director of Admissions, credits the early awarding of scholarships and timely communications to the good feeling prospective students have about Utah State.

“We really try to reach out to our prospective students with mailings, open houses and high school visits,” she said.

The quality of students interested in Utah State is very high according to Christie Fox, director of Honors.

“The proportion of Honors-eligible students has grown from 10 percent of the freshman class to 18 percent,” she said. “We offer students a ‘Taste of Honors’ each fall so they can try on the program and see if it’s a good fit for them.”

Krista Yardley who intends to major in Nutrition and Food Sciences and is from California, is one of many students whose family members are legacies of Utah State.

“My uncle graduated from Utah State, and my cousins and sister attended,” Yardley said. “All of them have liked their experience. It has been a positive time for them, and I hope it will be for me as well.”

Broderick Klemetson from Lindon, Utah, noted that his grandfather received his doctorate from Utah State. “I’d like to continue that tradition,” he said.

Several Research Fellowship applicants noted they had become hooked on research through the annual Biotech Summer Academy.

Colby Kearl from Mantua called his academy experience a mini-apprenticeship.

“I got to work in Dr. Joseph Li’s lab on Blue Tongue Virus, where I expanded my laboratory and presentation skills,” Kearl said.

The Research Fellowship can used in any department on campus. A number of students interested in USU’s stellar piano program met with faculty members of the department of music for additional interviews.

For the Research Fellows chosen over the past three Scholars Day events, positive experiences have been the case.

Recipients of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship — a national award of $7,500 — were just announced, and two of USU’s winners — Art Mahoney in computer science and Jennifer Albretsen of physics — are second-year Research Fellows. Albretsen credits her faculty mentor for her success.

“Dr. Dennison has been an excellent research mentor,” she said. “He regularly discusses the progress of the project. He wants to make sure I understand the science behind what I’ve been doing, so he takes the time to ask me questions and to explain concepts.”

In addition to the Fellowship interviews, Scholars Day participants have a mini-SOAR, learn more about Honors, and get to talk one-on-one with current students about their USU experiences. Many will stay overnight and participate in A-Day, an Admissions-sponsored event for all admitted students who get to be students-for-a-day.

Contact: Joyce Kinkead (435) 797-1706, joyce.kinkead@usu.edu

Katie Jo Nielsen (435) 797-0256 Katie.nielsen@usu.edu

Jennifer Putnam (435) 797-0077 Putnam@cc.usu.edu