The Department of Natural Sciences at Concordia recognized exceptional work and contribution to the science department at its 13th annual awards banquet. Graduating seniors were also honored at the banquet.
“Over the years we have been pleased with the successes of our students both in the classroom and after they complete their programs at Concordia. This year was no exception,” Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, chair of the Natural Sciences department, said. “Once again a number of our students have been accepted into prestigious graduate schools, professional programs and summer internships."
The Natural Sciences Scholarship, funded by current and emeriti faculty, is considered the department’s highest honor and is awarded to outstanding juniors who plan to return to Concordia their senior year. This year’s recipients were Naomi Iltis of Le Claire, Iowa, Joshua Allwardt of Frederick, Maryland, and Lara Bergdolt of Grand Island, Nebraska.
Science Career Support Scholarships were awarded to freshman Brett James of Kearney, Nebraska, and sophomore Justin Lawrie of Headingley, Manitoba, Canada. These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated great potential in the sciences early in their college education. The award is typically given to outstanding returning sophomores or juniors.
Joshua Allwardt received the Golden Scalpel award as the top student in Gross Anatomy, Concordia’s human cadaver dissection course.
Mason Koeritz of Northrop, Minnesota, and Philip Yox of Mount Pleasant, Texas, were recognized as outstanding freshmen in chemistry for their superior first-year performances in chemistry courses.
The department also recognized outstanding lab assistants for the year. These included senior Jordan Donohoue of Manhattan, Kansas, in biology, Lara Bergdolt in chemistry and senior Erica Ellis of Plain City, Utah, in physics.
Students who received awards or graduation recognition include:
Joshua Allwardt, junior, Frederick, Md., Natural Sciences Scholarship and Golden Scalpel award recipient
Clinton Anderson, senior, Osceola, Neb., biology/chemistry graduate
Amanda Baldwin, senior, Wilber, Neb., biology graduate
Lara Bergdolt, junior, Grand Island, Neb., Natural Sciences Scholarship recipient and outstanding lab assistant recognition
Derek Blessing, senior, Ogallala, Neb., biology/chemistry graduate
Mitchell Cherney, senior, Burnsville, Minn., biology/chemistry graduate
Jordan Donohoue, senior, Manhattan, Kan., biology graduate and outstanding lab assistant recognition
Nathan Douglas, senior, Seward, Neb., physics graduate
Erica Ellis, senior, Plain City, Utah, outstanding lab assistant recognition
Emily Fleming, senior, Gretna, Neb., biology graduate
Tim Fosmo, senior, Casper, Wyo., biology graduate
Garrett Golke, senior, Milford, Iowa, environmental science graduate
Andrew Hammes, senior, Colorado Springs, Colo, biology/chemistry graduate
Thomas Hatesohl, senior, Clay Center, Kan., biology graduate
Naomi Iltis, junior, Le Claire, Iowa, Natural Sciences Scholarship recipient
Brett James, freshman, Kearney, Neb., Science Career Support Scholarship recipient
Langston Jones, senior, Loveland, Colo., biology graduate
Mason Koeritz, freshman, Northrop, Minn., Golden Scalpel award and outstanding freshman recognition
Katelyn Koll, senior, Wilber, Neb., biology/chemistry graduate
Delilah Kond, senior, Seward, Neb., environmental science graduate
Sarah Kortze, senior, Rockford, Ill., biology/chemistry/physics graduate
Justin Lawrie, sophomore, Headingley, Manitoba, Canada, Science Career Support Scholarship recipient
Austin Mogg, senior, Seward, Neb., biology graduate
Adam Prahlow, senior, Florissant, Miss., biology graduate
Jacob Reifenrath, senior, Hartington, Neb., biology graduate
Bradley Schick, senior, Meadow Grove, Neb., biology graduate
Sara Simmons, senior, Sumner, Neb., biology graduate
Lacey Smola, senior, Dwight, Neb., biology graduate
Adam Tanney, senior, St. Louis, Mo., natural science graduate
Ethan Utecht, senior, Valentine, Neb., physics graduate
Nathan Von Rentzell, senior, Arvada, Colo., biology graduate
Derek Wendland, senior, Winona, Minn., biology/chemistry graduate
Philip Yox, freshman, Mount Pleasant, Texas, outstanding freshman recognition
