Science department awards honors

The science department at Concordia gave special awards to nine students at its end-of-the year banquet and awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 18. Scholarship recipients and other honorees were announced during the event.

The Natural Sciences Scholarship, funded by current and emeriti faculty, is considered the department’s highest honor. The award is presented to outstanding returning seniors. This year’s recipients were Katelyn Butts, Kalispell, Mont., and Michael Tewes, Lincoln, Neb.

Science Careers Support Scholarships also were awarded. These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated great potential in the sciences early in their college education. The award is given to outstanding returning sophomores or juniors. Sophomore Kara Einspahr, Seward, Neb., and junior Alicia Smith, Pleasant Dale, Neb., were this year’s recipients.

Senior Kaela Geyer, St. Louis, Mo., received the Golden Scalpel Award as the top student in Gross Anatomy, Concordia’s human cadaver dissection course.

Lara Bergdolt, Grand Island, Neb., was named Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry for her superior first-year performance in chemistry courses.

Outstanding lab assistants also were honored. Junior Marcus Gubanyi, Seward, Neb., received the honor in the area of physics. Senior Erienne TeSelle, York, Neb., was acknowledged in chemistry; and senior Levi Wiseman, Seward, Neb., was recognized in biology.