Science department honors Concordia students at 2015 annual awards banquet

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 9 years ago on Fri, May 1, 2015 11:28 AM
Concordia science students honored at the department’s annual awards banquet on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, include (front row, l-r) Kayla James, Erica Ellis, Kara Einspahr, Erika Neugebauer, Morgan Vitosh, (back row, l-r) Kelly Murray, Lara Bergdolt, Courtney Upmann, Joshua Allwardt, Alexander Scheiber, Alex Stepanek, Naomi Iltis.  

The Department of Natural Sciences at Concordia University, Nebraska recognized exceptional work and contribution to the science department at its 14th annual awards banquet on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Graduating seniors were also honored at the banquet.

“It takes considerable dedication to be a science major, and we want the students to know how much we appreciate their hard work in every class, every semester,” said Associate Professor of Chemistry Kristy Jurchen. “The banquet also gives us a public venue to acknowledge student accomplishments—graduates, students who have been accepted into internships, students who receive special awards and students who have won scholarships that the department offers.”

The Natural Sciences Scholarship, funded by current and emeriti faculty, is awarded to outstanding returning seniors in a natural science program. This year’s recipients were Katelyn Peterson and Benjamin Schulteis.

Science Career Support Scholarships were awarded to Amanda Ruether and Samantha Boardman. 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.

Trevor Miller received the Golden Scalpel award as the top student in Gross Anatomy, Concordia’s human cadaver dissection course.

Christine Bennett was recognized as the outstanding freshman in chemistry for her superior first-year performances in chemistry.

The department also recognized outstanding lab assistants for the year. These included Joshua Allwardt and Alexander Scheiber in biology, Trey Farmer in chemistry and Benjamin Schulteis in physics.

Students who received awards or graduation recognition include (alphabetical by state, city, last name):

  • Benjamin Schulteis, senior, Greenfield, Iowa, received the natural Science Scholarship and outstanding lab assistant in physics
  • Christine Bennett, freshman, Ida Grove, Iowa, received the award for outstanding freshman in chemistry
  • Joshua Allwardt, senior, Frederick, Md., received the award for outstanding lab assistant in biology
  • Amanda Ruether, freshman, Fremont, Neb., received the Science Careers Support Scholarship
  • Samantha Boardman, junior, Henderson, Neb., received the Science Careers Support Scholarship
  • Trevor Miller, senior, Lincoln, Neb., received the Golden Scalpel Award
  • Katelyn Peterson, senior, Ord, Neb., received the Natural Science Scholarship
  • Trey Farmer, senior, Seward, Neb., received the award for outstanding lab assistant in chemistry
  • Alexander Scheiber, senior, Seward, Neb., received the award for outstanding lab assistant in biology

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