News and Public Information Office
Glos Center
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-7592
(513) 529-1950 fax
newsinfo@muohio.edu
Glos Center
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-7592
(513) 529-1950 fax
newsinfo@muohio.edu
News Release
Students receive academic achievement awards08/31/2009 |
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During Miami University's Bicentennial Convocation, nine students were recognized for their remarkable record of academic achievement and their contribution to the intellectual climate at Miami University. Each of these scholars were honored with the $1,000 Provost Student Academic Achievement Award, which is granted annually to approximately 10 - 15 students who have completed their junior year. The 2009 winners received their awards Aug. 21 at Millett Hall as Miami University welcomed the incoming freshman class of 2013. The winners are: Michael R. Eilers, Iordon V. Ganev, Nicole M. Mitchell, Hesam Motlagh, James R. Muruthi, W. Preston Parry, Matthew A. Price, Holly N. Slonecker and Benjamin L. Walker. Michael R. Eilers, of St. Louis, Mo., is an engineering management major and a supply chain management minor. Participating in the Miami Heritage Technology Park project, Eilers was able to understand the various advantages of teamwork. “I was able to learn from a diverse group of students who share my passion for the environment, research sustainable solutions for a real-world project, and present my findings to professors, students and clients,” Eilers said. Working on the Miami Heritage Technology Park project has allowed Eilers to use his knowledge, enabling him to tackle various issues and situations. Iordan V. Ganev, of Oxford, is a double major in mathematics & statistics, as well as environmental science. From day one of Ganev’s undergraduate experience, he strived to embrace the benefits of intellectual discovery. By completing various projects and theories, Ganev was able to fulfill his goal and take advantage of the academic opportunities Miami University offers. “My undergraduate academic accomplishments not only fulfill my aim of intellectual discovery, but they also serve as a foundation for future endeavors,” Ganev said. Ganev plans to attend gradate school in mathematics after graduating from Miami. Nicole M. Mitchell, of Lake Forest, Ill., is an interdisciplinary business management major and a Spanish minor. Creating and executing a research experiment focusing on the effects that carbohydrates have on women’s metabolism during exercise, Mitchell was able to submit her research to a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as well as the American College of Sports Medicine. “From this experience, I have acquired a greater understanding and appreciation for research,” Mitchell said. She aspires to move onto medical school where she can continue researching after graduating from Miami. As a double major in mathematics & statistics and biochemistry, as well as a double minor in actuarial science and molecular biology, Hesam Motlagh, of Moreland Hills, took advantage of research opportunities. “Being able to conduct significant scientific research for the past two years has not only facilitated my understanding of mechanisms regulating gene expression, but has allowed me to return the favor to my colleagues through my own discoveries and work,” he said. Motlagh also is a member of the Greek organization on campus, Sigma Pi. James R. Muruthi, of Naivasha, Kenya, is a double major in gerontology and interdisciplinary studies. He began his interest in interdisciplinary studies as a freshman when he joined the Interdisciplinary Program. “I participated as one of the Peer Science tutors based in Boyd Hall under the supervision of Dr. Hays Cummings,” Muruthi said. “In this position the tutors organized field trips and educational programs that relate directly to courses in school.” Aside from being a part of the program, Muruthi also is a student employee working as a residence hall adviser for the third year. Currently, he is focusing his time on a Summer Scholars project that he will share with other students and professors at Miami. W. Preston Parry, of Akron, is a business economics major and an entrepreneurship minor. While obtaining an internship with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland his sophomore year through Miami’s fall career fair, Parry introduced the concept of “stress testing” our banks in a research report presented to bank leadership. Parry also is involved in many projects such as the Nuclear Reactor and the Student Venture Fund. “My work with the Student Venture Fund, the only student-run venture capital fund in the nation, is another experience at Miami I’ve found meaningful,” he said. Parry is a member of the Greek organization Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society that recognizes business excellence. Matthew A. Price, of Medina, is a double major in business economics and computer science, as well as a minor in mathematics. As he begins his fourth year at Miami, he reflects back to a research project he completed his freshman year. “I learned a lot from this experience,” Price said. “There is a major change in the way that you do research coming from high school and this research project really opened my eyes to that.” The project that was conducted in his business ethics course examined various business cases and intellectual disputes to decide if government could be considered a stakeholder in its own right. The in-depth project that was tackled three years ago has had a lasting impact on his knowledge and collegiate research strategies. Holly N. Slonecker, a mechanical engineering major and management minor of Wapakoneta, has had the opportunity to work and study around the world. During the summer of 2008, she lived and interned in downtown Chicago provided by the Urban Leadership Internship Program. Aside from living in Chicago, Slonecker also spent this past summer studying abroad in Paris. “To put it simply, the intellectual opportunities and personal challenges of Chicago and Paris were life-changing experiences that cannot be captured in a traditional classroom,” she said. Benjamin L. Walker, of St. Louis, Mo., is a double major in integrated mathematics education and mathematics & statistics. He is involved in many activities around campus such as the Men’s Glee Club and the School of the Americas activist contingent project. He also is a student employee. “Miami has empowered me to own my education by providing meaningful opportunities, such as the Undergraduate Summer Scholars program,” he said. This past summer, Walker created a pedagogical research project that tied together his two greatest passions: mathematics education and social justice. Juniors who have completed a minimum of 75 credit hours, can find more information about how to apply for the 2010 award at, http://www.miami.muohio.edu/provost/reports/PSAAA_0809.pdf. |
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