Last weekend saw the graduation of 31 undergraduate students in the NREM department. Among them, five were recognized as recipients of the Senior Contribution Award, given to students who devoted time and energy to the department through leadership as club officers, teaching assistants, ambassadors, peer mentors, and more. The recipients of the award are listed below along with some words provided by the faculty and staff they were nominated by.
Alejandro Gomez
Alejandro has left a mark on our Department that will last for many years through his work in the
Natural History Collection. Together with a friend he re-launched the Taxidermy, Articulation, and
Preservation Society, and through this has introduced and trained numerous other students in both scientific preservation and artistic preparation. The specimens he has accessioned and the students who can carry his work on will pay dividends for years.
Alejandro Gomez has been an active member of the Environmental Education Club for multiple years and served as Vice President of the club this year. As a club member, Alejandro has helped organize and implement monthly educational programs for youth at the Ames Public Library.
Luke Mullen
Luke Mullen has been a very active member of the Environmental Education Club for the past four years and served as President of that club this year. During his time as president, the club has conducted monthly educational programs for youth at the Ames Public Library.
Grace Rohrdanz
Grace Rohrdanz has been an NREM Ambassador – successfully representing our department and majors to prospective students. Even before she became an ambassador, Grace volunteered to serve on student panels for new students in orientation classes. She was an active member of the NREM Transitions learning community. Her volunteer activities include helping at department events and activities and tutoring fellow students as needed. As an hourly student employee in our student services office, she goes beyond expectations to help students and visitors with questions they might have.
Luke Rubow
I nominate Luke Rubow for a Fall 2023 NREM Senior Contribution Award owing to his outstanding service in undergraduate education in NREM. He served as a Teaching Assistant in AECL 312 Section B (Ecology) for two years.
Whitney Winter
Whitney serves the department as an NREM Ambassador, a Peer Mentor to our NREM Transitions Learning Community and has volunteered to assist with several events produced by the department – Welcome Picnic, Chili Feed, etc. She also serves as a CALS Ambassador working with perspective students and sharing our message when appropriate with new students and their families.
The NREM department wishes the best of luck to all of our graduates as they enter the workforce or continue their education!