Honored for Academic Achievement at Buena Vista University

2015 Feb 11

Nine Buena Vista University (BVU) science majors, including , a major from , have been selected for the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award for the 2014 calendar year.

The awards, which range up to $5,000, were created by a $750,000 endowment from the foundations established by Dr. Harold Walter Siebens and named after the long-time advisor and counsel to Siebens and the foundations.

"These awards, which are quite significant in their financial value, provide very meaningful and direct support to academically deserving students in the School of Science as they pursue their development into future scientists, mathematicians and computer scientists," said Ben Donath, dean of BVU's School of Science and associate professor of mathematics. "BVU and our students are very fortunate to be prime beneficiaries of the foresight and generosity of Mr. Rae and the Siebens Family Foundation."

The endowment supports annual awards for three pre-qualified, academically high-performing BVU science majors in each of the second, third and fourth years of school, a total of up to nine students per year. The program is distributing $30,000 in awards this year.

The complete list of recipients includes:

Fourth year student recipients: John Bieber, a biology education major from Cherokee; Breannah Krips, a biology education major from Havelock; and Kelsey Mitchell, a mathematics major from Decorah.

Third year student recipients: Carolyn McDermott, a biology and environmental science major from Lincoln, Nebraska; Lan Nguyen, a corporate mathematics, accounting and business major from Storm Lake; and Miguel Rodriguez, a computer science, information technology track major from Storm Lake.

Second year student recipients: Jaelyn Daggs-Olson, a biochemistry major from Eldora; Michelle Clinesmith, a biology major from Lake View; and Sarah Schlichte, a biology major from Manning.

The competitive program, which rewards science majors who excel in their academic pursuits, is open to students who live in Iowa or adjacent states and who qualify for financial aid. Students may receive the award more than once during their years at BVU.

In addition to academic excellence, the program encourages quality learning experiences for students outside the classroom, such as internships, study abroad, international and domestic travel during BVU's January interim, and individual academic research. Fourth-year students can also use the funds for graduate school applications, entrance/exam costs or professional certification. Upon graduation, students can also use remaining Award funds to help pay down student loans.