Tesia Posekany Honored for Academic Achievement at Buena Vista University

2014 Feb 14

Nine Buena Vista University science majors, including Tesia Posekany, a senior biology major from Woodburn, have been selected for the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award for the 2013 calendar year.

The awards ?EUR" which range up to $5,000 ?EUR" 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 ?EUR" 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 students: Kayla Hartmann, environmental science major from Albert Lea, Minn.; Tesia Posekany, biology major from Woodburn; and Jennifer Welch, biochemistry and chemistry major from Afton.

Third year students: Kelsey Mitchell, mathematics major from Decorah; Andrew Gisch, chemistry major from Laurens; and Megan Long, mathematics major from Lyons, Neb.

Second year students: Lan Nguyen, a corporate mathematics major from Storm Lake; Miranda Wallace, pre-veterinarian major from Carman, Ill.; and Carolyn McDermott, biology and environmental science major from Lincoln, Neb.

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 costs of 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.

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista graduates have a 97 percent rate of employment or admission to graduate/professional schools within six months of graduation, which reflects the quality of the academic programs, faculty, facilities and cutting-edge technology. Forty-three majors and 15 pre-professional programs provide an array of academic options that blend the liberal arts with real-world applications. Generous merit and need-based financial aid programs, and support for academic travel, research, and internships, make BVU an affordable option for all students.

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Photo Details:

The 2013 BVU School of Science student recipients of the Clifford A. Rae Academic Achievement Award, front row: Kelsey Mitchell, Carolyn McDermott and Megan Long; back row: Jennifer Welch, Kayla Hartmann, Tesia Posekany, Andrew Gisch, Lan Nguyen and Miranda Wallace.