Dean's Scholars

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean’s Scholars 22 23 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean’s Scholars “When studying abroad I made so many friends and had so many new experiences, and it made me really excited about life, my time at Kutz- town, and learning Spanish.” KU BEARS Summer 2019 Samantha received a KU BEARS grant to work with Dr. Newlander at the Stoddartsville research site. There, she participated in on-site laboratory work, including cleaning, cataloging, and analyzing artifacts during and after an excavation. She hopes to gain future employment in an archaeological or museum setting. Claire is a transfer student who has impressed professors with her perfor- mance in her studies and her dedication to developing intercultural and diversity awareness. Claire participated in the Study Abroad Program at the University of Valladolid in Spain. She is active in several organizations includ- ing Student Alliance for Learning Success and Achievement (SALSA), Femi- nist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA), and the sorority Phi Sigma Sigma. Claire hopes to live abroad in Spain after her graduation from Kutztown. Major: Spanish Minor: Communication Studies Year: Junior Major: Anthropology Minor: Sociology Year: Graduated in Fall 2019 “I like to say that lab is where I flourish. Most of my classes have labs, and I feel like a lot of professors see the real side of me in lab. That’s where I’m more outgoing, I’m more like myself. I’m ready to go, ready to learn.” “I learned that to be successful in the future, you should take advantage of any opportunities that are available to you. Join as many clubs and organizations as you can that will help you in the future. Don’t wait until the last semester to do this!” During his time at KU, Diego’s name appeared on the Dean’s List, and his pro- fessors held him in high regard. In addition to his endeavors in the classroom, Diego held leadership positions in the Math Club and the Philosophy Club. He was also a DSO Spanish Note-Taker, a Spanish Peer Facilitator in the Writ- ers’ Workshop and Language Conversation Partners Programs, and a math tutor. Diego took advantage of opportunities afforded him to learn to com- municate better with others as well as to hear a broad range of perspectives. Jacob is a hard-working student whose name has regularly appeared on the Dean’s List. Jacob has been working with Dr. Hernandez on research related to organic farming, composting, and how to treat parasites found in farm animals on organic farms. His interest in medicine led him to intern with doctors in Lehigh Valley; during these internships he realized that he wants to pursue a career in research, perhaps parasitology or virology. Jacob is also involved in the larger community and has volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club and was asked to be a STEM tour student. After graduation Jacob plans to attend graduate school. Major: Biology - Molecular/Micro/Cell Year: Senior Majors: Mathematics & Philosophy Minor: Spanish Year: Graduated in Fall 2019 “There are many people here at KU that have made a positive impact on me. To pick just one would do a great injustice to the rest. I am thankful for all my professors and mentors at KU!” “I try really hard when I like to do something. I do not like to have any- thing less than the best quality that I can do. I do not want bad quality associated with me.” Braden is working towards his master’s degree in Computer Science after earning his bachelor’s degree from KU in the spring of 2019. He is currently a graduate assistant in the Department of Computer Science & Information Technology, where he tutors undergraduate students and assists professors with their research. As an undergraduate, he received two KU BEARS grants during which he worked to develop an interactive Admissions recruitment game called “KU: The Game.” After completing the graduate program, Braden plans to work in game development. Kierra is an Honors student whose name has been on the Dean’s List each semester since she transferred to KU. She has earned recognition from her professors for the intellectual curiosity, disciplinary knowledge and ethical awareness that have in- formed her archeological fieldwork at two sites, Joanna Furnace and Stoddartsville. Kierra participated in a PASSHE Study Abroad Program in Poland in 2019. For her Honors capstone project, she is researching parent-child relationships in competitive sports. Kierra spends her time outside class as a community assistant, and partici- pates in the Anthropology Club, Honors Hall Council, and Honors Club. Kierra has been accepted into the Applied Archaeology Master’s program at IUP. Major: Anthropology Year: Senior Major: Computer Science Year: Graduate Student Kierra MacLeod Diego Manzano-Ruiz Claire Markwalder Samantha Luskin Jacob Lucabeche Braden Luancing