Students nominated for prestigious national scholarships

by Kristin K. Anderson

October 22, 2003 - All eight of MSU’s nominees for the prestigious Rhodes, Marshall and Mitchell scholarships say their MSU education has more than paved the way for their opportunities to study in institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom.

A committee of faculty has nominated these highly accomplished and academically talented individuals – six undergraduates and two MSU graduates – for these distinguished awards, which provide opportunities to advance their knowledge at institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom.

The nominees and current MSU students are:

“Being nominated by the MSU faculty for one or more of these distinguished scholarships is a distinct honor in at least two ways: it recognizes the students for their tremendous accomplishments and their academic abilities, and also is a reward for the effort the students expend in completing the applications process,” said Ron Fisher, director of the MSU Honors College. “We wish the students all the best as they continue in the scholarship competitions.”

DANIEL BOUK

Daniel Bouk, son of Theodore and Gail Bouk of Rochester, N.Y., is a 1998 graduate of Greece Athena High School. He is currently in his second year of national service with AmeriCorps in a school in Cincinnati, where he directs the school newspaper and science enrichment programs and provides tutoring for children in grades 5-8. An MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholar, Bouk was active in numerous organizations, including MSU Habitat for Humanity and Read to Succeed. His research and teaching positions included service with UNICEF and Grameen Star Education in Bangladesh. His awards and honors include the L.C. Plante Award, presented to an outstanding senior in the mathematics department and semifinalist recognition in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search.

JARED ENGLISH

Jared English, son of Cheryl English, is a 2000 Jackson High School graduate. A 2003 Truman Scholar, English is a member of the MSU Honors College and Phi Beta Kappa, among other organizations. His scholarships and awards include the McNair/SROP Scholar award, a Distinguished Freshman Scholarship and a Mowbray Scholarship for study abroad. He participated in a study abroad program and studied at The Free University of Brussels. He was active in various political campaigns and was a researcher for the state Democratic Party. He is the chairperson of the Associated Students of Michigan State University.

SUSANNAH FISHER

Susannah Fisher, daughter of Timothy and Cheryl Fisher, is a 2000 graduate of Del City High School. A member of the MSU Honors College, Fisher is the Art History Association vice president, working on creating a series of gallery walks to be presented by MSU art history majors at the Kresge Art Museum, where she served as a professorial assistant with the director. She also is active in ASPIRE, which involves students and the community in Kresge activities, and also works as an exhibits assistant at the MSU Museum. She participated in an archeological excavation in southwest Michigan and volunteered in an MSU archeological laboratory. She tutors students in Asian art history, conversational English, and other courses.

ANDREW GOETZ

Andrew Goetz, son of Michael and Arlene Goetz, is a 2000 graduate of Carroll High School. He is a member of the MSU Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, a recipient of the Distinguished Freshman Scholarship and the MSU Cole International Study Award and an MSU Office of Study Abroad Scholarship, as well as a Truman Scholarship finalist in 2003. His activities include opinion writer for The State News student newspaper, and president of the MSU College Democrats and vice president of the College Democrats of Michigan. He served as a research assistant in the chemistry department and studied abroad in the United Kingdom.

JULIE SCHILLER

Julie Schiller, daughter of Andrew and Barbara Schiller, is a 2000 graduate of West Bloomfield High School. A member of the MSU Honors College, she is the executive board member for the Society of Women Engineers and the Jewish Students Organization. She is a residence hall mentor, participates in the campus orchestra and studies martial arts and has a black belt rating. She participated in the Student Literacy Corps. She is the recipient of several College of Engineering awards, including the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award. She interned with the Ford Motor Company.

KATHARINE SOPHIEA

Katharine Sophiea, daughter of Gary and Laura Sophiea, is a 1999 graduate of Ferndale High School. Her MSU activities include the MSU Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, the National Council of Teachers of English Student Affiliates executive board, the College of Arts and Letters Student Advisory Council, and peer leader for the MSU women’s varsity swim team. She studied abroad in Mayen, Germany. She is the recipient of the Robert C. Byrd Michigan Congressional Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholarship for Study Abroad.

GRETA STAHL

Greta Stahl, daughter of Ulf and Gunnel Stahl, is a 2000 graduate of Eisenhower High School. A member of the MSU Honors College, she is an MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholar and an award-winning member of the nationally ranked debate team, and student member of the Cross-Examination Debate Association Topic Committee.

SANDRA VASHER

Sandra Vasher, daughter of Thomas and Brenda Vasher, is a 2000 graduate of Churchill High School. At MSU she is active in the MSU Honors College, Student Literacy Corps, MSU Circle K, and has served as a professorial assistant, tutor, and as an intern with the State of Michigan Attorney General’s office. She studied abroad at Nankai University in China. Her awards and honors include Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Iota Rho national honor society for international studies, the Jeffery and Kathryn Cole International Study Award and the James Madison College Alumni Association Award for Study Abroad.

The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest of the international awards, bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to Oxford University. American Rhodes Scholars are selected for the excellence in “qualities of kind and in qualities of person which, in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the world in decades ahead.”

Rhodes Scholars are appointed for two years of study at Oxford University, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. Thirty-two scholars are selected each year. Results of this year’s competition will be announced on Nov. 22.

The Marshall Scholarship provides an opportunity for American students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential to continue their studies for two to three years at a British university. The Marshall Scholarship covers tuition costs, books, travel and living expenses while in the United Kingdom. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded, with the recipients to be announced on or about Nov. 17.

The Mitchell Scholarship, named in honor of George J. Mitchell’s contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process, enables American university students to pursue one year of post-graduate study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The scholarship is intended to interest and involve the next generation of America’s leaders in the U.S.-Ireland relationship. Approximately 12 scholarships will be awarded, with recipients to be announced on or about Nov. 17.

At MSU, 16 students have earned Rhodes Scholarships, with eight of those being awarded in the last 16 years. MSU also has had eight Marshall Scholars and one Mitchell Scholar.