Whether studying the impact of HIV/AIDS on the millennial generation, negotiating the border of Burma to interview refugees, traveling to Rwanda to research gorillas or delving into nursing while coaching a U-13 girls’ soccer team, the eight George Washington University “distinguished scholars” presented at the annual Academic Honors dinner on Thursday evening showed that at GW learning takes place in and beyond the classroom.
One hundred and seventy-five undergraduate students, including the distinguished scholars, received an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for maintaining a GPA that places them in the top 2 percent of their class. A scholar was selected from each school to give remarks based on his or her academic scholarship and contributions to the university community.
“What we as a university do, when we do our work well, is to render, teach and unleash the true creative potential of each of our students,” Provost Steven Lerman said. “This is an extraordinary event because we get to see what students can accomplish at a great university, in a great environment, and with the right tools and resources.”
In addition to an award, each student took a home a copy of “The Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela,” a gift from GW President Steven Knapp.
The 2014 distinguished scholars are Brandon Aversano and Alexandra Kralick from the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Geneva Goldwood from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Jared Fischer from the School of Business, Keila Franks from the Elliott School of International Affairs, Penina Smith from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, Amilia Rezai from the College of Professional Studies, and Brynn Gerstle from the School of Nursing.
Columbian College scholars Mr. Aversano and Ms. Kralick were the first to receive their awards from CCAS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Dan Ullman, who said that the students will have “doors swing open wide for them” because of their achievements as undergraduates.
Mr. Aversano, a Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellow, thanked his mentor, Assistant Professor Jennifer Nash, for her friendship, patience and guidance in turning his curiosity into focused research on the HIV/AIDS community.
Mr. Aversano recounted how an interview with an HIV positive man helped him to understand the sacrifices made by those who contracted the disease in the '80s and '90s to protect others from the same fate.
“I have spent the last four years and my entire life in the presence of extraordinary individuals, standing on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “Tonight is about them and their sacrifices.”
Ms. Kralick, recipient of the George Gamow Research Award, Luther Rice Research Award and the Seigelman Undergraduate Research Experiences Award, will share her passion for studying gorillas with high school students in Prince George’s County through Teach for America next year.
She said that even a swarm of African killer bees,” couldn’t stop her from seeing gorillas for the first time during a research trip to Rwanda.
“Knowing that you’re looking at data no one has ever seen before and pushing the limits of human knowledge with your own hard work is exhilarating,” Ms. Kralick said.
SEAS Dean David S. Dolling highlighted scholar Ms. Goldwood, who was named a Clark Engineering Scholar as a freshman, for her varied research interests, from robotics to nerve regeneration.
Ms. Goldwood, a biomedical engineering major, thanked the many communities that gave her support at GW, such as the Alpha Omega Epsilon Engineering Sorority. She urged the students returning next year to reach out to their peers and make GW a welcoming environment for all students.
“The most striking facet of the GW experience is the community, and that is especially true in engineering,” she said. “Our communities are here to remind us why we came to GW and why it is the place to stay.”
GWSB Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou introduced scholar Mr. Fischer, who also received the Delta Sigma Pi Key Award.
Mr. Fischer urged returning students to “never be too insular to learn or too timid to teach.”
“The amazing and unique thing about the GW experience is that fellow students are constantly instructing as well,” he said. “My peers have taught me that having the courage and compassion to be a student that teaches others what they have learned creates the true value of education.”
Up next was ESIA scholar Ms. Franks. She has received a Fulbright grant to continue her research in Malaysia following graduation.
During summer 2013 she followed her passion for human rights to the Thai-Burmese border, conducting interviews with more than 40 refugees, NGO workers and political leaders.
She thanked her mentor, Professor of Practice of International Affairs Christina Fink.
“I’ve been so lucky to work with one of the foremost experts on Burma as the faculty-adviser on my thesis,” she said. “She has always taken the time to go the extra mile and help me.”
Milken Institute SPH scholar Ms. Smith was the first student to be named a distinguished scholar of the school under its new name.
She received her award from the Chair of the Department of Exercise Science Loretta DiPietro, who praised Ms. Smith for her various commitments, from acting as a student peer adviser for the University Honors Program, to serving as a cycling instructor at the Lerner Health and Wellness Center and actively participating in GW Hillel.
“The level of access and support I have received are a large part of my success at GW,” Ms. Smith said.
After accepting her award from CPS Dean Ali Eskandarian, Ms. Rezai had a tearful moment of thanks for her parents’ sacrifice in bringing their family to the U.S. so that she could have access to educational opportunities.
Ms. Rezai recounted that though she lacked focus as a teenager, she was able to achieve her professional and personal goals with drive and the encouragement from her family.
“Some say that going to school full time at an accelerated pace and working full time is impossible, that it takes a specific or special type of person to do it—I disagree,” Ms. Rezai said. “I believe that discipline and determination is within all of us, and all we really need is a support system to guide us through it.”
The final award of the evening went to Ms. Gerstle, an NCAA Division I women’s soccer champion at Notre Dame, girls’ soccer coach and SON scholar.
Ms. Gerstle, who scored in the top 3 percent nationally on all of her standardized tests for nursing, received her award from SON Dean Jean E. Johnson.
Ms. Gerstle, who will graduate in December with 700 clinical hours in seven nursing specialties, said that an encounter with a patient in the psychiatric unit gave her clarity on a possible career path.
“I wish to learn the skills necessary to heal the body, but also those that will enable me to nurture the mind,” Ms. Gerstle said. “GW continues to provide me with what it takes to do just that.”