Celebrating 10 Years of Cutler Fellows

DAVID CUTLER ’65 ENDOWED FELLOWSHIP

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF

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CUTLER FELLOWS

DAVID “DAVE” CUTLER ‘65

David “Dave” Cutler ’65 is revered throughout the computer industry for developing several commercial operating systems, including Microsoft Windows NT. His work ethic and high standards have made him one of the world’s top computer programmers. Over his 50-plusyear career, Dave has produced more than eight commercially successful operating systems.

In 2016, Dave was named a Fellow of the Computer History Museum for his contributions to computer architecture, compilers, operating systems and software engineering. In 2007, President George W. Bush presented him with the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation for designing and implementing the “industry standard” systems for real-time, personal and server-based systems.

Dave is as committed to his philanthropic endeavors as he is his work. Focusing his giving on organizations that provide a worthwhile societal benefit, Dave has invested philanthropically in the students of Olivet College for more than 20 years.

Dave grew up in Dewitt, Michigan. He majored in math and minored in physics and was a member of the football team while a student at Olivet College.

“

I think 98% of going to college is the experience itself.

It forms what you become the rest of your life.

”

- DAVE CUTLER ‘65

Dave Cutler with Abigail Slater, 2019 Cutler Fellow.

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THE CUTLER FELLOWSHIP Established in 2012 to honor alumnus David Cutler ‘65, the Cutler Fellowship provides an annual merit award to math, science or computer science students preparing to enter their junior or senior year of study at Olivet College. With an endowment value of $458,887, the Cutler Fellowship has awarded a total of $125,518 to 16 juniors and seniors who have earned the distinction of Cutler Fellow.

Cutler Fellows demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, high levels of motivation and the potential for making substantial contributions to the advancement of these academic areas at Olivet College.

To be eligible for the Fellowship, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and submit a detailed research topic statement and personal statement as part of the application process. In addition, the project statement must include the expected impact of the research on the College, a community or a professional field and how the project connects with the College’s mission of Education for Individual and Social Responsibility.

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You can’t possibly learn all you need to know while attending college; the most important thing you can come away with is a life ethic for work, learning and the responsibility you have to take care of yourself.

- DAVE CUTLER ‘65

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ON THE COVER: 2021-22 Cutler Fellow Elijah Collins and his mentor and adviser Dr. Francis Bartlett, professor of biology, review and discuss data related to the impact of parenting methods on the survival rate of rat pups.

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CUTLER FELLOW CUTLER FELLOW 2013-2014 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Lindsey (Winters) Bohannon Carlos Barajas Class of 2014 Class of 2017 Double Major: Double Major: Mathematics and Computer Science Mathematics and Computer Science Further Education

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Master of FELLOWSHIP Science in Applied Mathematics, University of Maryland, Baltimore CUTLER RESEARCH County, 2019an internship at Health Level 7 International (HL7).

Completed

I’m thankful for The Cutler Fellowship Olivet and the was theCollege only reason I opportunities I had graduated and receiving and in itboth was athletically a huge moment academically, especially my life and career.

It was being able to saythat I’mall a the also a reminder Cutler Fellow. drive hard work and The academic grind I had put in was and motivation I’ve not hadunnoticed my entire by lifemy were teachers, and other rewardedpeers my junior year influencers.

Professionally at Olivet, and being a itCutler was aFellow significant boosta has been to my academic status.

At motivator to keep striving. the time, it was a stamp Being awarded the Cutler on my professional record Fellowship is an excellent that someone believed reminder that you’ve got in me and my ability to to do the hard work to see perform research and get the rewards. Thank you results. Something that for giving meplayed this chance undoubtedly a to reflect on how my role in helping me gettime at Olivet hastoday. shaped me as where I am a person and the impact being a Cutler Fellow has meant to me.

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Ph.D. Candidate inlaunched Applied Mathematics, of Maryland, HL7 had recently a new online University help desk pilot and wasBaltimore interested County, spring 2022the site (i.e., how many clicks, visits, views, etc.). I was in metrics behind Thesis: Deep for Learning Sanitization of Compton Camera Gamma responsible collecting and managing the Help DeskPrompt pilot metrics and presentedData the metrics weekly in Therapy staff meetings. In addition, I also collected Detection for Prompt Beam and updated working group metrics (WGM).

Cutler Fellowship Research

Being Olivet’s first Cutler Fellow, I had a lot of help in finding and choosing a My goal was to develop Python-based tools to aid in discovering project. Provost Maria Davis helped me contact Olivet alumna and Board of exoplanets based on Hubble telescope data.

Trustees member Karen Van Hentenryck ‘81, with whom I was excited to have I mentor love programming, and Python was the language that I knew the best and me on my project. used the most in my academic career.

KEY OUTCOMES

Key I wasOutcomes very involved with athletics and academic groups at Olivet, which kept

After working the project forme many months, I had not quite to It me busy.

Thison project allowed to gather some real-life workmanaged experience. get tool tomy a state could consistently find Exoplanets. did a lot alsothe opened eyeswhere to howitpowerful data is in making businessItdecisions. ofFinally, data sanitization and plot generation.

The project required more time than it helped solidify my love for all things data and data visualization. the two years I had. The actual auto-detection features were not finished.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

Impact on Being a Cutler Fellow

It was such an honor to be the first-ever recipient of the Cutler Fellowship The Cutler Fellowship is entirely responsible for everything I have and do during my junior year. Being able to say I’m a Cutler Fellow has helped with today. It is the only reason I graduated from Olivet.… The Fellowship gave me confidence in myself and my abilities. It’s a continuous reminder that I can a lot of time to develop my programming and mathematics skills outside of strive in a STEM-related field as a hard-working female. All the hard work put class. This time and the guidance of my professors is the real reason I am in in will always be rewarded! graduate school on a full ride. While at Olivet, I attended a summer research program. I went into the program confident after doing a lot of work on the PROFESSION Cutler Fellowship with Dr. Marco Weidenhoeft, Ph.D., associate professor of Technical Owner It– paid Connected Data Engineering physics andProduct mathematics. off as I Vehicle was able to fit right into the researchGeneral Motors based environment.

• Connected vehicles enable safe, interoperable networked wireless Profession communications among vehicles, the infrastructure and passengers’ Highpersonal Performance Research Facility Research Assistant and Applied communications devices.

Mathematics Ph.D. candidate, • Work closely with business and engineering to capture data collection University of coming Maryland, County team, specifically vehicle data requests to Baltimore my development collected over the air.

• Deep learning (specialized AI) research.

• Help facultyINVOLVEMENT and individuals troubleshoot their code on our computing COMMUNITY

cluster andinassist in the parallelization of non-parallel code. through GM I participate several General Motors volunteer opportunities Cares, including Operation programming Good Cheer, a course. holiday gift-giving program for • Teach an undergraduate children in foster care.

• Assist with National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored undergraduate and graduate research programs.

CUTLER 2016-2017 CUTLERFELLOW FELLOW 2014-2015 Julie Dr.Crone Megahn (Piper) Lammers

Class of 2018 Class of 2015 Double Major: Biology (molecular and biochemical Double Major: concentration) and Environmental Science Chemistry and Biology

FURTHER EDUCATION Cutler Fellowship Research

Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 2019 Creation of a deer exclosure in the Kirkelldell biological preserve.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH My goal was to evaluate the impact of deer grazing behavior on

“

My heartfelt thanks Dave I am thankful to thetoCutler Cutler for his continued Fellowship and to Dave commitment to and Cutler and in other donors investment future Olivet College alumni through for their generosity.

What the Cutler Fellowship. He Dave and others give to stands as an aspirational studentsfor at what OlivetOlivet College is example an inspiration for me in my graduates can accomplish and, perhaps more future.

I hope to make even significantly, how we all half the impact Dave has can have a positive impact made on our community. on institutions with which we share a strong personal connection.

” ”

Developed a seminar tailored to students who wanted to botanical diversity. apply to graduate school and helped them determine the Key Outcomes requirements needed to get into school and find contacts at My project resulted in a lasting experimental site. Future Olivet their prospective schools.

College students will bepursue able toaobserve the would implications I knew that I wanted to career that requireof species overpopulation, grazing habits and urbanization on species me to go to grad school. However, I felt very unprepared and displacement. overwhelmed at the many requirements for all of the different science-related programs and thought that this was an area that I Impact on Being a Cutler Fellow could help improve at Olivet College.

Being a Cutler Fellow afforded me the freedom to explore career opportunities in which I had a genuine interest. In addition, the KEY OUTCOMES scholarship component of the Fellowship relieved the pressure of Every person in that seminar ended up in grad school, and we all financial burdens I otherwise may have acquired as a student after felt much more supported and prepared for the future. graduation.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT Profession

Being a Cutler Fellow afforded me the opportunity to take the In Vitro Breeding Technician lead on Plant a project and see it through the entire process. It was the Spring Meadow Nursery first time I felt a genuine drive to know that I wanted to pursue a • Development ornamental varieties through in vitro leadership role inof mynew future career in plant medicine. tissue culture, chemical manipulation, application of mutagens PROFESSION and embryo rescue.

Pharmacist • Genome size analysis via flow cytometry.

Meijer Pharmacy • Micropropagation of tissue plant cultures.

•• One of Meijer’splant youngest pharmacy managers. seed collection) Conventional breeding (hand pollination, • Consults with doctors to ensure appropriate prescribing of in collaboration with plant breeding managers and program medications. director.

• Counsel patients on everything from prescription medications Community Involvement

to minor injuries to mental Citizens Climate Lobby, Grand health.

Rapids branch (A political lobbying group whose primary goal is to encourage the implementation of • Gives immunizations. carbon/greenhouse gas tax legislation.)

• Fills prescriptions.

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CUTLERFELLOW FELLOW CUTLER 2015-2016 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 and 2016-2017 Carlos Barajas Barajas Carlos

Class of of 2017 2017 Class Double Major: Major: Double Mathematics and and Computer Computer Science Science Mathematics Further EDUCATION Education FURTHER

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Master of of Science Science in in Applied Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, University University of of Maryland, Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore Master County, 2019 County, 2019

The The Cutler Cutler Fellowship Fellowship was was the the only only reason reason II graduated graduated and and receiving receiving it was a huge moment in it was a huge moment in my life and career. It was my life and career. It was also a reminder that all the also awork reminder that all the hard and academic hard work grind I had and put academic in was grind I had putbyinmy was not unnoticed teachers, peers and other not unnoticed by my influencers.

Professionally teachers, peers and other itinfluencers. was a significant boost Professionally, to my academic status. At it was a significant boost the time, it was a stamp to my academic status. At on my professional record the time, it was a stamp that someone believed onme myand professional in my abilityrecord to that someone believed perform research and get results. in me and Something my ability that to undoubtedly played a get perform research and role in helping me get results.

Something that where I am today. undoubtedly played a

””

role in helping me get where I am today.

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Ph.D. Candidate Candidate in in Applied Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, University University of of Maryland, Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore Ph.D. County, spring spring 2022 2022 County, Thesis: Deep Deep Learning Learning Sanitization Sanitization of of Compton Compton Camera Camera Prompt Prompt Gamma Gamma Thesis: Detection Data Data for for Prompt Prompt Beam Beam Therapy Therapy Detection

Cutler FELLOWSHIP Fellowship RESEARCH Research CUTLER

My goal The goal was was to to develop develop Python-based Python-based tools tools to to aid aid in in discovering discovering exoplanets based on Hubble telescope data. exoplanets based on Hubble telescope data. love programming, programming, and and Python Python was was the the language language that that II knew knew the the best best and and II love used the most in my academic career. used the most in my academic career.

KeyOUTCOMES Outcomes KEY

After working on the project for many months, I had not quite managed to After working on the project for many months, I had not quite managed to get the tool to a state where it could consistently find Exoplanets. It did a lot get the tool to a state where it could consistently find Exoplanets. It did a lot of data sanitization and plot generation. The project required more time than of data sanitization and plot generation. The project required more time than the two years I had. The actual auto-detection features were not finished. the two years I had. The actual auto-detection features were not finished.

Impact on Being a Cutler Fellow

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT The Cutler Fellowship is entirely responsible for everything I have and do

The Cutler is entirely responsible for everything I have andgave do me today.

It is Fellowship the only reason I graduated from Olivet.…

The Fellowship today. is thetoonly reason from Olivet … The Fellowship gaveof me a lot ofIttime develop myI graduated programming and mathematics skills outside aclass. lot ofThis time to develop my programming and mathematics skills outside of time and the guidance of my professors is the real reason I am in class.

This school time and guidance of my professors is the real reason research I am in graduate onthe a full ride. While at Olivet, I attended a summer graduate full program ride. While at Olivet,after I attended summer research program.school I went on intoa the confident doing aa lot of work on the program.

I went into the program confident after doing a lot of work on the Cutler Fellowship with Dr. Marco Weidenhoeft, Ph.D., associate professor of Cutler with Dr. Marco Ph.D., associate professor of physicsFellowship and mathematics.

It paidWeidenhoeft, off as I was able to fit right into the researchphysics and mathematics. It paid off as I was able to fit right into the researchbased environment. based environment.

Profession

PROFESSION

High Performance Research Facility Research Assistant and Applied High Performance Facility Research Assistant and Applied Mathematics Ph.D.Research candidate, Mathematics Ph.D. candidate University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Maryland, Baltimore County • Deep learning (specialized AI) research.

• Deep learning (specialized AI) research.

• Help faculty and individuals troubleshoot their code on our computing • Help faculty and individuals troubleshoot their code on our computing cluster and assist in the parallelization of non-parallel code. cluster and assist in the parallelization of non-parallel code.

• Teach an undergraduate programming course.

• Teach an undergraduate programming course.

• Assist with National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored undergraduate • Assist with National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored undergraduate and graduate research programs. and graduate research programs.

CUTLER 2016-2017 CUTLERFELLOW FELLOW 2016-2017 Julie Julie Crone Crone

Class Class of of 2018 2018 Double Double Major: Major: Biology (molecular and biochemical Environmental Science and BiologyScience with a Molecular concentration) and Environmental and Biochemical Concentration

Cutler FELLOWSHIP Fellowship RESEARCH Research CUTLER

Creation of of aa deer deer exclosure exclosure in in the the Kirkelldel Kirkelldellbiological biologicalpreserve. preserve.

Creation My goal goal was was to to evaluate evaluate the the impact impact of of deer deer grazing grazing behavior behavior on on My botanical diversity. diversity. botanical

“

My heartfelt heartfelt thanks thanks to to Dave Dave My Cutler for for his his continued continued Cutler commitment to to and and commitment investment in future Olivet investment in future Olivet College alumni through College alumni through the Cutler Fellowship. He the Cutler Fellowship. He stands as an aspirational stands as an aspirational example for what Olivet example for what Olivet graduates can accomplish graduates canmore accomplish and, perhaps and, perhaps more significantly, how we all significantly, how we all can have a positive impact can have a positive on institutions withimpact

on institutions

which we sharewith a strong which weconnection. share a strong personal

” ”

personal connection.

Key Outcomes

KEY OUTCOMES My project resulted in a lasting experimental site. Future Olivet

My project resulted in a lasting experimental site. Future Olivet College students will be able to observe the implications of species College students will be able to observe the implications of overpopulation, grazing habits and urbanization on species species overpopulation, grazing habits and urbanization on displacement. species displacement.

Impact on Being a Cutler Fellow

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT me the freedom to explore career Being a Cutler Fellow afforded

Being a Cutler Fellow afforded the freedom career opportunities in which I had a me genuine interest.toInexplore addition, the opportunities in which I had a genuine interest.

In addition, the of scholarship component of the Fellowship relieved the pressure scholarship component of themay Fellowship relievedasthe pressureafter financial burdens I otherwise have acquired a student of financial burdens I otherwise may have acquired as a student graduation. after graduation.

Profession

PROFESSION In Vitro Plant Breeding Technician

In Vitro Meadow Plant Breeding Technician Spring Nursery Spring Meadow Nursery • Development of new ornamental plant varieties through in vitro • Development new ornamental plantapplication varieties through in vitro tissue culture, of chemical manipulation, of mutagens tissue culture, chemical manipulation, application of mutagens and embryo rescue. and embryo • Genome sizerescue. analysis via flow cytometry.

••Genome size analysis via flow cytometry.

Micropropagation of tissue plant cultures.

••Micropropagation of tissue plant cultures.

Conventional plant breeding (hand pollination, seed collection) • Conventional plant breeding (hand pollination, seedprogram collection) in collaboration with plant breeding managers and in collaboration with plant breeding managers and program director. director.

Community Involvement

Citizens Climate Lobby, Grand Rapids branch (A political lobbying COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

group whose primary is toRapids encourage the of Citizens Climate Lobby,goal Grand branch (Aimplementation political lobbying carbon/greenhouse taxislegislation.) group whose primarygas goal to encourage the implementation of carbon/greenhouse gas tax legislation.)

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CUTLER FELLOW 2017-2018 Emily (Dorn) Jex Class of 2019

Double Major: Mathematics and History

FURTHER EDUCATION

Master of Science, Biostatistics, Grand Valley State University, 2021

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

Analysis of tuberculosis through a historical context and mathematical data and models.

“

Being a Cutler Fellow helped shape my experience at Olivet College and gave me a deeper understanding of the true meaning of interdisciplinary. The Fellowship enabled me to dive into subjects that I was interested in and better understand those subjects. I greatly appreciate that I had the opportunity to be a

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Cutler Fellow.

I was interested in mathematical applications in the epidemiology field and intrigued by the history of tuberculosis (TB). I presented my findings at the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters (MASAL).

KEY OUTCOMES

My research conclusion was that novel solutions are needed to prevent the spread of TB, specifically the coinfection of it with HIV and combating the multi-drug resistant form. Novel solutions come from people who come together with varying perspectives from different disciplines (like mathematics and history) to collaborate on ways to approach complex problems. I think this especially rings true in the present as people from various fields have come together with their knowledge to find solutions to the COVID pandemic. This realization was a turning point in my mindset because I realized two things that can appear unrelated could actually have a lot of synergy in gaining an understanding of how to address potential issues.

This is one reason that I pursued a graduate degree in an interdisciplinary field like biostatistics.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

Being a Cutler Fellow helped me realize my interest in combining multiple disciplines and looking at things from different perspectives. This is an integral part of biostatistics as it uses statistics in biology. My project helped me realize that we can approach problems in different ways and that collaboration between fields is valuable.

PROFESSION Data Analyst Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy • Provide data acquisition, cleaning, analysis, interpretation and presentation support to applied research and evaluation projects within the Center’s Community Data and Research Lab. • Works with an interdisciplinary group of social science and information technology professionals.

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CUTLER FELLOW 2018-2019 Brooke (Sturgeon) York Class of 2019 Major: Chemistry

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

Performed organic synthesis to change the functional groups on the citronellol compound to form 3-methyl-6-oxooctanal.

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The Cutler Fellowship was an opportunity that few students in the science department get at Olivet, and I am grateful I was one of them. I hope future chemistry students can pursue more in-depth projects to find the field and career that makes them the happiest in life.

I look forward to the work that other Cutler Fellows do to show their passions in science.

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I wanted to continue learning organic synthesis beyond what we learned in Ochem (organic chemistry). I chose these compounds specifically because I had worked with citronellol during my summer research. In addition, I found no previous research on 3-methyl-6-oxooctanal, so I wanted to see if I could make the compound, given the lack of research.

KEY OUTCOMES

The biggest personal achievement was my first opportunity to write the beginning of a dissertation. The project required more research than the year I had to work on it. Nevertheless, it helped to lay the groundwork for this project to be continued by future students.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

The work allowed me to do research and spend extra time in the chemistry lab to better prepare me for when I graduated and began my career as a chemist. As a result, I became much more comfortable in the lab and performing different lab techniques.

PROFESSION Chemist Darling Ingredients • Compliance testing on different fat and grease samples for future recycling in bioenergy, nutrient and feed production, and pharmaceutical production.

• Testing moisture, impurity, peroxide values, free fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter percentages, along with pesticide analysis, fatty acid methyl ester analysis and pentobarbital analysis.

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CUTLER FELLOW 2019-2020 Abigail “Abbie” Slater Class of 2020

Double Major: Environmental Science and Biology with an Ecology and Organismal Biology Concentration

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

Using birds as sentinel species for habitat quality and levels of human disturbance.

I had the opportunity to be a water bird monitor intern for Prescott College in Kino Bay, Mexico. When I returned to Olivet, I wanted to gain more experience and learn more about ornithology. With the guidance of Leah Knapp, DVM, professor of biology, I developed a research project that would help me grow as a researcher and gain the experience I was seeking.

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The Cutler Fellowship allows students to gain experience that will push them to do things they might not even think they could otherwise.

No matter the outcome of each student’s project, every student gains experience and knowledge to carry into the real world. Not everyone gets this opportunity. I’m grateful to Dave Cutler and other donors who have

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made this possible.

KEY OUTCOMES

Conducting my project during the height of the pandemic made it difficult to perform my study. However, even though I had this obstacle, it allowed me to experience what science is about: trial and error and solving problems when they inevitably occur. I will always be grateful for having the opportunity to design and execute my experiment, even though it did not go as planned.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

I enjoyed every minute of my Cutler Fellowship. Even though my project wasn’t a traditional success due to the pandemic, it allowed me to overcome obstacles and move forward in a safe space. It taught me that sometimes things don’t go as planned. However, the project and unexpected roadblocks allowed me to solve problems and keep moving forward independently. This skill is vital in the real world to understand that mistakes and failures happen, and you need to keep trying.

PROFESSION Consulting Utility Forester CNUC (CN Utility Consulting) • Inspect vegetation along natural gas pipelines and distribution power lines and create work plans to optimize the safety of delivering power to consumers.

• The only consulting utility forester cross-trained in my division in Michigan to work along power lines and natural gas pipelines.

• Studying to take the International Arborist Exam to become a certified Arborist.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Helps in restoration projects that include removing invasive species and planting native plants to promote native Michigan habitats.

• Provides food donations to a local animal shelter.

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CUTLER FELLOW 2020-2021 Carsten Gregersen Class of 2022

Double Major: Actuarial Science and Mathematics Minor: Music

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

Using differential equations and mathematics with SIR (susceptible, infected and recovered) models to analyze key methods of eradication of infection.

“

Thank you for this opportunity and the experience it offered me during my years in college. The Fellowship has assisted me in more ways than Dave Cutler will know.

It has alleviated much stress in my life.

”

KEY OUTCOMES

This project was very time-relevant since I was a Cutler Fellow during the pandemic. It provided an ample opportunity to research and analyze SIR models to identify key factors of eradicating pandemics.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

I have a better understanding of the ongoing pandemic, and my research provides visual examples of situations that could occur during the pandemic. Also, while being a Cutler Fellow was for only a year, other students continue to ask me about the opportunity, and I encourage them to apply for the Fellowship.

POST-COLLEGE PLANS AND ASPIRATIONS I will begin studying for my actuarial exams and obtaining my credentials to become an associate of actuary.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Eagle Scout

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CUTLER FELLOW 2020-2021 Rebecca (Lifford) Ruddick Class of 2021

Double Major: Environmental Science and Biology

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

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To continue the work of other professors and students by identifying plants and organisms present in select Kirkelldel habitats and categorizing existing data with new plant inventories.

It was a great honor to be a Cutler Fellow. Having a year to invest in research that I was passionate about was an incredible opportunity that I was lucky to have.

Not only did I gain critical professional and academic skills from my research, but, more importantly, I enjoyed doing it. Pursuing research that felt important while doing hands-on work in the field was a great experience that helped me learn more about myself and my desired field of study. In addition, it gave me direction and an understanding of what I want to do and who I want to be in the future. It was a fantastic experience, and I

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The data was examined with the objective of identifying the ecosystem health, stability and complexity of Kirkelldel.

This research was a great opportunity to hone my data collection, plant identification and data analysis skills. I am passionate about environmental health. Identifying the strong and weak points of a nature preserve so important to Olivet College was the perfect opportunity to apply my classroom learning to an actual life application.

KEY OUTCOMES

I identified 118 species of plants, and, by assigning each identified organism a coefficient of conservatism, I identified what each species indicated about the environment where it was found. In conjunction with soil sampling, water testing and animal identification, this data allowed me to draw conclusions about the health of Kirkelldel and provide recommendations for ecosystem health improvement.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

Being a Cutler Fellow undoubtedly prepared me for my current professional experience. As a performance analyst for the State of Michigan, a significant portion of my role lies in performing studies, working with large amounts of data and using those findings to draw meaningful conclusions. These are all skills I honed as a Cutler Fellow. I felt well prepared going into a professional role that focuses on these attributes. I gained additional soft skills throughout my research, including working with a team and independently, time management, task prioritization and more. I strive to put forth quality work every time and challenge myself constantly to ask questions and better myself.

am so grateful for having

PROFESSION

the opportunity.

Performance Analyst State of Michigan DTMB (Department of Technology, Management and Budget)

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• Manage software and conduct studies to assist in implementing humancentered design programs.

• Consolidate complex data, assist in data analysis and prepare reports.

CUTLER FELLOW 2021-2022 Elijah Collins Class of 2022

Major: Biology with a Pre-Medical Concentration

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

The testing of different rearing methods of rats to optimize growth rate and survivorship among offspring by comparing single mothers and coparenting mother methods.

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Generous contributions to the Cutler Fellowship have allowed many students to further their education through personal research. In addition, the Fellowship has allowed me to pursue my desire to conduct research pertaining to animal behavior, endocrinology and animal husbandry.

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I am interested in endocrinology, particularly with the effects of cortisol, oxytocin and vasopressin, and how they affect stress and social behavior.

Through this research, I am testing to see if a potentially stressful situation (raising offspring alone for a social species) affects the growth or survival rate of offspring.

KEY OUTCOMES

This research will determine whether rat pups’ growth rate or survival rate correlates to the mothers’ sociability or stress. This project also gives me key experience pertaining to research and how to run a scientific experiment properly. This will benefit me since I plan to further my education, which will likely involve graduate research.

CUTLER FELLOWSHIP IMPACT

Being a Cutler Fellow has given me another chance to do primary research as an undergraduate student. Many undergraduate students do not have this opportunity or are not leading the research. At the end of the year, I will turn in a formal research paper and present my findings in a presentation.

This will improve my organization skills and my understanding of designing and managing future scientific research.

POST-COLLEGE PLANS AND ASPIRATIONS

I am pursuing further education in a field pertaining to animals through veterinary medicine, research or related education. I plan to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in neuroscience or endocrinology and apply to select universities across the United States.

INTERNSHIPS OR WORK EXPERIENCE RELATED TO CAREER GOALS

• Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist/Cleaner, Koprowski Veterinary Clinic • Veterinary Assistant, Frankenmuth-Birch Run Veterinary Hospital

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Puerto Rico Service Trip, 2018 • DeTour Village Service Trip, 2018 • Student Government Association (SGA) President, 2021-2022

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE

CUTLER FELLOWS 2013ff2022 2013-14

Lindsey (Winters) Bohannon

2014-15

Stephanie Lamb Megahn (Piper) Lammers

“

It’s surprising what

2015-16

you can achieve, both

Carlos Barajas Cecilia (Bayne) Dihle

as an individual and

2016-17

as a team, if you dig in and work hard.

- DAVE CUTLER ‘65

”

Carlos Barajas Julie Crone

2017-18

Emily (Dorn) Jex

2018-19

Brooke (Sturgeon) York Lynn TenBrink

2019-20

Justin Lavin Abigail Slater

2020-21

Carsten Gregersen Rebecca (Lifford) Ruddick

2021-22

Elijah Collins Noah Runnals 14

THANK YOU

Thank you to the following generous contributors who established the David Cutler ’65 Endowed Fellowship.

John Balciunas Steven and Connie Ballmer Gordon Bell Peter and Leslie Benoit Charles and Nancy Cook-Wickham Steven Corey David Cutler David and Jan Hayhow Nate Higgins Gary and Christina Kimura Cathy and Joseph Linn Garret Madison Thomas and Teresa Olson Miller David and JD Orbits Lou Perazzoli David Robinson Clyde Rodriguez John and Nancy Rudolf Matt and Amy Rudolf Monica and Steve Rudolf Ferris James and Jessica Rudolph Mark and Daryl Russinovich Christian Saether Robert Short and Emer Dooley The Biel Fund Dave Thompson and Judy Jesiolowski United Way of King County

Dave Cutler ’65

Dave’s continued financial support of the Fellowship ensures that future students in math, science and computer science have the opportunity to follow their passion while contributing to the advancement of the sciences at Olivet College.

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www.olivetcollege.edu