UGA Honors Newsletter, summer 2008

News l e tte r o f th e Universit y o f G eo rgia Ho n o rs Pro gram

June 2008

The University of Georgia is the only public university with at least one 2008 Rhodes, Truman, Udall, and Goldwater Scholar, joined only by Columbia, Stanford, and Yale.

Christina Faust, a third-year student from Athens, GA, was recently awarded both the Harry S. Truman and the Morris K. Udall Scholarships.

The Truman Scholarship recognizes third-year students who are preparing for public service careers, and the Udall Scholarship honors outstanding second- and thirdyear students planning careers related to environmental policy. Christina is pursuing a dual bachelor’s/master’s degree in ecology and conducting avian influenza research through the Odum School of Ecology and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Christina Faust is truly one among us who has excelled.

She is an outstanding student who offers future leadership in the areas of environmental science and sustainability,” said President Michael F. Adams. “We are all excited for her and proud of her accomplishments.” As an Honors student and Foundation Fellow, Christina has worked with a wildlife conservation NGO in Greece; researched genetics of invasive species in China; interned with the Massey University wildlife ecology group in New Zealand; and was one of 12 student presenters at the International Wildlife Disease Association international conference. In addition, she is involved with Habitat for Humanity, UGA Ecology Club, and the Society of Conservation Biology, and served on the steering committee for the UGA student coalition, Let’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). After graduation, she plans to pursue a D.V.M and a Ph.D in ecology of infectious diseases. Honors Program director David S. Williams said: “Her friends do not necessarily know Christina as the author of scholarly journal articles.

Rather, they know her as a person with an effervescent, ever-present smile, who leads by strong example.

Christina is an impressive person and highly deserving of recognition. Her dual awards cap a year of remarkable success for Honors students in national scholarship competitions.”

(L-R) Dr. David S. Williams, Dr. Arnett Mace, Christina Faust, Tulsi Patel, Edmond Fomunung, Vanessa del Valle, Tyler Kelly, and Dr. Michael F. Adams.

Vanessa del Valle has received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national science award for second- and third-year students who are excelling in mathematics, engineering, and the natural sciences. Vanessa is a third-year biology and psychology major from Alpharetta, GA. Honorable mentions were received by Tyler Kelly, a third-year bachelor’s/master’s student in mathematics with a second major in Romance Languages, and Tulsi Patel, a third-year student majoring in genetics. All three are Honors Program students and both Vanessa and Tulsi were awarded a Center for Undergraduate Research Organization (CURO) Apprenticeship when they arrived at UGA. Vanessa conducted social neuroscience research during her two years as a CURO Apprentice.

Currently, she is investigating the molecular processes of enzymes associated with type II diabetes, a disease in which individuals are resistant to insulin.

She has presented her research at several conferences and also serves on the Student Health Advisory Committee at UGA. After graduating from UGA in the Spring of 2009, she would like to enter an M.D/Ph.D program, specializing in molecular biology. “The quality of the UGA student body has been reaffirmed by Vanessa’s receipt of the Goldwater Scholarship and the honorable mention citations awarded to Tyler and Tulsi,” said President Michael F. Adams. “UGA students are among the best this nation has to offer, and I am proud of the recognition they are receiving.”

Read more about Tyler and Tulsi on Page 2.

Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO)

Edmond Fomunung wins Merage Fellowship to follow his American Dream

Honors student Edmond Fomunung has been awarded one of twelve nationwide Merage American Dream Fellowships. A cellular biology major from Katy, TX, Edmond is now the third Honors student in as many years to receive the two-year $20,000 scholarship for academically outstanding undergraduates who are immigrants to the U.S. Edmond, who was born and raised in Cameroon, came to the United States six years ago. He will use the Merage Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in pursuit of an M.D and a Master’s degree in public health.

“Coming from a place where opportunity is scarce, I deeply appreciate the opportunities the United States offers every child, and I feel an obligation to give back to this society which has already given me so much. There is no better way to repay this debt than to invest my time and knowledge in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.”

— Edmond Fomunung in his application for the Merage American Dream Fellowship.

Goldwater Honorable Mentions for Tyler Kelly and Tulsi Patel Tyler Kelly’s undergraduate research began two years ago when he was invited to participate in the VIGRE (Vertical Integration of Research and Education) Algebra Group, a research team of UGA faculty and students who collaborate on a single mathematical topic throughout the year. Since much of the literature is written by leading French mathematicians, Tyler decided to also obtain a Romance languages degree. While working as an applied mathematics researcher through an internship program at the United States Department of Defense over the summer, Tyler co-authored an internal paper and briefed top officials. This summer he will travel to Milan, Italy as a CURO Summer Research Fellow to study under Dr. Bert Van Geemen, a mathematics professor specializing in algebraic geometry and Hodge theory at the Universitá di Milano. Eventually, Tyler aspires to become a university professor and continue his research in algebraic geometry.

Tulsi Patel came to UGA as a CURO Apprentice and almost immediately began her research in the plant sciences. She studied fungal genomics during her first year. In her second year she designed a project focusing on the development of a fungal pathogen that could be used as a biological agent to control Chinese privet, a harmful exotic weed in Georgia. She continued that research the following summer through a CURO Summer Fellowship and presented her work at several conferences. Currently, she is working in the laboratory of Dr. Steve Stice and participating in stem cell research. After graduation, she would like to pursue a Ph.D in genetics in order to teach and conduct biomedical sciences research.

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2008 CURO SYMPOSIUM Examining Parenting Stress for Mothers of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; African-American Models of Success; Antonio Vivaldi’s Contribution to the Evolution of Program Music; Expression of Glycerophospholipids in Rat Brain after Cocaine Withdrawal; Eliminating the Road Test in License Renewal Programs; Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrometry for the Detection of Pathogens; Hispanic Music in Athens, GA; Corticosterone and its Effects on Stress-Induced Weight Loss; Improving the Health of Georgia Youth: An Incentive Program for Nutritional Standards in Georgia Schools.

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hese are only a few of the many presentations one can find in the 2008 CURO Symposium Book of Abstracts. On March 31, more than 200 undergraduate students presented their research projects at the CURO Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Classic Center in Athens. Students were invited to share their research by giving an oral presentation, a poster presentation, a musical performance or poetry reading, or by exhibiting their creative works in an art exhibit. “The number of undergraduates who presented their research topped our expectations,” said Pamela Kleiber, associate director of the Honors Program. “We had the most impressive performing arts program to date, featuring creative writing and music performances.”

Tyler Pratt, an international affairs major from Augusta, GA, reflected: “Although research takes a significant amount of time and effort to produce quality work, UGA provides an amazing array of resources to help students. The CURO Symposium is also a great way to get some experience presenting at conferences.” Tyler’s presentation focused on ways to limit the military strength and power of dissident groups, using the 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli War as an example.

High School Seniors Honored as Promising Scholars Fifteen students from Georgia high schools, who were honored as CURO Promising Scholars based on their scholastic achievements, were invited to attend the CURO Symposium and take part in a series of special programs. “CURO Promising Scholars are heavily recruited by top colleges and universities across the country, including UGA,” said Pam Kleiber, associate director of the Honors Program. “The experience of attending the CURO Symposium and meeting current UGA students who are doing research with our premier faculty usually tips the scale toward their decision to come to UGA with a CURO Apprenticeship and admission to the Honors Program.”

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F o un d at ion Fel lo w s a n d R a m se y S c hol a rs

New Mid-Term Foundation Fellows Selected Four Honors Program students have been awarded mid-term Foundation Fellowships. Dave Howcroft, a linguistics and mathematics double major from Longwood, FL, will spend six weeks in France and Japan this summer for further language study. Connor McCarthy, an international affairs and economics double major from Mobile, AL, will study this summer in Tanzania through the Institute for Leadership Advancement. Sharon McCoy, an international affairs and Spanish double major from Evans, GA, will travel to Jamaica with the Wesley Foundation, as well as to Spain, Ecuador, and Chile. Cleveland Piggott, a biology and psychology double major from Suwanee, GA, plans to spend his summer in Costa Rica and Panama to explore his interests in international medicine and public health. “We are pleased to welcome to the Foundation Fellowship this stellar group of young scholars,” said Honors director David S. Williams. “Their diverse array of interests and talents will enrich the community of Fellows.”

(L to R) Dave Howcroft, Sharon McCoy, Cleveland Piggott, and Connor McCarthy.

Foundation Fellows receiving special recognition on the UGA campus and beyond in 2008: Maria Baetti Fulbright Scholarship to the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria Payton Bradford

Outstanding student award from the School of Public and International Affairs

Amanda Brouillette

Ted L. Simons Memorial Award for outstanding performance in physics at the junior level

Chris Chiego Best Delegate Award at the Virginia International Crisis Simulation held at the University

of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA Kelsey Ditto SEC Player of the Week Lucy Fu Carl K. Kossack Calculus Prize Joseph Kapurch

Dick Bestwick Award for the male athlete graduating with the highest GPA at UGA

Beth Riggle Cynthia Kenyon Outstanding Undergraduate Award from the Genetics Department Paul Ruddle Betty Gage Holland Award for protecting the integrity of public dialogue on America’s college campuses Adam Thomas Pillar of the Community Award from the Department of Campus Life and the Center for Leadership and Service at UGA. This award is given each year to an individual or entity

affiliated with the UGA community who assists others above and beyond the call of duty 4

Spring Break in Bosnia — by Elizabeth Godbey ‘09

W — by Shannon Hiller ’08 For this year’s spring break trip, I went to the Kelabit Highlands in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo! What could sound and actually be more cool? The chance to see the vibrant cultures of such distant communities, and talk with residents face-to-face about addressing encroaching logging roads or plantations that threaten their current way of life, was certainly one of the most memorable of my life. I think all of the students came away with a personal understanding of how development and conservation issues are playing out on the ground, a valuable lesson we can relate directly back to our studies in international relations and economics.

I'll always remember walking to the first long house we visited in Bario. It was dusk and we thought we were just following our host to a talk on Kelabit culture, until the strains of beautiful chanting-singing reached us as we got closer. We left our shoes at the door and squinted as our eyes adjusted to the dimmer light inside. Before we could really grasp the whole scene, we were shaking hands with a seemingly endless line of all the women in the community, dressed in traditional dresses and jewelry, while they stepped in time to their song of greeting. From great-grandmothers with stretched ears to shy girls, we exchanged beaming smiles and were soon pulled into a stepping congo-like line to proceed down the length of the house to our seats (the grandmother behind me gave up trying to reach my shoulders and settled on firmly pinning my arms at the elbows). They fed us delicious food and tea while singing and dancing with grace and confidence, all making us feel honored beyond anything ever deserved. After laughing uproariously at our tentative attempts to dance, they led us out the way we came in, beaming smiles again at our botched attempts at "thank you" in Kelabit and near speechlessness at the most beautiful, hospitable greeting we had ever received.

hile countless UGA undergraduates basked on spring break beaches, I was interviewing survivors of the Bosnian Civil War. A group of 27 Foundation Fellows had the opportunity to travel to Bosnia and The Hague during our spring break. Sarajevo is not the typical vacation destination. Colorless apartment complexes (remnants of past communist rule) dominate the city’s architecture. The buildings are scarred from machine gun and grenade attacks, vivid reminders of the period when Sarajevo was under siege in the nineties. This was not a vacation; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better understand the issues surrounding the Bosnian Civil War. We spent time with a Bosnian general, a leader of the Bosnian secret police, and Bosnian civilians. We met with government officials who daily excavate mass graves in order to identify the victims of a war that ended more than ten years ago. In a crowded coffee shop one afternoon, my friends and I listened to a man who described his life during the years when Sarajevo was held hostage by enemy soldiers. For years, the people in this large city survived on limited goods smuggled into the city through a small tunnel. He calmly told us how enemy sniper fire damaged his spinal cord causing him to become a paraplegic at my age. His peaceful demeanor and ability to forgive was inspirational. While lesser people may have devoted their energy to self-pity, this survivor is using it to aid other war victims. We spent another memorable session with women whose sons, husbands, and brothers fell victim to the ethnic genocide. Following our time in Bosnia, we traveled to The Hague. We met with an assortment of professionals at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

It was an honor to speak with attorneys, witness protection specialists, and a judge at the ICTY. We were even able to view court proceedings! We all learned a great deal about international justice and genocide. I did not come home with a spring break tan. Instead, I brought home something much more valuable: a better understanding of the horrors of the Bosnian War and the admirable strength of its survivors. I am grateful for this opportunity. Hopefully, this region will one day heal its wounds and move forward as a unified nation.

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Scholarships, Internships, and Honors

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n April 2, the UGA Honors Program again celebrated the accomplishments of its graduating seniors, who numbered 455 this year. Students graduated with degrees in virtually all disciplines offered at UGA including accounting, comparative literature, telecommunication arts, linguistics, social work, Spanish, political science, art, religion, music, early childhood education, biochemistry and molecular biology, food science, genetics, biology, and communication sciences and disorders.

Faculty members Christine Franklin (statistics), Charles Kutal (chemistry), and John Maltese (political science) were honored with the Lothar Tresp Outstanding Honors Professor Award, while Teena Wilhelm (political science) received the J. Hatten Howard III Teaching Award.

Student awards for outstanding academic achievement in the different disciplines included: Jessica Bryant: Joy P. Williams Science Award Rachel Whitaker: Joy P. Williams Science Award Bryan Overcarsh: Alan J. Jaworski Science Award Jeremy Gordon: Alan J. Jaworski Science Award Nicole Meinssen: Humanities Luis Vera: Humanities Traci Tucker: Social Sciences Deep Shah: Social Sciences Matthew Grayson: George M. Abney Award (Journalism) Rebecca Lohmuller: Education John Gocke, III: Business Benjamin Kornblatt: Family & Consumer Sciences

Adam Thomas, for his work in HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Adam served as a volunteer and intern at AIDS Athens and interned with AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families in Washington, D.C. In addition, Adam served for three years on the executive board of UGA Habitat for Humanity and participated in Leadership UGA to analyze and discuss potential solutions to the local poverty crisis.

Lauren Vigil, for her leadership in establishing AIDS Walk/ Run Athens, a non-profit organization. She has also been an active member of the UGA Chapter of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC), which focuses on fundraising for pediatric clinics in underserved areas of the world. While abroad, Lauren also volunteered her services in Budapest and southern mainland Belize.

The final award at the banquet was the Jere W. Morehead Award, which was given to Neal Quirk, an attorney from Atlanta, GA. The award is named after former Honors Program director Jere Morehead, and is bestowed upon a special Honors alumnus/ friend who has shown outstanding dedication and support to the UGA Honors Program and its students. Neal has served on the Honors Program Advisory Board since its inception in 2000, and, with his wife, has established the Neal and Libby Quirk Honors Fund to support Honors Program students.

At this year’s banquet a new student award was introduced: the Ash Service and Civic Engagement Award. The award is named in honor of Kathryn and Darren Ash for their support of graduating Honors students who have displayed meritorious leadership in service activities while undergraduates at UGA. Four students received the award for a variety of service activities: Ben Cobb, for his efforts in establishing his non-profit organization Promote Africa. Ben also has been very active in other service organizations such as serving on the executive committee of the UGA/Athens Clarke County Energy Conservation Board, coaching hockey at the YMCA, and tutoring elementary school children.

Ashley Foster, for her dedication and service to stroke awareness in the state of Georgia. In addition to helping to lobby the Georgia Assembly to pass legislation for a Stroke Awareness License Plate, she also conducted stroke research at Medical College of Georgia under the guidance of Dr. David Hess. Ashley also was active with UGA Dance Marathon, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society, and Relay for Life.

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(L-R) Jere W. Morehead, Neal J. Quirk, and David S. Williams.

Thirty-two Honors Program Students inducted into Blue Key Honor Society On Sunday, March 30, 2008, 32 Honors students were inducted into the Blue Key Honor Society in recognition of academic achievement and service to the UGA campus community and beyond. The students are: Janki Chudgar Ben Cobb Emily Evert Christina Faust Mareasa Fortunato D. J. Johnson Christopher Kelley Lauren Kelly Brittany Lee Aqsa Mahmud Anant Mandawat

George Akers Sabrina Altenback Kathryn Bowers Sara Brabender Megan Bruner Mark Bullard Lauren Caldwell Taylor Carlton Kevin Chang Shannon Chen Chris Chiego

Connor McCarthy Caitlin McLaughlin Lauren McLeod Nithya Natrajan Jesse Oakley Joshua Sandler Eli Tedesco Adam Thomas Eric Tonn Kristen Tullos

Roosevelt Institute 2008 Symposium On April 11, the Roosevelt Institute at UGA hosted the National Roosevelt Institute Symposium: The Perfect Presidential Platform. Workshops were conducted in major policy areas such as the War in Iraq; Taxes; Energy; Health Care; and Immigration. The rigorous and stimulating conference was attended by more than 75 students from UGA and other national institutions. During the two-day conference, students met in small groups with student leaders in breakout sessions and with faculty members in mentoring meetings.

The student participants attended expert policy lectures, presented platforms, conducted group debates, and finished the conference with policy critiques by expert panelists. The goal of the conference was to foster dialogue among members of all participating Roosevelt chapters and to develop effective proposals in a collaborative environment. The Honors Program sponsors the Roosevelt Institute at UGA.

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The University of Georgia is the only public university with 2008 Rhodes, Truman, Udall, and Goldwater Scholars, joined only by Columbia, Stanford, and Yale.

“This remarkable accomplishment proves that UGA students are competitive with students anywhere.

It speaks to the quality of the Honors Program, which challenges the students and prepares them for success in the classroom and in these scholarship competitions.” — President Michael F. Adams

Honors Program The University of Georgia Moore College Athens, GA 30602 706/542-3240 www.uga.edu/honors

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