9 recognized as CSAT Dean’s Scholars

To celebrate the College of Science and Technology's nine 2013 Dean’s Scholars, more than 60 faculty members, family members and friends joined Dean J. Orion Rogers for a ceremony and reception on Saturday, April 27, in Reed Hall.

"The Dean's Scholars are students who have taken advantage of the opportunities provided by our faculty and made success happen," Rogers said. "They are an impressive and inspirational group of whom we are very proud."

Each CSAT Dean's Scholar is a graduating senior nominated by a faculty member representing one of the college's nine degree programs. Dean's Scholars have demonstrated success in the classroom, laboratory and other activities related to their chosen disciplines.

Beyond excelling in the classroom, the CSAT Dean's Scholars have been active in undergraduate student research—evaluating the hurricane wind damage in the Mississippi Delta, exploring molecular biology and researching biodiesel production, among other projects. They have also contributed by serving as a departmental system administrator, setting up and operating the college's seismograph and weather station.

"One of the most rewarding things for me as a teacher is to see a student develop from a tentative freshman to an eager scientist," Assistant Professor Kimberly Lane said as she introduced the Department of Chemistry's scholar, James Corwin Johnson. He and each of the other scholars were awarded a plaque and crimson stole to be worn with their caps and gowns at commencement.

Other 2013 CSAT Dean's Scholars are:

• Christopher Blanton, computer science.
• Ryan Bond, geology.
• Kimberly Filcek, biology.
• James Grenier, mathematics.
• Kathryn E. Grogan, physics.
• Eric Pidcock, anthropological sciences.
• Britta Sherman, geospatial science.
• Travis Smith, information science.

Learn more about Radford University at www.radford.edu.