Marlin Scholar Spotlights

Matt Boyce

Hometown:
Newport News, VA

Majors:
Chemistry, Biology

Quote:
Like most things in life, what you get out of being in the Honors and Scholars program is a measurement of the initiative that one takes to involve themselves. There are many unique opportunities offered to Honors and Scholars students. They are ours for the taking, if we so choose to accept them. It is a great representation of public scholarship.

Internships:

• National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship 2013, 2012
• VFIC Summer Undergraduate Science Research Fellowship Grant 2011

Undergraduate Research:

• Investigation of sample matrix effects using spinning sampling chamber laser ablation ICPMS
• Microanatomy and Composition Comparison Between Rural and Urban Oyster Shell
• Oyster Restoration Assessment on an Urban Sub-Estuary
  

Campus Involvement:

• Gamma Sigma Epsilon (Chemistry Honors Society) - Vice President
• Beta Beta Beta (Biology Honor Society)- member
• Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Inc. - President , Vice President of Alumni Relations, Scholarship Chairman
• Sigma Zeta (Natural Sciences Honor Society)- member

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Katie Bennett

Hometown:
Richmond, VA

Majors:
Art, Biology

Minor:
Art History

Quote:
Honors and Scholars is a wonderful program that encourages members to explore and learn. The program also gives scholars opportunities to enrich our academic experience by giving us admission to community plays, concerts and events.

Undergraduate Research:
I have completed a year’s worth of research examining interspecific and intraspecific variation in male and female genitalia of three species of Neotropical harvestmen. For my research, I had the opportunity to use VWC’s new Scanning Electron Microscope. I am presenting my findings to the Association of Southeastern Biologists during their next annual meeting in West Virginia. I am also currently working on a manuscript on my research to hopefully be published by the Journal of Morphology.

Campus involvement:
I was a member of the Cross Country team and Indoor and Outdoor track for three years. I am currently Honors and Scholars president.

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Sarah Imbesi

Hometown:
Aston, PA

Major:
Environmental Studies

Minors:
Philosophy, Political Science

Quote:
Honors and Scholars is a great way to become connected with other like-minded students. I’ve met some of my best friends here through the program. It’s also a great way to get involved with on and off-campus events. The events that are planned and provided for students in the program are of course a huge perk, but another benefit is the growth I’ve had both as a student and as an individual. The Honors and Scholars program gave me the chance to challenge myself both in and out of the classroom through various honors courses and volunteer work. I have really loved being a part of this program.

Undergraduate Research:
Throughout my junior year, I completed two independent research projects. The first project I undertook in the fall, which involved research on animal rights and the role they play in the work of animal shelters. This research was very important to me, as my career interests lie in animal rights advocacy and education. I undertook my second project in the spring, which involved research on Native Americans and how their view on nature has transformed over the years. I have always been interested in Native Americans, but being an Environmental Studies major, I was especially interested in seeing how their culture is connected to the natural environment.

Campus Involvement:
Over the last four years at Virginia Wesleyan, I have been involved with a multitude of different events both on and off-campus, but there are four things in particular that have really shaped my time here. First is the involvement I’ve had with the Office of Community Service. I have always loved volunteering but VWC just took it to another level. There is always an abundance of opportunity at the College to help others in the community, including children, the homeless, and the environment. I was even given the chance to help the environment by leading two alternative spring break trips with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Another aspect of campus life I’ve been involved with is the Theatre Department. Acting is a passion of mine. I have absolutely loved the shows I’ve worked on and the people I’ve worked with. I’ve also been involved on campus as a Resident Assistant. Having this job has allowed me to meet students from all different circles, which has given me a more well-rounded perspective on college life. Lastly, in the fall semester of my senior year I had the opportunity, through VWC’s Office of International and Intercultural Programs, to study abroad at the University of Stirling in Scotland. I’ve wanted to travel to Scotland since I was a child, so getting the chance to study there was really a dream come true. I’ve returned with not only an abundance of amazing memories, but also with a newfound sense of independence and self-confidence. I love traveling and I can't wait to see the rest of the world! Getting involved on campus in all of these ways is what has made my college experience so amazing.