Eight new student-scientists have joined 草莓社区鈥檚 National Science Foundation-funded STEM Scholars Engaging in Local Problems (SSELP) program. They come from six different states and plan careers in engineering, robotics, spaceflight, astrophysics and environmental sustainability.
The program, which began last year with $600,000 in funding, totals 14 students. The first cohort are now sophomores and beginning a specialized local research project together under the supervision of engineering director, Esther Tian. The grant includes scholarship monies, as well as funds for support services, and special activities for students and peer mentors.
Program participants are paired with mentoring juniors and seniors majoring in the same areas, said Dean Tara Kishbaugh, a chemistry professor who co-wrote the grant and teaches in the program. 鈥淭he combination of intentional community and informally shared insights, such as into the policies and culture of the STEM departments, often helps students engage more fully in the first year of college,鈥� she said.
2019 recipients
Rebekah Amstutz (Dalton, Ohio) also wants to do her part to help preserve 鈥渢he immense beauty in Creation,鈥� which she has experienced from childhood. She is thinking about outdoor or environmental education, at summer camps or as a park ranger.
Micah Buckwalter (Fulks Run, Virginia) says he鈥檚 always been excited about environmental sustainability, but a summer road trip with friends to five National Parks 鈥渄eepened my love for nature and enjoying God’s creation.鈥� At Glacier, he says, 鈥渨e learned that if nothing is done to stop climate change, the glaciers inside the park could all be melted by 2030鈥� 鈥� knowledge which has galvanized him towards action. At EMU, he has appreciated the 鈥渄eep Mennonite background here at EMU that still shows itself today, especially in the emphasis of community with those around you, as well as being stewards of the earth.鈥�
Ethan Ball (Poland, Ohio) is an engineering major, 鈥渟omething to do with the fact that I like how there are usually step-by-step process in math science.鈥� He鈥檚 ready for the experience of 鈥渇inding out who I am while at EMU.鈥�
Ben Bontrager-Singer (Goshen, Indiana) is a mechanical engineering major. His interest in rockets was sparked by a visit to the SpaceX factory in California; since then he鈥檇 followed every launch and the progress of SpaceX and other rocket companies, and hopes to work in that particular industry. The flexibility of the engineering major at EMU attracted him: 鈥淚f there is something you want to do and you think it would be cool the faculty will support you,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 have already started working towards creating a new project to create an ultra efficient car and participate in the Shell Eco-Marathon competition.鈥� And beyond that, he also has an interest in other objects in flight: 鈥淎lso,鈥� he says, 鈥淯ltimate frisbee has been really fun!鈥�
Jaden Jones (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is 鈥渆ager for the chance to help shape the world as I grow up.鈥� An early interest in space flight has led to her mechanical engineering major; she plans to earn a PhD in astrophysics or aerospace engineering, and is not sure whether she鈥檚 more interested in research or teaching. Jones spent a year in Switzerland with AFS and is fluent in German. She鈥檚 considering returning to Europe after graduation.
鈥淥ne thing that I find extremely exciting about EMU is the knowledge that I鈥檒l be able to grow as a person here, not only academically and mentally, but also professionally,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 already love my professors and I鈥檓 eager to see where I鈥檒l end up at the end of these four short years.鈥�
Morgan Pletch (Warrenton, Virginia) is a biology major who hopes to conduct neuroscience research after graduation. A memorable experience was visiting Andros Island in the Bahamas to work with marine researchers. In her first few weeks of college, she is grateful for EMU鈥檚 鈥渃lose-knit community.鈥�
Zavion Taylor (Hampton, Virginia) is a double major in computer science and mechanical engineering 鈥� fields he has been involved in since age 9 with 鈥渄ifferent courses, competitions and programs.鈥� At Phoebus High School, he was a member of competitive robotics Team 2028 The Phantoms Mentalist (). Robotics is definitely in his future; he鈥檇 like to pursue a career and live in Japan 鈥渇or a while.鈥� At EMU, he鈥檚 enjoying the novelty of the nearby mountains and the 鈥渃hange of pace鈥� from urban life.
Luke Wheeler (Hudson, Michigan) is interested in developing alternative energies. An engineering major, he traces his interest back to playing with Legoes and watching space-oriented movies, including Interstellar, as well as the knowledge that the field is 鈥渧ital to our society.鈥� So far at EMU, he鈥檚 enjoyed meeting and spending time with new friends.