Idaho State University Outstanding Student Award winners announced

Idaho State University and the ISU Alumni Association proudly announce the 2015 Outstanding Student Award recipients who will be honored at Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 9, in Holt Arena.

The Outstanding Student Awards are presented to recognize outstanding graduating seniors who have excelled in their programs, their extracurricular activities and have epitomized ISU’s outstanding student body. Students receiving these prestigious awards exhibit a readiness to graduate, high academic achievement, above-average dedication to academic and professional goals and involvement in professional societies. Work experience and community service are also considered.

The Outstanding Student Award recipients will be honored at a reception April 10 at 6 p.m. in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Outstanding Student Award recipients for 2015 are Daniel Shelden, Boise, College of Arts and Letters – Fine Arts and Humanities; Ashley Miller, Pocatello, College of Arts and Letters – Social and Behavioral Sciences; Douglas Walker, Pocatello, College of Science and Engineering – Natural and Physical Sciences; Kyle R. Gagnon, Boise, College of Science and Engineering – Engineering; Rick T. Richardson, Crofton, British Columbia, Graduate School – Masters; E. Scott Lee, Rexburg, Graduate School – Doctoral; Kayla Miller, Boise, College of Education; Jameson Bastow, Twin Falls, College of Business; Jakob P. Meng, Idaho Falls, College of Technology; Lindsey Marie Hunt, Ontario, Oregon, College of Pharmacy; Jennifer K. Brooks, Idaho Falls, Division of Health Sciences; and Madeline Woodhouse, Pocatello, School of Nursing.

Biographies of each student follow:

Daniel Shelden, Boise, College of Arts and Letters – Fine Arts and Humanities: Shelden will graduate with honors in May 2015 with his Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre.

At the conclusion of his undergraduate career, he will have taken part in almost every production in the Department of Theatre and Dance for the past four years. Shelden carries an average of 19 credit hours per semester and his cumulative GPA is 3.89.

He has been the recipient of the Theatre Scholarship for four years, ASISU Scholarship for four years, ISU Four-Year Promise Scholarship, JR Simplot Academic Scholarship 2012 and 2013, ASISU Senator Scholarship 2014-15 and the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation 4-Year Scholarship.

Shelden served as an ASISU senator in 2014, and served two terms as president of Alpha Psi Omega, a theatre honors society. He was the featured performer for the College of Arts and Letters New Year’s Eve Gala in 2013 and 2014, was appointed volunteer coordinator for the 2015 Dance Marathon, and volunteer coordinator APO — High School One Acts in 2013 and 2014.

Ashley Miller, Pocatello, College of Arts and Letters – Social and Behavioral Sciences: Miller graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, and has been admitted this fall to the University of Oregon’s cognitive neuroscience program.

She has been named to the dean’s list six times thus far, has received the Idaho Promise Scholarship three times and has received the Eleanor Loscalzo Arts and Letters Scholarship twice. She has also received the Wheatley Annual Scholarship, the John M. Huntsman Scholarship, ASISU Scholarship, Jayson C. and Ruth R. Holladay Scholarship and a College of Arts and Letters Student Presentation Travel grant.

Throughout her college career, Miller has taken advantage of research opportunities through the Career Path Internship program and grant funding. She has worked with psychology Professor Xiaomeng (Mona) Xu and as co-manager of College of Arts and Letters Dean Kandi Turley-Ames and psychology Visiting Assistant Professor Tina Miyake’s psychology laboratory.

She has assisted or taken the lead on several research projects and has exhibited two posters at the ISU annual research forum, presented at the 3rd Annual Southeastern Idaho Psi Chi Psychology Conference and will present three posters at the 95th Annual Western Psychological Association Convention this spring.

Miller is a member of Psi Chi, International Honors Society in Psychology and the ISU IMAGE Writing Group.

Douglas R. Walker, Pocatello, College of Science and Engineering – Natural and Physical Sciences: A Pocatello native, Walker chose ISU over several options when making his college decision. This May, he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a 3.86 cumulative GPA. Walker will be the first member of his family to graduate from college. He has received multiple scholarships, including a four-year Presidential Scholarship, the Idaho Promise Scholarship, the Samuel H. Bennion Honors award, Chemistry Alumni Scholarship, National Science Foundation S-STEM and the Freshman Leadership Award.

He has served as a student researcher, seeking out research experiences to advance his education and future career. Two summers of IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) fellowships allowed Walker experience in the biomedical fields. His research productivity as an undergraduate has resulted in at least three publications as a co-author.

Walker has been a University Honors Program member since 2011. He serves as president of the Chemistry Club, is a member of Chi Alpha and committee member for the University Honors Program Opportuni-Tea event. Walker was the Organic Chemistry Student of the Year in 2013. He has been recognized by the American Chemical Society, the National Science Foundation and the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for achievement and competitiveness.

Kyle R. Gagnon, Boise, College of Science and Engineering – Engineering: Awarded the Department of Civil Engineering Top Student award, Kyle will graduate this May with his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a 4.0 GPA. He is on the Dean’s list and scored a perfect 170 on the Math section of the GRE. He is the recipient of the Richard Deus Trust Scholarship and the Dr. Wes B. Smedley Engineering Scholarship.

Gagnon has led the ISU engineering senior design team project designing the best way to connect the Portneuf Greenway Trail and the Simplot Reach Trail in Pocatello. This team worked with one of the Idaho Transportation Department professional engineers to develop the best alternative.

Gagnon has also served as an undergraduate research assistant, a grader for physics faculty for engineering physics classes, and a tutor for the ISU Success Center in math, physics and core engineering courses. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineering, the American Concrete Institute, the American Wood Council and the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Rick T. Richardson, Crofton, British Columbia, Graduate School – Masters: Richardson will receive his Master of Education degree in instructional technology through the College of Education in May 2015. He maintains a 3.96 GPA. He has an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in geography and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of British Columbia as well as a Master of Education degree from the University of Hawaii.

He has published four refereed journal articles and has two more articles currently in review. He is the first author on five of the six articles. Richardson has received the Lise Nicola Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching Theory and Practice, University of Hawaii Mildred Towel International Student Scholarship, University of Hawaii Student Ambassador Scholarship, the University of British Columbia Geography Alumni Alliance Scholarship, the University of British Columbia Scholarship and was on the University of British Columbia dean’s honor list for four years.

Richardson is also an instructional designer and has designed multimedia programs, computer-based tutorials, online learning modules and traditional university courses for ISU, and other universities. He currently serves the College of Education as an adjunct faculty instructor in Social Science Methods, Instructional Planning Delivery and Assessment, Educational Careers and a student-teacher practicum advisor and evaluator.

His future career goals include teaching instructional design and educational technology at ISU and continuing his research in exploring recommendations for instructional designers to incorporate spatial cognition skills into e-learning technologies.

E. Scott Lee, Rexburg, Graduate School – Doctoral: Lee is graduating with a Doctor of Arts degree in political science. He also received his Master of Public Administration degree in political science from ISU in 2012. Lee maintains a 3.96 GPA.

Before coming to ISU, Lee obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Utah as well as his Juris Doctor (law degree) from the University of Idaho.

Lee has been trained in three subfields and taught to teach broadly to undergraduates. Courses he has taught range from the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch, Political Parties and Interest Groups, State and Local Government, Intro to Law and International Law. He served as a teaching assistant for American government and public opinion and voting classes. Lee also team-taught Introduction to International Relations and Public Administration Ethics.

His dissertation involved environmental policy and was a qualitative study of the failure of the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act. Along with his law practice, Lee currently teaches as an adjunct faculty member at both Idaho State University and BYU-Idaho.

Kayla Miller, Boise, College of Education: Miller will receive her Honors Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with an emphasis on exercise science in May 2015. A native of Boise, Miller maintains a 3.4 GPA while averaging 15 credit hours per semester.

While completing her degree coursework, Miller has worked alongside Sports Science and Physical Education Associate Professor Michael Meyers conducting research on high school football injuries on artificial turf versus natural grass. This research was presented at the ACSM Northwest Conference. Miller’s extra-curricular service includes interning with the University Honors Program, coordinating New Student Orientation, serving as a resident advisor, and working as a First Year Experience Emissary.

She is a member of the University Honors Program Club, 1901 Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pre-Health Professionals Club, and Gamerz Club. Miller has volunteered many hours of service for Benny’s Pantry, New Student Orientation, the Idaho Food Bank, Field of Heroes memorial, My Brother’s Table and the ISU Dance Marathon.

Miller has completed 135 hours of physical therapy clinic observations. She will conclude her undergraduate work at ISU with the Leadership Study Abroad excursion to Edinburgh, Scotland, London, England and Dublin, Ireland this summer.

Jameson Bastow, Twin Falls, College of Business: Coming to ISU from Twin Falls, Bastow attended the College of Southern Idaho prior to coming to ISU in fall 2012.

He will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in computer information systems. He served as elections commissioner for ASISU before being named ASISU vice-president in January 2015. In this position, he serves as president of the student senate, presides at all senate meetings and has oversight of student funds. He also serves as president of Pre-Health Professions Association.

With his research on physician usage of information technology, Bastow was selected to represent ISU at Carnegie Mellon University’s Undergraduate Conference in Information Systems. He also traveled to Peru as a volunteer certified Spanish interpreter for Idaho Condor Humanitarian Services, spending his spring break interpreting for health care professionals.

Bastow is currently employed by Wells Fargo Bank as lead teller working 20-30 hours weekly. He is interested in rural health informatics and mobile technology. He has applied to medical school in hopes of becoming an Idaho physician.

Jakob P. Meng, Idaho Falls, College of Technology: Meng will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in energy systems mechanical engineering technology with a 3.96 GPA, and a 4.0 GPA in his program.

Meng received the College of Technology Distinguished Student Award scholarship in fall 2014 and was selected for an industry-sponsored scholarship from Newmont Mining Company in spring 2015. He is also the recipient of the Associated Students of ISU Scholarship and the ISU Credit Union Scholarship. He represented the College of Technology in January 2015 at a Legislative Luncheon in Boise, hosted by the Idaho Division of Professional-Technical Education.

While at ISU, Meng competed as a member of the Rupp Debate Society at regional debate tournaments. In 2013, he entered the University of Puget Sound Parliamentary debate tournament and placed first in the junior varsity division and completed the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record. He has also tutored and mentored high school students in debate and served as a debate judge. Meng is looking forward to his first professional position in the energy industry.

Lindsey Marie Hunt, Ontario, Oregon, College of Pharmacy: Originally from Ontario, Oregon, Hunt obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the College of Idaho in 2008. She was employed as a scientist for a biotech company for five years before being accepted into the ISU College of Pharmacy.
Hunt will graduate in May with her PharmD degree and maintains a 3.71 GPA. She has served leadership roles within APhA-ASP at the chapter and regional level in addition to serving as the student representative to the Idaho Society of Health-System Pharmacists board and collaborating with the Idaho State Pharmacy Association to implement various advocacy efforts throughout Idaho.

She completed a Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) internship at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, Nevada and was a career path intern for ISU’s interdisciplinary Community Health Screening events, connecting underserved populations to medical services. She is currently a pharmacy intern at Rite-Aid in Ontario, Oregon.

Hunt was recognized in 2014 with the Outstanding SSHP Professional Development Award, the ISPA Student of the Year and Walmart Scholars Mentor. Her academic achievement has resulted in multiple scholarships, including the Lane Alan Broyles Scholarship, APhA Foundation Scholarship, Sylvan L. Kuhn Scholarship and the WalMart Scholar Travel Scholarship.

Hunt hopes to achieve her long-time goal of completing a pharmacy practice residency and becoming a clinical pharmacist.

Jennifer K. Brooks, Idaho Falls, Division of Health Sciences: Idaho Falls native Jenny Brooks will graduate in May with her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics. She has a 3.62 GPA and was on the dean’s list in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Brooks was the recipient of the Jeanette Rowe Memorial Scholarship, the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society Margaret Jerome Sampson Scholarship and the Agnes C. Foley Scholarship.

The research Brooks completed as an undergraduate concerning weight bias has been shared both locally and at the state level. She plans to continue this effort by developing a sensitivity training program for students and practitioners in health care.

Brooks has served as the Student Dietetics Club president, mentors new dietetics majors and has been the student manager of ISU’s Benny’s Pantry since it opened in 2013. She also serves as president of the Secular Student Alliance and is the founding supervisor of Coffee and Gift Shop at Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls.

This fall, Brooks will attend Johns Hopkins University – Bloomberg School of Public Health where she will pursue her Master of Science degree in public health. Brooks also earned an associate degree in 2007 from Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California.

Madeline Woodhouse, Pocatello, School of Nursing: Woodhouse will graduate in May 2015 with her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She began her college career with one year at the University of Montana and then another year at Boise State, majoring in psychology. In 2010, Woodhouse applied to the ISU nursing program and was accepted.

Her course work has provided career-related experiences that improve health in the community. She was selected to teach foot care assessment and supervise student performance among participants in rural community health education sessions. She is a Faith Community Nursing volunteer and a volunteer at Ruth House in Idaho Falls that provides health care services to women with an emphasis on single mothers and their children. She volunteered to be a tutor for the junior medical surgical nursing students.

Woodhouse was a member of the Idaho and National Student Nurses Association. In 2013 and 2014, she won the Portneuf Medical Center marathon for her age group and is a qualifier for the 2015 Boston Marathon. Woodhouse is now employed at Portneuf Medical Center as an operating room nurse.