Fall 2012 Frederik Meijer Honors College Senior Recoginition
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Graduate Profiles
Grand Valley State University
Class of Fall 2012
Congratulations Graduates! The Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships commends you on the completion of your
undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University and reminds you that we also serve alumnae. We know you
have a bright future ahead and will look forward to the many great things you will accomplish in the years to come.
Nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships are highly selective funding opportunities to pursue study,
public service, foreign service, research opportunities, and more at both the undergraduate and graduate level in
the U.S. and abroad. They are an award for past performance, recognition of your future promise, and are often
springboards to greater opportunities. A non-exhaustive list of award opportunities can be found under the Award
Opportunities tab at www.gvsu.edu/fellowships.
If you have interest in applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships in the future, please call
(616) 331-3219 or e-mail fellowships@gvsu.edu. We look forward to working with you!
Wishing you continued success,
Amanda Cuevas
Director
Katherine Anoyiannakis: Psychology
Senior Project: Progression of Supports for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
and Other Developmental Disabilities Through the Use of Technology: A Review of the
Literature
Summary: Review of the literature on the use of technology, such as iPads and tablets,
with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS) and other developmental
disabilities. New technology applications may allow professionals to expand the use of a
number of different visual systems, including picture communication systems, self-management programs, and
reward systems that can benefit these students.
Activities/Awards: Member of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society
Study Abroad experience: Journey to Greece through the America Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
(AHEPA) and the University of Indianapolis. I volunteered at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011 in
Athens, Greece with other students of Greek-American decent.
Internship/Practicum experience: Huntington Woods Early Childhood Center, working under school psychology
Dr. Lillian Cummings assisting in the special education classrooms.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Succeeding in my major and graduating early.
Plans after graduation: Attend graduate school for a specialist degree in school psychology.
Jacob Blossfeld: Accounting and Finance
Senior Project: Inside Internships
Summary: A website aimed towards helping GVSU students attain internships with local
companies.
Research and presentations: Back to Basics: the Biomechanics of Barefoot Running
(Student Scholars Day 2011)
Leaderships Activities: Treasurer of Seidman IPO.
Activities/Awards: GV rowing team/ Seidman College of Business Study Abroad
Scholarship/ 2x Intramural Sports Champion
Study Abroad experience: Summer School in Shanghai
Internship/Practicum experience: Finance Intern at Haworth
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Accepting a position at Rehmann for after graduation.
Plans after graduation: Work in public accounting and earn my CPA
Grace Bommarito: Cell & Molecular Biology
Senior Project: “Revealing Expression of cAR1 protein in Dictyostelium discoideum”
Summary: The central focus of this project will be to “clean up” an anti-receptor
antibody batch and ultimately present the data at Student Scholar Day 2013. These
antibodies were used in a BIO 406 lab during the summer 2012 semester and did not
produce the desired results, but instead had a lot of non-specific background. My
project for this semester was to use two different techniques to attempt to purify the
batch so that it may be utilized in BIO 406 in the future.
Research and presentations: “Defining the Basal Phylogenetic Relationships of
Commelinaceae” worked under Dr. Tim Evans. Attempted to clarify the phylogeny for the plant family
Commelinaceae through the analysis of the chloroplast gene ndhF
Leaderships Activities: Helped organize Soccer for Sudan and Freedom Formal to raise awareness and donations
for Sudanese refugees and women involved in sex trafficking here in West Michigan as part of my honors junior
seminar with Prof. Kravitz.
Activities/Awards: I am Grand Valley Award, 2010
Internship/Practicum experience: Currently interning at the Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Crime
Laboratory validating the Spermfinder microscope.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Finally being able to intern at the MSP Grand Rapids crime lab
after applying 3 years in a row.
Plans after graduation: Find a forensic biologist position, ideally with the MSP, and eventually go back to earn my
Master’s degree in Forensic Biology.
Katelyn Buchholz: Psychology
Senior Project: Psychotherapy as Treatment for Depression in Aging Populations
Summary: Comprehensive literature review of psychotherapy as treatment for
depression in aging populations. Research on various therapy modalities including, but
not limited to; interpersonal, mindfulness, solution focused, rational emotive behavioral
and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Outcomes related to aging populations will be
specifically targeted, and an integrative multi-modal treatment model will be
conceptualized. My research will culminate in an approximately twenty to twenty-five
page paper, and a poster presentation at the eighth annual Art and Science of Aging
Conference hosted by Grand Valley State University.
Research and presentations: Research assistant for both Mary Bower Russa, Ph.D. and Tara Cornelius Ph.D.
Projects for Dr. Bower Russa focused on predictors of punitive parenting, and those for Dr. Cornelius involved a
campus wide assessment of interpersonal violence within dating relationships.
Activities/Awards: GV Students for Fair Trade, jobs at Hope Network Behavioral Health Services & Pine Rest
Center for Psychiatric Residential Services. 2009-2012: Dean’s List, 2009-2012: Faculty Scholarship Award of
Distinction
Study Abroad experience: Psychology of Social Inequality, Nicaragua, Summer 2011
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Being approached to co-author a book chapter with Dr. Ellen
Shupe. The Effects of Not Working: A Psychological Framework for Understanding the Experience of Job Loss, was
accepted into The Psychology of the Recession on the Workplace, currently in press.
Plans after graduation: Currently applying for Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology. I would like to research
efficacious treatments for mood and anxiety disorders in adults. Career goals include becoming a licensed clinical
psychologist, and working within academia at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Megan Drahos: Psychology and Spanish
Senior Project: Emotion Socialization Strategies in Spanish Mothers
Summary: Over 30 interviews from Spanish mothers from Spain on emotion socialization
strategies were collected, transcribed, translated, and then coded. The purpose of the
project was to explore the differences of emotion socialization strategies among cultures.
Research and presentations: Terror Management Theory Laboratory, Self-
Administration with Ethanol in Male Wistar Rats, Emotion Socialization Strategies in
European-American and Hispanic-American Women, Perceived Exertion Studies
Comparing Dancing and Stationary Cycling.
Activities/Awards: Psi Chi Member, Women’s Rugby Athlete, Intramural Athlete,
Backpacking Club.
Study Abroad experience: Studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. While studying abroad I traveled to Ireland, Portugal,
Hungary, Poland, England, Majorca and the Aran Islands.
Internship/Practicum experience: While studying abroad in Spain I interned at Hospital Niño Jesus – a children’s
hospital. I worked in the newborn ward. Also I worked with hospitalized patients with eating disorders.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Graduating early with a double major and completing the
Honors program.
Plans after graduation: I plan to stay in the Grand Rapids area working as a sales representative, and to continue
lab work at Grand Valley.
Ashlee Forde: Integrated Science (Elementary Education)
Senior Project: ‘Earth, Moon & Sun: A Fourth Grade Unit Plan’
Summary: My senior project, ‘Earth, Moon & Sun: A Fourth Grade Unit Plan’, serves as a
culmination of my Integrated Science and Elementary Education studies. The unit
combines my personal learning philosophy with the current research in education to
produce an original, effective piece of curriculum. The lessons are comprehensive and
inquiry-based, taking a hands-on/minds-on approach to learning about our planet and its
place in the solar system. Included within the unit are the research, pedagogy, and
materials necessary for the lessons to be implemented successfully as well as ample
opportunities for differentiation in order to address the specific needs of students in a variety of settings.
Leaderships Activities: GVSU Student Council for Exceptional Children, Trio M-Power Tutor, Honors Freshman
Mentor
Activities/Awards: Dean’s List all semesters
Internship/Practicum experience: 1st grade Teacher Assistant at Knapp Forest Elementary (Forest Hills Public
Schools) in Grand Rapids, MI (January – April 2012), 3rd grade Student Teacher at Godfrey Elementary (Godfree-
Lee Public Schools) in Wyoming , MI (September – December 2012)
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: I co-presented at the 2011 GVSU Fall Science Update with Dr.
Doug Furton. Our presentation was titled ‘Construct and Use a Moon-Phase Manipulative’ and included and
expanded on pieces of my Honors Senior Project.
Plans after graduation: In January 2013 I am moving Philadelphia, PA to start my teaching career!
Elizabeth Kuchenmeister: Behavioral Science, with minors in Middle East Studies and
International Relations
Senior Project: “Palestinian Society and How it is Perceived”
Leaderships Activities: President of Peace Means 2011-2012
Activities/Awards: I Am Grand Valley 2010, 2011.
Study Abroad experience: Arabic language and culture in Amman, Jordan
Internship/Practicum experience: Taught English at Paidia International Development’s
summer camp in the West Bank, 2012; Applied for grants for GoodTemps Temporary Staffing
Services, Fall 2012.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: I am proud to have played an integral role
in bringing in guest speaker Dr. Norman Finkelstein in Winter 2012.
Carla Landhuis: English Language and Literature and Spanish Language
and Literature
Senior Project: Could Our Culture Be Killing Us? An Observational and
Intellectual Review of U.S. and Spanish Food Cultures
Summary: In the spring of 2011, I studied abroad in Bilbao, Spain. During my
five-month stay, I noticed fewer obese and overweight citizens than in the
United States and wondered why. I was compelled to examine the discrepancy
when I felt I was eating more in Spain yet not gaining weight. My aim in this
project was to explore the differences between the food cultures in the U.S. and Spain to discover if our weight and
health issues are affected by our cultures, if it is our culture that is “killing” us and if we could escape from it. I
determined that our culture does make it difficult for us to be healthy, but it is the individual’s choice to strive for a
health life.
Research and presentations: “Enchanted by Fairy Tale Retellings”-English capstone thesis
Leaderships Activities: Honors mentor from 2010 to 2011, Co-led a spring break team to Alabama in 2012,
Campus Ministry leader since 2011
Activities/Awards: Worked various campus jobs, including the writing center from 2010-present, Dean’s List
every year, volunteered at the Conference for the Asociación Internacional de Literatura y Cultura Femenina
Hispánica
Study Abroad experience: Bilbao, Spain, January to May 2011
Internship/Practicum experience: Student researcher and transcriber for the Young Lords of Lincoln Park
Project, Intern with Campus Ministries @ GVSU
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: As nerdy as it sounds, I have not missed a class for any reason.
My college education has a monetary value fixed to it but I also value the valuable knowledge that can only be
learned during each class, and so I made it a priority to be present for every class.
Plans after graduation: Travel to Guatemala for five months to work with a local church outside of Guatemala City
to lead after-school programs.
Danielle Marie Lucksted: Psychology, with a minor in English
Senior Project: “Comparative Social Policy: Women in the U.S. and Ireland, through the lens
of the Catholic Church” (Advisor: Dr. Joan Borst of the Social Work department).
Summary: Tied in with a two-week study abroad program on Social Work in urban and
rural Ireland, this comparative social policy paper involved extensive research on
contraceptive and abortion legislation, employment laws, female poverty, childcare, social
expectations, and the role of religion on attitudes, perceptions, and legislation of women in
the United States and Ireland.
Research and presentations: Undergraduate Social Psychology Research Assistant to Dr.
Todd Williams and Dr. Kristy Dean in the Psychology department for one year each. (Areas: Terror Management
Theory, Ego depletion, Embodied cognition). Student Scholar’s Day Poster Presentation 2012 with advisor Dr.
Kristy Dean: “Ignored, Vulnerable, and Invisible: Evidence for an Embodied Social Metaphor” (Social Psychology)
Leaderships Activities: Psi Chi (Psychology Honors Society) President
Activities/Awards: Organizations: Psi Chi, Women’s Center internship. Scholarships: Award for Excellence,
Faculty Scholarship, State Competitive Scholarship, Study Abroad Grant through Padnos International Center
Study Abroad experience: Academic Year 2010/2011 in Kingston, England (Kingston University). Faculty-led
Social Work summer trip to Ireland.
Internship/Practicum experience: Undergraduate VAWA Grant Intern to Theresa Rowland in the GVSU
Women’s Center, on-call Shelter Assistant at Safe Haven Ministries (Domestic Violence shelter)
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Studying abroad twice (which included article publications for
Grand Valley and my hometown newspaper on the Royal Wedding while in England), and organizing the various
events and programs associated with Domestic Violence Awareness Month for October 2012 through the Women’s
Center.
Plans after graduation: Education: Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Rights in the UK and/or an MSW in the
United States. Career plans: Direct a university Women’s Center or work for the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Kathryn McEachin: Accounting
Senior Project: The Business of Wedded Bliss
Summary: The Business of Wedded Bliss examines the cost of marriage today and in
1962 (exactly 50 years ago). This research has determined if the average price of a
wedding in 2012 is greater than the cost in 1962, with adjustments for inflation, or if the
cost has risen parallel to inflation, and no change has occurred. The Business of Wedded
Bliss also examines the society influence that marriage holds, specifically from a
religious, legal, and generation perspective, and the changes that have occurred in
society in the last half-century.
Leaderships Activities: Resident Assistant – Ravines Apartments & Winter Secchia
Downtown Apartments, Beta Alpha Psi Member, Honors Community Council Service Chair
Activities/Awards: Dean’s List, I Am Grand Valley
Internship/Practicum experience: Tax Internship with Deloitte Tax LLP, Winter 2012
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Graduation with Bachelors of Business Administration in
Accounting in 6 semesters
Plans after graduation: Tax Internship with BDO USA LLP, Winter 2013 & Graduate School at Walsh College for
Masters of Science in Taxation
Aubrey McMahan: International Relations, with minors in German Language &
Literature and Middle Eastern Studies
Senior Project: “Coping with a War Never Seen: How the Youth Are Rising Out of the
Lebanese Civil War’s Aftermath”
Summary: This project is a combination of an academic research paper, multiple in-class
presentations, and an online blog. Based on a Lebanon in-country study visit fellowship
with the National Council on US-Arab Relations, this project provides a historical analysis
and an overview of the daily culture and lifestyle of the people of the region with an
emphasis on Lebanon’s youth.
Research and presentations: Independent Project: “Austrian Youth Involvement Trends:
An Analysis”; Facilitator of “Show & Tell: Combining the Beauty of Cultures to Create and Interfaith World”;
Facilitator of “The Immigration Issue”; Facilitator of “Exploring the US Foreign Service and State Department”;
Speaker of “From Satisfactory to Superb: Writing Good Personal Statements” workshop at the Michigan Writers
Center Association Conference (2011); article publication “Why Chinese Neo-Confucian Women Made a Fetish of
Small Feet” in the Grand Valley Journal of History (December 2012)
Leaderships Activities: Chief Justice and Head of State, National Council on US-Arab Relations Model Arab League
Summits (2011-2012); President, GVSU Arab Culture Club (2011-2012); Resident Assistant (2010-2012); Member,
Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society (2011-Present); Writing Consultant, GVSU Writing Center (2011-Present);
Lead Peer Research Consultant, GVSU Libraries (2012-Present)
Activities/Awards: Award of Appreciation from US Ambassador to Austria William Eacho III (2010); Truman
Scholar Finalist (2011); Delta Tau Delta “Committed to Lives of Excellence” Scholarship (2011); 2nd Runner Up,
Miss Grand Valley State University, part of the Miss America Scholarship Program (2011); “I Am Grand Valley”
Exceptional Leader Awards (2012); Scholar, “Ibn Battuta Merit Scholarship for Peace & Diplomacy” to study the
Arabic language in Rabat, Morocco (one of five recipients worldwide for Summer 2012); Fellow, National Council
on US-Arab Relations Fellowship to study Lebanon (one of ten recipients nationally for Summer 2012)
Study Abroad experience: Graz, Austria; Ottawa, Canada; Vienna, Austria; Rabat, Morocco; Beirut, Lebanon
Internship/Practicum experience: Parliamentary Intern on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada;
Economic/Political Analyst for the US Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: immersing myself in so many opportunities and resources at
Grand Valley and abroad
Plans after graduation: serving as a change agent in international affairs for a US agency before returning to
school for a Master’s degree in international diplomacy and human rights
Brittney Mohnke: Mathematics, Secondary Education
Senior Project: An Exploration of the Maasai People
Summary: During the month of May 2011, Stephanie Petersen and I travelled to Arusha,
Tanzania on a faculty-led Study Abroad program. While there, we spent one weekend in
Monduli, a Maasai village. We experienced the Maasai culture and way of life firsthand. We
camped at the base of Mount Terosero with a Maasai family, ate traditional Maasai food for
the entire weekend, and hiked through the village with a Maasai guide. Our Maasai guide
shared with us his knowledge about the plants and livestock while on our hike. Later that
weekend, we listened to stories and legends about who the Maasai people are and where
they come from. Also, we went to the Maasai market multiple times where we interacted and
bartered to buy handmade Maasai products. Through these experiences, we became interested in the Maasai
people and we began conducting interviews and holding conversations with Maasai people who we saw on a daily
basis which we then used to compose a comprehensive research paper.
Research and presentations: Student Scholars Day
Leaderships Activities: Executive Board for Grand Valley Pompon
Activities/Awards: Pompon team, Volunteer Tutor, Mathematics Department Scholarship
Study Abroad experience: Taught Mathematics in Tanzania
Internship/Practicum experience: Teacher Assistant at Central High School, Student Teacher at Portland High
School
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Positive experiences and success I found teaching abroad as
well as at my two placements
Plans after graduation: Substitute teaching while looking for a mathematics teacher position for Fall 2013
Megan Motz: English (Secondary Education Emphasis)
Senior Project: “European Language Instruction: Why the United States Needs
to Catch Up”
Summary: What steps the U.S. needs to take to better incorporate English
language learners into curriculum.
Research and presentations: Various psychology and English education
research
Leaderships Activities: Honors College Student Ambassador, coaching,
tutoring
Activities/Awards: Coaching Volleyball, tutoring, GVSU Best Buddies, student ambassador, study abroad, Dean’s
List every semester here, Award of Excellence
Study Abroad experience: Maastricht, Netherlands English education program, Summer 2011
Internship/Practicum experience: Teacher assisting in the Netherlands and in the U.S., and student teaching
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: meeting unforgettable people (students and teachers alike)
Plans after graduation: Get a teaching job (preferably out West).
Melissa Perla: Biomedical Sciences
Senior Project: Rehabilitation and the Struggles of Holocaust Survivors after the War
Summary: For my senior project I chose to expand on a topic that I explored during my
junior seminar. The body of the paper was composed during that class. In the body of the
paper I discuss the entire rehabilitation process for Holocaust survivors; from the initial
medical problems they had to resolve to the far-reaching psychological issues. For my
senior project specifically, I compiled three case studies of Holocaust survivors to add as
an appendix to this paper. Each person represents a very different perspective of life
after the Holocaust. I used these case studies as small examples within the paper in
addition to including a full case study of each story in the appendix at the end of the paper.
Research and presentations: Presenter at the Grand Rapids Honors Conference Winter 2010
Leaderships Activities: Treasurer of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club
Activities/Awards: Dean’s list, teaching assistant for anatomy and physiology labs, rock climbing club
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: My greatest accomplish would probably be getting invited to
present at the Grand Rapids Honors Conference when I was a freshman.
Plans after graduation: Hopefully attending physical therapy school in the fall
Stephanie Petersen: Mathematics
Senior Project: An Exploration of the Maasai People
Summary: During the month of May 2011, we traveled to Arusha, Tanzania on a
faculty-led Study Abroad program. While there, we spent one weekend in Monduli, a
Maasai village. We experienced the Maasai culture and way of life firsthand. We
camped at the base of Mount Terosero with a Maasai family, ate traditional Maasai
food for the entire weekend, and hiked through the village with a Maasai guide. Our
Maasai guide shared with us his knowledge about the plants and livestock while on
our hike. Later that weekend, we listened to stories and legends about who the Maasai people are and where they
come from. Also, we went to the Maasai market multiple times where we interacted and bartered to buy handmade
Maasai products. Through these experiences, we became interested in the Maasai people and we began conducting
interviews and holding conversations with Maasai people who we saw on a daily basis which we then used to
compose a comprehensive research paper.
Research and presentations: For my Mathematics Capstone Project, I was able to compare and contrast the
American Educational system with that of the Tanzanian Educational system through primary experience teaching
in both locations as well as secondary research. I had the honor of presenting my Capstone along with my Honor’s
Senior Project to the Grand Valley Department Heads
Leaderships Activities: Student Scholars Day 2012
Activities/Awards: Dean’s List every semester, Mathematics Scholarship—Grand Valley State University, Pi Mu
Epsilon—Grand Valley State University, GVSU Dance Troupe—2009 through 2012
Study Abroad experience: Tanzania, Summer 2011
Internship/Practicum experience: Teacher Assisting—West Ottawa High School, Student Teaching—Spring
Lake Middle School
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: My greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley was my
Study Abroad experience. I entered Grand Valley as a timid individual, comfortable with my steady routine. Being
pushed by my advisor and friends to travel to Tanzania had a great impact on my life. Teaching in a foreign country
has augmented my passion for equity in the classroom. It has also forever shaped my personality, making me a
well-rounded, worldly individual.
Plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to seek employment in Mathematics Education. Once I have
completed a few years of field experience, I will return for my Master’s Degree as well as my PhD in Mathematics
Education.
Hanna Poole: Nursing
Senior Project: Diseases of Poverty in America Over the Last Century: Implications for Pediatric
Nurses
Summary: My essay examines current evidence that American children who grow up in poverty
are at greater risk for developing several long-term poor health outcomes. From the end of
World War I onward, historical perspectives on this phenomenon are discussed, in detail. The
project includes a theoretical case study component, in which I demonstrate appropriate nursing
interventions and resource utilization for an adolescent suffering from Reactive Airway Disease
and Conduct Disorder. I expand on this theme by reflecting on the government and nursing roles
in protecting the welfare of vulnerable children. My goals in writing this are two-fold: I intend to
spark discussion about ways to move our society away from the current milieu of health
disparities, and I aim to reestablish the need for widespread, evidence-based interventions
targeted at children in poverty.
Research and presentations: Eroica and 1812 Overture in the Context of Romantic Europe,
Colonial Attitudes and Haiti, Public Health Nursing Considerations for American Adults with
Comorbid Nicotine Addiction and Depression, Life in the Desert: Research on the Development and Response to
Food Shortages in Urban Areas, Evolving Perspectives Ethical Decision-Making Model and Adolescent
Development
Leaderships Activities: Student Nurses’ Association Delegate and Nursing in the News Committee Member,
Volunteer for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, Making Smiles for Hope, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Relay for Life, local
flu shot clinics, Renucci Hospitality House, Oasis of Hope Center, and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Activities/Awards: Ballroom Dancing Club (Personal Relations Chair and Regional Competitor), Swing Dancing
Club, Capoeira Mandinga/Brazilian Martial Arts
Internship/Practicum experience: Helen Devos Children’s Hospital, Spectrum Health Butterworth Neuro/Spine,
Labor and Delivery, and Mother/Baby floors, Grand Valley Family Health Clinic, Spectrum Health Blodgett
Digestive Disease/Colorectal Surgery floor, and The Other Way Ministries
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: I will always fondly remember my immersion in various
communities at Grand Valley. I was fortunate enough to find peers and mentors within the Honors College and
Kirkhof College of Nursing who inspired me and helped me grow as a person.
Plans after graduation: I would like to direct my nursing career towards pediatric acute care; I am fascinated
with the wide range of developmental stages encountered in this setting, and I find great satisfaction in helping
children and adolescents reach their physical and psychosocial potentials.
Katie Redes: International Business and Marketing
Senior Project: Action Water Sports Brand Extension
Summary: Marketing plan for a water sports retail location in Cadillac, MI.
Leaderships Activities: President of the GVSU water ski team
Activities/Awards: Club sports female athlete of the year 2011-2012, water ski team,
LINK, students for a peaceful Africa
Study Abroad experience: Winter Semester 2011 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Internship/Practicum experience: Financial Planning and Analysis internship at
Stryker Corporation
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: My study abroad experience
Plans after graduation: Exploring options and hoping for adventure
Stephanie Rupinski: Accounting & Finance
Senior Project: The Financial Crisis of 2008: The Key Events & Players
Summary: I looked at what led to the failure and bailout of several of the investment banks
on Wall Street, and who the key players were that played roles in the financial crisis. I
concentrated on the chain of events that began with lax requirements for mortgages, bundling
mortgage backed securities, taking on too much risk, and not being able value these complex
assets on their balance sheets- which eventually led to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, as
well as the merger of several investment banks now leaving them with the title of being “too
big to fail.” I also examined the decision to bail out the banks and the controversies with that
decision, as well as developing a supplemental PowerPoint that gives an easy-to-understand presentation of the
chain of events that resulted in this crisis we are still feeling the effects of today.
Leaderships Activities: Represented Grand Valley at the Deloitte Diverse Leaders Program (Detroit, MI), the Ernst
& Young Emerging Leaders Program (Grand Rapids, MI), and the BDO Pathway to Success program (Chicago, IL)
Activities/Awards: Member of Phi Mu sorority; served as Treasurer of Phi Mu- Rho Eta’s Executive Board, as well
as serving on the Discipline, Housing, Social and Finance committees; Member of Beta Alpha Psi (professional
Accounting fraternity); Member of Beta Gamma Sigma (professional Business fraternity); Received School of
Accounting Alumni Scholarship
Internship/Practicum experience: Worked as the Student Assistant for the School of Accounting at Grand Valley
since Winter 2010; Worked as a Summer Assurance Intern at Plante Moran in Auburn Hills (Summer 2012)
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Being elected Treasurer of Phi Mu and being able to work with
the rest of the Executive Board and our members to have a successful and fun school year. Also being able to work
for the School of Accounting and to represent Grand Valley at some wonderful accounting leadership programs
where I was able to meet everyone from the CEO of a Big Four public accounting firm to other accounting students
from around the country.
Plans after graduation: I will be completing a second internship with Plante Moran in Auburn Hills this upcoming
busy tax season from January-April. I then plan to go to graduate school to obtain my Master’s in Accounting and
150 credits in order to sit for the CPA exam. I will then start full time as an Assurance staff at Plante Moran in
Auburn Hills in August 2014.
Jeannie Schott: Criminal Justice
Senior Project: The World’s Great Flaw; Glitches in Humanity, The Story of Thomas
Summary: It is a fictional short story about a young man who is an unfortunate victim of
homophobic hate violence. The piece chronicles his life, beginning at the point of assault and
works its way back to his early years. The project ends tying in the realities of hate violence
with official statistics and accounts from victims.
Leaderships Activities: Helped to found S.A.F.E. (Students Advocating Freedom & Equality),
a student organization at GVSU.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Completing my degree a semester early
after having changed my major twice and working nearly full time.
Plans after graduation: I plan to obtain a career within the government, hopefully with the Department of
Homeland Security to start.
Rebecca Schymanski; Mathematics, with a minor in German
Senior Project: A Career in Epidemiology
Summary: For my senior thesis, I interned for an Epidemiologist at the Ottawa County
Health Department. While there, I gained an insight into the field, as well as completed a
project for the Health Department. I tested electronic methods of data collection that
can be used during an outbreak. I also developed my own outbreak and data set to use
to test my data collection methods. I then analyzed each test to determine what methods
I felt worked best in order to give the Health Department insight into the pros and cons
of each method of data collection and what methods might prove most useful to them in
future outbreaks.
Research and presentations: The Effects of China’s One-Child Policy
Leaderships Activities: Dance Troupe Choreographer, ODK, Dance Troupe Treasurer’s Committee
Activities/Awards: Dance Troupe, Dean’s List, German Honor Society, Math Honor Society, ODK
Study Abroad experience: Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany, Summer 2012
Internship/Practicum experience: Ottawa County Health Department, Fall 2012, Shadowed in the Spectrum
Health Cytogenetic Laboratory, Fall 2012
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: My greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley was
making the Dean’s List every semester.
Plans after graduation: After graduation I plan to continue to investigate my career opportunities. I hope to
eventually attend Graduate School to obtain a Master’s Degree and a PhD, and to continue on in a career that allows
me to combine my love of math and genetics.
Olvi Tole: Information Systems (Emphasis Application Development) and
Finance
Senior Project: An empirical investigation of the factors affecting Web 2.0
adoption
Summary: This project is a research paper that examined the motivations that
led users to adopt Web 2.0. The data used comes from student perceptions of
Web 2.0 expressed in an E-commerce class. A total of 1483 responses were
collected and analyzed in SAS. In conclusion, four were the factors that influence
user adoption of Web 2.0: its ability to provide ‘Business improvement’ and ‘Workplace collaboration’, the
Innovation they offer as well as their ability to be used in personal life.
Research and presentations: Poster Presentation: MIE 24th International Conference of the European Federation
for Medical Informatics “Translational Meta-Analysis Tool for Temporal Gene Expression Profiles”. Guenter Tusch,
Olvi Tole. Pisa Palazzo dei Congressi. Pisa, IT. August 29th, 2012. Poster Presentation: Great Lakes Bioinformatics
Conference (GLBIO) “A Web Interface to Search for Similar Temporal Gene Expression Profiles”. Olvi Tole.
University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI. April 9th, 2012. Software Demo Presentation: MIE 23rd International
Conference of the European Federation for Medical Informatics “Translational Meta-Analysis Tool for Temporal
Gene Expression Profiles”. Guenter Tusch, Olvi Tole. Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel. Oslo, NO. August 29th, 2011.
Poster Presentation: Great Lakes Bioinformatics Conference (GLBIO) “Towards Searching for Temporal Patterns in
Gene Expression Profiles”. Olvi Tole. Ohio University. Athene, OH. May 3rd, 2011. Poster Presentation: Student
Scholars Day (SSD) 2011 “Searching for Temporal Patterns in Gene Expression Profiles”. Olvi Tole, Guenter Tusch.
Grand Valley State University. Allendale, MI. April 13th, 2011
Leaderships Activities: Albanian America Student Organization: Treasurer 2010 – 2011, Chess Club: Officer
2009 – 2011
Activities/Awards: Academic Conference Fund 2011, 2012; School of CIS - IS Scholarship 2010; GVSU
International Merit Award 2008 – Present; Outstanding International Student Scholarship 2009.
Study Abroad experience: International student from Albania in the United States
Internship/Practicum experience: Amway – Enterprise Application Developer 2010 – Present; Grand Valley
State University – Tutor 2008 -2010; Design Dreams Studio – Web Developer Summer 08 & 09; Bethany Christian
Services (Albania) - IT Summer 07.
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Firstly are the publications where I participated at, thanks to
Dr. Parag Kosalge, Dr. Guenter Tusch and Prof. Maris Stella Swift. Second would be the great level of education
achieved at Grand Valley State University by pursuing a double degree in Science and Business Administration.
Third would be the publication of a fully functional application into Google Play.
Plans after graduation: After graduation I am going to start working right away as a Software Engineer at Amway.
At the same time I am going to pursue a full time Master degree in Information Systems. After gaining some
valuable experience at work I am planning to pursue an MBA in one of the top schools in the country which I hope
will help me participate in the leadership of Global IT projects. In addition to my career goals that I plan to
accomplish, after graduation, I also want that to constantly contribute with any way I can to the developing
countries.
Kyle Wassink: Computer Science
Senior Project: Correlations between Radical Islam and Right-wing extremist attack
methodologies.
Summary: A research paper comparing the attack characteristics of Radical Islamic
terrorists and Right-wing extremists. Should substantial correlations in how these two
entities plan and execute terrorist attacks be found, it could aid in effectively identifying
and preventing Right-wing extremist attacks.
Leaderships Activities: Youth Leader at a local church for 2 years.
Internship/Practicum experience: Web Developer Intern at Meijer Corporate
Headquarters (May 2012 – Current).
Greatest accomplishment while at Grand Valley: Graduating a semester early and having a full time position
secured prior to graduation.
Plans after graduation: I will be working at Blue Medora as a Software Developer beginning this December. I plan
on staying in the West Michigan area and hope to start my own business someday.
Olivia White: Chemistry
Senior Project: Synthesis of a TAAR Regulator
Summary: Certain small molecules produced by the thyroid gland have a
balancing effect on the functioning of many normal body systems. Their imbalance
can produce hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, the latter of which has proven
particularly difficult to treat. Studies have suggested that a small molecule with
structures similar to one studied in the Hart lab could provide a balancing
mechanism to treat this disease. This senior project aimed at the organic synthesis
and purification of a derivative of this molecule. This research was formally presented to both the Grand Valley
Chemistry Department staff and students and at the San Diego ACS National Conference.
Research and presentations: NSF-REU funded summer of research at the University of Toledo working on
synthesizing and incorporating a specially altered DNA base-pair into a DNA sequence, where it was then
characterized and the alterations to the structure of the DNA sequence were analyzed. This research was
presented to the REU staff and students at the University of Toledo.
Leaderships Activities: Small group leader in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for several years. Mentor for
incoming Honors students.
Activities/Awards: General chemistry facilitator for the GVSU Structured Learning Assistance program. Ballroom
and social dance.
Internship/Practicum experience: Research with Dr. Hart. REU research at the University of Toledo. Student
teaching at Union High School.
Plans after graduation: I will be teaching chemistry and physics at a small high school briefly after graduation,
and then going on to graduate school to continue chemistry studies.
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