On Monday April 27 through Monday May 4 each and every recipient of a University of Minnesota Crookston student award was featured on all social media platforms. On the very last day, the Outstanding Student Achievement Award recipients were announced. The four recipients were Emma Bliss, senior from Nevis, Minn. majoring in animal science, Eleora DeMuth, junior from Grand Rapids, Minn. majoring in agricultural education and communication, Trevor Long fall graduate from Brooklyn Park, Minn. majored in Biology and Health Sciences, and Michaela Lano, senior from Chaska, Minn. majoring in Biology and Health Sciences.
The outstanding student achievement award is the University of Minnesota Crookston’s most prestigious student award. Given out each year, since the early 1970’s, students are nominated by faculty and staff for their hard work and commitment to the University and the city of Crookston. This award is in recognition for honors, leadership, campus involvement, and community service.
Each student was asked to think about how they have grown in their leadership roles in the campus community as well as the Crookston Community.
Senior Bliss believes UMN Crookston does a wonderful job of helping its students find their place and get to know more about themselves. “Thinking back to the scared, little freshman that I was that was able to transform into a confident senior heading off to vet school in the fall, I would say UMN Crookston played a huge role in my success. Personally, I have made so many meaningful connections and learned useful skills that I can transfer to my future career. I have been able to take on responsibility through leadership positions in various clubs and helped underclassmen on their journey. Crookston has that small community feel throughout the school as well as the town, so I always felt very much at home and safe living in the land of the sugar beets! I wouldn't have wanted to spend my undergraduate career anywhere else!” stated Bliss.
For DeMuth, the University of Minnesota Crookston has been a launchpad for her and her growth. “It has provided the best people who have invested in me, the resources to guarantee success, and the opportunities to create my future. I believe that any success comes from two components - the goals you strive for no matter the difficulty, but more importantly, the community who supports you in the process. I cannot be more thankful for the joyful moments UMN Crookston has given me, and the individuals who knew I could do it even before I did” explained DeMuth.
Long felt as though Crookston gave him an opportunity to develop in ways that you could not find anywhere else. As Long further mentioned, “having the ability to do as much as I did on campus was truly a defining part of my time as a student. Crookston gave me the chance to develop into the best version of myself by allowing me to participate, and giving me the resources necessary to excel, in academics, athletics, and in the community. In terms of my future, I will use the skills that I have developed to pursue a PhD (in biology) at the University of North Dakota in the fall of 2020. I have no doubts that Crookston went above and beyond in helping me achieve my goals.”
While attending UMN Crookston Lano, experienced a vast amount of personal and professional growth. “When I first entered college, I was very unsure of my future. I struggled quite a bit in my first few semesters. However, UMC's size allows for really close relationships with faculty, and I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in research by a professor. Working on research with UMC faculty members reaffirmed my decision to enter the sciences, and improved my work ethic and confidence. I was even able to present my research at a national conference. Since then, I've been able to experience many different roles on campus. I've been a Teaching Assistant, Peer Tutor, STEM Club President, Peer Health Educator, Lead Writing Consultant, Highland Elementary STEM Club Instructor, and an Undergraduate Research Assistant. Each role has been a great opportunity to learn new skills, and to make new relationships. I am extremely thankful for the experiences I've had at UMC, and for the people that I've met along the way as well” stated Lano.
Many UMN Crookston students were recognized during awards week. The full list by awards categories is below:
About UMN Crookston
One of five campuses in the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota Crookston cultivates curiosity by engaging students in hands-on learning connecting theory to practice. As the experienced leader in delivering education online, the Crookston campus offers a distinctive learning environment providing personal attention and mentorship to develop leaders, lifelong learners, and engaged citizens. Visit Crookston at umcrookston.edu
About UMN
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota. Learn more at system.umn.edu
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