Area ROTC student honored

Spencer Jensen, a environmental science major from Lake Mills, was among the Iowa State University cadets who received an individual award at the annual Army ROTC Military Ball on March 25 at the Scheman Building at Iowa State, according to a press release.

Jensen received the AUSA Army Military History award.

Lake Mills student participates in service trip

Amelia Evenson, a junior chemistry education major from Lake Mills, and nine other Buena Vista University participants took part in an alternative week of off-site learning trip during spring break, enabling them to volunteer their time and service with a focus on treating injured animals in Hubert, North Carolina, according to a press release.

The BVU participants volunteered at Possumwood Acres, a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary that specializes in the rehabilitation, care and treatment of injured animals. The BVU participants’ first stop was Lynnwood Park Zoo in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where they helped sand zoo paths, feed monkeys and educate visitors about the animals.

Next, the group headed to Possumwood Acres, where it fed and tended to sick or injured animals, helped with projects around the facility and learned the daily routines of the sanctuary. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to learn about and experience the culture of the area by taking a boat to Shackleford Banks, which is a barrier island located off the coast of North Carolina and is known for its wild horse population.

Advisors for the trip included Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant dean for student life and director of civic engagement; and Jamie Schoenherr, instructor of exercise science at BVU.

AWOL has sent more than 729 volunteers and completed an estimated 33,756 hours of service worldwide, furthering its mission to immerse students in different cultures, heighten social awareness and advocate lifelong social action through service on a local, regional and international level.

To ensure the AWOL program’s long-term impact on the student and the Storm Lake community, students research their service areas, identify a local need, serve to understand it better and address it using new skills learned on their AWOL trips and engaging in local service projects.

Four AWOL trips took place this year, with 40 BVU students, faculty and staff participating. The other trips focused on sustainable social and economic development in Los Fierros, Nicaragua; tackling poverty and serving youth in Eagle Butte, South Dakota; and social, economic, environmental and racial justice issues in New Orleans.

Alden student recognized

Jessica Lynn Price of Alden was among more than 1,900 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students honored during individual college celebrations and the All-University Honors Convocation April 23 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, according to a press release.

Price, a junior in the College of Education and Human Sciences, was recognized as a high scholar. High scholars are students other than chancellor’s scholars and superior scholars who are in the top 10 percent of their class.

Clarks Grove student earns award

Taylor Jensen of Clarks Grove was one of 23 Wartburg College students to earn an Iowa Broadcast News Association Award during the association’s annual convention April 22 in Johnston, Iowa, according to a press release.

“Where Patriots Gather,” a documentary by Horizon Studios — composed of Jensen, Kaitlyn Behnken, Molly Schmitt, Karina Devine, Jonathan McClendon, Meghan Parman and Derica Jakoubek — earned second place in the In-Depth/Series category.

Area students participate
in scholars day

Buena Vista University’s 13th annual Scholars Day took place April 29, according to a press release. The event provided students from all disciplines an opportunity to present their best original research, academic posters, artistic creations and performances to their peers, professors and the public.

This year’s Scholars Day event featured 63 presentations from 120 students, exploring topics from literature and business to science and history.

Area Scholars Day participants included Amelia Evenson, a junior chemistry education major from Lake Mills, whose project was entitled “Leaving a Lasting Legacy;” and Tanner Jensen, a junior English major from Lake Mills, whose project was entitled “Leaving a Lasting Legacy.”

A.L. student receives scholarship

Bethany Lutheran College has announced that Anna Boettcher has been awarded the presidential scholarship for the 2017-18 school year, according to a press release. Boettcher is a senior at Albert Lea High School. The scholarship, valued at $48,000 over four years, is based on high school grade point average and national standardized test scores.

Local student graduates

Lani Elizabeth Ann Hanson of Albert Lea was among more than 3,000 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 5 and May 6, according to a press release.

Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree of journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Helen Raikes, Willa Cather Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies at Nebraska, delivered the address at the graduate and professional degrees ceremony May 5. Ev Williams, co-founder and former CEO of Twitter and founder and CEO of Medium, gave the address at the undergraduate commencement May 6. Preeta Bansal, president of Social Emergence Corp. and lecturer in the MIT Media Lab, addressed the law graduates May 6.

The graduates are from 52 countries, 42 states and over 250 Nebraska communities.