Outstanding juniors selected at UW-Whitewater
Released: May 25, 2004
What do Stephanie Horst of Rubicon, Rebecca Kamps of Crivitz, Jason Lange of Sun Prairie and Laurel Meuth of Blanchardville have in common? All four are recipients of the 2004 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Outstanding Junior award.
Each of the four collegesúúArts and Communication, Business and Economics, Education and Letters and Sciencesúúselect an outstanding junior based on criteria set by the college. The award winners are announced at the UW-Whitewater Founders Day ceremony and each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Stephanie Horst has a double major in accounting and computer end-use technology with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Horst finds time to be actively involved in campus and community service as a member of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Phi Eta Sigma, playing intramural volleyball and she will graduate as part of the University Honors program. Horst’s community involvement includes the March of Dimes WalkAmerica in Janesville, Haunted House in Hartford, PBL Adopt-A-Quad in UW-Whitewater and the Andersen Library Book Sale. Horst has worked at multiple jobs while a student including the registrar’s office, the First National Bank of Hartford and Hartford Theatres.
“Stephanie Horst is a diligent and devoted student in the computer end-user technology program in the College of Business and Economics,” said Roger Yin, assistant professor of business education in the College of Business and Economics. “She continuously demonstrates her ability to learn by doing and collaborate with peers in various projects and assignments as both the leader and a team player. I highly recommend Stephanie for the award.”
Rebecca Kamps is a business education major who has “wanted to become a teacher” since she can remember. Kamps, who comes from a family of five children, has had to work to support herself in school. Regardless, Kamps received a 4.0 semester GPA in Fall 2003 and was inducted in the Psi chapter of Pi Omega Pi honor society. Kamps believes it takes passion to become a successful teacher and that without passion “you are just filling the student with knowledge but not making a connection to the world.”
“Rebecca is a hard-working student with a vision of a future that will enhance not only her life, but her community as well,” said Nomsa Gwalla-Ogisi, professor of special education in the College of Education. “She has set high goals and kept her focus.”
Jason Lange, an honors cell biology and physiology major with a cumulative GPA of 4.0, is by no means one-dimensional. Besides his academic excellence, Lange has received two varsity athletic letters in tennis and is a WIAC scholar athlete. But most important to Lange is his pursuit of medicine as a career. He has assisted at UW-Madison’s transplant and oncology units and his summer 2004 plans include being a camp counselor for critically ill children suffering from kidney disease.
“I have known Jason for nearly two years and have come to realize that his deep determination to become a physician is matched equally by his great abilities and his clear suitability,” said Pete Mesner, assistant professor of biology for the College of Letters and Sciences. “Academically Jason is simply outstanding. Based on his exemplary academic efforts, solid work ethic and clear commitment to humanity, I am confident that Jason will achieve great things in his life.”
Laurel Meuth is an instrumental music education major with a 3.84 cumulative GPA. She plans on graduating in December 2004 and teaching instrumental music. Meuth has had considerable community involvement at the local and state level through her membership in UW-Whitewater’s Collegiate Music Educators National Conference. Besides her academic pursuits, Meuth has worked as a free-lance musician, a private tutor and a volunteer at the Warhawk summer band camps.
“Laurel Meuth is an outstanding musician, scholar and participant in the university community,” said Richard Haven, associate dean of the College of Arts and Communication. “She not only carries a 3.8 GPA but is a superb performer on the oboe in groups like the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra.”
The first outstanding junior award was given in 1968 at the first Founders Day celebration, which was held in honor of the 100th anniversary of the institution. The 1968 recipients received $250. Today, funds for the scholarships are largely a result of the successful alumni and friends travel program.
- Cindy Vergenz,vergenzc@uww.edu
