Dan Uden and Johnica Morrow, doctoral students, and Ashley Alred, graduate student, have been selected to receive the School of Natural Resources Meritorious Graduate Student Award.
The award usually is given to one master’s and one doctoral student annually; this year, the committee chose to recognize two doctoral students.
“Receiving this award is a wonderful honor,” said Uden, doctoral student with the Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. “I'm truly grateful to my advisor, Craig Allen, fellow students, and numerous others from the SNR community who have invested in my development as a student over the past several years, and I'm excited to continue building on these and additional connections in the future.”
Winner Johnica Morrow felt the same.
"To me, this award is more than just a simple recognition of my accomplishments as a graduate student,” the applied ecology doctoral student said. “This is an indication that I am qualified for an academic position and that I have the support of countless others who believe that I have what it takes to be successful in a difficult and highly competitive job market. This sense of being surrounded by support has become characteristic of my time here in SNR and will be what I miss most after I graduate. I hope that I find a similar sense of community in whichever institution I call home in the future."
Criteria for the award includes outstanding performance as a graduate student, research and professional contributions. The award is presented by the SNR Graduate Committee.
"Not meaning to sound cheesy, but receiving the Meritorious Graduate Student Award felt like a big hug from SNR and those who nominated me,” said winner Ashley Alred, science education research graduate student. “Since I arrived in Lincoln two years ago, the people here have always been so friendly, supportive and open to new ideas. This positive environment motivates my role as a science literacy researcher and educator, and makes it natural to want to give back to the SNR community. I am very thankful for all I have learned in my experience here and am appreciative to be recognized in such a nice way."
Uden, Morrow and Alred will each receive a $500 stipend and their names will be included on a plaque that hangs in Hardin Hall.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/90u0