Scholars and Scholarships are a bright pairing for these seniors from the Class of 2024.
These scholars have bright futures. Each admits to feeling a little overwhelmed right now, but mainly, they鈥檙e just excited about the future. They鈥檒l tell you their hopes to better their communities and to make a difference in their professions. Each will also explain how the support of donors helped them discover their passions at 海角乱伦专区and how that has made all the difference.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
Olive Schnittker, whose pronouns are they/them, was set on medical school until they fell in love with organic chemistry. Their love of research followed during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. 鈥淚f I wouldn鈥檛 have had the chance to do research, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to discover what I want to do with the rest of my life.鈥� Schnittker knows research is the focus of their future. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful for our donors, their support, and the awards that made it possible for me to do research.鈥� They are the first member in their immediate family to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and an advanced degree in the sciences.
OLIVE SCHNITTKER 鈥�24, Chemistry and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology
Schnittker has already been accepted to four graduate school programs. They are deciding between a master鈥檚 degree or doctorate degree pathway with long-term plans to join research and development industry work in medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry.
Olive Schnittker, whose pronouns are they/them, was set on medical school until they fell in love with organic chemistry. Their love of research followed during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. 鈥淚f I wouldn鈥檛 have had the chance to do research, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to discover what I want to do with the rest of my life.鈥� Schnittker knows research is the focus of their future. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful for our donors, their support, and the awards that made it possible for me to do research.鈥� They are the first member in their immediate family to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and an advanced degree in the sciences.
OLIVE SCHNITTKER 鈥�24, Chemistry and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology
Schnittker has already been accepted to four graduate school programs. They are deciding between a master鈥檚 degree or doctorate degree pathway with long-term plans to join research and development industry work in medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry.
Did you Know?
Individual endowed
scholarships = $2.6 million
海角乱伦专区works to match students with scholarships that support individual educational goals.
鈥淢y work with the New Student Transition Team ignited a spark in me to help introduce others to the potential they may not see in themselves.鈥� Angel Proehl said she鈥檒l miss the relationships she established here. 鈥淭hey saw something in me. It meant a lot to know the staff had faith in me.鈥� An advocate herself, Proehl also works to make sure more students know about Otterbein鈥檚 Opportunity Scholarship.
ANGEL PROEHL 鈥�24, Criminology and Justice Studies and Psychology
Proehl will begin work on a master鈥檚 degree in Social Work at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She plans to spend her career advocating for children in foster care and adoption services.
Lily Cowie says her 海角乱伦专区professors were spectacular. 鈥淭hey make me want to keep on learning.鈥� She plans to work in a research position while she decides which graduate psychology program to pursue. Cowie also said were it not for all the scholarship support, she likely wouldn鈥檛 be here. 鈥淭hanks to our donors, I had an incredible experience.鈥�
LILY COWIE 鈥�24, Psychology and Women鈥檚, Gender and Sexuality Studies
In addition to her studies, Cowie is a trained and certified OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) advocate and Coordinated Community Response Team member. She proudly served as the president of the Psi-Chi Honor Society and as co-president of Tri-Iota Honor Society.
鈥淭he experiences I鈥檝e had really make you think how science rotates the world in a new direction. It鈥檚 enlightening to be around people who share the same goals.鈥� Last year, Mason Nolan was inducted into the national honor society of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This year, he鈥檚 in medical school. “I want to thank donors for giving us experiences, professional opportunities, and the chance to see things we ordinarily wouldn鈥檛 be able to see.鈥�
MASON NOLAN 鈥�24, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
As part of the Early Assurance Program, Nolan will be finishing his first year of medical school at Ohio University鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine around the same time he graduates from Otterbein. His 3+4 pathway is giving him an amazing experience and an early start on medical school.
鈥淭here is nothing better than the smile of an athlete after their first game back following an injury,鈥� Conner Ruff said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very gratifying.鈥� Ruff鈥檚 proud of the work he鈥檚 done on his clinical rotations in area high schools and with Otterbein鈥檚 trainers. 鈥淚 want to thank the donors for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Without their support, I wouldn鈥檛 be here.鈥�
CONNER RUFF 鈥�24, Athletic Training
Ruff will continue his studies at 海角乱伦专区to complete his master鈥檚 degree in Athletic Training. He hopes to return to his hometown to support his school鈥檚 athletic trainer who he regards as a vital role model.
The gift that continues ..
鈥淔ourteen years ago, my family and I came to the United States as refugees from Nepal where we were living in refugee camps. All we had were some clothes and photographs. It feels unreal that I went from no hopes of finishing college to now having graduated with two majors. Today I am in my dream job. Donors don鈥檛 know how impactful they can be. Not only have they given me a life, they鈥檝e given my family a life.鈥�
BHAWANA KHATIWADA 鈥�23, Computer Science and Communication
Khatiwada graduated a year early. She is an IT programmer analyst at Denison University in her dream job. She says without Otterbein鈥檚 support she wouldn鈥檛 be where she is today.