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Montana State University

15/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 15/08/2024 14:53

Montana State students awarded Cameron Presidential Scholarships

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Nine MSU students were awarded Cameron Presidential Scholarships for scholastic achievement, leadership and public service. MSU file photo.

BOZEMAN - Nine high-achieving Montana State University students have received Cameron Presidential Scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year.

The awards extend the MSU Presidential Scholarship program to current students in the Honors College. Recipients were selected for scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership and exemplary public service, according to Durward Sobek, interim dean of the college.

"We are incredibly proud of these remarkable students who have earned this prestigious scholarship through their exceptional academic performance, leadership and commitment to public service," Sobek said. "Their achievements are a true reflection of the values we uphold as an institution, and we eagerly anticipate the significant contributions they will continue to make at MSU and beyond. We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous donors who have made this opportunity possible."

Cameron scholars receive financial support during their undergraduate careers at MSU if they maintain a superior academic standing.

Nancy Cameron, along with her brother, David Cameron, and his wife, Tanya, made the scholarships possible by establishing a $4 million endowment in 2017. The Cameron family homesteaded north of Great Falls more than 125 years ago and owned and operated the Dana Ranch in Cascade for more than 75 years. Nancy Cameron, who now lives in Boise, Idaho, is a graduate of the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. David Cameron is a retired MSU biology faculty member and department head. Tanya Cameron is also an alumna of MSU, with a degree in business management.

The 2024 Cameron Presidential Scholarship recipients are:

Cody Berry of Whitefish is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering with a pre-dental focus. He plans on attending dental school and specializing in oral surgery. He helps direct the action sports branch of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Bozeman, serves as president of the MSU Pre-Dental Club and volunteers with the Eagle Mount Snow Sports program. Berry enjoys spending time outdoors and can be found carving the slopes of Bridger Bowl, ripping enduro mountain bike laps or chasing trout throughout the many rivers of southwest Montana.

Robert Brown of Billings is a sophomore majoring in economics and minoring in Hispanic Studies. He is an Honors College ambassador, treasurer of the Alpine Ski Club and a member of the ASMSU Finance Board. This fall, Brown will be an ex-officio board member of the Bozeman Film Society through the Leadership Institute's Boardroom Bobcats program. He also leads trips for the campus Outdoor Recreation Program and is performing conducting research for the an Initiative for Regulation and Applied Economic Analysis in project with MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics.

Brandon Cabaniss is a third-year student pursuing a degree in cell biology and neuroscience with a minor in psychology on the pre-med track. He graduated from La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cabaniss is president of Cancer Support Community-University, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, a Health Professions Advising peer adviser and an anatomy lab assistant. He also serves as an Eagle Mount adaptive ski instructor.

Anna Erickson is a junior from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, pursuing a dual major in cell biology and neuroscience and psychology. She serves as secretary for oSTEM at MSU and as an executive member of the Painting and Drawing Guild. Additionally, she works as an ambassador at the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons. Erickson is also a student researcher for the RAISE: Rural Autism Individuals - Supporting Expression study and the Undergraduate Scholars Program, through which she investigated theory of mind in neurodiverse children. Anna aspires to pursue a doctorate in behavioral neuroscience and a career dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for neurodiverse children and their caregivers.

Carly McGown, a senior from Mound, Minnesota, is pursuing a degree in English literature. In high school, she was a captain for the Nordic skiing and math league teams and was recognized with eight varsity letters and as an AP Scholar. She has worked as a tutor in both MSU's Writing Center and the Math and Stat Center for two years. McGown has presented research for the Writing Center at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing, where she will present again this fall. She has also presented original research at various literature conferences.

Annabella Mullen is a sophomore from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, pursuing dual degrees in cell biology and neuroscience and psychology. She was a member of her high school's Technology Student Association, through which she won state and national awards in music production and comic book design. She served as a National Honor Society chapter officer, volunteered at her local library and was a competitive rock climber. She is a founding member and secretary of MSU's Active Minds, a mental health advocacy group.

Cedar Stellon O'Donnell is a sophomore from Fairbanks, Alaska, majoring in biochemistry and minoring in genetics. She worked as a research assistant with the Guardians of the Living Water STEM Summer Camp project. She also served on Hall Council as the social and sustainability chair, focusing on events and outreach for Hannon/Quads residence halls and taking a role in winning Hall and Hall Council of the Year 2024. She received the Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship and won the 2023 National Cancer Pathways Essay Contest. She plans to attend medical school, maintain an interest in rural public health and continue to advocate for local causes.

Naomi Ohman is a senior from Long Lake, Minnesota, studying film, journalism and public humanities through the directed interdisciplinary studies degree. She has written for Outside Bozeman magazine, MSU's Exponent newspaper and Bitterroot magazine. She has worked on various collaborations, including films for the U.S. Forest Service on the Sheyenne National Grassland and the Human Resource Development Council in Bozeman and has performed archival research for U.S.-El Salvador sister cities. Her volunteer pursuits include teaching English at Gallatin High School and in Mexico with Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation, conducting marine survey research in Montenegro and serving as an ex-officio board member with Bienvenidos through the Boardroom Bobcats program.

Sophia Stemler, from Littleton, Colorado, is entering her sophomore year studying biomedical engineering on a pre-medical track, with plans of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. She is engaged in undergraduate research in the Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratory, volunteers at Windhorse Equine Learning and is part of the Women in Engineering and Pre-Health clubs. Additionally, Sophia has been inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies after nominations for her academic achievement and community involvement.