Ten exceptional Augustana University students were recognized last month as they earned scholarships offered by the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC). The SDSGC is committed to excellence in student and faculty research and to promoting STEM education and expanding projects across the state of South Dakota. Instilling a spirit of exploration and discovery, SDSGC expands opportunities for all South Dakotans through education, research and public service in the fields of aerospace, earth science and supporting STEM disciplines.
Sixty South Dakota students applied, with Augustana taking an impressive ten scholarships. The winning students and their areas of study are as follows:
Scholarship Winners, $2,500:
- Marie Anderson ‘20, Worthington, Minnesota — ACS Biochemistry
- Shannon Dancler ’20, Tea, South Dakota — Physics
- Riley Johnson ’20, Champlin, Minnesota — Math and Data Science
- Cody Kujawa ’20, Waukesha, Wisconsin — Chemistry
- Caitlyn Larson ‘20, Rapid City, South Dakota — Chemistry & Secondary Education
- Peter Sanchez '20, Fort Pierre, South Dakota — Biochemistry
- Charles Schwartz ’20, Mankato, Minnesota — Physics
- Trey Waldrop ’20, Sioux Falls — Physics
Research Grants, $3,000:
- Grace Feterl ’20, Plymouth, Minnesota — Math & Secondary Education
- Nicole Kratz ‘20, Sioux City, Iowa — Math & Secondary Education
Feterl and Kratz submitted a joint research project entitled, "Inspiring Youth in STEM Through Math Modeling." Each student was awarded a $3,000 grant.
Dr. Drew Alton, Augustana associate professor of physics and member of the Space Grant management team, stated, “We’re extremely proud of the determination and drive demonstrated by these students. These are very well-deserved awards. They recognize the importance of the SDSGC in providing young people with opportunities that prepare them to think critically and creatively so they can become future educators, researchers and leaders that solve the most pressing local and global challenges. Holistic, multi-dimensional learning approaches like STEM are essential to the development of the nation’s workforce and can help prepare the next generation of innovators.”
Progress of all students who receive significant fellowship or scholarship assistance from SDSGC will be tracked over time, through first employment or beginning of advanced degrees.