2015 NSFA Undergraduate Student Awards
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Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize
This year’s Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize is awarded to Stephanie Wood, a biology major from New Jersey. A member of the Honors College, Stephanie has managed a busy schedule, balancing classes, laboratory research, and her position on UMaine’s softball team while navigating personal illness and family tragedy. According to one of her professors when Stephanie sees a mountain of difficulties, she rolls up her sleeves and pushes forward. After graduation, Stephanie plans to attend medical school to obtain an MD/PhD. By overcoming adversity while achieving academic success, Stephanie Wood embodies the type of student whom Wallace and Janet Dunham wish to assist and encourage with their award.
Outstanding International Student Award
This year’s recipient of the college’s Outstanding International Student Award is Riju Shrestha, a biochemistry major from Nepal. In addition to maintaining an outstanding GPA, Riju has worked as a research assistant in her department, a lab assistant in the Chemistry Department, and as a residential assistant for the past two years. Riju is also active in many campus organizations, including the International Student Association and the South Asian Association of Maine. Riju is a self-confident and interesting young woman and very deserving of the college’s Outstanding International Student Award.
The Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize—2015
The winner of this year’s Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize is Gwendolyn Beacham from Farmington, Maine, majoring in biochemistry. A well-rounded student, Gwen has maintained a 4.0 GPA, worked as a laboratory aide and teaching assistant, and been active in many campus clubs and societies. She has won numerous awards and honors including the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship and the Senator George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship for studying abroad in Ireland. Gwen is UMaine’s valedictorian this year and has recently been awarded a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation. This fall, Gwen will enter the Ph.D. track at Cornell University in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. The college is pleased to recognize these remarkable achievements by awarding Gwen the Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize.