Past scholarship recipients praise Boilermaker legacy

Natalia Alvarez

THIS YEAR I received a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in the field of fluid and energy systems from Northwestern University. The Boilermaker scholarship helped me complete my undergraduate degree, during which I discovered my interest in the field of mechanical engineering.
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Melanie Bemis-Schrader

WHEN I WAS 18 years old, with my high school graduation looming, I did not know how I was going to pay for my college education. I had always worked very hard in school and in athletics, hoping I would be able to earn scholarships to pay for my schooling, because I knew my parents would not be able to. The shipyard industry my dad worked for did not pay much, but it was the work he loved. So, he did it, though it made it tight for my parents to meet all the needs of their seven children. Luckily, my dad told me about the Boilermaker scholarship. I applied and earned a scholarship that helped pay for my freshman year of college at Boise State University, where I also received a partial athlete scholarship for the women’s track team.

The Boilermaker scholarship was key in helping me pay for room and board, the only thing my track scholarship did not cover. Because of the scholarship, I had the help I needed to live on campus and have a meal plan. I did not have to worry about prepping meals. This allowed me to really focus on my track training and schooling and to meet likeminded friends in the dorms that have become very close lifelong friends. I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology—secondary education in four years with no college debt!

Since that time, I have coached track and field at the middle school and high school levels as both an assistant coach and head coach. I have also taught high school biology, chemistry, microbiology and middle school life science, and am currently in my sixth year as the gifted and talented teacher and program facilitator. I also went on to earn my Master of Science in special education in gifted, talented and creative. This summer, I will be a special-topics presenter at Edufest, the premier gifted and talented teaching conference in the Northwest.

Besides teaching gifted students, my passion for athletics and my own two children drive my life. I work every day to inspire and support my children in pursuing their passions and working hard to achieve success.

I feel blessed, lucky and so happy to be able to be a mother, be a teacher to the wonderful students I work with at school and to have dear friends I was able to make in the dorms my freshman year of college. They have been there for me in all the hardest times of challenge that I have faced in my life. The Boilermakers union scholarship gave me the support I needed in just the right way to make the beginning stages of my college career a success, and it helped to pave the way for me to accomplish all that I have to date and will achieve into the future. Thank you so much for being there for me and my family!
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Dr. Whitney E. Black

DR. WHITNEY E. BLACK received a Boilermakers Scholarship in 2002. Her father, William Black, was a member of Boilermakers Local 27 in St. Louis, Missouri. With the assistance of the scholarship, Black attended and graduated with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine. She went on to complete additional graduate training at Columbia University in New York, and then a psychiatry residency at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Dr. Black joined OHSU faculty as an assistant professor in 2015 and continues in this role today.

Over her career, Black has been the recipient of numerous awards, including most recently the OHSU 2017 Distinguished Service Award. This award recognized her efforts to improve the quality, safety and access of health care for patients in Oregon. Black is passionate about helping others build and live their best life, no matter the obstacles. Though practically different, she sees the challenge of both her and her father’s work. Black believes that watching her father as a young child and listening to the stories he brought home from work helped her develop the values needed to be successful in life. Hard work, resilience, persistence and creativity were but a few of the values she gleaned through her father’s career as a Boilermaker. She is inspired by the quote, “It always seems impossible until it is done,” and works hard to make the world a little better each day.
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Shelley Street Byrne

THANKS IN PART to my Boilermakers scholarship, I was able to attend Murray State University. I graduated summa cum laude in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a perfect 4.0 GPA. I double majored in print journalism and English education and also received my teaching certificate.

I began an internship the summer before my last year in college with The Paducah Sun newspaper. I was asked to work weekends during my last year in school and was hired immediately as a reporter upon my graduation. I was the senior reporter at the time of my departure 12 years later, covering crime and the court system for 15 counties at the fourth largest newspaper in the state of Kentucky. I then worked within the court system for five years while my son was little before returning to journalism last year, this time as the primary reporter for The Mayfield Messenger. I also had the opportunity to serve as interim editor for the Messenger this spring.

My professional accomplishments include Kentucky Press Association awards for spot news, general news, features, headline writing and analytical or enterprise writing. I have also been honored as a Kentucky Colonel and received service awards from both the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch and The Kentucky Firefighter’s Association. Additionally, I am nationally certified as a crime victim advocate with the designation of comprehensive victim intervention specialist at the intermediate level.

On a personal level, I have been married for nearly 14 years to my husband, Paul Byrne, and we have an 8-year-old son, Drew.
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Jaclyn Clark

JACKIE COMPLETED FOUR years at Fairmont State University and received her Bachelor of Science in nursing. Her employment opportunities provided much experience in oncology, radiology and post-op surgery. She is currently a fulltime nurse in the cardiology unit at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, West Virginia. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors hiking, fishing and kayaking. She is pictured with her dad, Ron, a retired Boilermaker from Local 667.
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Michele Coleman

THANK YOU FOR the opportunity to share how the generous scholarship I received from the Boilermakers had an impact on my career and life. Currently I am an associate researcher at Spark Policy Institute located in Denver, Colorado, where I get to work daily on solving the complex societal problems plaguing the most vulnerable populations. This means I have a hand in decreasing infant mortality disparities, stopping the school-to-prison pipeline and ensuring healthcare access for all, among other things. In order to do this work, I received my dual master’s degrees in public health and public affairs and my bachelor’s degree in community and nonprofit leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am the most passionate about reducing disparities at the systems level, specifically women’s health disparities. I was a first-generation college student, and without the assistance this program provided to me to receive my bachelor’s degree, my career would not have been possible. THANK YOU!
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Amanda (Gealow) Crouch

I received my Bachelor of Science in psychology and a doctorate in physical therapy. I currently work as the central coordinator of clinical education and staff physical therapist at Rock Valley Physical Therapy. I’m also the teaching assistant of functional anatomy at St. Ambrose University.
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Jessica Goudreault

JESSICA GRADUATED FROM Smith College in May of 2015 with a dual degree in dance and sociology. During her time there she was an avid dancer, performing in multiple faculty pieces of choreography and working as artistic director for Celebrations Dance Company. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City to begin a new chapter of her life at Cardozo School of Law. While there on full scholarship as a Monrad Paulsen Scholar, she worked on research with multiple professors, competed and won the intra-school moot court competition and had her note on copyrighting postmodern dance published in the Cardozo Law Review. Jessica graduated magna cum laude from Cardozo last May and received the Samuel L. Belkin award for her significant contributions to the community at Cardozo. She is currently studying for the New York bar exam and will begin working as a New York City litigation associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in September. She is immensely grateful for the support provided by the Boilermakers. It was their financial backing that helped propel her into her current career.
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Jordan Hannah

SINCE I RECEIVED the Boilermaker scholarship, I have earned my bachelor’s degree in health sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in sports science and rehabilitation from Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri. I focus hard on my studies, while working part-time as a rehabilitation aide at numerous physical therapy clinics for the Athletico Physical Therapy company in both the metro St. Louis and southern Illinois areas. I am still fiercely passionate about sports medicine, and I shall finish my master’s degree with its concurrent internship in May of 2019. My father’s income, thanks to the Boilermakers, allows me to continue to pursue higher education to create the most efficient life for myself.
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Greta (Hall) Heathcote

MY DAD, KEVIN Hall, is a retired member of Local 128. He encouraged me to apply for the scholarship and has been a tireless supporter of my education. A few weeks ago while visiting my parents, I found the letter I received on April 29, 2002, informing me that I had won a scholarship from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. It’s hard to believe 16 years have passed since I opened that letter, and much has changed in my life. In the fall of 2002, I left home to start university at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, and have since completed my undergraduate in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and policy management, 2006, and a Master of Education in 2012 from the University of Calgary. I now live in Canmore, Alberta, with my family. I work at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, an arts and cultural post-secondary, as the manager of program coordination and have worked in education for the past 12 years. My work passion is education — supporting, inspiring and problem solving with artists and leaders is my day job. On the weekends, my family and I head into the wilderness outside our door in the Rocky Mountains to ski, skate, bike and hike.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has been a big part of my life, not only in providing me much needed support for my education but in the stories from my dad shared with me about the work, the people and the places. My dad is an excellent storyteller, and there is something so compelling about hearing stories from jobs that shaped the landscape where I grew up. Now, my dad tells those stories to my sons, and there is something incredibly touching about Grandpa telling his grandsons about working high in the sky that makes the journey so worth it.
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Korey Kellogg

I AM A recent graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. My final GPA was 3.86. I am now a production expert at Teva Pharmaceuticals in Cincinnati. I believe my career will be defined within the pharmaceutical realm, as it offers possibilities to assist those who truly need it. I am passionate about immersing myself in a creative environment and delivering solutions that have never before been conceived.
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Kim Lampereur

MY SCHOLARSHIP FROM the Boilermakers helped me complete a bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I went on to work on homelessness and affordable housing issues and later, adult education. I currently teach English and career readiness skills to immigrants so they can advocate for themselves and improve their lives here. I’m also involved in community organizing work in my neighborhood.
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Chrystel Losier

WITH THE SCHOLARSHIPS I received, including the one from the Boilermakers, I was able to obtain a Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences and afterwards obtain a master’s degree in biology. I now work as a biologist for the Fédération Québécoise des gestionnaires de secs in the province of Quebec. I am passionate about the environment, conserving and protecting our biodiversity, changing societies’ habits to reduce our impact on the planet. The scholarship was of great help to achieve my academic goals.
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Julie McNutt

I WAS A recipient of a Boilermakers scholarship in 2012. In 2017, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.

During my studies, I was able to participate in a student exchange program in which I studied in Graz, Austria, for one semester. While I was there, I travelled to eight other countries, where I learned about many cultures, improved my global competency and experienced an incredible amount of self-growth. Following this exchange, I became an ambassador for the program so that I could help other students embark on their own journey abroad.

In my final years at TRU, I completed two independent research projects that introduced to [others] the power and importance of research. Consequently, I altered my career path to incorporate research.

I am currently finishing my first year in the master of science program at the University of British Columbia. I will not be completing this degree but instead will be transferring to the Ph.D. program this fall. My research is in bioanalytical chemistry, where we use chemical instrumentation and techniques to study biochemical interactions in the human body. Following my doctoral studies, I intend on pursuing a medical degree so that I can enter a career as a clinician scientist.

While my aspirations and career goals have shifted since beginning my undergraduate degree, I have remained passionate about social and environmental sustainability as well as science literacy. I have incorporated these passions into the community service I take part in and I hope to make an impact in these areas with the remaining part of my education and in my career.

I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to apply for the Boilermakers scholarship and that I was fortunate to receive one. It aided with the costs of tuition, which helped me graduate from TRU debt free and also allowed me to have a life-changing experience abroad.
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Alicia Mehling

I GRADUATED FROM Indiana University with highest distinction and a Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in molecular genetics and cell biology. I also received minors in chemistry and psychology. I have accepted an internship at a winery in Maine, where I will work in their lab and aide in creating amazing wines. My long-term goal is to combine my passion for science and wine and become a winemaker. The scholarship from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers was helpful in attaining my education goals, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity it afforded me.
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Lucie Morais

I WAS A scholarship recipient in 2003 as a Boilermaker’s daughter. My father is Gilbert Morais, Boilermaker member of Local 73 since 1970. I received my high school diploma with honor at École Secondaire Népisiguit in 2003. I received the health science diploma from Moncton University in 2005, then, the M.D. degree from Montreal University in 2010. The Medical Council of Canada gave me a license in 2011. I received the honor certificate for family residency program from University Laval, Quebec, in 2014 and the Family Physicians certificate in 2014 from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Also, I received the license to practice from New Brunswick Surgeon and Physician College in 2014. I participated to breast cancer research and publication during the residency.

Now, I’m a family physician who’s practicing in a busy clinic and in maternity at a regional hospital. I’m passionate of my occupation, and I enjoy moments with friends and family. Thanks for the scholarship, and good luck to the scholarship committee and to the students.
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Kaleigh Marie Namiotka

KALEIGH MARIE NAMIOTKA is currently a practicing dentist in Fort Carson, Colorado. After graduating as salutatorian from Abington Heights High School (Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania) in 2009, she continued her education at Villanova University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science. While at Villanova, she was a member of Phi Betta Kappa Society and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society. Upon completion of her undergraduate education, Kaleigh became a scholarship recipient of the Health Professions Scholarship Program through the United States Army and pursued a career in dentistry. She attended Temple University, Kornberg School of Dentistry, where she graduated summa cum laude with a doctorate in dental medicine and received the Irving P. Shire DDS Memorial Award for excellence in clinical dentistry. After graduation, she commissioned as a captain into the United States Army. She is currently serving active duty and participating in the Army’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program. She is a member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. Namiotka is very passionate about her work and is committed to helping others. She is an avid runner and CrossFitter and loves spending time with friends and family.
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Teresa Peterson

I RECEIVED A Boilermaker scholarship in 1995. It allowed me to attend the school of my choice. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in systems science in engineering. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue my passion for engineering. Twenty years later, I am a licensed professional engineer and credentialed sustainability professional. I work at an engineering design firm and manage our facilities team in the Northeast. I was recently named a stockholder at my company. I love what I do every day. I help solve complex problems, from water supply to building design to transportation and system optimization. I get to be creative and help my clients find innovative, cost-effective solutions to problems. I work with designers, contractors, facilities managers and operations staff to find solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. I make meaningful contributions to improving the communities around me. I am eternally grateful to the Boilermakers for giving me the scholarship that made all this possible. Thank you!
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Andrew Pieterick

AS A MEMBER of the high school class of 2011, I was fortunate to be a recipient of a scholarship from the Boilermakers. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I pursued a degree in life sciences communication, with an emphasis in communication strategy and technologies. I graduated in the fall of 2014. Upon graduation, it took me a while to find my passion and figure out what drove me. After spending a few years doing marketing in the private sector, I decided it was time for a change. I now work as the communications manager for a nonprofit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that focuses on addressing homelessness and housing insecurity in one of our country’s most impoverished cities. Through my work with this organization, my role is to share the stories of the people we serve. As the leader of the organization’s communications and marketing strategy, I am fortunate to be a voice of the organization, working to spread awareness and break down the barriers of stereotypes and fear.

I am fortunate that every day I can see the impact of the hard work I am doing. Growing up in a Boilermaker’s family, I was raised to do great work and be proud of it. I am happy I get to bring those values with me throughout my life.
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Amanda Reedy

IN 2009, I was a recipient of the Boilermaker scholarship. When I received this scholarship, I never knew the places it would take me. When I graduated high school, I chose to complete my undergrad at Marshall University in music education. While at Marshall, I had the opportunity to perform in many traveling groups, such as the Marshall Marching Thunder and the Marshall University Fife and Drum Corps. These groups took me many places, such as New Orleans; Dover, Delaware; St. Petersburg, Florida; Colonial Yorktown and Williamstown, Virginia; and Detroit, Illinois. These trips were truly unforgettable experiences and may not have been possible without the scholarship I received from the Boilermakers.

I am currently a band and chorus director at George Washington Middle School, located it Eleanor, West Virginia. This is my dream job and only 10 minutes from where I grew up. I am now teaching at the school where I first learned to play an instrument in a concert band. I am also a wife to an amazing husband going on four years, and mother to a wonderful 16-month old boy.

I have to say I have been very fortunate to have traveled and experienced so many places, peoples and cultures and to land my dream job only four years out of college. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to be successful, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers!
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Allison Rutherford

WITH THE HELP of the Boilermaker scholarship, plus others and student loans, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in social work. After working for a community mental health agency for a few years, I returned to school and earned my master’s degree in social work. With both degrees, I graduated with honors. I continue to be employed by the same community mental health agency.
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Ryan Sprowl

RYAN SPROWL IS currently the senior graphic designer at Oberlin College in Ohio. He is responsible for designing many of the college’s print pieces, including the quarterly Oberlin Alumni Magazine, the annual magazine for the Conservatory of Music, and publications for the offices of Admissions and Development. Ryan received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual communication design from Kent State University in 2012 and joined Oberlin’s award-winning publications team in 2013. Ryan’s work has been recognized by AIGA Cleveland, CASE Circle of Excellence, the ADDY Awards, and the University & College Designers Association.
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Maria Stupnikov-Kselman

I WAS FORTUNATE and honored to have received the Boilermaker Scholarship in 2008. After graduating high school that year, I began my attendance at Stony Brook University, where I earned a bachelor of engineering degree in biomedical engineering. While at Stony Brook, I participated in several student groups, including the Women in Science and Engineering Program, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, and Engineering World Health. Stony Brook is also where I began my research career. I conducted biomedical research in the department of pathology under the mentorship of several well-accomplished scientists. I earned several research funding awards and presented results at numerous conferences.

I graduated from Stony Brook in 2012 and began graduate school that fall. I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in genetics and development at Columbia University Medical Center. Thus far I have earned two degrees while there, an M.A. and an M.Phil., both in genetics and development. My research in the Columbia Center for Human Development in lung development and disease is ongoing. I have published several journal articles, and, similar to my research at Stony Brook, I have presented results at conferences across the country and earned funding awards. I am hopeful that my findings can eventually become translational in nature to allow for improved patient outcomes.

I am confident that receiving the Boilermaker scholarship enabled me to realize these accomplishments and that it will be tremendously beneficial to future awardees. I am grateful for the opportunities it has led to and know my career would not be where it is today without it.
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Ashley Unzicker

THE BOILERMAKER SCHOLARSHIP helped me to take the first step in my career. With the help of the Boilermakers, I was able to study abroad and earn two bachelor’s degrees (chemistry and Spanish). After achieving these degrees, I was able proceed with the next step of my professional career and to go to graduate school to earn my doctor of pharmacy degree. Soon after graduation, I earned licensure as a pharmacist in the state of Tennessee, where I currently reside and practice as a retail pharmacist. Thanks to the Boilermaker scholarship, I was able to study both chemistry and Spanish, which helped me achieve my goal of becoming a pharmacist, but it has also helped me to pursue my passion, to serve others via mission trips. With the Boilermakers’ influence, I was able to achieve my goals and pursue my passion.
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Jennifer (Patterson) Wagenmaker

I RECEIVED A Boilermaker scholarship to attend college in 2001. Being a first-generation college student was stressful, but it was comforting to know that I had received a Boilermaker scholarship that would help me pay for college. I attended Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in recombinant gene technology in 2005.

My interest in science, microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis led me to Virginia Commonwealth University from 2005 through 2010. I researched the virulence mechanisms of a bacteria involved in a very common women’s health issue. While at VCU, I received the Elizabeth Fries Young Investigator Award in 2006 for my research into women’s health. I also received the Mary Coleman Award, Phi Kappa Phi scholarship and the C.C. Clayton Award. I was selected as a member of the U.S. Delegation to the 57th Nobel Laureate meeting in Lindau, Germany, as well as to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. I published two first-author papers in the journals “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology” and “Microbiology” and three other papers in the journals “BMC Genomics,” “Anaerobe” and the “Journal of Virology.” I was also a member of the American Society of Microbiology and Women in Science (VCU Chapter) while in graduate school. I graduated with a doctor of philosophy in microbiology and immunology in 2010.

After graduate school, I moved to Chicago to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago, where I researched the virulence of the bacteria that causes Mediterranean spotted fever. I published two second-author papers in the journals “Infection and Immunity” and “Cellular Microbiology.”

After much reflection, I realized that instead of research, I wanted to be working in a field that could have a direct impact on people. I worked as a medical writer for a pharmaceutical company, helping to move new drugs down the pipeline for approval by the FDA; but ultimately, I established myself at the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Center at Chicago in 2011. I work as a forensic scientist in the biochemistry section. I analyze crime scene evidence for the presence of biological material and then develop DNA profiles from that material. I compare evidence DNA profiles to reference DNA profiles of the people involved in the case, come to an inclusion or exclusion and provide a statistic of how rare that profile is in the population.

I also testify in court when needed and have testified approximately 10 times. I have analyzed thousands of pieces of evidence and completed hundreds of cases. In 2014, I was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Extraordinary Police Work by the City of Chicago for my analysis of a case. I am a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In addition to my work with the Illinois State Police, I decided in 2017 to explore my love of mentoring and teaching by becoming an instructor of forensic molecular biology at Loyola University of Chicago.

My career in the science and teaching field would not have been possible without the Boilermaker’s scholarship I received. I come from a blue-collar, hard-working family that would have done anything to put me through college. It would have been very difficult to manage the bills that come with college without the added benefit the Boilermakers scholarship provided.

I have also met many members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers through my father. Having won this scholarship, I wanted to make my father and the Boilermaker community proud by doing well in school and contributing positively to society. I like to think that my teaching is helping develop the next great scientist who may cure a previously incurable disease and that my work solving crimes will give justice and closure for victims and their families.
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Katiemae White

I GRADUATED FROM Green Mountain College, an environmentally focused college in Vermont, in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in renewable energy and ecological design (REED), with a self-designed concentration in digital design and fabrication and a minor in documentary studies. I received my degree summa cum laude and also received the Outstanding in the REED Program and Outstanding in the Theatre Arts awards. While in college, I held a work-study position in the theater shop, was a leader in a design/build course that resulted in a nationally recognized tiny house named OTIS, and was president of the S.A.G.E (Students for Academic and Green Engagement) dorm. I enjoyed taking electives in philosophy, spirituality, writing, music and choir.

Since graduating, I have held an AmeriCorps VISTA position at Friends Forever International (FFI), a nonprofit in Durham, New Hampshire, focused on youth empowerment and leadership programs. I am in my second year of service and will be hired on as a fulltime marketing coordinator at FFI in July. My work there mainly consists of website and social media management, graphic design and communications, and volunteer management. I also am developing the landscape design of our several-acre campus. Working at FFI is intensely busy, challenging and fulfilling. I am able to continue to explore the interests I fostered in college and meet people from all over the world.

In my personal life since graduating, I’ve adopted two cats, sung with the Granite State Choral Society, reconnected with friends at home, and recently married Bryan, my fiancé of 5 years.

I’d like to thank the Boilermakers for aiding my academic and personal journey through the Boilermakers scholarship. Your support helped make reaching my goals a matter of time, instead of a distant dream.
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