Miami University

Each year, Miami University honors senior students whose service to Miami and our surrounding community embodies Love + Honor with the President's Distinguished Service Award. For most recipients, the spring 2020 semester is the conclusion of their college experience. While the semester has been unexpected in many ways, we applaud and celebrate the successes and accomplishments of these exceptional students. The 2020 President's Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding students who graduated in December 2019 or January 2020, or are set to graduate in May or August 2020

Sam Sloman, a member of the Miami University football team, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Sloman was the 248th overall selection. Sloman finished his Miami career ranked second in made field goals (49), third in attempts (62), third in field goal percentage (.790), second in extra points made (112) and fourth in school history in total points (259). This past season, the Roswell, Georgia, native connected on 26 of 30 field goals, both the most in a single season in Miami history. For his efforts he earned Second-Team All-MAC and Second-Team All-America by The Athletic. He was also named the team's MVP. Sloman shined in the biggest moments all season long. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the MAC Championship Game, earning the game's Special Teams Player of the Game honor. He also showed a strong leg, connecting on 4-of-5 field goals of over 50 yards, including a 53-yard game-winning field goal at Ohio with under four minutes to play.

Miami University juniors Alexandra (Lexie) Adams and Hope Kirby have each received a Goldwater Scholarship for 2020-2021. They are among 396 students nationwide to receive the scholarship, the premier undergraduate award of its type in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Adams is a chemical engineering major and Spanish minor from Liberty Township. Kirby is a microbiology major and geology and bioinformatics double minor from Glendale, Arizona. They are two of 13 students from an Ohio public university to receive the award. The Goldwater Foundation Scholarship Program encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering, Nationwide, faculty nominated 1,343 students - from a pool of more than 5,000 - for the scholarship, worth up to $7,500 per year.

Two Farmer School students have been named to Poets and Quants for Undergrad's list of Best and Brightest Business Majors of 2020. Finance major J'Quaan Waite and marketing major Laura Mena are among the 100 students selected nationwide. P&Q described the selected students as "seniors who differentiated themselves through their academic excellence, extracurricular leadership, innate potential, and personal character these forces of nature are always there for others, to lend help and lead by example. In the end, they are the students who'll be remembered, the ones who left their schools better than they found them."

The expansive community-building efforts of Madison McGirr are entirely aimed at helping other people thrive. As a sophomore in Miami's interdisciplinary Western Program, she is interested in education reform, poverty, and the effects of gentrification. On this episode of the Major Insight podcast, Madison speaks about her fieldwork and her service-learning with non-profit organizations such as Our Daily Bread in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. And about how her involvement in Miami youth-based programs such as Dream Keepers, has given her the experience and the perspective needed to make ours schools and our local communities more accessible, inclusive, and prosperous for everyone. Major Insight is a production of Miami University showcasing successful students, their promising new research and its relevance in our world. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Jack Komer, a Miami University educational psychology major and a student researcher, is currently working with Dr. Leah Wasburn-Moses to explore alternative ways to offer more interventions and support for young people with behavioral challenges in school. On this episode of the Reframe podcast, hear from both Jack and Dr. Wasburn-Moses on how mindfulness may offer a promising alternative to support positive student behavior, and how new technology is making mindfulness meditation easier than ever. Reframe, the original podcast from Miami University's College of Education, Health and Society (EHS), explores the transformative and progressive work being done across the university and throughout the community. Hear insightful interviews and exclusive stories about the faculty, students, and alumni who are addressing some of the most critical issues of our time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. MiamiOH.edu/reframe

Miami University student Connor Moreton wants to blur the lines between business and sustainability. As a double Corporate Sustainability and Marketing major in Miami's Western Program, his work explores the middle ground between economic, social, and ecological practices where viable new models can be both profitable and beneficial to everyone involved. And on this episode of Major Insight, he also talks about using sales and marketing as tools to identify problems and find solutions, how to follow through on long-term goals, and about reaping the rewards of investing in yourself. Major Insight is a production of Miami University. This is where we showcase our students and how they transform academic subjects into lifelong passions. Join us wherever you listen to your podcasts and discover these students' journeys. Or watch the episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/ITOYl03fCXk

Megan Cremeans wants to cause social and political change by exploring the ways in which democracy and education are inseparably intertwined. As an integrated social studies education and political science major, she uses applied policy to find practical ways to fight inequality and injustice, especially in schools where she researches public school funding disparities in Ohio. On this episode of Major Insight, Megan also talks about representing and empowering students across campus, her rewarding experiences as a student teacher, and how college has helped her become a better leader. Listen to Major Insight on the Miami website MiamiOH.edu/podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

As an aspiring Chemical Engineer, with a concentration in Environmental Engineering, Emily Kuehl is using her time as a college student to make our world a cleaner, safer place to live. Her projects involve the detection of arsenic in water and soil samples, as well as research designed to remove other dangerous chemicals from drinking water. Emily is also a rock climber, trombone player, and a math and music minor. And on this episode of Major Insight, she also talks about her role in designing university classes and how to find a balance between the personal and academic sides of college life. Major Insight is a production of Miami University. This is where we showcase our students and how they transform academic subjects into lifelong passions. Join us wherever you listen to your podcasts and discover these students' journeys. https://www.miamioh.edu/podcasts/2020/04/emily-kuehl.html

Miami University Students Receive Undergraduate Summer Scholars Award. The USS program enables Miami undergraduates to conduct research or other creative scholarly activities in close collaboration with a faculty mentor during the summer term. With its primary goals on student-centered learning through mentored research, the program aligns with Miami's focus on offering "active, engaged educational experiences for our undergraduates.

The 2020 spring semester marks an all-new season of Major Insight, Miami University's official student-centered podcast featuring the personal journeys and academic achievements of highly accomplished students. This new season also welcomes a new host, Miami honors student Peter Everett, who will use the podcast as a platform to help current and prospective students and parents get a clearer sense of how the college experience can develop in positive and productive ways. "So many students, especially incoming students, feel lost or unsure about how their college education can apply or inform their futures," Everett says. "Major Insight helps provide students with a road map, or at least the inspiration, to find their way by hearing about the experiences of others. This podcast is about telling those kinds of stories." These stories unfold over conversations with students who talk about choosing a major, finding strong faculty mentorship, completing innovative research projects, navigating campus life, their plans after graduation, and more. The first season of Major Insight already includes numerous episodes with the original student-host, Jacob Bruggeman, who passed on his role to Everett during a special season two premiere, which discussed the value of studying the humanities as a way to succeed in college and in life. "Peter will be an excellent host," Bruggeman says. "I know that the podcast is in good hands, and I'll look forward to listening to future episodes." James Loy, Major Insight producer, also echoed Bruggeman sentiments about this new chapter. "We've already met so many inspiring and focused students who have such clear ideas of who they are, who they want to become, and how they hope to influence their chosen careers and fields," Loy says. "Now we're excited to highlight many more of these amazing stories by continuing to showcase the full breadth and depth and quality of experiences found all across this campus." Major Insight can be heard on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are found.

While following her dream to become a criminal prosecutor, Reagan Brown has learned how to craft eloquent arguments, how to stand up for her beliefs, and how to keep cool in intense situations. As a comparative religion and psychology major, she has studied the controversial views of the Westboro Baptist Church during a faculty-led project designed to understand religious extremism. On this episode of Major Insight, Reagan also talks about the value of understanding different viewpoints, the power of empathy to change the world, and more. Major Insight is a production of Miami University. This is where we showcase our students and how they transform academic subjects into lifelong passions. Join us wherever you listen to your podcasts and discover these students journeys. Quick External Listen Links: Major Insight Ep.15 on: Apple Podcasts, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/using-empathy-to-understand-religion-and-the-law-ep-15/id1478030910?i=1000465918811 Google Podcasts, https://play.google.com/music/m/Dhbb75d2wwme2gqrztxafeyig3a?t=Using_Empathy_To_Understand_Religion_and_the_Law__Ep15-Major_Insight Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/episode/7N38jkRjaBwZh0KRkGyShA Stitcher, https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/reframemiamiohehs/major-insight?refid=stpr

Miami University awarded degrees to students during fall commencement exercises Friday, December 13, 2019 at Millett Hall.

Miami University Regionals names students to the dean's list who earned a high academic standing and were enrolled in less than 12 graded credit hours during the 2019 Fall Semester.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for first semester 2019-20 have been named to the president's list recognizing academic excellence.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top twenty percent of undergraduate students within each division for first semester 2019-20 have been named to the dean's list recognizing academic excellence.

Having applied the tools of science, education and conservation to become leaders in conversation communities, graduate students in the Global Field Program (GFP) and Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) from Miami Unviersity's Project Dragonfly finish their master's studies.

Miami University graduate students from Project Dragonfly's Global Field Program and Advanced Inquiry Program have published original work.

Miami graduate students from Project Dragonfly have been invited to present as featured speakers at the 16th Annual World Community Conference at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Dec. 14, 2019. Sponsored by the Zoo and Miami University's Project Dragonfly, the conference showcases the work of students who have conducted inquiry projects in communities across the U.S. and at key conservation sites around the world.

The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly basketball awards on Monday. For Miami, senior forward Bam Bowman was named MAC East Co-Player of the Week. It is the first MAC honor of the season and second for his career. Bowman really came on in the second half of Miami's 79-67 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Sunday. He had 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting and also got six offensive rebounds. For the game, Bowman had a team-high 20 points and just missed a double-double with eight rebounds, seven of which were offensive.

Having applied the tools of science, education and conservation to become leaders in conversation communities, graduate students in the Global Field Program (GFP) and Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) from Miami Unviersity's Project Dragonfly finish their master's studies.

The Mid-American Conference office announced its 2019 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team on Wednesday. For Miami, a record nine members made the squad in senior middle hitter Margaret Payne, senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault, senior defensive specialist Lindsay Dauch, junior setter Morgan Seaman, junior libero Abigail Huser, junior right side hitter Sarah Wojick, junior right side hitter Avarie Powell, sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper and sophomore outside hitter Sophie Riemersma. The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. True freshmen and first-year transfers are not eligible for the honor.

The Mid-American Conference announced its 2019 postseason volleyball awards on Wednesday. For Miami, senior middle hitter Margaret Payne was named First-Team All-MAC. Sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper was named All-MAC Honorable Mention.

The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly volleyball awards on Monday. For Miami, junior libero Abigail Huser was named the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week. Junior Morgan Seaman and sophomore Louise Comerford were named the MAC East Division Setters of the Week. For Huser it is her first weekly honor of the season. For Seaman and Comerford it is the third time this season and second straight week they have won this award.

The Mid-American Conference announced the results of its preseason men's basketball poll as voted upon by the coaches on Thursday. The RedHawks were picked to finish fourth in the MAC East Division. In addition, junior guard Nike Sibande was selected to the preseason All-MAC East Division Team. Sibande was a Third-Team All-MAC selection last season after averaging 16.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He became the first player in Miami history to score 1,000 career points in his first two seasons.

The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly volleyball awards on Monday. For Miami, junior right side hitter Avarie Powell MAC East Offensive Player of the Week, while junior Morgan Seaman and sophomore Louise Comerford were named the MAC East Setters of the Week. It is the second time this season for each of them to win this honor.

The 23rd annual Women of Excellence awards luncheon, presented by the YWCA of Piqua, was held on Thursday at the Piqua Country Club, during which Deb Oexmann, Lorna Swisher, and Cassidy Hemm were honored. Both Oexmann and Swisher were named 2019 Women of Excellence, and Cassidy Hemm was named the 2019 Young Woman of Tomorrow. The awards were presented by Women of Excellence Committee member Terry Naas, who shared details about each woman's life and dedication to their work.

The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly volleyball awards on Monday. For Miami, senior middle hitter Margaret Payne was named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week. The RedHawks' 6-2 combo of junior Morgan Seaman and sophomore Louise Comerford were named MAC East Division Setter of the Week.

Two current Farmer School students and two recent graduates are among 14 people named to Cincinnati Inno's Under 25 list for 2019. "The innovators on our list are from all over the Queen City, tackling a host of unique problems in different industries and companies," the magazine explained. "All are doing the kind of work that both bolsters the Cincinnati tech and startup ecosystem and has the potential to impact the whole world." Laura Mena, a senior marketing and entrepreneurship major, and Andy Newman, a senior finance major, made the list for their work with RedHawk Ventures, a student-led seed stage venture capital fund with the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship that recently announced a plan to raise a $1.5 million fund to invest in startups created by Miami students and alumni. "The Farmer School of Business and John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship takes pride in preparing tomorrow's entrepreneurial leaders to be 'beyond ready' when they graduate, which is one reason we are excited to see our seniors and recent entrepreneurship graduates named to Cincy Inno's list of top entrepreneurs in StartupCincy for 2019," Dr. Tim Holcomb noted.

The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly volleyball awards on Monday. For Miami, earning MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week is junior middle hitter Avarie Powell. It is the first weekly MAC honor of her career. Powell's breakout season continued as she put down 25 kills in only six sets, an average of 4.17 kills per set. She made only four errors in 38 attempts for an incredible .553 attack percentage. It started in Miami's three-set sweep over Buffalo. Powell put down 12 kills and had a .588 attack percentage. She was the bright spot in the Akron match as well, leading the RedHawks with 13 kills and a .524 attack percentage. Powell had two block assists on the weekend and finished with 26 points, an average of 4.33 per set.