Scholarship Winners

2009 Scholarship Association for UIC Award Winners

Association Award $1000

Lidiane Gabeira

Lidiane is a UIC transfer student working on a double major in biology and psychology. Originally from Brazil, Lidiane moved to the United States ten years ago with her mother and siblings. Multilingual, she learned Spanish through television and English in school.

She worked her way through Truman College, where she earned her Associate’s degree in Pre-Pharmacy.

Despite recent financial and health difficulties, Lidiane stays positive with the unwavering support from her family.

Ekaterina Khramtsova

Ekaterina is a Russian immigrant who is pursuing a double major in biological sciences and anthropology here at UIC. Exposure to clinical medicine and investigative research has been her inspiration to become a biomedical researcher. She holds a great interest for cancer research and women’s health research. Starting in the fall of 2007, Ekaterina began assisting in labs twice a week. Her research there led her to win the Best Biology Poster Presentation at the University of Illinois Student Research Forum and Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium.

She is also an active member of the group Assuring STEM Credential Expansion through Nurturing Diversity (ASCEND). Through this program, she teaches incoming UIC freshman headed for mathematics or science careers. Ekaterina’s future plans include a cancer research internship at the National Cancer Institute. Furthermore, she will continue her education under Dr. Kajdacsy-Balla through the Graduate Education in Medical Sciences (GEMS) program.

Ashley Novak

Ashley is a junior working towards a degree in chemistry. Her interests lie in forensics, and she one day dreams of working for the FBI, CIA, or another agency. Despite many of life’s hardships, Ashley continues to strive for excellence with an unwavering good attitude.

Ashley remains extremely involved on campus all while working to support herself through college. She is the Administrative Vice President of the Residence Hall Association. This group involves attending and representing UIC at leadership conferences nation wide. “Student of the Month”, “Desk Worker of the Month”, “Student of the Year”, and the “Campus Housing Spark Awards” are just some of her many achievements at UIC.

Laura Ruiz-Santamaria

Laura is an immigrant student from Mexico working towards a degree in industrial engineering. Since coming to the United States seven years ago, Laura has been working hard to take advantage of the education opportunities now available to her. Laura first earned her Associate’s in Engineering Science from the College of Lake County.

Since transferring to UIC, she has become extremely involved on campus. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers immediatley caught her attention and she has worked as Fundraiser Co-Chair and also Secretary Chair. She is also a member of Tau Sigma National Honor Society, where she is also involved in many activities.

Her parents continue to be her source of motivation and inspire her to pursue all of her professional and academic goals. Some of these goals include attending graduate school upon graduating in 2010. She plans on studying Operationas Management so that, along with her Industrial Engineering degree, she can one day open up a consulting firm of her own.

Nick Shaskevich

Nick is a double major in chemical engineering and computer science with a minor in mathematics. There are several dreams and goals Nick hopes to accomplish through his studies. Some of these goals include modeling weather phenomena, programming underwater robots, or designing the next Mars rover.

Nick is preparing for these dreams by being involvd in several groups and research teams on campus. As a member of the Engineering Design Team, Nick works on programming robots which involves skills in electrical and machinery engineering. He is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery where he competes in programming competitions. He also did research under Professor Kral, which involved working on theoretical problems that help develop a deeper understanding of how things work. In the summer of 2009, Nick also got the opportunity to program Graphics Processing Units with Professor Theys to speed up the computation work of the catalysis lab in the chemical engineering department.

One day Nick hopes all his efforts will lead him to a career in NASA or NOAA.

Association Award $500

Brandon Bell

Brandon Bell is a sophomore with dreams of becoming a nurse. As a nurse, Brandon hopes to help others improve their quality of life.

Brandon already does this through his involvement in community service. As a freshman, he was elected to the Polk Street Residence Hall Council where he has worked on projects to promote energy conservation, decrease vandalism, and to offer alternative activities to drugs and alcohol. Also, Brandon became an associate member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), where he advocates for improving life in the residence halls on campus.

Brandon is the first person in his family to attend college. He knows with his family’s support he will be successful in all of his endeavors.

Amber Stone

Amber Stone is a double major in psychology and criminal justice while working on a minor in Spanish. After graduating, she plans on going for a Ph.D. in Clinical psychology. Her post-university plans included researching new ways to rehabilitate criminals, and ultimately, working for the FBI. She has already begun research in the field with Dr. Paul Schewe and Dr. Heather Riser involving bullying prevention and the effects of violence on children.

Amber is a first generation college student, and is also a member of the Honors College. Along with being successful academically, Amber spends a majority of her time devoted to volunteering. As the Assistant Director for Service Initiatives for the National Residence Hall Honorary, she plans about fifteen service programs each semester. Some of her programs including working with organizations such as: Ronald McDonald House, Relay for Life, and the Valentine Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, among many others.

Alejandro Martinez

Alejandro knew by the age of twelve that he wanted to have a career in aeronautical engineering. He began pursuing this goal by earning his technical certificate and license from Lewis University. After working full-time a few months, he decided to continue his education here at UIC. After three semesters, he continues to maintain achieve academically while working full-time for Northwest Airlines at O’Hare Airport. He knows his work as an aircraft mechanic will be very beneficial to his future engineering career.

Hassan Mustafa Abdallah Scholarship $3000

Suzan Atallah

Suzan Atallah is a sophomore psychology major who began attending UIC as a freshman in the fall semester of 2007 after graduating from Alonzo Stagg High School. She is Arab-American and lives with eight other family members in their Palos Hills home where education has always been a focal point. She has four sisters and one brother, and she feels that acting as a role model to her younger siblings is centrally important. Although she is quite busy with responsibilities at home and in her community, Suzan also gives back to UIC. She leads the Cultural and Minority Affairs committee for UIC's Undergraduate Student Government and represents the students as a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Academically talented, Suzan is a member of the Honors College who also participates as a research assistant for a psychology lab. Her goal is to complete two bachelor's degrees - one in psychology and the other in teaching of English.

Suzan's ultimate goal, in her words, is to "give back to humanity." She plans to become an English teacher and to continue her academic work toward a master's and Ph.D. in either English or psychology.

Sandra and Furio Alberti Memorial Award $500

Osnat Siryus

Osnat is an Israeli immigrant student, continuing her education in Social Work. She earned her B.A. in sociology and political science and M.A. in sociology and anthropology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Osnat grew up in the small city of Ramla, whose diverse demographics included immigrants, people of various religions, and varied social classes. This environment exposed Osnat to the effects of inequality but also, more importantly, taught her tolerance and open-mindedness. After serving the mandatory two years in the Israeli Army, Osnat decided to pursue a career, which she would allow her to help minority groups in her country.

Osnat plans to practice social work on many different levels, from the individual to advocating for changing social policy. Studying in the United States, Osnat hopes to broaden her perspectives on social issues to ultimately better her own analysis of the world around us.

Bassett, Chiswick, Kosobud, Stokes Award $500

Ginelle Sanchez Leos

Ginelle Sanchez Leos, originally from Panama, came to UIC as a freshman in the fall of 2005 from William Fremd High School and began her studies and classics major. Once on campus, she became a member of the Honors College and pursued a double major in economics and English. Very high achieving, Ginelle continued to excel in her studies and became involved in various ways on campus. Ginelle pursued courses in a wide range of topics from healthcare economics to medieval literature.

Ginelle graduated from UIC in May 2009 and was awarded two of UIC's top honors in the spring of 2009. She received a Chancellor's Student Service Award and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Dr. Thomas Beckham Memorial Award $1500

Mary Brennan

Mary Brennan is entering her fourth year of study at UIC in the College of Nursing. In her time here at UIC, Mary has made herself a fixture in the Intensive Care Unit, where she has thrived off the interaction and rapport she establishes with her patients, to whom she attributes much of her desire to pursue a career in medicine.

Mary has also been a member of the UIC cross-country and track and field teams, both experiences which she says have made her a stronger, more resilient individual. More than anything she seeks to serve the greater good and is compelled by both social duty and her faith to make the world a better place and bring care to those who need it most. After she graduates from the College of Nursing Mary hopes to enter the UIC College of Medicine to pursue an MD.

George Clauser

George Clauser is a political science major starting his senior year at UIC. For the past three years George has been a non-scholarship gymnast for UIC, and he hopes to be captain of the team in the upcoming year.

He is also a member of the Pre-Law Society and has spent countless hours studying for the LSAT in hopes of attending law school upon his graduation from UIC. George attributes his success and inspiration to his family, with whom he has overcome a number of trials and tribulations.

George holds higher education in very high regard in the same way his father did, and dedicates his accomplishments at UIC to his memory.

E. Sue Campbell Award $500

Hayadeh Sohrahbi

Hayadeh Sohrabi was a full-time nursing student and a single mother of a 10-year-old daughter when she graduated this past May 2009. She lost her husband two years ago to lung cancer just before enrolling at the UIC College of Nursing. Although her dream was always to be a nurse, she was persuaded to pursue biotechnology and finished her associate's degree in 2004. As she was about to begin her bachelor's degree in biotechnology, her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Her experiences with him pushed her back toward nursing. She learned how much people need not just physical care but an understanding and caring attitude to help them recover. She learned how nurses can speak and encourage patients to build stronger trust and use enrichment plans to develop stronger support.

Although it was a difficult experience to be a full-time mother and full-time student, Hayadeh remained strong because her husband made her promise not to give up on her schooling. Hayadeh looks forward to eventually pursuing her final career desire, which is to get her master's degree and become a family practitioner.

Cathy Hill Cawthon Memorial Award $500

Elizabeth Malczewski

Elizabeth entered UIC as a freshman in the fall of 2008. She is now a sophomore working towards a degree in mathematics. Elizabeth often finds herself being asked why she chose to study math; and her answer is simple: she wants her education to be empowering. After her parents divorced, Elizabeth watched her educated mother struggle through working three jobs. Since then she knew she wanted to earn a degree that would remain valuable and in high demand. With a degree in mathematics there are numerous available career opportunities.

Elizabeth feels strongly about being an independent woman. Despite some academic struggles in high school, Elizabeth decided to take the most challenging classes and ended up graduating top in her class. One day, she wants a career in which she can encourage students with learning disabilities and women to pursue their dreams, hopefully including mathematics.

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee - Criminal Justice Graduate Award $250

Xavier Perez

Biography is coming soon!

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee - Criminal Justice Undergraduate Award $300

Claudia Peter-Hagene

Biography is coming soon!

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee - Law Award $500

Brett Thurman

Biography is coming soon!

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee Music Award (Jazz) $250

Dudley Owens

Having transferred from South Suburban College in 2008, Dudley Owens is currently majoring in music performance at UIC. Dudley began playing the saxophone at the age of ten and quickly excelled amongst his peers. He fell in love with jazz in the seventh grade when his father introduced him to Charlie Parker. Dudley has competed in many jazz competitions, including winning fourth place in the International Saxophone Competition. He now tours with his own ensemble called the Dudley Owens Quintet.

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee Music Award (Vocal) $250

Jordan Roulo

Jordan is a sophomore student working for a double degree in music with an emphasis on vocal performance, as well as theatre. She graduated from East Leyden High School in 2008. She is a member of the a cappella singing group Downtown Voices. She also enjoys dancing.

Chicago Bar Association Entertainment Committee Theater Award $500

Dina Klahn

Dina is interested in theatre and took theatre classes at Joliet Junior College. While there, she also starred in their production of “A Comedy of Errors” and also won the Rosaline B. Stone Fine Arts Scholarship.

Having transferred to UIC in fall semester 2008, Dina is majoring in theatre with a concentration in directing and design.

Chicago Bar Association Charles Goodnow Memorial Award $250

Roxanne Pilat

Roxanne is a UIC student interested in creative writing and literature. She is a doctoral student in the English department planning on graduating in 2010. She works as the Non-fiction Editor for the Packingtown Review. She was also a participant in the 10th International F. Scott Fitzgerald Conference and the Bio-cultures Graduate Student Conference. She is also participating in the Hull House Friday Night Reading Series with author S.L. Weisenberg.

James Pate

James earned his Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Iowa. He is currently working on his Ph.D. from UIC in creative writing. He also works for the English Department simultaneously as a lecturer in English 161. He has many published works, including poetry, that have appeared in several magazines such as La Petite Zine.

CCSGLBTI Graduate Award $500

Amy Brainer

Amy Brainer is a doctoral student, pursuing her PhD in sociology with a graduate concentration in gender and women’s studies. Her scholarly pursuits have dealt with blurring the traditionally rigid borders between differing academic disciplines and have dealt largely with societal classification and interaction with transgendered individuals. Although an American citizen, Amy grew up in China and still calls Beijing her hometown and hopes to conduct her dissertation research in Taiwan and mainland China. She decided on UIC for the sociology department’s commitment to public sociology and social justice, both within the institution and the community at large. Her own commitment to public engagement has spurred her work with the Center on Halsted where she advocated for more transgender-geared programming as well as her involvement with the Council on Contemporary Families. Her ultimate goal is a tenured position as a gender and women’s studies professor.

CCSGLBTI Undergraduate Award $600

James Wronski

James Wronski came to UIC in fall 2008. Upon transferring to UIC, James was unsure about what area of psychology he wanted to pursue. In his first few weeks on campus, he came to the realization that there was a great need for recognition of the LGBT community. After witnessing other students who were interested in this topic, James found his passion for spreading awareness for the LGBT community on campus, and was elected vice-president of UIC PRIDE. His main goal for the organization is to encourage more straight people, especially males, to get involved. From personal experience, and inspiration from his younger sister, he aspires to become a counselor or therapists for youth looking to understand their sexuality.

John E. and Marguerite Corbally Award $500

KaRon O'Neal

KaRon O'Neal is currently pursuing her Master of Education in special education at UIC wants to pursue her certification as a reading specialist once she completes her bachelor's degree. KaRon went to Chicago Public Schools for both elementary school at Mount Greenwood School and high school at Curie Metropolitan High School.

Having received her bachelor's degree in 2001 in health information management from UIC, KaRon works at UIC while pursuing her graduate degree. Special education was a recent interest of KaRon's, and she was especially intrigued by the disproportionate representation of minorities in special education. Once she receives her master's degree and certification, KaRon intends to work in the Chicago Public Schools assisting students with reading with a particular focus on older learners, as much of the focus in special education and literacy has thus far been on early intervention.

Eventually, KaRon hopes to pursue her Ph.D. in special education. Winning this award will be helpful to KaRon for expenses as she will be taking a leave from her position at UIC to pursue her internship to achieve her master's degree.

Judy Curry Award $1000

Amenda Rutherford

Biography is coming soon!

Winifred Geldard Memorial Award $500

Kathleen Odell

Kathleen is a UIC graduate student working towards her Ph.D. in economics. She earned her B.S. in computer science from the University of Puget Sound in 1997. She then continued to earn her master’s degree in urban planning and policy from UIC, while also studying a year at Roskilde University in Denmark.

She is now working on her thesis titled: Nonlinearities and Economic Growth: Testing strategies and data considerations.

Joy and Bob Harnack Memorial Award (Instrumental) $300

Daniel Lopatka

Daniel Lopatka began as a music major at UIC in fall of 2006 and actively participates in the UIC Jazz Ensemble. Having graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep, Daniel continued his excellent academic work here at UIC where he was awarded membership in Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society in 2007.

In addition to his work as a musician at UIC, Daniel has also done professional work in the music field including as a bassist for the Muddy Waters Band and the Shirley King band. He has done session work for French blues artist, Olivie; and has begun a production company with a studio musician for Sony Records.

Joy and Bob Harnack Memorial Award (Vocal) $300

Alexandra Plattos

Alexandra Plattos began her undergraduate career in fall 2007 as a biochemistry major. Active in the UIC choirs, Alexandra, a soprano, changed her major to music with a concentrationin vocal performance and a minor in chemistry in the fall of 2008. During the 2008-2009 academic year, Alexandra was a conductor for the university choirs, participating in Downtown Voices, a student run a capella group.

Alexandra's many passions and interests include acting, reading, photography, singing, dancing, opera, concert music, flutes, pianos, and abstract art to name a few.

Hirsch Family Award $1200

Noa Krugliak

Noa is a UIC senior working towards a degree in biological sciences. Her dream is to attend medical school to become a doctor. This dream was facilitated by her father, who is also a physician. It is he, she says, who taught her the beauty of medicine. Noa has already jumpstarted her future career by becoming EMT certified and working for the ATI Ambulance Company.

Noa’s decision to become a doctor has not come without costs, however. Noa moved to the United States four years ago with her mother and stepfather. Since then, her mother and stepfather have both moved back to Israel. This left Noa with the difficult choice to stay in Chicago and continue her education. Also, for several years she was a member of the Israeli Tae Kwan Do National Team. During her sophomore year at UIC, she was offered the chance of trying out for the Olympic Games. At that time, Noa realized her most important dream was that of becoming a doctor, not an Olympic athlete. She refused the offer, and continued to study!

Now Noa is preparing herself for the MCAT exam and is working on applying to several medical colleges.

Judith Ikenberry Award $1100

Wendy Uhlman

Wendy Uhlman transferred to UIC in fall 2006 and is a student majoring in industrial design who focuses on how thinking broader and more long term in product design can change the way things are made and how they are used. Wendy believes that through a more focused and responsible process in the creation of objects, designers have the ability to make decisions and communicate ideas to people that are better for the environment and the future.

She is currently working on a practical rating system for products that would clearly communicate environmental impact to consumers. In an effort to involve more students and professionals in this environmental quest, Wendy has created a new lectures series within the design department at the School of Art and Design. The seven lectures focus on issues of sustainability within design, and as a result she is now seeing the incorporation of more eco-friendly ideas into student designs and a dialogue has begun about larger world issues that society faces which are vital to the design field.

Wendy asserts that the guiding principals she has learned at UIC will be with her in the future as she strives to continue to inspire others to make their communities and the world a better place.

Stanley O. Ikenberry Award $1200

Saad Abid

Saad Abid is a junior psychology and political science double major with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. He is guaranteed a seat at John Marshal Law School through UIC’s GPPA Law program, which he cites as one among several reasons for choosing to attend UIC. He is an urbanite by nature and has taken to involvement in bettering the city as a whole, through his work for organizations such as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and World Relief Chicago.

The latter organization – which aids new immigrants to Chicago in adjusting to their new surroundings – holds a special place in his heart as a Pakistani immigrant. Saad places great importance on his family and attributes his many successes to their unwavering support.

The 2009 Stanley O. Ikenberry award will be used toward expenses for his study abroad program in the fall term 2009.

Laurette Kirstein Scholarship $5000

Vandana Chaudhry

Vandana Chaudhry is a graduate student purusing a PhD in social work with a concentration in disability studies. Originally from India, Vandana came to the United States thanks to the Ford Foundation, which funded the first three years of her education. Her doctoral studies build upon her past efforts to include much-neglected issues of disabled people into the mainstream of development, and lay a firm foundation for a career-long effort in this field. Hardships in the pursuit of her education made her appreciative of adversity and instilled a drive to confront barriers and injustice at an individual and systemic level. Vandana’s goal is to do research, advocacy, and teach at University level on issues of disability, development and globalization.

Jung Hyun Kim

Jung Hyun Kim is an international graduate student pursuing a degree in health administration. While growing up in Korea, she experienced a night in the hospital with her grandmother, where she was shocked by the number of elderly people in the emergency room. This event inspired her to pursue her goal of influencing health administrative policy to accommodate rapid social changes.

She has worked as an administrator for the Senior Experts Program at the Ewha Woman’s University in Korea. There she learned of the health demands related to aging populations and met with professors who had earned degrees in the United States. From there, she participated in International Planned Parenthood Federation’s youth forum, where her ideas suggesting funding for sex education in Korea were used in the annual report.

Jung demonstrates her passion for public health in her studies, volunteer work, and professional positions.

Alexsander Krichnkov

After earning his associate’s degree in engineering from Oakton Community College, Alexander transferred to UIC in the fall of 2007 after deciding to further pursue electrical engineering. Alexander has been interested in electronics since he was a young boy. He fostered his hobby through high school courses and now through undergraduate study. He thoroughly enjoys his classes in subjects such as: communication engineering, microcontrollers design, and automatic control systems.

By continuing his education, Alexander will be the first in his family to achieve a degree. Having moved from Israel to Chicago about six years ago, and having lived in Belarus as well, Alexander’s road to success has not been easy. After graduating, he would like to go into the digital logic and computer design industry. Alexander’s success will make a huge impact on his family members’ lives.

Pallavi Mishra

Pallavi is a UIC transfer student from India. After studying at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, she decided to change her major and pursue a degree in economics. Although starting a new life in the US was difficult, she feels the diverse atmosphere of UIC helped ease the transition.

Pallavi chose to study economics so that she could contribute back to the society that helped her become the person she is today. More specifically, she recognizes the potential in a developing country, like India. She believes all issues can be solved by focusing on a country’s socio-economic development. Pallavi hopes to further her education with a master’s in international relations or economics. She sees international policy making the most effective means to create change in global policy, and ultimately improve the world’s economic and social prosperity.

Thy Hong Pham

Ngoc Thy Hong Pham is an international student from Vietnam studying economics. His father, a banker in Vietnam, educated Ngoc Thy on the relationship between banks and the economy. As a child, he observed beggars in the streets and a generally large number of poor people in his country. When he asked his father why this was, his father responded that their country did not have the welfare to support disabled or unemployed citizens. From that point on, Ngoc Thy knew what it was he wanted to do. He wanted to study economics to find a solution to the number of people living in poverty. He decided to study in the United States, to gain a broader scope of knowledge he can one day bring back to Vietnam. Despite the challenges of studying in another country, Ngoc Thy has achieved academically at UIC. Ngoc Thy relates his home life to his life in the states by teaching Vietnamese to Vietnamese-American children. Ngoc Thy is enjoying the new opportunities studying in the United States is providing him.

Peter and Elsie May Klassen Memorial Award $700

Anna Dymora

Anna Dymora is a senior working towards her goal of becoming a high school English teacher. English was always a struggle for Anna because Polish is her first language. Growing up in a household where Polish was the primary language being spoken, she had to work extra hard in and outside of school. Because of this experience, Anna wants to help other teens achieve academic success as well. Understanding the difficulties of high school, Anna wishes to also help students deal with the stress associated with school work. Teaching is one of her passions.

Graduate Student Research Bonus in Memory of Bernard R. Kogan $1000

Jennifer Rupert

Jennifer Jane Rupert has been a member of the UIC community since coming to UIC to pursue her Ph.D. in 1998. She received her Master of Arts in English in 1997 from the University of Vermont. Upon coming to UIC, Jennifer became an integral part of the Department of English, not only pursuing her own doctoral studies, but also serving as the Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the department from 2002 through 2006.

Jennifer’s areas of interest include British and American modernism, surrealism and avant-garde aesthetics, women's literature, feminist and queer theory, and studies in film narrative and visual culture. Jennifer successfully completed and defended her dissertation entitled, "Oscillating Wildly: Surrealist Women and the Ethics of Literary Modernism" and received her Ph.D. with a certificate in gender and women’s studies in 2008.

Jennifer currently has three articles under consideration and continues to pursue her research and teaching while also serving as an academic advisor in the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is an active and integral part of the UIC community!

Leonard Kotin Memorial Award for Physical Chemistry $600

Wai Yip Lo

Wai Yip Lo entered UIC as a freshman in the fall of 2007 coming from Hononegah Community High School in Rockton, Illinois. Originally from China, he joined UIC as a member of the President's Award Program and is majoring in chemistry and minoring in biological sciences.

A high achieving freshman who was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society, Wai Yip Lo continues to excel academically. He has pursued his interests in research working in Daesung Lee's lab in the Department of Chemistry.

Grace and Conrad Kroll Scholarship $1000

Priscilla Lizasuain

Priscilla Lizasuain is a history and teaching of English major who will be pursuing her student teaching next academic year.

She currently lives in the Avondale area of Chicago and graduated from Lane Technical High School. She is the first female in her large Puerto Rican family to finish high school and the first person in her family to attend college. Her experiences thus far have continued to reinforce her motivation to attend and graduate from college. She eventually wants to pursue a master's degree and a Ph.D. Priscilla wants to set an example with regard to attending college and pursuing the "American Dream." She wants to empower not only her younger family members but others by graduating from college and being a teacher. She wants her students to understand that higher education is for them.

She is a member of the Honors College and works in the Writing Center serving as a peer tutor, and serves as the Editor of the The Multilingual Poet's Reader. Priscilla feels strongly through her work in the Writing Center with English Language Learners that it is important to be attentive to the unique modes of expression that these students possess. In addition, she and a peer started a student organization for pre-service teachers called Future Teachers for Social Justice hoping that the organization will become a resource, a place where future teachers can come together, discuss and critique lesson plans, and discuss ways in which they can incorporate social justice issues into everyday classroom learning.

According to Priscilla, her education has proved to be vital in forming the beliefs and opinions that motivate her to accomplish her goals and participate in her many activities. She truly believes that her education at UIC helps her to achieve all of her goals and will help her to continue to make her family proud.

Donald and Patricia Langenberg Award $500

Francisco Restrepo

Francisco Restrepo came to UIC as a transfer student in the fall of 2007. He grew up in Colombia and knew early on that he wanted to pursue an academic career, originally thinking of something in philosophy or the humanities, but philosophy eventually led him to pursue mathematics and physics. Francisco has pursued his physics studies at UIC and continues to excel participating in research and is an active member of the Honors College.

Having begun his undergraduate work in 2003 at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota Colombia, Francisco was shortly thereafter given the opportunity to come to Chicago with his father. After finishing his physics major in the very near future, he plans to go on to study mathematics as he believes that "physics is a series of observed interactions, the rest being mathematical development."

Once finished with his mathematics major, Francisco plans to pursue graduate school in one the fields and eventually would like to be a professor as he has a passion for inquiry and also loves to teach.

Peter Langmar Memorial Design Award $500

Wendy Uhlman

Wendy asserts that the guiding principals she has learned at UIC will be with her in the future as she strives to continue to inspire others to make their communities and the world a better place.

B.J. Merkle Award $500

Erica Sandoval

Erika Sandoval began at UIC in 2006 as a freshman. Originally interested in teaching French, Erika is now a mechanical and industrial engineering major and also serves as the secretary of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Some of her favorite activities include playing soccer, watching French movies, and dancing. One of her favorite quotes is, “Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

Francis Moon Award $250

Lara Ansari

Lara Ansari came to UIC in fall of 2008 as a freshman from Nequa Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois.

Majoring in bioengineering, Lara excelled in her studies as a freshman and joined the Honors College for fall 2009. Lara intends to continue pursuing her studies in bioengineering and has participated in Women in Science and Engineering activities on campus.

Ronald Moses Award $250

Angela Chi

Angela is a senior working toward a bachelor’s degree in finance. She is the president of the Collegiate Finance Organization and the UIC Economics Club. Angela is also a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. She has gained a lot of experience in her field, having worked as an intern for Thoma Bravo, Morningstar, and Allstate as financial analyst.

Ronald Moses Award $250

Megan Diaz

Megan Diaz moved from Mexico to the United States with the goal of becoming a UIC student. After completing community college courses and working several jobs, Megan made her dream a reality. Having earned her bachelor’s degree in economics, she now attends graduate school at UIC and hopes to one day develop economic policies that would enable underprivileged people to become successful.

Megan is also a very active in campus life. Amongst other things, she is Vice-President of the Economics Club, a member of the Federal Reserve Challenge Team. She took it upon herself to organize a tutoring program aimed at ensuring that her colleagues achieve the same level of success in a number of upper level mathematics classes that can often prove challenging. The program has yielded incredible results, with all participating students receiving A’s in their respective classes.

Beyond this, Megan is a mentor to three high school Latina students. She sees the importance in helping young Latinas achieve their full potential, and has dedicated much of her time to getting the word out about higher education opportunities that they might otherwise not known existed.

Norman Nachtrieb Memorial Award $900

Chen Shi

Chen Shi, originally from China, came to UIC as an Honors College student having completed a taxing high school curriculum at Lincoln Park High School and obtaining an International Baccalaureate certificate. Pursuing majors in both chemistry and biology, Chen excels in his studies and has won numerous awards.

Chen was awarded an internship for the summer of 2008 at the Department of Neurobiology at the Feinberg School Medicine, and he has published his research abstracts. His ultimate goal is to become a physician/scientist with an M.D. and Ph.D. and work to translate the most up to date research into patient treatment and applications for public health.

Chen is grateful for receiving the Norman Nachtrieb Memorial Award, which will be used toward educational expenses.

Jeri Parker Award $500

Carla Navoa

Carla is currently working towards a degree in art education with a certificate in the teaching of language arts. As a young child, Carla found it difficult to communicate with those around her. She found her outlet through painting, drawing, and creative writing. She credits her teachers, who pushed her to continue expressing herself through art, for giving her confidence. She hopes to be the same source of inspiration to students of her own.

For the past two years, Carla has worked as a teacher’s assistant at the Evanston Art Center. This job was just as much of a learning experience for Carla as it was for the students she taught. This past summer, the director recognized her efforts and now Carla teaches classes of her own. Alongside pursuing her joy of art, Carla tutors at the UIC writing center. She enjoys working with a variety of students with unique ideas.

Carla also has worked with the Gads Hill Center, a place that gives opportunities to underprivileged communities. Her work here has inspired her to perhaps pursue youth counseling. She believes art can be a very empowering, and therapeutic, tool for today’s youth.

Norman Parker Award $750

Jeffrey Cobb

Jeffrey Cobb is entering his third year as a mechanical engineering student here at UIC. He is the captain of the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee team and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, in which he plans to take a greater leadership role in his coming years at UIC. He draws much of his inpiration from his father’s memory, and finds himself becoming the leader his father always knew he could be. This extends to Jeffrey’s future goals of working to develop alternative energy sources, a field that demands not only high intellect and keen insight, both of which Jeffrey embodies, but above all else, leadership.

Michael J. Piorkowski Award $500

Jason Braasch

Jason Braasch began his graduate work in 2004 and received his master's degree in 2007. Upon receiving his master's he continued on in doctoral studies and worked as part of Professor Jennifer Wiley's lab.

While pursuing his degree, Jason worked on grant funded projects including investigating how practice tests may affect later performance on tests of comprehension, and individual differences in metacomprehension skill and the ability to notice contradictions in students. Jason also was part of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at UIC, working as a graduate assistant. He presented papers throughout his graduate career from his doctoral work.

Jason was also actively involved the Department of Psychology in many ways, one of which was acting as an interim advisor for the Psi Chi Psychology Honors Society.

Jason is now completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the CNRS in Poitiers, France.

William Raffeld Award $250

Brandon Pierkarski

Brandon Piekarski graduated from Downers Grove North high school in 2005 and joined UIC as an incoming freshmen in Theatre. In 2006, Brandon combined his love of theatre with a major in management. He is interested in the directing and design track in theatre.

He is active in the arts in Chicago and continues to pursue his passions excelling as a student in the performing arts.

Erin Yucus

Erin Yucus graduated from Streamwood High School in 2006 and promptly joined UIC as an incoming freshmen in the fall 2006 semester. Erin's love of theater led her to pursue a major in theatre in the performance track.

Among other performances, she played Marion in the UIC production of The Secret Rapture in 2008 and remains an active member of the Department of Performing Arts.

Donald and Leah Riddle Prize $1000

Anand Sandesara

Biography is coming soon!

Sylvia Saffrin Memorial Award $900

Megan Diaz

Salinas-Chapa Family Memorial Award $450

Alejandro Espinoza

Having come to UIC in 2005, Alejandro is currently working towards a double major in Spanish and economics. Being a second generation Latino, the Mexican language and culture has always been a prevalent part of his life. Alejandro credits his academic success to having had support from his parents and close mentors. He hopes to return the favor by becoming a mentor himself, upon graduating from UIC. Alejandro has been in contact with Teach for America, a group dedicated to giving children of all backgrounds a quality education. He hopes to work especially with Latino students in the Chicago area.

Alejandro is also very involved in the UIC community. He is a member of the Jazz Ensemble as a guitar player. He also works as a math tutor for the Community Building Tutors and is a volunteer income tax assistant at the Center for Economic Progress. He is an officer member of the Economics Club and work as a volunteer for the Little Village Vendors Association.

Rigoberto Robles

Rigoberto is a graphic design major at UIC with dreams of one day becoming a college professor himself. Growing up, Rigoberto witnessed the struggle his parents went through raising five children without a college education. He knew that he needed to take advantage of the opportunities available to him, and achieve a higher-level education. Rigoberto was always inspired by two things: art and his Hispanic heritage. He decided to combine the two into his studies. He drew inspiration from the Hispanic culture and incorporated it into his artwork.

During the summer of 2008, Rigoberto worked with Dr. Elena Gutierrez on a research project studying the practice of graffiti among Mexican-Americans in Chicago. It was at this time theat he realized his full academic potential. While a career in academia was not part of his original plan, he was inspired to achieve a Ph.D. Rigoberto then got the opportunity to work with Anthropology professor Dr. Joel Palka on a study involving the commericalization of chocolate and how it affects the Mexican culture. His post-graduate plans now include attending graduate school to study socio-cultural anthropology.

Robert and Corrinne Silver Award $500

Ginelle Sanchez Leos

Ginelle graduated from UIC in May 2009 and was awarded two of UIC's top honors in the spring of 2009. She received a Chancellor's Student Service Award and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Sable Tran

Sable Tran came to UIC as a freshman from Glenbard West High School in fall of 2006. She is currently pursuing a double major in English and Spanish with a concentration if race, gender, and sexuality, and is a devoted member of the Pre-Law Society.

Sable’s interests include African American history in literature and art and cultural diversity. Sable has a strong devotion to gender and racial equality and is working to enforce those values throughout UIC. Outside of UIC, Sable volunteers as a Civil Rights Intern at Council on American- Israel Relations –Chicago and enjoys volunteering at CAIR-Chicago because she is contributing to the mission of helping others.

Harold Simon Memorial Award $1335

Katie Byczek

Katie Byczek is a senior in mechanical engineering. A fiercely independent person, Katie supports herself through college and chose her major because she always had a love of designing and building, especially in relation to transportation vehicles. Her recent internship at Electro-Motive Diesel only confirmed for Katie her original desire to work as an engineer upon graduation. She was inspired by the work she did at the company and hopes to broaden her areas of expertise by pursuing work and projects in other technical fields of mechanical engineering before graduation.

Katie’s hometown is Chicago. She participates in an intramural tennis team, is a member of Tau Beta Phi, and volunteers her time as an English tutor.

Betty Stuart Smith Award $6500

Alexandra Siskonen

Biography is coming soon!

Eileen and Michael Tanner Award $1300

Diego Soto

Diego Soto is a mathematics education major who immigrated to the United States approximately six years ago during his high school career. One of four children, Diego is the first of the children in his family to attend a university, and this is something that makes him very proud.

In order to pay for his education and help support his family, Diego spent his first semester working full time at a local gas station while attending classes full time. After such a difficult time, Diego had doubts about continuing, but his passion for mathematics and the motivation of his parents, inspired him to persevere.

In his subsequent semesters, Diego was able to give back to UIC and to the community in which he lives. He tutored as part of the Honors College Tutoring Program and volunteered as part of the New Life Volunteering Society. He joined the Undergraduate Math Club to spread the word that math is enjoyable. He finds it important to make a difference in the life of students from abroad by tutoring them in English as Second Language. Although busy, Diego also is the treasurer of U.N.I.D.O.S., a community group project/organization that encourages Hispanic/Latino students to pursue a higher education.

Diego came to the United States to pursue his dream of higher education and has not let the challenges he has faced keep him from his goals. He is excited to get one step closer to his dream by completing his student teaching in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Richard H. Ward Award $900

Nixon Camilien

Nixon Camilien is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice. He has been employed full-time by the Illinois Department of Corrections since 2000 and originally began his graduate work at UIC in 2000. Nixon received his M.A. from UIC in 2003 and then began pursuing his Ph.D.

Originally from Haiti, Nixon's academic work has been focused on Haiti, having done presentations in 2005 and 2006 on violence and political transition in Haiti.

Nixon is a high achieving doctoral student and received not only the Diversifying Higher Education in Illinois Fellowship from 2004 through 2008, but also received the Richard H. Ward Award once before in 2001.

Ralph Westfall Award $1600

Christine Oscai

Christine Oscai is an economics major whose dream is to be a physician. Christine came to UIC in the fall of 2008 as a part of the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions for Medicine, which guarantees her a seat in the UIC College of Medicine. Christine is a high achieving member of the Honors College who realized her passion for medicine after shadowing an emergency room doctor on the 4th of July.

Christine chose to major in economics because of her interest in healthcare economics and hopes to pursue further studies in that field both as an undergraduate and medical student.

Christine's dream of pursuing her bachelor's degree and medical degree became challenging when her mother lost her job as a television producer. Faced with a difficult decision about how to move forward, her mother decided to open her own television studio, thus tapping into family savings. Christine has pursued scholarships and awards and is thankful that the Ralph Westfall Award will help her to continue on in her academics and continue to pursue her dream.

Mark Wyatt Award $500

Anup Reddy

Anup is a senior at UIC, graduating in 2010 with a double major in biological sciences and psychology, as well as a minor in Spanish.

After graduation, Anup plans on attending medical school to become a doctor. When first asked, he could not respond as to how he decided on becoming a doctor. He first knew he had a passion for helping people in need. After having a serious medical issue, he saw the unique ability doctors had to directly affect a person’s life.

He also looks forward to interacting with patients. In the summer of 2009, Anup travelled to Spain for study abroad. He was able to learn about a completely different culture and gained new respect for his own home life. He plans on using his language abilities to help people on an even broader scale. As a doctor, Anup will have the opportunity to share his knowledge to help people live healthier, better lives.

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