Academic Programs > Scholarships > Making a Difference
Making a Difference in the Lives of Students
Monica Hwang
"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your generous contribution! With your support, I am able to continue (and excel in!) my studies at the University of Maryland. I am currently a sophomore double majoring in Animal Science and Microbiology with a sincere interest in becoming a veterinarian. But I also, like you, have a sincere interest in supporting others. These past summers I have traveled to Taiwan to teach English and to New Orleans to help with the Katrina effort. This would not have been possible without your financial support, and for that I am grateful."
Jamal Jeter
"As my undergraduate years at Maryland approach a close, I cannot express enough gratitude for all of your support. The James R. Ferguson Memorial scholarship was one of my deciding factors in attending the University of Maryland. I am currently a senior at the University of Maryland, and my activities include working part time at the United States Department of Agriculture in their Environmental Food Safety Laboratories. In addition, I work part-time in the Laboratory of Dr. Zhengguo Xiao where I provide assistance as he analyzes molecular mechanisms to form protective immunity in mice. As of now I have decided to attend Graduate school and recieve more formal training in the area of Immunology. My eventual goal is to obtain a PhD in this area where I may possibly focus on vaccine development and creating better cancer treatments. My ultimate goal is to get many undeserved communities interested in the sciences in the grade school levels. Many of these goals and accomplishments would not have been fully realized if it weren't for the support of my many donors and the College of Agriculture. I'd like to thank all my supporters once again for all their time and assistance."
Wanxin Liu
"I would like to thank you very much for accepting me as a recipient for the James and Sarah Goddard Memorial Scholarship for the third year. I consider myself a fun-loving and open-minded student. I was born in China and spent most of my childhood living with my parents in Japan. I then moved to Maryland when I was 13. Being exposed to such a diverse and varying cultural background, I always love to try new things. My interests include vollyball, dancing, playing the piano, painting, and snowboarding. I also love animals, and that is why I have chosen to study animal sciences at the University of Maryland. I believe that we need to conserve and protect nature in order to preserve the balance in the ecosystem. I aim to be a wildlife veterinarian whocontributes to bettering human coexistance with wildlife. This scholarship will aid me to getting the most out of my undergraduate education in order to accomplish something much greater. Thank you for your help in the process of making my goals come true."
Mehdi Naqvi
"I have been a recipient of the Land Grant Scholarship for the past three years and time has certainly raced by. I cannot express how grateful I am that I was chosen for this honor and how much it has helped me during my time at the University of Maryland. Receiving the Land Grant Scholarship has not only alleviated me of the general stress associated with college expenses, but as also allowed me to devote more time and effort towards my academic work... Your contribution to my future has been an invaluable one and it is because of your generosity that I am fortunate enough to be faced with a decision between two great and rewarding professions."
Hanna Poffenbarger
"I am writing to thank you sincerely for your sponsorship of my education. I am now a sophomore at the University of Maryland studying Environmental Science, with a concentration in Environment and Agriculture. I am interested in learning about ways in which food can be produced to feed the people of the world, while not damaging the environment that sustains us. The track that I have chosen for my studies reflects my upbringing; my brother and uncle practice small-scale farming and I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on farming experience through working with them. Authors such as Wendell Berry and Michael Pollan also influenced my interest in sustainable agriculture. I truly take pleasure in learning about this topic and have enjoyed the research experience that I have had thus far. I hope to one day perform research as a faculty member at a university."
Russell Reynnells
"Thank you very much for continuing to support my education with your generous scholarship. I am very excited about this upcoming semester since I will be taking some interesting classes. Among them is a class on Green Roofs and Sustainability practices. Additionally, I will be taking a series of shorter classes on Greenhouse management. I will also be taking Plant Physiology and Arboriculture. My last three semesters have been mostly CORE classes and Organic Chemistry, so it is very exciting to finally be taking a lot of courses on plants. I am changing my major to double in Plant Sciences, and Horticulture and Crop Production. I am looking at possibly going into the nursery industry. I am still working at the microbiology lab at USDA (at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center). In fact, my picture was in the July issue of Agricultural Research magazine for one of the projects that we were doing last winter and spring."
Melissa Lyn Etheridge
"I am so greatful that you have awarded me the James and Sarah Goddard scholarship. I love the University of Maryland and this scholarship is making it easier financially for me to continue attending this school. I am currently a sophomore and am from Ellicott City, Maryland. I am an Environmental Science and Poilcy major and have recently declared a concentration in Wildlife Ecology and Management. In the future, I would love to do field research on endangered species and work for an environmental organization that is devoted to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The University of Maryland has been the perfect place for me to pursue my education and dreams for the future. I've enjoyed my classes, made a lot of great friends, joined the women's rugby team, and overall am having a wonderful experience."
Arielle Halpern
"I chose to attend the University of Maryland because I believe that it will afford me a better education than I might recieve elsewhere, as well as the fact that the academic community at Maryland is an astounding and supportive one. As an Animal Science major I intend to go to veterinary school upon graduation to attain a large animal degree. Beyond my coursework, I participate in the Quidditch club, as well as a charity dance company a friend of mine and I created called Connect the Dots. Though I am an Animal Science major, I also adore language and the arts, particularly English; I have been an avid reader since a very young age. Thank you for supporting my education at Maryland with your generous scholarship."
Alex Galbreath
"I am extremely honored to have been a recipient of the Friends of AGNR scholarship over the past three semesters. I grew up on a small, family-owned dairy farm, and as you may know, dairy farms are not exactly moneymakers. As a result, my parents are financially unable to help me pay my college tuition. My college fund was used up in a semester. Now, I am struggling to pay for college with my job and loans. I sincerely appreciate every single dollar that you have given me, and it helps tremendously. I am currently a sophomore Agricultural and Resource Economics major, considering switching to Environmental Science and Technology because of my passion for the environment. I work at Jimmy John's as a delivery driver and I play club baseball here at the University of Maryland. My career goals are to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, find ways to reduce pollution, and juristically improve both air and water quality. The Friends of AGNR scholarship is making my goals become possible. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you for choosing me for this scholarship."
Ashley Klein
"Each semester I learn more, I work harder, and I become closer to graduation and becoming a successful addition to the community. I have your support to thank for this opportunity. The money you donate is helping me fulfill my dreams of working with animals. As a junior in college I have come to see my university as a home away from home. Currently I volunteer at an Animal Rescue in Maryland and am an active member of the pre-veterinarian society on campus. This coming semester I hope to be accepted into a research position in a Pathology lab off campus. I also successfully gained experience at a veterinarian's office this past summer in preparation for applying to vet school. My plans for senior year include volunteering at the National Zoo. By doing this I will have experienced working with wildlife, small animals, large animals, domestic animals, and exotic animals. All of these opportunites that are building blocks of my application to vet school are available to me because I was able to attend the University of Maryland. Thank you for helping to support my eduacation."
Kathleen L. Bardales
"Thank you so much for all of your help! Your generosity is allowing me to pursue my dreams. I am currently a sophomore Animal and Avian Sciences major from Silver Spring, MD. From a very early age, I knew I wanted to work with animals in some capacity, particularly focusing on veterinary medicine. The University of Maryland has given me a great start and a world of opportunities for pursuing a career with animals. Outside of the classroom, I am actively involved with the Pre-Vet society, the University of Maryland Equestrian Team and even the University's Rotational Grazing Site in Ellicott City where I am employed as an equine research assistant. I really hope to use these experiences to the fullest and attend veterinary school after graduation. I know that with continued support, I can achieve this goal. The road through college has not always been the easiest, especially as my parents are not able to help me financially. With that said, I cannpt express enough my heartfelt gratitude for every bit of help I recieve from generous donors such as yourself through the James R. Ferguson Memorial Scholarship."
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Last updated: 01/26/2011