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Congratulations to IB's award recipients

Congratulations to IB's award recipients

Five award winners in 2021.

From left to right: Maya Feezell, Doug Warrick, Jared Jensen, Bryan Lynn and McKenzie Barker.

Integrative Biology gathered virtually during finals week to reflect on the past academic year.

Our Equity, Justice and Inclusion committee co-chairs reported on their work, which includes developing the IB Community Values on Equity, Justice, and Inclusion statement. We invite you to read this living document on our website.

We also celebrated achievements and recognized outstanding service.

Jared Jensen, biology ’21, received the Culture of Writing Award for excellence in writing. He was nominated by his writing intensive course (WIC) instructor, Meta Landys.

Bryan Lynn received the Paul & Mary Roberts Graduate Fellowship for research related to evolutionary biology. Bryan is a third year student working under the guidance of Patrick De Leenheer.

Annually since 2012, IB has presented a Castor canadensis award to one graduate student and one faculty/staff member who has contributed service above and beyond to the department over the previous year. Beginning this year, we’re pleased to extend this recognition to one undergraduate, also.

McKenzie Barker, biology ’21, received our inaugural undergraduate Castor canadensis award. McKenzie has been a leader among her peers. She served as president of the Integrative Biology Club (IBC), organized connections been graduate and undergraduate students, and has been an undergrad representative on a search committee. Her nominator summed it up by saying McKenzie is a “joy and pleasure to work with.”

Second-year student Maya Feezell received the graduate student award. Among other things, Maya volunteered for the Equity, Justice and Inclusion committee, ran the Zoom logistics for our departmental EJI retreat and has recently become an IBGSA co-president.

Doug Warrick received the faculty/staff award. Doug has been our building manager for well over a decade. For those who know Cordley Hall well, you’ll know Doug gets calls in the middle of the night, deals with floods, temperature fluctuations, power issues and more. He’s our liaison with Facilities Services and the construction remodel crew.

Congratulations to all, and thank you McKenzie, Maya and Doug for your service to IB!