Three outstanding undergraduate scholars received 2010-11 Dean's Prizes.
These students represent the best of their graduating class and are considered the most accomplished among the 4,000 Letters and Science senior class members for the 2010-2011 academic year.
To be considered for this prize one must have a minimum grade point average of 3.90; be a comprehensive honors candidate; have completed a thesis or other major research project; and have made significant contributions to the University or greater community.
These students received only the highest recommendations from faculty and community leaders.
The recipients are:
Marja Anton graduated with comprehensive honors as a Psychology and Zoology major. She is from Oak Park, Illinois.
Marja will soon be first author on the publication of her research results, testing the hypothesis of the fearlessness of psychopathic offenders. She has extensively tutored students at Madison high schools, the Center for Educational Opportunities, and the Greater University Tutorial Service. She has been an active volunteer in the Newman Clinical Psychopathology lab.
She is a Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi inductee and has received many awards and prizes for her achievements including a Trethwartha Honors research grant. Next year Marja will be a research assistant in Professor Newman’s psychopathology lab while applying to medical school to pursue a career in psychiatry.
Leah Pribbenow is from Kimberly, Wisconsin and majored in English. She graduated with comprehensive honors.
Professor Michael Wittmore wrote, “ Leah Pribbenow is one of the best English majors I have taught”. Leah’s impressive list of work and service experiences include being a Writing Fellow, a writing instructor for the Rose writing project at Chadbourne Residential College, a student leader for the Parent Program, a tutor, a tour guide, a peer advisor and a leader with the Badger Catholic organization. Leah is also the recipient of this year’s Helen C. White award. Later this summer Leah will be moving to Quantico, Virginia. Leah will pursue a career in writing and editing.
Peter Culviner is a Biochemistry and Chinese major from Madison, Wisconsin. Peter is graduating with a comprehensive honors degree. Peter is the coauthor on several published scholarly papers and will soon be first author on a study submitted to the Nature Structure and Molecular Biology Journal.
Professor Jolanda Vanderwal Taylor states, “Peter Culivner is the most accomplished student I have known in 25 years at this University.”
Peter is a member of the Wisconsin International Genetically Engineered Machine team (iGEM) which received a gold medal this past year. He is also a Writing Fellow, a Wisconsin International Scholar, a University English conversation tutor, and a Science Olympiad Tournament Coordinator. Peter is starting a biology PhD program at MIT next fall.