OSURA Scholarship
The OSU Retirement Association (OSURA) provides scholarship support to undergraduate students at Oregon State University who are majoring in a subject that contributes to a career promoting healthy aging.
Currently enrolled OSU undergraduate students who have completed at least one academic year at OSU with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, and have a minimum of one year of study yet to be completed towards their first bachelor’s (B.S./B.A.) degree are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship awards between $750 and $1,500 per person will be awarded at the OSURA Annual Meeting in May. Funds will be deposited into OSU student accounts for the 2013-14 academic year.
Applications are due Monday, March 4, 2013 by 4:30 PM.
How to Apply:
Please mail (or drop off) all the materials described below in one envelope to the address at the bottom. Incomplete and late submissions will not be considered for the scholarship.
Resume
Include a relevant copy of your current resume. Please also provide us with your permanent address, phone number and an OSU email address.
Essay
Write an essay not exceeding 500 words articulating how you plan to promote healthy aging in your chosen career. nclude details of any activities you have completed towards this goal.
Reference Letters
Include two letters of reference from persons who can address your academic studies, extracurricular school or community activities, and relevant job positions (paid, internships, volunteer) towards healthy aging. Please do not use parents, fellow students, and former high school teachers as references. Submit the references in sealed envelopes with the individual’s signature crossing the flap and the body of the envelope.
Transcript
Attach an unofficial grade transcript of all your completed university work.
Submit Materials
All of the above material must be submitted (mailed or delivered) by Monday, March 4, 2013 to:
OSURA Scholarship Committee Chair
209 Adams Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331
Questions?
Call 541-737-4717 or send an email: OSURA@oregonstate.edu
Established in 2002, the Oregon State University Retirement Association (OSURA) promotes collegial ties among all OSU retirees and between the retirees and the university community. OSURA provides opportunities for ongoing intellectual growth, social interaction, volunteerism, and service to the University and is a knowledgeable advocacy in support of retirees and the University.
2012-2013 Scholarship Award Recipients
Pictured from left to right:
Tom Savage, Scholarship Chair-elect for 2013; Alejandra Marquez Loza, Bio Resources Research student; Minhazur Sarker, Microbiology (Honors College) student; Elizabeth J. Ragan, Anthropology-Biocultural Option, Public Health student; Jackson Olson Dougan, Biology-Chemistry-International Studies in Biology (Honors College) student; Jean Peters, Scholarship Committee.
Not pictured: Katie Vaughn, Interior Design student and scholarship recipient and John Block, Chair, Scholarship Committee.
Jackson Olson Dougan
Jackson a junior from Hood River, OR has three majors – Biology, Chemistry, International Studies (Biology) in the Honors College with specializations in Advanced Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry.
He is minoring in Spanish.
He is also active in several university organizations; plays the clarinet, violin, and piano. He has also performed and directed classical and contemporary styles of theater – 7 various productions.
He states that he is a strong and flexible dancer, has performed and choreographed original compositions… Jackson has also has received various Honors and Awards.
From his scholarship application essay…
“As a member of the Boomer support group-my generation will support many Baby Boomers in retirement-I understand the need to devise a solution to this problem and relish the challenge.
…I hope to enter medical school specializing in pathology or oncology promoting healthy aging and prolonged wellness through patient consultations and professional conferences.
I look forward to my career in medicine and promoting healthy aging through treatment, prevention, education, and cross-cultural communication. It has never been more important to focus on the practices of and habits that will cultivate a full and prosperous life.”
Alejandra Marquez Loza
Alejandra is a junior majoring in Bio Resource Research and comes to OSU from Ponce, Puerto Rico. In her major, a student is required to conduct a significant thesis research project. Alejandra is working in the laboratory of Dr. Kathy Magnusson , Dept of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Alejandra is also active in several university organizations –an Ambassador for the College of Agr. Sci., Nat Resources and Forestry, student officer in the Manners pgm (Minorities in Agr. Nat Resources, and Related Sciences), and an active member of Latinos in Pre Med Club. She has also received various Honors and Awards.
From her scholarship application essay…
“One of the most significant problems for a majority of the elderly population in the US is age-related memory decline. The effects can range from severe forms like Alzheimer’s disease to the five times more frequent Age Associated Memory Impairment, a clinical state that affects the ability to process new and old information.
…As part of her BRR thesis project, she is focusing on determining whether an anti-inflamatory drug can increase the expression of particular receptors in the brain critical for building memory. This research is exceptionally valuable to me because it has already begun to paving my way in accomplishing my career goals in helping increase quality of life with aging through neurological research
After graduating from OSU, my career goals include obtaining an MD and Ph.D in neuroscience.”
Elizabeth (Lizzie) J. Ragan
Lizzie is a junior with double majors– Anthropology with a Biocultural option and a major in Public Health with an option in Health Promotion and Health Behavior. She is active in several university organizations: Academic Program Student Assistant in College of Public Health; a writing assistant in the OSU Center for Writing and Learning, and a Program Director for the Memorial Union Program Council. Her community service has involved – HIV Alliance, Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Conversant Program Volunteer at INTO OSU. Lizzie is the recipient of various Honors and Awards.
From her scholarship application essay…
“As a double major in Public Health and Anthropology. I have been working throughout my undergraduate career to gain an understanding of what human life history and aging are really all about. I have learned that health is a life-long narrative, beginning at at maternity and continuously being influenced by both micro- and macro factors. As part of our life history, healthy aging is also a process….
My professional goal is to be involved in developing international women’s health promotion programs that reflect the cultural models of health while addressing both social and international barriers.
The meaning of health is dynamic and distinct across cultures; therefore, health promotion programs must be adaptable and reflective of varying ideologies in order to be effective. For this reason, traditional medicine has become of great interest to me. When individuals believe in their medicine and healing processes, then they are subsequently more likely to experience restored wellbeing and have improved health outcomes.
I hope to direct my career to improving the healthy outcomes of women. By improving maternal health, I will be working directly toward the promotion of future healthy aging populations”
Minhazur Sarker
Minhazur a junior Honors College Scholar in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry hails from Corvallis. He is active in several university organizations – Student Volunteer at Corvallis Clinic –Philomath Family Medicine, an College of Science Student Ambassador, a student officer in the Microbiology Student Association, and co-founder of the OSU Bangladesh Student Association, member Biochemistry/Biophysics Club, and Asst. Volunteer Coach Corvallis High Lacrosse program. Minhazur is a student researcher in Dr. Manoj Pastey’s lab (College of Vet Medicine) where he is attempting to determine the function of a novel HIV viral protein associated with replication. “….My research though not directly aiding healthy aging research is helping humanity as a whole”.
He has received various Honors and Awards.
From his scholarship application essay…
“After graduating from OSU with an honors baccalaureate degree, I plan to attend medical school, hopefully at OHSU or the Un of Washington. My passion for medicine stems from an interesting interaction: the one of patient and physician. Over the past few years, I was fortunate enough to forge relationships with physicians in the area one who has gotten me to consider specializing in orthopedics. As an orthopedic surgeon, I will aid in healthy aging at the most important level: prevention.
…I believe the key to healthy aging is research and a switch to preventative health care. I will not promise to be the best physician at promoting preventative care but I do promise to be the best physician I can be at promoting preventative care. My best is the only promise I will make.”
Kalie Vaughn
Kalie is from Silverton, OR. She transferred to OSU from Chemeketa CC with her AAOT Transfer degree in March 2010. Kalie is majoring in Interior Design/Housing Studies; minoring in Business, and will also earn a certificate in Gerontology. She is active in university organizations; community services (Silverton Tree of Giving, Habitat for Humanity, etc.)
She has received various Honors and Awards and is on the OSU Honor Roll.
From her scholarship application essay…
“Since I was very young I have always been interested in houses and interior spaces. I hope to combine my certificate in gerontology with my interior design skills to help those who are aging in place and as well as make homes more accessible for people with disabilities.
…Some people are forced to leave their home and move to a more accessible home, leaving their memories behind in the house they loved. My overall future professional goal is to design and renovate houses in order to make them more easily accessible for those who are aging.
This spring I will begin studies with Dr. Carmen Steggell on aging adults and how they interact with their environment.”