USU aerospace engineering graduate student Christine Case has received a fellowship from the Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium. This funding will support Case's research to improve the sensing applications for drones. "I'm very pleased to represent USU under the Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium and am honored to have received the fellowship," Case said. The consortium was founded in 1989 with a variety of goals including increasing diversity in NASA's workforce and financially supporting space-related research. Case's research will focus on developing a technology called the Flush Airdata Sensing application to measure airmass properties for drones. This will be a less intrusive method that will allow drones to measure airspeed, altitude, angle-of-attack and sideslip without changing the flight dynamics of low-speed vehicles.

Earlier this year at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington D.C., Utah State University Civil and Environmental Engineering master's student Joshua Ward received an Eisenhower Transportation Graduate Fellowship. Award amounts for the fellowship vary. Ward will receive $31,500 from the Federal Highway Administration, which will provide him a full year of funding to do transportation research. This prestigious award is only given to a select number of students from U.S. universities each year. "I've always had a goal to get a master's degree," Ward said. "And this fellowship has really helped make that possible." Ward is slated to complete his thesis later this year. His fellowship funding will support his thesis research, and he will submit a copy of his final project report to the Federal Highway Administration. Currently, he is working on two projects with the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center on campus - one looking at the electrification of transportation networking services like Uber or Lyft and one looking at electric vehicle owners and recreational road trips. He is still finalizing his thesis topic, which will build on this research. "This fellowship is a great opportunity to showcase a lot of the work that is going on at ASPIRE and at USU as well," Ward said. "It's a very great thing for our program."

Utah State University student Aubreyona Migliori has been named a finalist in for a national nutritional science award. The Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program by the American Society for Nutrition recognizes the highest quality research presented by students and young investigators at Nutrition 2022 Live Online. The event is the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition and the premier educational event for nutrition professionals around the globe. The virtual meeting brings together lab scientists, practicing clinicians, population health researchers and community intervention investigators to identify solutions to today's greatest nutrition challenges and includes undergraduate, graduate and medical students. More than 700 abstracts were submitted by students and postdoctoral fellows, and the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program recognizes the top 15% highest-scored abstracts as reviewed and rated by more than 400 nutrition scientists. Migliori will be recognized during Nutrition 2022 Live Online and has also been invited to present her research: "Effect of Replacing Cellulose with Primarily Insoluble Fiber on the Microbiome and Short Chain Fatty Acids, and Fecal Calprotectin in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet." "Through this program, the American Society for Nutrition celebrates the achievements of our rising stars," said the organization's president, Paul Coates. "The society looks forward to watching their future contributions to advance our understanding of nutrition science and practice." Migliori, who graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in nutrition science and a minor in chemistry, completed her laboratory research with faculty mentors Robert Ward and Korry Hintze, both in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences. Earlier she did research on fatty acids in Ward's lab with support from a USU Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grant. "We began this fiber-mouse model last summer where I fed and collected data from the mice," Migliori said. "Afterward, I helped analyze microbiome composition and inflammation from the mouse fecal samples throughout this last year." To collect the samples and data, Migliori first had to catch the mice to perform glucose tests and MRIs. "Funny enough, the hardest part of the project was catching them out of their little homes to analyze," Migliori said. "I remember that in the beginning of the project, all the mice were young and lean, and it was almost impossible to catch them out of their little cage. They ran marathons around my hand. At the end of the project, either I became quicker, or they had stored up a bit of weight and became much slower." Migliori will continue to work with Ward on projects through the summer, including a second part of the mouse-fiber study. In the fall, Migliori is continuing at USU as a master's degree student in the nutrition and food sciences program. She hopes to attend medical school in the future and to become a physician. "USU's NDFS department has amazing faculty who try to help students find academic and career opportunities for future success," Migliori said. "Through them, I learned of an opportunity to work on a project in the department researching probiotics. It seemed like the perfect fit and meant I got to stay at USU for a bit longer. It will be a great learning opportunity and help me prepare for a medical career in the future."

In March, Jordan Packer, a Utah State University Eastern student, won second place in the American Welding Society Weld Trials after placing 11th in the SkillsUSA National Welding Competition. The competition was by invitation only and involved several levels of elimination before culminating in a final weld-off that took place in Huntsville, Alabama. Packer, who has been welding competitively since his sophomore year in high school, including three years as Provo High School's SkillsUSA representative in the secondary school competition, discovered the USU Eastern welding program while researching opportunities at Weber State University. "On a tour of USU Eastern, I saw just how involved the school was with SkillsUSA and it convinced me that this was the place for me," said Packer. "I can say with all the conviction in the world that USU Eastern is the place to learn how to weld. If you are trying to choose from being close to home or attending USU Eastern, you should buy a plane ticket, drive across the country, or do anything in your power to attend USU Eastern's welding program." Although Packer still plans to pursue a bachelor's of science in manufacturing engineering with an emphasis in welding at Weber State, he learned that obtaining an associate degree in Welding Technology first would not only allow him to compete in the SkillsUSA collegiate level competitions but would also make him more competitive when it came time to search for a job. "I learned that USU Eastern's welding alumni have built a reputation for being the best at what they do, and I had to be part of that group," said Packer. Packer was selected as USU Eastern's contestant for the 2021 Utah SkillsUSA welding competition where he took first place. That win propelled him to the SkillsUSA National competition where he placed 11th, qualifying him to compete in the USA Weld Trials - the competition used to select the welding contestant representing the United States at the international WorldSkills competition to be held in Shanghai in October 2022. After receiving the invitation to compete at the USA Trials, Packer actively practiced, competed, and did everything he could to prepare, including spending close to 75 hours a week in the shop welding and mastering the four main processes of welding. All his preparation was in addition to keeping up with schooling and family responsibilities. Since the USA Trials are at the same competitive level as an Olympic event, the same level of dedication and training was required to remain in the running. Packer's preparation paid off, carrying him through elimination rounds that reduced 50 contestants down to the top four. His competitors included former gold medalists from the 2019 and 2021 SkillsUSA national competitions - none of whom made it to the final round. "To compete in SkillsUSA you need all the support you can get," said Packer. "Without a doubt, the USU Eastern instructors and program is the most supportive group you will find. Not only has USU Eastern spent a great deal of program funds on material, but the instructors have put in their personal time to make sure my practice time is as efficient as possible. I have come to know all three of the instructors better than anyone in the program and there is not a group of men I respect more." The Final Weld-Off consisted of four different modules with 18 hours allotted to finish the modules over a three-day period. The first module tested five separate test coupons: two open-root V-grooves (one 10 mm and one 16 mm), two fillet-weld break tests, and one open-root 6G 4" schedule 80 pipe coupon. All five then underwent visual inspection before being destructively tested. The fillet welds were broken, and the v-grooves and pipe were cut into sections for bend testing. For the first module, Packer used the shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and flux-cored arc welding processes, but any of the four welding processes (including gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, or shielded metal arc welding) can be randomly selected for any of the five test coupons, making it so a contestant has to be prepared to weld any of the five tests with all four processes at any given time. Module 2 consisted of welding a steel pressure vessel that consisted of a variety of welding positions and all four welding processes, which was then hydrostatically tested. To achieve full points, no leaks can be observed when the vessel is filled with water and 1000 PSI of pressure is applied for one minute. Packer's vessel passed with flying colors. Finally, Module 3 was an aluminum project welded exclusively with gas tungsten arc welding and Module 4 was a stainless-steel project welded with the same process. "The judges are essentially looking for perfection, which is honestly unobtainable," said Austin Welch, assistant professor of welding at USUE. "To be competitive at this level, a contestant has to have a beyond-expert level of welding skill in all four welding processes, and the scoring is absurdly strict - indescribably stricter than any industry standard that I know of. It is debatably unreasonable to expect even welding robots to have the ability to consistently maintain such tight tolerances." Packer ultimately took second place in the competition, joining the legacy of other USUE welding alumni including Jordan Wynn who took second place at the USA Trials in 2019 and Chandler Vincent who placed fifth at the WorldSkills competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after winning the USA Weld Trials in 2017. Vincent now serves as the United States Expert on the USA Weld Trials committee. Even with the intense preparation and stress caused by the competition, Packer is glad he participated. "Despite the hard days, this has been the greatest opportunity of my life," said Packer. "I have come from just being able to stick two plates of steel together to now being able to keep up with the best welders in the nation. Not only that, but participating in SkillsUSA helped me to meet some of the best people in the industry."

Utah State University will confer a total of 7,047 degrees to 6,588 students during the 135th commencement ceremony, which will be conducted in person for the first time in two years. The students are from USU's statewide campuses and USU Online, earning degrees and certificates during the summer 2021, fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters. USU Statewide campuses have held graduation ceremonies throughout the past several weeks. The USU main campus ceremonies will be held May 5, 2022 in Logan. "The successes of this graduating class are impressive and wide-ranging, demonstrating the resilience and fortitude that has sustained them through their years at USU," said USU President Noelle E. Cockett. "The class of 2022 will make a significant impact on the world as they join other innovators and achievers who are part of the Aggie alumni family. It has been an incredible privilege and opportunity to serve as president during their time at Utah State." USU's graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed via aggiecast.usu.edu. For more information on USU's commencement ceremonies, visit www.usu.edu/commencement. USU Commencement Statistics (Spring 2022) Numbers of degrees: Certificates: 281 Associate: 1,145 Bachelor's: 4,411 Graduate Certificates: 73 Non-Degree Program/Master's: 1 Master's: 967 Education Specialist's: 2 Doctorate: 167 Geographic origin: Foreign countries: 42 (Top 3: China, 311; India, 19; Saudi Arabia, 12 U.S. states (not including Utah): 48 Ethnicity (undergraduate): American Indian/Alaskan native: 146 Pacific Islander: 16 Asian: 445 Black, non-Hispanic: 65 White, non-Hispanic: 5,548 Hispanic or Latino: 394 Multicultural: 175 Not Specified: 193 Legal sex of graduates: Female: 3,848 Male: 2,740 U.S. Air Force Commissions: 23 U.S. Army Commissions: 12 Most popular degrees (undergraduate): Economics (397) Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education (337) Psychology (183) Elementary Education (153) Kinesiology (148) Mechanical Engineering (137) Integrated Studies (136) Registered Nurse (134) Biology (116) Finance (114) Accounting (111) Departments graduating the most students with graduate certificates or degrees: Marketing and Strategy Psychology Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Management Number of degrees awarded to first-generation students: Associate: 380 Bachelor's: 789 Master's: 50 Doctorate: 4 Graduates by USU campuses: Logan/Main: 4,174 USU Eastern 325 USU Blanding: 157 Salt Lake: 326 Brigham City: 127 Uintah Basin: 127 Kaysville: 231 Tooele: 74 Southwest: 84 Orem: 203 Moab: 31 International: 285 Out-of-State: 447

Utah State University will recognize more than 6,800 candidates for graduation during its Spring 2021 Commencement celebration, awarding nearly 7,300 degrees and certificates. The students are from USU's 30 campuses across the state and USU Online, earning degrees and certificates during the summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. USU Statewide campuses have held graduation ceremonies throughout the past several weeks. The USU main campus ceremonies will be held May 6-7 in Logan. "We celebrate this significant accomplishment during a year with many challenges, but it cannot quell our Aggie spirit of togetherness," said President Noelle E. Cockett. "The class of 2021 has shown remarkable resiliency. It has been an incredible privilege and humbling opportunity to serve as president during this time in our history." USU's graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed via aggiecast.usu.edu. For more information on USU's commencement ceremonies, visit www.usu.edu/commencement. USU Commencement Statistics (Spring 2021) Numbers of degrees (undergraduate): Certificates: 192 Associate: 1,272 Bachelor's: 4,587 Graduate School Grads Master's: 1,063 Doctorate: 130 Education Specialist's: 11 Geographic origin (undergraduate): Foreign countries: 66 (Top 3: Mexico, 25; China, 19; Canada, 14) U.S. states (not including Utah): 48 Ethnicity (undergraduate): American Indian/Alaskan native: 103 Pacific Islander: 23 Asian: 369 Black, non-Hispanic: 47 White, non-Hispanic: 4,806 Multicultural: 147 Not Specified: 169 Gender of graduates (undergraduate): Female: 3,170 Male: 2,288 Nondisclosed: 2 Most popular degrees (undergraduate): Economics (434) Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education (327) Psychology (179) Mechanical Engineering (160) Computer Science (135) Integrated Studies (134) Marketing (127) Kinesiology (122) English (123) Elementary Education (117) Number of degrees awarded to first-generation students: Associate: 364 Bachelor's: 811 USU majority campus (total 5,660 undergraduate students): Logan/Main: 3,787 USU Eastern 401 USU Blanding: 124 Salt Lake: 171 Brigham City: 154 Uintah Basin: 123 Kaysville: 110 Tooele: 64 Southwest: 63 Orem: 71 Moab: 38 International: 286 Out-of-State: 268

When he thinks back, Alva Swanson (BS Forest Ecology and Management) recalls three events that became pivotal in bringing him to where he is now, at the threshold of graduation from the Quinney College of Natural Resources. The first is a big fish story. Swanson's home is in the far north of Idaho, a community called Bonners Ferry. Carving down the center of town is the Kootenai River, where you can sometimes glimpse a native monster. With long snouts, sharklike tails, and bony armor, white sturgeon are a (sometimes) massive freshwater-locked fish species that settle into the slow eddies and deep, calm turns along Kootenai's banks. It used to be that their lengths reached up to a whopping eight feet, with weights coming in at hundreds of pounds. But by the time Swanson developed an appreciation for these prehistoric fish, they were on the brink of extinction. In 2009 the nearby Kootenai Tribe hired fisheries experts to launch a major effort to restore 55 miles of the river so that white sturgeon could survive long enough to spawn (starting at 30 years old), and find habitat to grow and thrive (they can live up to 70 years). Swanson watched these efforts with admiration, aware for the first time that rivers, and their residents, might need saving. The second event happened on the trails of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, where Swanson worked for several years on summer trail crews. He lugged a chainsaw up to 17 miles per day, clearing paths from winter blowdown. It was work that he liked, he said, which was lucky because there weren't many other options for summer employment near his home. It was either that, or working in the sawmill, and he preferred to be on the trail. The intense physical aspect of the job never bothered him. He likes to push his body to the limit, as he has done with long-distance running and mountain biking. The day-long treks with the trail crew were often punctuated with conversation on diverse topics, and Swanson's favorites involved forest ecology. There were a few people on the crew that could tell him which tree species required wildfire to regenerate, or to point out a 300-year-old Engelmann spruce on the horizon. It was these conversations that really stuck in his mind, making him consider that a career in natural resources management might suit him. Swanson started in the fisheries degree program at USU, appreciating the foundations he was picking up, but wondered more and more about how to apply this knowledge. The third event was somewhat less picturesque than the first two, though no less important. During class breaks, Swanson liked to peruse the Natural Resources building, reading research posters tacked to the wall of every hallway, to get perspective on how the basic science he was learning might be applied to his experience in the outdoors. He was standing there one day, reading about innovations in the production of biochar, when the author of the poster, Forestry Extension Specialist Darren McAvoy, poked his head out of his office and struck up a conversation. As an extension agent, McAvoy's role is to help private landowners make informed choices about how to manage their forest land, connecting them with the latest information on scientific and technical advances. It was that conversation, said Swanson, that really cemented his desire to do a degree in forestry, and to apply what he was learning in the places that he loved. His priority, he decided, was to help other people make that connection. And now he will have that chance. Swanson graduates this spring. He has immediate plans to develop a breadth of experience with the Forest Service, in the areas of wildland fire and timber management, before he makes a deeper commitment about which specific area to aim his focus. He is open to lots of options for his future, he said, but knows his heart is already committed to staying in the West.

Utah State University mechanical engineering student Elijah Kimmel is interning with a federal and state-funded initiative aimed at bringing a variety of partners together to support growth in Utah's advanced material and manufacturing industry. Kimmel began his internship with the Utah Advanced Material and Manufacturing Initiative, UAMMI, in December and is working with the initiative's workforce program. "Our goal is to bring together public, private, community, industry and educational partners to build Utah up as a manufacturing giant and bring work back into Utah," Kimmel said. As part of the workforce program, Kimmel is helping research the state of career and technical education, or CTE, in Utah. Understanding what CTE opportunities are available in the state and what opportunities can be expanded is one way to increase the workforce for the state's advanced material and manufacturing industry. "The work I am doing with the workforce program is to help us better educate young people on what's actually out there and to help industry understand what education is already in existence," Kimmel said. This work is important to Kimmel because he is the first member of his family to attend a four-year university. "Everyone's always been welders, construction workers, equipment operators," he said, "and I've learned that working with your hands is very useful, very meaningful, and is a very viable option to provide for yourself." What drew Kimmel to this internship opportunity was the potential he felt it had to make a difference. "This position stood out to me because not only is it dealing with manufacturing, which is something I am interested in, the way the position was described made me feel like I was going to be doing something useful," Kimmel said. Kimmel has been enjoying his experience so far and said he loves the new things he is learning. "Every time I join one of the staff meetings, I learn something new about a small company," he said. "I learn something new about what UAMMI is trying to do. I learn something new about networking or about an advanced manufacturing method. There's always something more to learn."

It probably occurred to Ray Poe, when he was riding along a ridiculously pitted and rock-strewn service road, fleeing a thunderstorm, riding on treads so worn that they shed like a snake in molt, and peering over the edge of a not-insignificant dropoff, that being in charge of his own academic destiny is both a thrill and a responsibility. Poe (BS Watershed Sciences and Geology) and his research mentor Alec Arditti were bumping in a truck up the pitted track after a research trip. They were in a hurry, trying to get back onto asphalt before the rain mired them in place, when Arditti suddenly stopped, threw the truck in park near the precipice of the rather steep hill, and ordered Poe to get behind the wheel. The event, which tested both Poe's driving skills and blood pressure, and required extended driving in reverse, ended without serious incident. But it could still be considered a sort of metaphor for Poe's academic experience over the last four years in the Quinney College of Natural Resources-a combination of accepting risk, taking responsibility, and expanding his capacity with all sorts of unexpected skill sets. Not that Poe was new to driving on dirt roads. Growing up among the carved hoodoos and rust-tinted limestone of Tropic, Utah, he had a family history that included a father and grandfather who worked for the National Park Service. Poe had already weathered his fair share of washboard journeys. "Natural resources and conservation are a big part of my history, and played an important role when I was young," said Poe. He spent weekends hiking, canoeing and exploring the backcountry canyons of the Colorado Plateau. But like many kids, he initially resisted what his family genealogy told him should already be written in his blood. "I've been told I was quite a brat on some of those trips," he joked. But he eventually came around. He arrived at USU tentatively, but quickly found a comfort zone in the many outdoor recreation options easily accessible from campus. He spent plenty of time hiking and kayaking during his time in Logan, and embraced a variety of classes in both Watershed Sciences and Geology, while meanwhile dealing with a global pandemic that he terms with a straight face "a hiccup." During his junior year, Poe decided that he wanted to drive his academic future more intentionally by pursuing a research experience. He cold-approached the department head of Watershed Sciences, Patrick Belmont, with a request for help in finding a topic for a senior thesis. They brainstormed over several weeks, and when Poe settled on a topic that seemed like a good fit, Belmont set him up with resources to pursue the project. Poe spent the next year partnered with Arditti, who is a graduate student (and who, it should be noted, didn't typically abandon trucks at the toughest sections of driving). Together they explored how the damaged trees that were coming down after the 2018 Dollar Ridge wildfire impacted the hydrology of streams flowing into Strawberry Reservoir. "You might not realize it," said Poe, "but adding that much woody debris to water systems after a fire can have a major impact on how streams behave-if they flood, how they eddy and cascade, and how much sediment is eroded and deposited along their banks." He surveyed and measured the downed wood on the ground, and used satellite images before and after the fire to see how much of the wood was being swept into the water system. It was a really fulfilling and expanding research experience, he said. After he graduates this spring, Poe will be working as a hydrologic technician in the Malheur National Forest near the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. It will offer a breadth of hands-on work and will lay a solid foundation for his future career plans-working as a hydro-geologist for the federal government, perhaps even, eventually, the National Park Service. But that plan is not written in stone, he said. Give him a few years with metaphorical boots on the ground to gain experience and define his next steps.

Utah State University has announced the elected officers of the 2022-23 USU Student Association (USUSA) student body. A total of 27 positions were filled on USU's Logan campus and Statewide campuses. "I am proud of our student body for showing up, making their voices heard, and coming together as a collective, strong, and capable family," USUSA President-Elect Clara Alder said. "Elections bring people together, and our student body has brought together our newest 2022-2023 officers together." USUSA is an organization made by the students, for the students, because of students. Every student at USU is a member of the association and can actively participate in all activities, committees, clubs, events, and initiatives. Because of their approval of the USUSA constitution in October, students attending USU Eastern participated in USUSA elections for the first time this year. The organization now represents all 30 campuses and centers in the USU system, an important milestone for the land-grant institution. This was also the first time that students across that state elected a single student body presidency, the Executive Leadership Board. While Logan, Eastern, and statewide campuses previously elected separate executives, all USU students were able to participate in this year's elections for the USUSA president, executive vice president and student advocate vice president, who will be responsible for representing the entire student body. "We are proud to represent you and will work diligently to enhance your college experience," Alder, who will serve as the first USU student body president with a systemwide mandate, said on Friday. "I hope you see just how amazing this year is going to be. There are so many opportunities for us to work together, to support each other, and to be better together." For more information on USUSA, visit www.usu.edu/involvement/student-association. For a complete record of election results, visit www.usu.edu/involvement/elections/results. USUSA Student Government 2022-2023 Executive Leadership Board Clara Alder, USUSA President Abe Rodriguez, USUSA Executive Vice President Ethan Conlee, USUSA Student Advocate Vice President Logan Campus Executive Council Erik Fogth, Logan Campus Vice President Ryder Sasser, Logan Campus Athletics and Campus Recreation Executive Director Noah Evaga, Logan Campus Diversity and Organizations Executive Director Dakota Oldham, Logan Campus Student Events Executive Director Statewide Campuses Executive Council Hunter Warren, USU Blanding Service Region Vice President Jasmine Sorensen, USU Brigham City Service Region Vice President Sofie Crompton, USU Eastern Service Region Vice President Jamie Reidhead, USU Moab Service Region Vice President Sherri Callister, USU Southwest Service Region Vice President Julie Andrews, USU Tooele Service Region Vice President Lindsay Cook, USU Uintah Basin Service Region Vice President Natoya Chung, Wasatch Service Region Vice President Academic Senate Scott Nelson, Caine College of the Arts Senator Cade Cox, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Senator Britney Dikwa-Nkrumah, College of Engineering Senator Carter Ottley, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Senator Gabriella Cale, College of Science Senator Adrianna Mortensen, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Senator Sadie Jensen, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Senator Sarah Pope, School of Graduate Studies Senator Abigail MacKay, S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources Senator Eastern Service Region Council Myra Beecher, Eastern Service Region Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tiara Otteson, Eastern Service Region Director of Student Events Brooklyn Ward, Eastern Service Region Student Advocate

Utah State University Eastern has announced the elected members of the 2021-22 Eastern Utah Student Association (EUSA) student body office. A total of 14 positions were filled. EUSA is a student-run group, which serves the voice of students at USU Eastern, advocating for their needs and rights. EUSA is an organization for the entire student body, acting as the liaison with university staff, faculty, and administration. A list of elected EUSA officials: Bryson Pugh, President Jenna Sutliff, Executive Vice President Courtney Condie, Vice President of Activities Audrey Westwood, Administrative Assistant Mary Thayn, Publicity Representative Sadie Judy, Traditions and Alumni Representative Mackenzie Wright, Clubs & Org Representative Alayne Jenkins, Student Advocate Tiara Otteson, Diversity Representative Sydney Sandoval, Athletics Representative Sofia Crompton, Event Coordinator Emma Parkinson, Operations Manager Jack Tillman, Operations Manager Marcos Suarez, Bachelor & Non-Traditional Representative

Utah State University electrical engineering Ph.D. student Marium Rasheed recently received a $5,000 Women in Technology Scholarship from Cadence Design Systems. Since Cadence began this scholarship program in 2018, Rasheed is the first student from a university in the state of Utah to receive the award. According to the letter she received informing her of the award, she was selected because of her "impressive academic achievements, thoughtful recommendations, and drive to shape the future of technology." Rasheed believes her service and leadership efforts are what set her apart in winning this award and is grateful for the recommendation letters written for her by her adviser, Regan Zane, and committee member Hongjie Wang. "It is super exciting," Rasheed said. "It is always good to know that your efforts are being recognized, especially all of the academic efforts that you make while you are a Ph.D. student." As a fully-funded Ph.D. student, Rasheed will use the additional scholarship money to expand her research efforts. "I can use some of that scholarship money to further my research," she said. "Especially to pursue innovative, scalable and cost-effective clean energy solutions that help reduce emissions and are also accessible to larger populations of the world." Seeing the accomplishments of other women in STEM on social media is what inspired Rasheed to pursue this award, and she hopes her recognition will inspire other female students in her field. "When I see all of these great women engineers and scientists being recognized it inspires me to excel and to strive to do better," she said.

Melissa Marsh, a graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in food science, recently received the Thomas H. Smouse Memorial Fellowship from American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS). Having an interest in food at a young age and a love for science and math, Marsh was thrilled to discover Utah State University offers a degree in food science, something that would combine her passions. The Utah native earned her bachelor's degree in food science and a minor in chemistry at USU and was valedictorian of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences' class of 2020. Marsh works with faculty mentor Professor Silvana Martini, conducting research on the oil binding capacity of fats, focusing on understanding the relationship between oil binding capacity and the physical properties of fats to help improve the quality and shelf life of fat-based foods. "Melissa was an outstanding undergraduate student," Martini said. "As an undergraduate researcher, she worked in several laboratories in the department and conducted her own, independent research on threshold quantification of linoleic acid in lipids. She not only excelled at her undergraduate research activities but also maintained a 4.0 GPA and participated in several product development competitions. As a new Ph.D. student, Melissa already shows outstanding potential in her research activities. In less than a year she presented results from her research at an international conference and she is working on her first manuscript as the first author. I am excited that she has been recognized with this well-deserved fellowship." As Martini noted, Marsh participated in product development competitions as an undergraduate and was on two USU student teams that won first place honors. In 2019, Marsh was among the four students who won top honors in the annual Idaho Cheese Processors Association competition with "Moogets" a paneer cheese-based, chicken-flavored nugget. In 2020, she was on a three-student team that won the Institute of Food Technologist's Smart Snacks for Kids competition. Their product was "Moonola," granola with color-changing instant milk that requires only the addition of a little water. Because of her research and academic excellence, Marsh was eligible to apply for the AOCS fellowship which includes a $10,000 honorarium, $5,000 in research and travel allowance, and the opportunity to present a lecture at the AOCS Annual Meeting. The fellowship's namesake, Thomas H. Smouse, was a noted industrial researcher who studied the flavor chemistry of fats and oils and served as president of the society in 1983. "I feel honored to be recognized by AOCS," Marsh said. "I'd like to thank Dr. Martini for all of her support as well as the Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences department head, Dr. Heidi Wengreen, and professors who helped me with the application process. I would also like to thank all of my scholarship donors who have made it possible for me to continue my education. I'd like to thank AOCS for the recognition, it truly is an honor."

It isn't everyday a student must produce the family, genus and species of 100 native plants from pressed samples in under 100 minutes with the world watching-and to spell each scientific name exactly right. Students from the Utah State University Chapter of Society for Range Management stood that kind of heat to bring home a second-place prize from a recent regional team competition in Richfield, Utah. The USU Range Club members placed in both the plant identification contest and the Undergraduate Range Management Exam (URME) team competition at the Society for Range Management in November. The team faced off against 40 other students from BYU, UVU, SUU and Snow College. "It was a lot of fun," said Hadley Knudsen. "We put in some good practice before we went, but I didn't know quite what to expect from a competition setting. This was a great warmup for the national competition; I think we're going to do well there." The URME is an intense written examination that includes a broad evaluation of every possible topic associated with range management- from stocking rates to ecological principles to atmospheric chemistry. "We have done pretty well at these competitions in the past," said Sean Yadon, Range Club president. "They are a really good way to challenge yourself-to set goals and push your knowledge. There is a lot to know; this competition keeps you on your toes." The team earned a cash prize that they'll use to travel to the national competitions held in Albuquerque, N.M. next year. Their strength, they say, is that many in the team have already worked in the field on wildland fuels crews and had some hands-on practice in these topics. But they have some work to do before the national competition, said Yadon. "It's easy to figure out rangeland conversions when you have the luxury of time. But if you have to perform under pressure, it gets more challenging," he said. And spelling is always a challenge, said Knudsen. "The USU teams represented the college in a spectacular way. We are proud of them," said Eric LaMalfa, faculty advisor for the club. "They put a lot of preparation into this event, and it was great to show off their hard work." The Range Club is a group of students interested in range science and related fields. The USU chapter works to promote the development of future range science professionals, continuing education of members and the public, and sustainable rangeland ecosystems. They are always looking for new members, said Yadon. To find out more, or to join in club events, check out their Instagram account.

Three students from the Utah State Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (Utah State ACT) chapter attended the Ag Media Summit in Kansas City, Mo., where the chapter and some individual members received awards from the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. The summit provided opportunities for students to network with agricultural communication professionals and other students. Attendees learned about science writing, podcasting, graphic design, videography, marketing, advertising and more. USU students received numerous awards and recognitions from National ACT. Utah State ACT was named Chapter of the Year for community service and member recruitment and retention. "The project we did to get recognized for service was a unique one," said Kailey Foster, senior in agricultural communication and Utah State ACT president. "We partnered with the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art to create an audio tour that not only focused on the art but Utah agricultural history. This project challenged our members to seek out and tell Utah's stories on an audio platform that was new to most members." The National ACT Critique and Contest had 247 entries from 12 universities. In the publications division, Maren Boyer Charlton, USU senior in agricultural communication, placed first for her brochure designed for Sheep Genetics USA. Charlton was elected vice president of the National ACT officer team in October, and is the second Utah State student to serve on the national officer team. As vice president, Charlton will coordinate the Critique and Contest entries and judging process for 2022. "I am humbled to be able to have the opportunity to work with such a high caliber team, represent Utah State and utilize the foundation the agricultural communication program has given me," Charlton said. "I wouldn't have the opportunity to hold such a role without the amazing support of my teachers and advisers." Kelsey Hall, associate professor and co-adviser to Utah State ACT chapter, has served as the executive faculty adviser to the National ACT officer team since 2019. Utah State ACT is a chapter of the National ACT, the professional organization for students majoring in agricultural communication. While membership is open to all Utah State students, goals and activities are designed to prepare graduates in careers relating to agricultural communication and journalism. Activities include professional development and community service designed to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for success. Activities seek to build relationships between Utah State students and communicators in the profession. The chapter provides social activities that allow agricultural communication majors to nurture professional relationships.

Utah State University junior Sarah Murphy was awarded four EMMY awards at the 2021 Rocky Mountain EMMY Awards Gala, held Nov. 6, 2021. Murphy won three individual Student Production Awards and also won one Student Production Award as part of a team. "The awards I won were for all the work I've done here at Utah State for my broadcast journalism degree," Murphy said. "It's work I've done in my prerequisite classes and my newscast classes. It's been all the work, the news stories and the talent reels that I've put together for my degree." Murphy's first award came for her overall talent reel, which is a collection of her broadcast stories. She then won two awards for specific news stories. The first won the EMMY award in the College News Report - Serious category, for her work on a story called "Sarah's Attitude", a story about a teen who had been struck by a drunk driver. The second specific news story won in the College News Report - Light category, for her story on Music Therapy and its effect on patients. Murphy's fourth award came in the College Magazine Category, for her work on the Cache Rendezvous Holiday Edition magazine, where she worked as a reporter with three fellow USU students. Murphy was also nominated in a fifth category, the College Multimedia Journalist category, for her story on the stalking of college students in Utah. During her time as a broadcast journalism student at USU, Murphy has been a part of many story assignments. While she has not always enjoyed every single story she has been a part of, when a story captures her, she finds her work extremely satisfactory. "Obviously, I'm not a professional but in my little experience so far with news, there's obviously a lot of hard parts of it and a lot of parts that you don't necessarily love as much in the stories that you don't always want to do. But it's the stories like these ones, the ones that you care about, that make worth it," Murphy said.

Utah State University welcomes more than 4,100 new first-year students beginning their college education in the fall 2021 semester on Monday, Aug. 30. These students are from USU's 30 campuses and centers across the state and USU Online. "We are thrilled to welcome these students to the Aggie family," said President Noelle E. Cockett. "The energy, talents, and enthusiasm this new cohort will bring to our campuses is greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing what the class of 2025 will accomplish and cannot wait to be a part of their academic growth and success." Since its founding in 1888, Utah State University has evolved from a small-town college tucked away in the Northern Utah mountains to a thriving research university respected around the world. Students can choose from an array of academic and social opportunities at a university known throughout the world for its intellectual and technological leadership. The mission of Utah State University is to be one of the nation's premier student-centered land-grant and space-grant universities by fostering the principle that academics come first, by cultivating diversity of thought and culture, and by serving the public through learning, discovery and engagement.

Utah State University student Adam McClanahan has been named a Region VI Student Leader for the 2020-21 NIRSA Leaders in Collegiate Recreation Member Network. NIRSA's Student Leadership Team is a group of dedicated student members committed to collaboration, student advocacy, and leadership in the field of recreational sports. "I was elected to this one-year long volunteer position in early 2020 and took over the role in May of 2020," McClanahan said. "Region VI encompasses the entire West Coast including Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska. In this role I am happy to represent the student perspective and interest of those undergraduate and graduate level students in campus recreation as well as student members of our organization. It is my pleasure to serve NIRSA and continue to learn from NIRSA to enhance our offerings for students here at Utah State University." McClanahan, a Graduate Assistant of Competitive Sports, is one of just seven student leaders from across the nation who was selected to serve. This experience is designed to advance his knowledge, skills and networks to help solve some of the big challenges facing universities and leverage opportunities for student success at USU. McClanahan works with student leaders to provide initiatives for students, such as mentorship and conferences, as well as developing ideas for the betterment of the organization and students.

Eight Utah State University Honor's students have been named to the Honors Student Advisory Board (HSAB). The HSAB consists of eight outstanding Honors students, one from each of USU's colleges. Board members take the lead for Honors as peer recruiters, educators, community builders and publicists. They showcase the value of an Honors education for both current and future Aggies as exceptional researchers and creative thinkers, student leaders, and engaged citizens.