Five Bridgewater College students were presented awards for excellence from the Department of Health and Human Sciences.
Maianh Nguyen, a senior family and consumer sciences major from Fairfax, Va., received the Excellence in Academics Award, which is presented to the student who demonstrates academic excellence and engages in the learning process in the classroom and beyond.
Nguyen was involved with the Family and Consumer Science Club on campus. Following graduation, Nguyen will be pursuing a master’s in career and technical education at Virginia Tech, with aspirations to teach family and consumer science at the high school level in the future.
Molly Louderback, a junior family and consumer sciences major from Stanley, Va., received the Rugby H. St. John Endowed Scholarship in Family and Consumer Sciences. The award, valued at $2,730 for the 2022-23 academic year, is presented to a student seeking a degree in family and consumer sciences with preference given to those seeking certification in secondary education. The award is based on scholarship, leadership and character.
Louderback is a member of the cheerleading team, the peer education and bystander education group BC United and vice president for the class of 2024. After graduation, she plans to teach middle or high school-level family and consumer sciences and be a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) adviser. After teaching for a few years, Louderback hopes to pursue a master’s degree in career and technical education or educational leadership.
Major of the Year awards were presented to Abigail Allen in family and consumer sciences, Chandler Branch in health and physical education, and Olivia Kloster in health and exercise science. Major of the Year awards are presented to students who exhibit strong academic skills and substantial career-related experiences, as well as for being positive role models.
Allen, a senior from Warrenton, Va., served on the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet and the leadership board for Brethren Student Movement. She was president of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and a member of the Philomathes Honor Society at BC. Outside of BC, Allen completed an internship at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Va. Following graduation, she hopes to find a master’s program that intertwines her two passions: serving both children and the elderly population.
Branch is a senior from Greenville, Va.
Kloster, a senior from McLean, Va., was captain of the track and field team, on the student-athlete advisory committee and a member of the Philomathes Society. She completed an honors project while at BC titled “The Impact of Social Isolation on Retirement Community Residents and Exercise as an Intervention.” Following graduation, Kloster will be a student in the doctor of physical therapy program at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.
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Logan Bogert
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lbogert@bridgewater.edu
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