COSAM News:

Director named for Biodiversity Learning Center
Jason Bond, Ph.D., has been named the director of the Biodiversity Learning Center. The center, which is in the planning stages, will allow COSAM to bring all collections to one place in a climate-controlled setting. Bond is currently a professor at East Carolina University specializing in the evolution, systematics and taxonomy of arachnids and myriapods. Bond will arrive on campus this fall.

COSAM recognizes achievement at the 2011 Honors Convocation
COSAM held its yearly Honors Convocation on April 15, 2011. Students were recognized for outstanding academic achievement during the 2010-2011 school year. Interim Dean Charles Savrda also congratulated several COSAM students, faculty and staff for exceptional performance including the following:
2011 COSAM Dean's Medalists: Brianna Dailey, Biological Sciences; Zachary C. DeVries, Biological Sciences; Cameron A. Welch, Biological Sciences; G. Joseph Coffman, Jr., Biomedical Sciences; Rebecca L. Williams, Biomedical Sciences; Audrey S. Duke, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Mike G. Natter, Geology and Geography; Joseph H. Peake, Mathematics and Statistics; and Robert A. Jefferson, Physics.
Outstanding COSAM Graduate Teaching Assistant: Kira A. Armacost, Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Julie F. Rogers, Mathematics and Statistics.
Outstanding COSAM Advisor: Professor John D. Gorden, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Outstanding COSAM Teacher: Professor Douglas C. Goodwin, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The Robert K. Butz Award for Teaching Excellence in Mathematics: Assistant Professor Dmitry Glotov.
Pictured are Robert K. Butz (left) and Dmitry Glotov (right).

Dean Search Discontinued
On May 12, Provost Mary Ellen Mazey announced that the COSAM Dean search has been discontinued. The faculty and administration did not feel the finalists were what the college needs at this point in time. According to information provided by Mazey, a new search will not begin until after the provost position has been filled. Currently, COSAM is performing an internal search for an Interim Dean to serve a two-year appointment. More information can be found by clicking HERE. 

COSAM assists Liberal Arts with Littleton-Franklin lecture
Daniel Levitin, the James McGill Professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, spoke on March 8 in the Sciences Center Auditorium as part of the Littleton-Franklin Lecture Series, sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts. Levitin is the author of best-sellers "This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession" and "The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature." He has made frequent appearances on NPR and in 2009, released two award-winning documentaries based on his books, "The Music Instinct" and "The Musical Brain." 

 Biological Sciences News:

Microbiology Club hosts two seminars
The Microbiology Club hosted two seminars. The first was on March 7 with special guest Dr. David Mead, founder and CEO of the Lucigen Corporation. Mead's lecture was titled "Mining Meta/Genomes for Carbohydrases and Polymerases." In his lecture, Mead discussed research in enzyme discovery from Yellowstone National Park, among other sources, and gave students insights into what it is like to work at a biotechnology company.
The second lecture, which took place on March 28, featured Dr. Dennis McDowell (pictured, right). McDowell is the former Executive Director of the Division of Professional Development and Evaluation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). His lecture was titled "CDC: Six Decades of Translating New Scientific Discoveries into Public Health Action." McDowell used his lecture as a means of demonstrating the various career options available in the field of microbiology, he gave advice to students on planning a career path, and he taught them more about the CDC. For more information on the Microbiology Club, contact the faculty sponsor, Professor Mark Liles, at lilesma@auburn.edu.

Society for Conservation Biology visits the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center
The Auburn Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology sponsored a field trip to the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center in Marion, Ala., on March 5. Six members of the chapter enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes exploration of the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center. Participants were met by the director, Paul Johnson, on a rainy Saturday morning. A short PowerPoint presentation provided an overview of Alabama’s freshwater diversity, threats to it, and the history of the center, and was followed by an in-depth tour of the facilities. Students were able to view culture facilities for endangered mussels and snails, and there were plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn about Alabama’s unique freshwater fauna. For more information on the Society for Conservation Biology, visit this link: http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/societyconbio/

Department of Biological Sciences mourns the loss of Kirby Farrington
J. Kirby Farrington, age 62, of Auburn, Ala., died March 26, 2011 at East Alabama Medical Center. Funeral services were held on March 29th in Auburn. He was born on October 5, 1948, in Jacksonville, Fla., to Dr. Joseph and Eleanor H. Farrington. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Harris) Farrington and daughter, Tracy, of Auburn, and sister, Allison Metcalf, of Hobe Sound, Fla. He was the son-in-law of Dr. Ralph and Eleanor A. Harris of Auburn. Farrington received degrees in Biology from LaGrange College and Clemson University, and his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Auburn University. His career included both technical and managerial positions in the pharmaceutical industry, at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Ind., at Schering-Plough in Memphis, Tenn., and at AAI in Charleston, S.C. He was recognized as an expert in water sterility, antimicrobial preservatives, and regulatory compliance, and helped develop more than 250 new products. He enjoyed presenting at professional conferences throughout the U.S. and in Europe and Asia. He was elected to the USP Expert Committee on Microbiology and Sterility Assurance. He always enjoyed teaching, and served as adjunct professor at universities in Tennessee, Mississippi and South Carolina, and most recently was director of microbiology laboratories at Auburn University. Farrington's hobbies were fishing, hunting, reading, enjoying all educational media, holding his many rescue cats, and traveling with his family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved telling jokes. -Florida Times-Union, April 3, 2011

Santos named Outstanding Graduate Mentor
Faculty across campus were nominated by their students and selected by the Graduate Student Council to receive the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award. Three of the six awardees are COSAM faculty members and include Biological Sciences Professor Scott Santos. 

Outstanding COSAM Faculty Member
Professor Michael Wooten was named this year's Outstanding Faculty Member in COSAM by the Student Government Association for his high-quality genetics course taught year in and year out.

Robert Boyd named Learning Community Coordinator of the year
Professor Robert Boyd was named Learning Community Coordinator of the Year. Boyd has been at Auburn University for 22 years. His research in serpentine ecology, which refers to habitats characterized by high levels of heavy metals and low levels of plant nutrients, is so extensive he is recognized internationally as a leading expert in the field. In 2001, a previously unknown insect species, Melanotrichus boydi, which feeds on the metal-accumulating plants in these areas, was named after him. In the classroom, he specializes in courses dealing with conservation biology and ecology, and was recognized with the Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award in 1998 and the College of Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1999. Additionally, Boyd was given Auburn's 2005 and 2009 Faculty Mentoring Award, the College of Sciences and Mathematics Award for Outstanding Faculty Advising in 2009, and in 2010 he was named Auburn's Outstanding Graduate Mentor.  

2011 SGA Outstanding Student Award from the Auburn Graduate School announced
The Auburn University Graduate School selected Department of Biological Sciences master's student Jessica Stephens as the recipient of the 2011 SGA Outstanding Student Award. Stephens was chosen by the college faculty and dean of the Graduate School, George Flowers, for her exemplary performance in university, college and school activities, community service, leadership and career potential. Stephens was recognized at the 2011 SGA Honors Ceremony on Monday, April 11. Stephens is a member of Professor Debbie Folkert's lab as well as the Molette Biology Laboratory for Environmental and Climate Change Studies. More on her research interests can be found at this link: http://www.auburn.edu/~santosr/bogs.htm.

Department of Biological Sciences announces graduate student awards
The Department of Biological Sciences announced the recipients of the 2011 Graduate Student Awards. Winners are (pictured from left): Kevin Kocot, Kenneth Ottis Distinguished Graduate Fellowship; David Weese, Biological Sciences' Departmental Service Award; and Biological Sciences' Outstanding GTA Award winners, Dorothy Cheruiyot and Maria Mazzillo.

Chemistry News:

Faculty member wins two awards in the 2010-2011 school year
Assistant Professor Orlando Acevedo was awarded the Chemluminary Award by the American Chemical Society, and is the current president of the local branch of the American Chemical Society. Additionally, he was selected as an honorary member in the Golden Key International Honor Society. 

Kosolapoff Award given to Eric Jacobsen
The G. M. Kosolapoff Lecture series is sponsored by the Auburn section of the American Chemical Society and the Auburn University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The award is named after Gennady Michael Kosolapoff who came to Auburn University, then called Alabama Polytechnic Institute, in 1948. The award is presented to outstanding chemists and biochemists in recognition of their outstanding scientific contributions. This year's award was given to Professor Eric Jacobsen (pictured, left, with Department Chair Vincent Ortiz) of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Harvard University. An organic chemist, Jacobsen's research is in the area of mechanistic and synthetic chemistry. His research group is working on the development of new methods for organic synthesis, with an emphasis on asymmetric catalysis. Additionally, his research delves into physical-organic studies of reactivity and recognition phenomena in homogeneous catalysis as well as stereoselective synthesis of natural products. For more information on Jacobsen, visit this link: http://www.chem.harvard.edu/groups/Jacobsen/. For more information on the Auburn chapter of the American Chemical Society, visit this link: http://auburn.sites.acs.org/.

NOBCChE Auburn Chapter recognized and will host 2011 conference
On April 20, 2011, chapter president and chemistry graduate student PaviElle Lockhart (pictured left), on behalf of the Auburn student chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), accepted a certificate of the chapter's recognition from NOBCChE's president, Victor McCrary, Ph.D., and vice president, John Harkless, Ph.D. The certificate was presented during a luncheon plenary session of the organization's national conference in Houston, Texas. Student Zenda Davis, of Auburn's Department of Chemical Engineering, also attended the ceremony.
Additionally,  the 2011 Southeast Regional Meeting of NOBCChE will take place at Auburn University on November 11 and 12, 2011. For more information on the Auburn chapter of NOBCChE, visit this link: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/organizations/NOBCChE/.

Faculty member published in the journal Nature
Professor Stewart Schneller, former dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, is a coauthor of the article "2'-O methylation of the viral mRNA cap evades host restriction by IFIT family members," which was published in the highly prestigious journal Nature.

Dana Lashley receives Mazey Graduate Fellowship
Dana Lashley, a graduate student in the research group of Professor Stewart Schneller, received a Dr. Mary Ellen Mazey Annual Graduate Fellowship for Women in Science for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Professor Emeritus W. C. Neely honored by American Chemical Society
Emeritus Professor W. C. Neely was honored by the American Chemical Society for completing 50 years as a member in the April 11, 2011 issue of Chemical and Engineering News.  

Sambasivarao Somisetti chosen as Outstanding Doctoral Student
Sambasivarao Somisetti was selected by the Graduate Council as one of 10 Outstanding Doctoral Students for the 2010-2011 academic year and was honored at the Graduate Awards Ceremony on April 21. Somisetti is a student of Assistant Professor Orlando Acevedo.

Geology & Geography News: 

Gulf Oil Spill Research Update
Professor Ming-Kuo Lee (pictured) and geology graduate students Mike Natter and Jeff Keevan conducted sediment coring and chemical analyses to investigate the spatial range in levels of oil and trace metals in heavily polluted Louisiana coastal wetlands. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents of pore-water extracted from contaminated sediments (down to 30 cm) were found to be one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of pristine sediments. Concentrations of certain trace metals (e.g., Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, Hg, As, etc.) were also found to be higher in heavily oiled sediments. These results suggest that not all the spilled oil rose to the water surface, and a fraction of oil plumes might be spread in water columns and transformed by adsorption to sediment phases.
"We are very concerned that heavy saturated oils may persist in coastal wetlands for a long period of time," Lee said. "More research is needed for assessing the long-term effects of persistent oil compounds on ecosystems and biological and chemical transformation of trace metals in Gulf salt marshes."

Geology Professor travels with students
Associate Professor Ron Lewis spent Spring Break assisting graduate student Drew Martin with his master's thesis research on growth rates of attached foraminifera on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas. Geology undergraduate Whit Stuckey also helped with the research (Martin and Stuckey, pictured left). The following week, Lewis delivered a paper at the Southeastern Section of the Geological Society of America meeting in Wilmington, N.C., on his BP oil spill research.

Geology student places third in poster contest
Md. Alam in the Department of Geology and Geography received third place in the Science Poster Presentations during the 2011 Graduate Scholars Symposium.

Mathematics News:

Mathematics and Statistical Center to provide additional support
Plans are being drawn to create a mathematics and statistical center. The center will provide statistical resources to graduate students, the university as a whole, and the community.

Professor receives NSF grant for international collaboration
Professor and Associate Provost for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Overton Jenda received an NSF grant in the amount of $200,000 to fund the Masamu Program. The primary goal of the program is to spur continued collaboration between U.S. and Southern African mathematicians who are advanced graduate students, early career and junior faculty, and senior research faculty. The program will promote research and professional development as well as provide participants with an accessible online forum to maintain collaborative research projects. Auburn University and the Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association (SAMSA) will partner to implement the program for the inaugural two years. Participants selected for the program will attend the SAMSA annual conference followed by additional institute and workshop collaboration.

Auburn High School students experience "Math in Your Hands"
On April 19, Billy Ramsey, a mathematics teacher at Auburn High School brought two of his classes to Auburn University for a “Math in Your Hands” exhibit that demonstrated how learning mathematical concepts can be fun. Mathematics professor Andras Bezdek (pictured) and professor and program chair for Industrial Design, Bret Smith, collaborated on the exhibit that took place in Parker Hall. The exhibit was a hands-on experience involving interactive models, created by students in the Department of Industrial and Graphic Design, to help high school and undergraduate college students learn about complex mathematical principles. The goal was to show how students learn mathematical facts more easily and at a deeper level through informal hands-on experiments. Initiated by Bezdek, the project is the result of a two-year studio collaboration between students in the Department of Industrial and Graphic Design in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, and students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in COSAM. The exhibit is permanently housed in the Department of Mathematics.

Mathematics professors receive awards
Faculty who have shown  steady and active support for the Graduate Student Council and graduate education at Auburn were selected to receive the Provost’s Award for Supporting Graduate Scholarship. Recipients were chosen by a committee from the Graduate Student Council and Graduate School and include mathematics professor Gary Gruenhage (top).
Faculty were also nominated by their students and selected by the Graduate Student Council to receive the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award. Two mathematics professors received this award: Chris A. Rodger (middle) and Tin-Yau Tam (bottom).  

Physics News:

Professor receives award from International Astronautical Federation
J-M Wersinger (pictured, center) received the Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal from the International Astronautical Federation. Additionally, Wersinger is the faculty advisor for the Aubie-sat program, which is part of the Auburn University Student Space Program. Aubie-sat is an initiative driven by undergraduate students in physics and engineering to send a cube satellite into space. If successful, the cube-satellite will launch in October 2012. For more information on the Auburn University Student Space Program, visit this link: http://space.auburn.edu/

Two Physics students receive university research fellowship
Physics sophomores Patrick Donnan and Joe Denison have been awarded a one-year Auburn University Undergraduate Research Fellowship, beginning in summer 2011.  Patrick Donnan will be mentored by Physics Professor Francis Robicheaux on projects related to anti-hydrogen trapping.  Joe Denison will be mentored by Physics Professor J. D. Perez on a project for the TWINS satellite science team.

Alumni Highlights:

Contact us!
We want to hear from you! Please email news on promotions, research, graduations, honors and awards, new jobs, marriage, children, and any anything else that's new in your life to ceh0012@auburn.edu. Please include a photo.

Arboretum News:

The Arboretum is installing a new bog area
The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is installing a bog which will house all species of native carnivorous plants, including the native Alabama canebrake pitcher plant, or Sarracenia alabamensis. This carnivorous plant, which is currently found in only three counties in Alabama, is federally listed as endangered due in large part to drainage for agricultural development as well as woody succession following fire suppression. Although the Alabama canebrake pitcher plant was once documented in 28 different sites in the state, currently only 11 sites can be identified with merely five of those 11 holding significant plant populations. The Arboretum's collection of canebrake pitcher plants will contribute to the conservation of the species and was donated by Ron Determann of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens who grew the plants from seeds. The bog will also feature Sarracenia oreophila, another rare species of pitcher plant, as well as an outdoor classroom building where Auburn students and the community can learn more about the endangered plants. Surrounding the new bog will be a mix of native grasses and wildflowers commonly found in pitcher plant natural habitats.

Arboretum Photo Contest Winners Announced
The College of Sciences and Mathematics Donald E. Davis Arboretum 2011 photo contest winners were announced on April 22. The contest, a collaborative effort between the arboretum and Auburn’s Department of Art, featured nearly 100 entries that were judged in seven categories including: Birds and Mammals, Davis Arboretum, Reptiles and Amphibians, Other Wildlife, Flora, Artistic, and People’s Choice. The People’s Choice award allowed the public to participate, as all entries were on display in the Department of Art’s Biggin Hall for more than a week with a ballot box in place for voting on an overall favorite photograph. This year’s People’s Choice award was given to Jason McKinley for his photo titled "Orbit." Other contest winners were: Nancy Loewenstein for "Smokey Day"; Maellisa Godfrey for "Tree Skin"; David Cline for "Tunnel Vision"; Beverly Bank for "Magnolia: The Heart" (pictured); and Julia Bartosh for "Flyflower." Some of the winners and contest entries will be featured in the 2012 Arboretum calendar. To view some of the contest winners, visit the Donald E. Davis Arboretum website at http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/arboretum.

Development News:

Marie W. Wooten Memorial 5k Run
On Saturday, May 7, COSAM held The Marie W. Wooten Memorial 5k Run. Proceeds from the event went toward the Marie W. Wooten Memorial Scholarship Fund. Prior to Dean Wooten's death, she had planned to hold a 5k to raise money for scholarships. The race honored Wooten's memory and helped COSAM continue her vision for the college. For information on how you can donate to the Marie W. Wooten Memorial Scholarship, contact the Office of Development at 334.844.2931.

Stewart W. Schneller Endowed Chair Announced
COSAM held a reception Friday, April 15, 2011 at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center to announce the establishment of the Stewart W. Schneller Endowed Chair. The chair was established with gifts from dedicated alumni, faculty, staff and other friends to honor COSAM’s former dean. COSAM Interim Dean Charles E. Savrda and Provost Mary Ellen Mazey presented Schneller with a plaque commemorating the event. For more information or to make a contribution in Schneller’s honor, please contact the COSAM Office of Development at 334.844.2931.
Pictured from left: Interim Dean Charles Savrda, Professor Stewart Schneller, Provost Mary Ellen Mazey

COSAM holds spring 2011 Dean's Leadership Council meeting
On Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, members of the COSAM Dean's Leadership Council (pictured) were on campus for the spring meeting. The council was established to provide advice and guidance to COSAM administration, assist in efforts to acquire necessary resources for the college, serve as mentors to the college’s undergraduate and graduate majors, provide lectures to student groups, and assist in faculty recruitment. This elite group of approximately 55 members is comprised of alumni and friends of the college who seek to enable COSAM to achieve excellence in teaching, research and outreach in the sciences and mathematics. Council members attended meetings and special presentations including the Honors Convocation, a reception at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, and the Family Day Picnic held in the Sciences Center Quad.

Vulcan Materials Company supports COSAM scholarship
Joe Howle '82 (pictured left) presented Mark Steltenpohl (right), interim chair of the Department of Geology and Geography, with a check for the Vulcan Materials Company Annual Scholarship in COSAM. The scholarship will benefit outstanding students in the department.

Diversity News:

It's time for Summer Bridge
The COSAM Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs is gearing up for the 2011 Summer Bridge program. Founded in 1997, the program is an intensive four-week academic-enrichment experience for incoming minority freshmen planning to major in physical sciences, life sciences and mathematics, or enroll in pre-professional programs in dentistry, engineering, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy or veterinary medicine. The program is designed to bridge the gap between high school and college by providing participants with tools needed to succeed and graduate. Summer Bridge students consistently perform better than other minority students that opt not to attend the program. The Summer Bridge program is scheduled for June 5-30. For more information, visit the following link: www.auburn.edu/cosam/diversity.

Outreach News:

Registration is now open for Summer YES Camp
The COSAM Department of Outreach will host the Summer Youth Experiences in Science (YES) camp June 27-30. YES Camp is for rising seventh- through ninth-grade students and provides an opportunity to explore the many wonders of science by participating in hands-on courses such as River Creatures, Microbe Mission and Krashers. YES Camp takes place on the Auburn University main campus and a residential option is available. The courses are taught by university faculty and exceptional public and private school teachers with significant experience relating to kids. More information and registration forms can be found at the following link: http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/outreach.

Registration now open for Science Matters Camp
Registration is now open for Science Matters, a summer science academy program at the Auburn University main campus for elementary students in rising first through sixth grade. The camp offers youngsters a supercharged science experience where they will explore the world of science through real experiments, fantastic field trips, technology and art projects,  integrated language arts, and hands-on, make-n-take activities. Science Matters offers seven different science-themed weeks (four weeks for 1-2 graders), and parents can choose between the regular day option from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or the extended day option from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information visit the COSAM Outreach website at the following link: www.auburn.edu/cosam/outreach.  

 Research News: 

COSAM Undergraduate Research fellowships awarded
COSAM's associate dean for Research, Chris Rodger, announced the winners of the 2011-2012 COSAM Undergraduate Research Fellowship. The selection committee for this competitive fellowship reviewed several factors including GPA, long-term goals, previous honors, awards and activities, letters of recommendation, and area of research interest. The winners are: Brandon Bakr, Mathematics and Statistics; James Barnett, Biomedical Sciences; Joseph Denison, Physics; and Kiley Seitz, Biological Sciences.

Auburn Research Instrumentation Facility hosts mobile lab
The Auburn University Research Instrumentation Facility hosted an Applied Precisions Cellular Imaging Mobile Lab in Auburn from May 3-5. For three days, the demo tour bus was set up in several locations including: The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center parking lot; the Vaughn Large Animal Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine; and the area between Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Student Center. The demo bus was set up all day in each location so that researchers could bring his/her samples for viewing. The mobile lab provided an opportunity for researchers to utilize high-tech imaging systems without obligation. COSAM biological sciences professor, Michael E. Miller, is the director of the Auburn University Research Instrumentation Facility. For more information on the lab, visit this link: http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/aurif/.

Auburn University hosts ninth annual Undergraduate Research Forum
The ninth annual Undergraduate Research Forum featured keynote speaker Chris Newland, who is a professor in Auburn's Department of Psychology. His lecture was titled “Research is a Straight and Narrow Path? Not Likely!” Open to all academic disciplines at Auburn University, of the 46 students who participated, 19 were from COSAM. Students were required to present their research either in a poster session or in a podium presentation. Winners were announced at the awards ceremony and included the following COSAM students: Outstanding Research Presentation Award, Cellular & Molecular Biosciences, first place, Jessica Makofske, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Outstanding Research Presentation Award, Competitive Undergraduate Research Fellowship, second place, Andrew Kiene, Physics; and William R. Gwin, Jr. Outstanding Research Presentation Award, University Honors College, second place, Erika Bisgaard, Microbiology. COSAM's Associate Professor of Chemistry Michael Squillacote (pictured with Provost Mary Ellen Mazey) was also honored during the ceremony with the 2011 Provost's Award for Excellence in Fostering Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship.

Student Services News:

COSAM congratulates the 2011-2012 Peer Advisors
The office of Student Services selected the new Peer Advisors for the upcoming year. The Peer Advisors serve COSAM students in many ways including assisting with mandatory advising and the Pre-Health Orientation course, and providing peer support and advice for all COSAM students. The 2011-2012 COSAM Peer Advisors are:
Kyle Adams, sophomore; Audra Brawley, junior; Betsy Davis, junior; Meredith Jones, junior; Ballard Lander, sophomore; Libby Lukens, sophomore; Taylor McClanahan, junior; Thompson McMurtrie, junior; Esha Patel, sophomore; Barrett Paulk, sophomore; Sean Tilford, sophomore; Kevin Zhang, sophomore

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 COSAM Leaders
The COSAM Leaders are an exemplary group of students who serve the college as its official ambassadors. The 2011-2012 Leaders have been selected and they are: Kyle Adams, Audra Brawley, Betsy Davis, Meredith Jones, Ballard Lander, Libby Lukens, Taylor McClanahan, Thompson McMurtrie, Esha Patel, Barrett Paulk, Sean Tilford, Kevin Zhang.