Marshall Magazine Autumn 2022

Green ever

From left, Marshall students Kimberly Hill, Caroline Kinder, Bailey Arkell and Dustin Collier traveled and studied in Scotland with funding from the Maier Foundation STEM Educator’s Scholarship.

Collier, a self-proclaimed introvert, explored a lot dur ing his trip. Always looking to save money, Collier would walk nearly everywhere while the women rode the bus. His favorite memories include hiking Stirling’s campus. “My favorite place was this wood out by the National Wallace Monument,” he said. “I decided to go on some obscure trails. I was discovering things and eventually came up to this pavilion opening on top of the hill. You can see almost all of Stirling’s castle and the town on the river. I was like, whoa. That was a big, nice way to wrap up my little exploration. The next day I went out to the monument tower and on top of it I was able to see the college.” Now back at Marshall, the four are wrapping up their undergraduate education. While they all have dreams of continuing their education, they are all excited to enter their own classrooms. They all plan to stay and teach in the area and, thanks to the Maier scholarship, they are confident they will find a position quickly. “I’ve had a lot more things the scholarship has given me that a lot of students don’t have, and it’s honestly set me up in a lot of ways upon graduation,” Hill said. “I feel it’s given me more connections throughout education in general. Even our freshman year here, we cut the ribbon with the previous president when the renovations to the College of Education were finished, and the superintendent

of Cabell County Schools showed up. We were college babies, had just gotten here, but he already was like the second you graduate, you call us, and you put in an ap plication for a job. We will get you placed somewhere with a job. So, it’s even offered more job security.” As they near the end of this undergraduate journey, they all said they appreciate the large impact this oppor tunity has made on them and their futures. College of Education and Professional Development Dean Dr. Teresa Eagle said this first group to receive the Maier STEM scholarship has set the bar high. “They have persisted through difficult courses, through a pandemic that provided a college experience like no other, and yet here they are, ready to take on classrooms and take the final steps to being teachers,” Eagle said. “Our scholars have represented Marshall well, getting involved in activities, volunteering to help with recruit ment events, and taking their energies and enthusiasm to a study abroad experience in Scotland. I don’t believe we could have put together a better group who will be successful in the classroom and will have an influence on middle and high school students who are considering a career in teaching. I am anxious to see all the great things that are in their futures!” To learn more about all the scholarships offered to Marshall students, visit marshall.edu/sfa.

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