Honors Outstanding Scholar, 2017

Tyler Ryan, Honors Outstanding Scholar 2017. Courtesy of photographer Bill Bitzinger of Ferris State University.

Tyler Ryan, Honors Outstanding Scholar 2017. Courtesy of photographer Bill Bitzinger of Ferris State University.

The recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Scholar Award was Tyler Ryan. He was awarded this honor at the Senior Award Banquet on Thursday, May 4th. Tyler graduated with a Psychology degree and a minor in Sociology. During his time at Ferris, he served as both president and treasurer of the Student Psychology Association and Ferris State’s Psi Chi chapter. Tyler served as lead researcher on two separate research teams and was a participant on a third. He presented his research at both the state and national level. Last year, he presented work on visual disorders that may be misdiagnosed as ADHD to the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention. He completed his internship at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids administering and scoring psychological measures.

As for co-curricular accomplishments, Tyler volunteered his time in a special resource room at Riverview Elementary School helping children with developmental delays and learning disabilities make the most of their educational opportunities. He also volunteered as a behavioral technician providing behavioral interventions to a child on the autism spectrum.

Tyler has been accepted into the Ph.D. program in school psychology at Michigan State University and will begin his studies in the fall.

The Honors Program would like to commend Tyler as well as the other finalists for this award on their strong academic success.

Finalists for Outstanding Scholar 2017:

  • Leesa Deadwyler, Operations Supply Management, Leesa served as Social Chair of the Honors Programming Board her first year as well as Vice President. She worked as a Desk Service Manager and won the DSM of the Year Award. She co-founded the Operations and Supply Chain Management Association and served as its Vice President as well as Vice President of Membership for Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honors society. She was also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, College of Business Student Delegates, APICS Grand Rapids Chapter, Bulldog Sustainability Alliance, and the West Central Concert Band. In addition to being a finalist for Outstanding Scholar, she received a Leadership Stole from the Honors Program and received a Torchbearer Award.
Leesa Deadwyler, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

Leesa Deadwyler, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

  • Andrew Klarecki, Plastics Engineering Technology, Andrew has achieved amazing academic milestones in the Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology program. He completed an internship at an automotive company in Grand Rapids which lead to another internship at a medical device manufacturing company and another at Nike. He was an active member of the Student Alumni Gold Club as well as the society for Plastics Engineers. In addition to being an Outstanding Scholar finalist, he received an award for his symposium project entitled “The Effects of Recycling and Oil Immersion on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene/Acrylonitrile-Butadene Rubber Thermoplastic Vulcanizate” and received a Torchbearer Award.
Andrew Klarecki, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

Andrew Klarecki, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

  • Alexandra Rueger, Biology – Pre-Pharmacy, Alexandra has been involved with the community through the RSOs Circle K and the Pre-Pharm Club. During her time with Circle K, she has served as team captain for Relay for Life and was committee chairperson for the club’s annual district event, Snowpia. She also helped execute the club’s annual Haunted House. She will be joining the College of Pharmacy in the fall.
Alexandra Rueger, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

Alexandra Rueger, Outstanding Scholar Nominee. Courtesy of Ferris State photographer Bill Bitzinger.

  • Tori VanOeffelen, English Education, Tori joined internationally and nationally recognized honors societies specific to her major and minor, went far beyond the required 120 community service hours with a total of over 257 hours, and published a piece in Ferris’s Prism. Tori also served as president of the Circle of Tribal Nations RSO and participated in Ferris’s International Festival of Cultures. In addition to being a finalist for Outstanding Scholar, Tori received a Service Stole from the Honors Program and received a Torchbearer Award.
Tori VanOeffelen, Torchbearer. Courtesy of Ferris State University's SmugMug.

Tori VanOeffelen, Torchbearer. Courtesy of Ferris State University’s SmugMug.

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