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Provost Scholars program recognizes students A new $60,000 scholarship established by the Office of the Provost and MUSC deans will financially assist a dozen talented students towards their educational goals for the 2004-05 academic year.  The Provost Scholars program was established last spring to recognize and assist 12 students, two from each college, with a $5,000 merit-based scholarship. The recipients were chosen by each college’s selection committee and selection was based on academic achievement, leadership and community service activities.  “I welcome all efforts on the part of university administration to reward academic excellence,” said John J. Sanders, DDS, interim dean, College of Dental Medicine. “Recent inevitable increases in tuition and fees has financially challenged students. However, the students do understand the rationale and reasoning behind such increases.” The scholars program complements a larger $340,000 scholarship pool created by the institution to support need-based scholarships to qualified students. “The scholarship provides the College of Graduate Studies with the opportunity to reward our most outstanding students,” said Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate Studies. “We truly appreciate the initiative that Dr. Raymond took in establishing this very important scholarship. It demonstrates the commitment of the institution to excellence in academics.” College of Nursing Barbara J. Riley is completing her second semester of course work in the College of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. In 2002, she moved to Charleston and began working for the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. During this time, she also took courses to complete her pre-requisites for admission to the College of Nursing. Allison Sizemore is completing her second semester of course work in the College of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. She is a leader among her peers and a College of Nursing representative on the university Student Government Association.  College of Dental Medicine Steven M. Bozard earned his degree in biology  at Wofford College. While at Wofford, he was involved in a ministry  that gave him the opportunity to do mission work in the inner cities of Boston and New York. Bozard helped design an entry-level biology course, and studied fencing. He then chose to pursue a degree in dentistry at MUSC.  Kevin E. Kelleher earned his degree in biology from the University of Buffalo prior to his matriculation into the MUSC College of Dental Medicine in 2001. He was on the dean’s list consistently based on his exceptional didactic and clinical performance. He was selected as an MUSC Presidential Scholar and was a member of the Presidential Scholars Steering Committee. Kelleher represented the CDM at the ADA Annual Dental Students Conference on Research. College of Graduate Studies Jill E. Abell is a graduate student in the Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology and is pursuing her doctorate degree at MUSC. She is working on the NIH-funded Black Pooling Project and has been awarded an American Heart Association Pre-Doctoral fellow-ship to investigate the differences in risk of overweight and obesity on cardiovascular outcomes for blacks and whites.  Eric Sribnick attended Presbyterian College where he graduated with degrees in English and biology. He has a post-graduate diploma from the University of Wales, Bangor, in Arthurian Literature. His main research interest focuses on the pathophysiology of neuronal death and the development of neuro-protective agents. In his recreational time, he enjoys creative writing, traveling, reading, and road bicycling.  College of Medicine William W. Bradham graduated in May 2001, from the University of Virginia with a degree in physics. Currently, Bradham is in his fourth year of medical school. He has been very involved in extracurricular activities while at MUSC. He volunteered time with off-campus agencies that help disadvantaged/disabled children and adults. Active in student government, Bradham  served as academic vice president for the Student Government Association. Hunter W. Burch graduated in December, 2000 with a degree in nursing from Clemson. She began work at MUSC in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2001 and worked until she started medical school in 2002. Currently, Hunter is in her third year of medical school. She serves as a class representative in the Student Government Association and, most recently, as academic vice president for the Student Government Association.  College of Health Professions Rives L. Lucas is a second-year student in the physical therapy program. Her academic success is accompanied by a commitment to her chosen profession that is second to none. Someone observing Rives while she was volunteering said “...I think the provost would be honored to know that this scholarship made a tremendous difference in the life of a hard working, determined, and persistent physical therapist in-the-making who is poised to become an outstanding clinician when she graduates.” Brian A. Hutcheson is a second-year student in the health administration program. Hutcheson writes that what challenges and inspires him is the need to reshape the health care industry. As the baby boomer generation approach-es retirement, the current health care system will need to adapt to accommodate the increase in potential clients and the new patients’ demand for attentive, personalized health care.  College of Pharmacy Valerie A. Bush is a fourth-year College of Pharmacy student. She graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Food Science/Human Nutrition. At MUSC she was vice president of programs for SGA, president of Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, and secretary of the Academy of Student Pharmacists. During her time in pharmacy school, Bush received the dean’s scholarship, The Flander’s Scholarship, and the Publix Supermarket Charity Scholarship. Laura E. Stanley is a fourth-year doctorate of pharmacy student. During her third year of pharmacy school, Stanley  served as the special projects coordinator of the Academy of Student Pharmacists MUSC chapter, where she chaired many projects such as Operation Immunization and Operation Diabetes. Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.