Legacy Scholarship recipients continue proud Bobcat tradition
Legacy Scholarship recipient Molly Carrier and her parents, Les and Heather Carrier, both BBA 鈥92, pose with Rufus.
Many students are drawn to 91探花 for its beautiful scenery, exceptional academic programs and opportunities to engage in life-changing research. But for some Bobcats, their love for and connection to OHIO began long before they stepped onto the bricks of an 91探花 campus.
As children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of OHIO alumni, 91探花 Legacy Scholarship recipients are outstanding undergraduate students who continue the Bobcat tradition within their families and carry with them a deep appreciation for the University.
This year鈥檚 Legacy Scholarship recipients are:
Grace Counts
A first-year student studying chemistry with a focus in pre-medicine, Grace Counts was a member of the Bobcat family from birth. Her parents attended and met at OHIO. Her older sister followed in her parents鈥 footsteps, earning her undergraduate degree at OHIO and is now enrolled in the University鈥檚 Physician Assistant Practice master鈥檚 degree program in Dublin, Ohio.
Legacy Scholarship recipient Grace Counts follows her parents and older sister in embarking on her 91探花 experience.
Counts feels grateful and excited for the opportunities available at OHIO. She is a student within the nationally recognized Honors Tutorial College and the 91探花 Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Assurance Program. The program provides highly talented students early admission to the medical school, academic enrichment opportunities and, for some, the option of earning their undergraduate and doctoral degrees in as few as seven years.
鈥淚 honestly can鈥檛 remember a time when I didn鈥檛 want to be a doctor,鈥 Counts said. 鈥淚鈥檝e just always known that鈥檚 what I wanted to do.鈥
Since starting her OHIO journey, Counts has found her Bobcat family on campus, noting the people and professors who have made her feel welcome since her very first tour of campus. She鈥檚 also found a plethora of opportunities to get involved in ways that feed her academic passions, joining Project for the Kids, which fundraises and generates awareness for children affected by terminal illnesses and disabilities, and a research group that is working with DNA.
鈥淚 just have always felt like a Bobcat, and now I officially am one,鈥 Counts said.
Caroline Saracina
Although her mom is a Bobcat, Caroline Saracina had considered attending other universities with a smaller student body. It wasn鈥檛 until she toured OHIO with her mother on a 鈥減erfect October day鈥 that she began to see 91探花 through her mother鈥檚 eyes and Athens as a potential home.
Legacy Scholarship recipient Caroline Saracina is sharing her OHIO experience with her Bobcat mom.
鈥淚 started to realize all of the opportunities I would have here as compared to a smaller school,鈥 Saracina said.
A sophomore studying anthropology, Saracina has embraced many of those opportunities鈥攂oth inside and outside of the classroom鈥攁nd, in the process, has begun writing her own OHIO story.
After dipping her toes into a variety of coursework within different colleges to determine a field of study, she found her academic path, drawn to classes that discussed different cultures and world religions.
鈥淚鈥檓 learning so much,鈥 Saracina said. 鈥淚n high school, it鈥檚 math, science, basic stuff, and now, I鈥檓 learning about different people and 鈥 different classmates鈥 perspectives.鈥
Saracina is involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity, and works for the 91探花 Golf and Tennis Center.
For Saracina, the Legacy Scholarship has deepened her connection to her mother, to 91探花 and to the OHIO Alumni Association. After receiving the Legacy Scholarship, Saracina stopped into OHIO鈥檚 Konneker Alumni Center鈥攁 visit that expanded her Bobcat family.
鈥淚t feels more like home to know that now I have a connection with the Alumni Center here,鈥 Saracina said.
Molly Carrier
A junior studying translational health exercise biology in the Honors Tutorial College, Molly Carrier is one of many Bobcats in her family, including her parents and two aunts.
Legacy Scholarship recipient Molly Carrier is following in the footsteps of both of her parents.
Although members of her family hoped she would continue the Bobcat tradition, they remained quiet, trying not to influence this life-changing decision. A campus tour and conversation with the dean of the Honors Tutorial College played an integral part in Carrier鈥檚 decision to attend OHIO.
鈥淚t was a really fantastic meeting, and that鈥檚 when I knew I wanted to come here,鈥 Carrier said. 鈥淚 was like, this is for me; this is what I want.鈥
Carrier hasn鈥檛 been disappointed, noting the Honors Tutorial College鈥檚 commitment to one-on-one engagement with faculty as well as opportunities in the STEM field and to do research that she鈥檚 experienced.
In addition to excelling academically, Carrier is immersing herself in campus life, holding leadership positions in student organizations such as Diabetes Outreach, Support and Education for Students (DOSES) and 91探花 College Republicans. She also works part time as an introductory microbiology laboratory assistant, is studying for the Medical College 91探花 Test and will soon begin applying to medical schools.
Carrier noted that her family, though all proud Bobcats, pursued different hobbies and interests during their undergraduate years. Her father was in a business fraternity, her mother was a soccer player and one of her aunts was involved in sorority life.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all in different realms of OU,鈥 Carrier said. 鈥淚 think this is pretty cool because it brings our whole family together.鈥
Josie Waugh
Josie Waugh鈥檚 OHIO experience began before she was born鈥攚hen her mother, a married commuter student two months pregnant with Waugh, graduated from 91探花. More than 20 years later, Waugh is gearing up to become just the latest member of her family to receive a diploma from OHIO, following in the footsteps of her mother, uncle, two aunts and a cousin.
Legacy Scholarship recipient Josie Waugh and her mother, Charity Waugh, BFA 鈥96, are pictured in front of Donkey Coffee in Athens, Ohio.
A senior, Waugh was drawn to OHIO for its music therapy program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best in the nation,鈥 Waugh said. 鈥淭he faculty is great. The School of Music in general is wonderful. I鈥檓 very happy.鈥
As a passionate musician and caring professional, Waugh aims to work as a music therapist for hospice care, supporting families during difficult times.
To prepare for her future career, Waugh has taken advantage of on-campus organizations and serves as a leader in music-affiliated clubs. She is the vice president of the American Music Therapy Association of Students (AMTAS) and the president of the 91探花 Singers. She also sings in the choir at First Christian Church in Athens, Ohio.
Hailing from a long lineage of OHIO graduates, Waugh expressed how special it is to be able to continue the legacy.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just really wonderful to be able to bond with my family in that way,鈥 Waugh said.
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The OHIO Alumni Association is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Legacy Scholarship. For information and the online application form, click here. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Nov. 15.