Sydney Deno

Degree Plan: Pre-Pharmacy

Most kids spend their last few years in high school diligently working to figure out what they want to do for the rest of their lives. However, I was fortunate enough to skip the phase of desperately searching for the career of my dreams – I had already found it. Way back in 8th grade, my science teacher showed us our first glimpse of the chemistry world, and for me, it was love at first sight. A few months later, my English teacher asked us to make a presentation about a future career that interested us. Pharmacy happened to be the first career path I came across that involved chemistry, but not just being stuck in a lab. The more I researched, the more intrigued I became with pharmacy, and the rest is history!

Once I entered high school, I attended a pharmacy camp and even interned in a local retail pharmacy for 5 months to make sure pharmacy was truly a fit for me. As an Indiana resident, where almost every pharmacist you meet received a degree from Purdue, I had heard all about Purdue’s nationally ranked pharmacy program. Purdue was the first college I visited, and deep down I knew right then that Purdue was exactly where I wanted to be. Not only was the program rigorous and structured (which were big hits for me), but I learned that Purdue has a very holistic way of looking at applicants. I love to volunteer, and I am super passionate about organizations like Special Olympics, and anything involving inclusion, so the thought that I could go to college somewhere that valued my passions and volunteer experiences just as much (if not more) as my academic work was absolutely astonishing to me.

Just when I thought Purdue couldn’t blow me away anymore, the Beering Scholarship came along. College in general is expensive, but being in the equivalent of graduate school for 4 years is even more expensive, and I’d be lying if the price of my future education wasn’t weighing pretty heavily on my shoulders. But, all of a sudden, that weight was lifted, and my path to becoming a first generation college student and the first person in my extended family to earn a doctorate suddenly became a much clearer reality. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences the Beering Scholarship has, and will continue, to afford myself and so many others.

Class of 2024

Madison Charnigo

Degree Plan: Biological Engineering

Though in my youth I frequently switched between plans for my future career, I have always been connected with my passion for learning more about the world around me. From studying tadpoles collected from local creeks to tinkering with items around my house, I have always been drawn to science.

It wasn’t until cancer impacted multiple members of my community, including classmates, family friends, and my own mom that I found a problem I was passionate about solving. The ultimate, unsolvable answer facing the scientific community has since led me to dive deep into scientific journals and begin research in my junior year of high school. For two years I worked tirelessly in my pursuit to develop a diagnostic for liver cancer, and I hope to continue the search for diagnostics, cures, and treatments for cancer and other diseases in my undergraduate education.

My experiences in research that were transformative to my perspective on academics led me to co-founding the STEM Experiential Learning Foundation through which I was able to provide hands-on learning experiences to underserved youth in my community. Since arriving at Purdue, I have continued my passion for serving youth through the Ameliators program where I mentor high school girls in an EPICs design project, and I hope to be involved in undergraduate research in the near future.

When I received the Beering Scholarship, it was an instant, undeniable understanding that I would attend Purdue. With a lack of exposure to adults in my life who have pursued a higher education, earning a PhD. always seemed like a distant goal; receiving this scholarship gave me a clearer path for pursuing a doctoral degree. With the support of the Beering Scholar Student Association, I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to chase my academic dreams without fear and uncertainty of the path ahead. No matter where my studies at Purdue take me, I am confident they will lead me to improving the world around me.

Kylee Gall

Degree Plan: Health Sciences Pre-Professional, Pre-Medicine

As a third generation Purdue student, I grew up visiting campus: running through the fountains in the summer and watching basketball games at Mackey in the winter. I remember walking around in awe of the size and beauty of Purdue’s campus. When it was time to apply for college, Purdue was an obvious choice for me.

At the end of my senior year, I was still deciding whether to study cybersecurity or medicine. I love to solve problems, but I was not sure which types of problems I wanted to solve. In high school I did cybersecurity competitions, went to cybersecurity conferences, and even went to GenCyber Camp at Purdue. At the same time, I competed in the science academic superbowl, where I especially loved studying the biology topics. I also volunteered with kids with special needs and did an internship at a hospital.

Once I got the call that I had won the Beering Scholarship I knew which degree I wanted to pursue. The question of how I would pay for college, which had been on my mind since elementary school, was finally answered. I am thankful that the Beering scholarship is allowing me to pursue my true passion. Now that I am at Purdue, studying pre-medicine, I could not be happier with my decision. I have learned my way around campus, and it is starting to feel like home. I am thankful for the BSSA community and the wonderful opportunities at Purdue.

Abi Soliven

Degree Plan: Chemistry ACS

Minor in English

When applying to college, this Florida girl was looking for two things: sweater weather and undergraduate research. This is a pretty broad spectrum, so you can imagine how uncertain I felt about my future studies. When the opportunity arose to go to Purdue, especially under the Beering Scholarship, it seemed like pieces were finally falling into place for me.

I’ve always been an academic person, reading constantly and participating in science research since seventh grade, but it wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that I realized I could make learning my job and become a research chemist. Since then, I’ve taken every opportunity I could find to get into the lab and gain as much experience as possible. From science summer camps to research fairs in the mall and collaborations with local labs, I’ve been able to hone in to what interests me about chemistry and what I’d like to continue investigating here at Purdue and beyond. As of right now, I’d like to enter the research side of the pharmaceutical industry so I can work to reduce the limitations in the field of chemistry and make pharmaceuticals more accessible, more affordable, and quicker to produce.

Deciding what to do in college, where to go, and how to get there is a scary time for students- I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my family and other mentors, as well as the security of the Beering Scholarship. I wish to become that mentor figure for future generations, and I intend to utilize the resources of being a Beering Scholar so that I may make connections and provide support for those students so that the puzzles of their futures can become clear too. I couldn’t be more excited to be a member of the Beering community, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to pursue my goals and to simply keep learning, wherever I end up.

Class of 2023

Chengyu Bi

Degree Plan: Biology

Minor in Classical Studies

I first heard of Purdue when I was about 8 years old. I discovered that my family would be moving to the United States, and that my dad would start working at a satellite campus of the school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Years later, my brother began his undergraduate education at Purdue. After visiting a couple times for state competitions and making many trips down to see my brother, I learned more and more about the institution every time – from the underground tunnels in the Union to the exciting fountain runs during the summer. Before I even stepped foot on campus as a student, Purdue felt like home.

But coming to Purdue as a Beering Scholar was something I never expected. I remember browsing through the Honors College website and finding out about the scholarship for the first time during the summer of my junior year. It seemed so out of reach, and I didn’t even consider the possibility of being invited to apply for it. However, receiving the Beering Scholarship was the best surprise of my entire life. I hope to pursue a career in biology research, and I am so incredibly grateful to have both my undergraduate and graduate education supported under the scholarship, helping me turn my dream into a reality.

During my time at Purdue so far, I have been constantly amazed by its countless opportunities and resources. I have met such wonderful people and have been a part of such a welcoming and supportive community. In the future, I am looking forward to doing undergraduate research, joining new student organizations, and taking advantage of the many interdisciplinary learning opportunities Purdue has to offer. Although I haven’t completely figured out my path in life, I am so excited for what lies ahead. For now and many years to come, I am beyond thankful and happy to call Purdue my home.

Devin Davis

Degree Plan: Electrical Engineering Minor in Economics

As an inquisitive child, I loved when anything electronic would malfunction. The failures meant time spent with my dad, taking off the cover to investigate what went wrong, trouble-shooting a solution, and attempting to make it work again. I was always amazed by how the circuits, components, and wiring made the product function. My first experiences with a breadboard and soldering were the foundation for what became my passion for ones and zeros. The computer science aspect was just an unexpected bonus.

As I was in my college search process, the outstanding engineering program and community at Purdue piqued my interest. When I received notification that I had been offered the Beering Scholarship, I knew it was a sign that Purdue was my future home. I am beyond thankful and blessed to have received such a prominent award that has allowed me to pursue my passions far beyond what I could have imagined as that inquisitive child. I am extremely thankful to the Beering Scholarship Selection Committee as well as my parents who assisted me through my academic journey and supported me to get where I am today.

I look forward to my future as a part of the Purdue Honors College. As I embraced the family environment of the community, I have become involved as an Honors College Ambassador for perspective students. I hope to welcome them to the close-knit community that Purdue has to offer and help them navigate the college selection process. Within this family, I am also grateful to form meaningful connections within the Beering Scholar Student Association. These cumulative experiences and relationships will shape the next stage of my life as a Boilermaker!

Gloria Dietz

Degree Plan: Computer Engineering

Minors in Psychology & Chemistry

I’ve known for a while now that I want to be able to continuously learn as much as I can throughout my lifetime. I’ve found myself at home with the idea of staying in school forever. Not only as a learner, but also as a teacher-- or more accurately a professor. When I learn, I always find myself wanting to tell other people and help them understand the things I find so interesting and engaging. In highschool, I even started a tutoring service to help support others in this way. It became my personal way of making a positive difference in the world. People romanticize this idea as being one giant, life-changing discovery, but I believe making an impact one person at a time can be just as valuable.

As for my interests, I always had a broad variety-- coding, neuroscience, engineering, chemistry, the arts -- they all hold a special place in my heart. Consequently, college, for me, is a huge opportunity for exploration. I want to pursue what interests me and hope to make a career out of doing what I love. As a person who likes to challenge myself, I set my sights on computer engineering as my major, and my other interests of chemistry and psychology as my minors.

Though I had clear goals for myself, I didn’t really have a specific college in mind. I ended up visiting 15+ universities during my college search, but nothing compared to what I found at Purdue. All the people I met were so kind, humble, and cared deeply about their learning and goals. Being at Purdue, I felt a strong sense of community; I felt at home. I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Beering Scholarship and the scholar community it has given me!

Kyra Keenan

Degree Plan: Biological Engineering

Minor in Art and Design

Throughout high school, my passions ranged from empowering the next generation of women in STEM, to art, all the way to high-energy particle astrophysics. Because of my wide range of interests, I immediately felt a connection with Purdue’s emphasis on exploration. I knew regardless of where my academic journey took me, I would experience a learning environment that would continue to stimulate my curiosity and wonder.

My affinity for space science led me to believe that aerospace engineering was the major I wanted to pursue, but my mind always wandered back to many of the biology experiments I had conducted in high school. I designed a simulation to grow plants in a Martian environment, built a device to regulate the circadian rhythms of bioluminescent algae, and conducted a squid dissection experiment with my club, Science Alliance. Originally, I felt that the only way to enter the movement to reach Mars was to become an aerospace engineer, but many fields collaborate to execute long-term spaceflight missions. Currently, I plan to go into the new field of “space biology” to engineer organisms or life-support systems that are fit for long-term space flight, and eventually, Mars. My current major is Biological Engineering, and I hope to go to grad school to earn my PhD. I want to do cutting-edge research in tandem with NASA to improve the odds of a civilization on Mars. However, through my first semester, I have learned to become more comfortable with the idea of uncertainty. I now understand my future plans are more of a winding trail map than a blueprint--there’s no path or process in particular that I have to follow, but in the end I’ll have gathered my tools to make a significant impact on the world.

Besides a major in Biological Engineering, I am also pursuing a minor in Art and Design. I am planning on studying abroad through the Beering Scholarship to take drawing classes in Florence, Italy. It is completely surreal to me that I’m even able to say that! I’m so thankful that the Beering scholarship opens countless doors for me to pursue all of my passions--not just one. I can engage in academic pursuits that are far beyond my initial expectations. More importantly, the Beering Scholarship gave me a community that had my back before I even stepped onto campus, for which I am incredibly grateful. With all of this said, I cannot wait to see where the next four years take me!