UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three Penn State students have each earned a $1,000 Division of Undergraduate Studies Scholarship for demonstrating a strong commitment to exploring their academic interests.
The Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) is the academic home for students exploring their options at Penn State before committing to a program of study.
George Kadavil, Penn State University Park, Joyce Buck Award
George Kadavil, of Martinez, California, and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is majoring in biology and psychology and pursuing a minor in neuroscience.
Kadavil said when he first entered Penn State was set on majoring in psychology to become a therapist. But during his second year, he took BIOL 230W, which then set him on a course for medical school.
“It was during this course that I rediscovered a passion I had for medicine and science that I had in high school,” he said. “I realized that I got tunnel visioned upon entering college and felt like I needed to decide on a path right away even though I had no idea what I wanted to do coming out of high school.”
He said while in DUS, there was little pressure to quickly get on the “right track,” and was grateful for the help and guidance he received from his academic adviser.
“I had an outstanding adviser who deserves the most praise any adviser can get. Diana Leach spent multiple advising sessions with me helping me figure out courses and possible paths I could take,” Kadavil said. “She encouraged me to take risks and push myself to the max. It’s because of advisers like her that truly believe in their students as people and not just a number on their rosters that students feel they have the people behind them to push through any obstacle.”
Kadavil is a volunteer firefighter with Alpha Fire Company. He is a resident assistant in Pollock Hall, and said he loves getting to meet first-year students and helping shape their dorm experience. He also acts with No Refund Theatre and is a member of the Asian American Christian Fellowship club.
The Joyce Buck Award is named in honor of Buck, a former DUS adviser and winner of the Excellence in Advising Award from the Undergraduate Student Government Academic Assembly, who enabled the scholarship through her donation.
Katelyn Ottaviano, Penn State York
Katelyn Ottaviano, who intends to major in psychology, said her time at DUS allowed her to take a variety of subjects and narrow down her interests.
“I found it valuable to work with my DUS adviser and my career counselor to explore a variety of majors and careers while making progression in my general education courses, and still keeping my options open for multiple majors of interest,” Ottaviano said.
Ottaviano is involved in Future Business Leaders of America.
“I like that this organization allows students a chance to develop professional skills in a variety of settings, and I value this opportunity as many of these attributes will help my professional journey,” she said.
Zoe Parizek, Penn State University Park
Zoe Parizek, of State College, Pennsylvania, is hoping to double major in geo-ethnographic writing (created through the bachelor of philosophy program) and French and Francophone studies.
During her exploration, Parizek said she spent many days searching through courses and majors in the Penn State Bulletin and LionPATH. She also met with faculty across many fields and said that these perspectives helped her on her journey of self-discovery. Parizek then created a mind map, containing every subject she thought was even remotely interesting, she said, which helped her visualize what areas to specialize in and how to draw connections between them.
Parizek said she loved her time in DUS and felt as though she was exploring together with others. She also said she was thankful for the guidance from her academic adviser, Sherri Metcalfe.
“DUS was really important to me personally because it gives me a safe space free of pressure to discover my passions without worrying about missing requirements,” she said. “My DUS adviser is also a huge part of my time in DUS. She is so patient and helpful and is the best listener.”
“The DUS community is just so supportive, which I love and, quite frankly, need,” she continued. “I definitely would not be as happy and optimistic about my future as I am today without DUS.”
The Division of Undergraduate Studies is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.