SIUE Student Named Golden Opportunity Scholar
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s senior biological sciences student Mary-Margaret Benware has been named a Golden Opportunity Scholar. This international recognition is given to 20 students to encourage each individual to continue to pursue their passion to enter the agronomy, crop, soil or environmental sciences professions.
"I am overjoyed and honored to be selected to be a part of a network of talented agronomists, crop scientists and environmental scientists,” said Benware.
The Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute is a collaborative program of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA). Benware will be matched with a scientist-mentor during the ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings.
Benware initially chose SIUE to pursue her degree because of the nature preserve located on campus.
“I had always wanted to pursue an environmentally-related career, so the idea of having a protected area that promotes native Illinois ecosystems excited me for future classes and research opportunities,” said Benware.
"I was also very excited to join the Honors Program at SIUE,” Benware added. “Through this program, I have explored many different disciplines and have gained knowledge that has helped me to develop my communication skills, my ability to work with a team and to think about problems from multiple perspectives.”
Through her educational experiences and the skills she has developed at SIUE, Benware plans to become a research scientist and is excited to contribute to discoveries that protect ecosystems and preserve natural resources.
“I decided to study ecology because I love learning about how organisms relate to each other as well as to their environment,” she said. “I want to use this knowledge to protect and restore ecosystems. I also want to contribute to research that reduces the impact of humans on the environment, creating a healthier planet for future generations.”
Photo: SIUE senior biological sciences student, Mary-Margaret Benware.
