Four students win Chang-Lin Tien Scholarships

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On October 6, 2020

Twelve students throughout the University of Missouri System were selected for Chang-Lin Tien Scholarships. Recipients include four S&T students:

  • Christopher Gu, computer science
  • Katlyn Maas, business and management systems
  • Teresa Schneider, materials science and engineering
  • Suzanne Young, economics.

In 2019, President Mun Y. Choi won the Chang-Lin Tien Leadership in Education Award, which honors an Asian American and Pacific Islander who has achieved significant academic accomplishments and demonstrates the potential to advance to the highest leadership levels in higher education. The honor included a $10,000 grant to establish a systemwide Chang-Lin Tien Scholarship Fund to support exceptional, civic-minded students.

Christopher Gu

S&T award recipients

Christopher Gu is co-founder of PickHacks and a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Spectrum (a campus organization for LGBTQ students and allies) and the Miner Key A Cappella group. As a computer science ambassador, he meets with prospective students and their families to promote Missouri S&T. Gu seeks to become an entrepreneur after graduation to continue to promote diversity and inclusion as he gives back to the community.

Katlyn Maas is an active leader in Missouri S&T’s volunteerism programs, whether it be the alternative break program Miner Challenge, the Volunteerism and Greek Life Days of Service program, or taking a group of friends to the local thrift store to help organize clothing. She leads by example and by engagement. As a senior member of Lambda Sigma Pi, a service-based fraternity on campus, Mass averages about 50 community service hours per semester. As part of the Volunteerism and Greek Life Days of Service program, she has participated in several community volunteer events. As part of Miner Challenge, she led a team of students to Charleston, West Virginia, in 2019 to assist with after-school programs. Mass will graduate with an MBA in December 2021, and she plans to pursue work in the nonprofit arena. She dreams of starting her own nonprofit organization with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education in rural schools.

Teresa Schneider’s comprehensive involvement includes participation in the Residential Hall Association, holding the role of campus facilities chair in the student council and participating in Greek life. As part of Keramos, a professional ceramic engineering fraternity, she designed and gave a demonstration to young students on fiberglass manufacturing that involves cotton candy machines. This demonstration was given at local schools, science camps and even the St. Louis Science Center. While serving on the Student Council, Schneider successfully petitioned the Student Union Board to provide closed captioning on movies displayed on campus, as well as to offer accommodations for dietary restrictions and audio-visual impairments. She plans to remain active as an alumna, including serving as an adviser to Zeta Tau Alpha and its philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness. Eventually, Schneider wants to work in a management role and use her minor in leadership communications to make a difference.

Suzanne Young’s work includes undergraduate research with Dr. Robert Schwartz, studying the challenges facing Missouri’s rural communities, including disparities in health care, a shrinking workforce, internet access, drug addiction and aging populations. Over the course of two years, Young collected data on these issues and met with community leaders, rural entrepreneurs and engagement network specialists. This information helped her recommend entrepreneurship projects and solutions to stimulate business development in these communities. In addition, Young serves as an intern for the Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM) and worked with her peers to promote student interests in Jefferson City. After graduation, Young plans to canvas for candidates who are passionate about helping others, to join civil action groups that work to improve lives and to eventually run for political office.

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On October 6, 2020. Posted in Accomplishments