Scholars and Scholarships are a bright pairing for these seniors from the Class of 2024.
These scholars have bright futures. Each admits to feeling a little overwhelmed right now, but mainly, they’re just excited about the future. They’ll tell you their hopes to better their communities and to make a difference in their professions. Each will also explain how the support of donors helped them discover their passions at Otterbein and how that has made all the difference.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
Olive Schnittker, whose pronouns are they/them, was set on medical school until they fell in love with organic chemistry. Their love of research followed during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. “If I wouldn’t have had the chance to do research, I wouldn’t have been able to discover what I want to do with the rest of my life.” Schnittker knows research is the focus of their future. “I’m extremely grateful for our donors, their support, and the awards that made it possible for me to do research.” They are the first member in their immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree in the sciences.
OLIVE SCHNITTKER ’24, Chemistry and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology
Schnittker has already been accepted to four graduate school programs. They are deciding between a master’s degree or doctorate degree pathway with long-term plans to join research and development industry work in medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry.
Olive Schnittker, whose pronouns are they/them, was set on medical school until they fell in love with organic chemistry. Their love of research followed during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. “If I wouldn’t have had the chance to do research, I wouldn’t have been able to discover what I want to do with the rest of my life.” Schnittker knows research is the focus of their future. “I’m extremely grateful for our donors, their support, and the awards that made it possible for me to do research.” They are the first member in their immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree in the sciences.
OLIVE SCHNITTKER ’24, Chemistry and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology
Schnittker has already been accepted to four graduate school programs. They are deciding between a master’s degree or doctorate degree pathway with long-term plans to join research and development industry work in medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry.
Did you Know?
Individual endowed
scholarships = $2.6 million
Otterbein works to match students with scholarships that support individual educational goals.
“My work with the New Student Transition Team ignited a spark in me to help introduce others to the potential they may not see in themselves.” Angel Proehl said she’ll miss the relationships she established here. “They saw something in me. It meant a lot to know the staff had faith in me.” An advocate herself, Proehl also works to make sure more students know about Otterbein’s Opportunity Scholarship.
ANGEL PROEHL ’24, Criminology and Justice Studies and Psychology
Proehl will begin work on a master’s degree in Social Work at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She plans to spend her career advocating for children in foster care and adoption services.
Lily Cowie says her Otterbein professors were spectacular. “They make me want to keep on learning.” She plans to work in a research position while she decides which graduate psychology program to pursue. Cowie also said were it not for all the scholarship support, she likely wouldn’t be here. “Thanks to our donors, I had an incredible experience.”
LILY COWIE ’24, Psychology and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
In addition to her studies, Cowie is a trained and certified OhioHealth Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) advocate and Coordinated Community Response Team member. She proudly served as the president of the Psi-Chi Honor Society and as co-president of Tri-Iota Honor Society.
“The experiences I’ve had really make you think how science rotates the world in a new direction. It’s enlightening to be around people who share the same goals.” Last year, Mason Nolan was inducted into the national honor society of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This year, he’s in medical school. “I want to thank donors for giving us experiences, professional opportunities, and the chance to see things we ordinarily wouldn’t be able to see.”
MASON NOLAN ’24, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
As part of the Early Assurance Program, Nolan will be finishing his first year of medical school at Ohio University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine around the same time he graduates from Otterbein. His 3+4 pathway is giving him an amazing experience and an early start on medical school.
“There is nothing better than the smile of an athlete after their first game back following an injury,” Conner Ruff said. “It’s very gratifying.” Ruff’s proud of the work he’s done on his clinical rotations in area high schools and with Otterbein’s trainers. “I want to thank the donors for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here.”
CONNER RUFF ’24, Athletic Training
Ruff will continue his studies at Otterbein to complete his master’s degree in Athletic Training. He hopes to return to his hometown to support his school’s athletic trainer who he regards as a vital role model.
The gift that continues ..
“Fourteen years ago, my family and I came to the United States as refugees from Nepal where we were living in refugee camps. All we had were some clothes and photographs. It feels unreal that I went from no hopes of finishing college to now having graduated with two majors. Today I am in my dream job. Donors don’t know how impactful they can be. Not only have they given me a life, they’ve given my family a life.”
BHAWANA KHATIWADA ’23, Computer Science and Communication
Khatiwada graduated a year early. She is an IT programmer analyst at Denison University in her dream job. She says without Otterbein’s support she wouldn’t be where she is today.