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Top Ten Scholars

Recognizing Excellence in the Classroom

Top Ten Scholars

Presented by the Boise State Alumni Association and Boise State Honors College, the Top Ten Scholar Award is one of the highest academic honors granted to a Boise State University undergraduate student. Each spring the recipients are recognized, along with their honored faculty, at the annual Top Ten Scholars Award Ceremony. Join us on May 4 to celebrate the 2023 Top Ten Scholars.

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What Makes a Top Ten Scholar?

2023 Top Ten Award Ceremony

Join us on May 4 in the Stueckle Sky Center to celebrate the 2023 Top Ten Scholars.

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All Top Ten Events

Meet the 2023 Honorees

  • Julianna Buzzard

    Julianna Buzzard

    College of Engineering

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Certificate in Mechanical Design

    Future Plans: Work as a Mechanical Engineer at Pitch Aeronautics

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Aykut Satici, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Robotics Control Laboratory

    Caldwell, Idaho

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Certificate in Mechanical Design

    Future Plans: Work as a Mechanical Engineer at Pitch Aeronautics

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Aykut Satici, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Robotics Control Laboratory

  • Claire-Conner

    Claire Conner

    College of Education

    Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Dual Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education

    Future Plans: Work in Portland, Oregon as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher while attending the University of Oregon’s Masters program for Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention.

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Lisa Beymer, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Early and Special Education

    Corvallis, Oregon

    Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Dual Special Education, Early Childhood Special Education

    Future Plans: Work in Portland, Oregon as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher while attending the University of Oregon’s Masters program for Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention.

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Lisa Beymer, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Early and Special Education

  • Brie-Ellison

    Brianna Ellison

    College of Arts and Sciences

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies (criminal justice, anthropology, psychology) and a minor in creative writing – poetry

    Future Plans: Work as a private investigator while receiving an education in forensic and criminal justice. Pursue a career at the federal level in the intelligence community to address high-profile criminal activity.

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Manda V. Hicks, Chair, Department of Communication and Director of Forensics

    Eagle, Idaho

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies (criminal justice, anthropology, psychology) and a minor in creative writing – poetry

    Future Plans: Work as a private investigator while receiving an education in forensic and criminal justice. Pursue a career at the federal level in the intelligence community to address high-profile criminal activity.

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Manda V. Hicks, Chair, Department of Communication and Director of Forensics

  • Pangaea Finn

    Pangaea Finn

    College of Arts and Sciences

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance

    Future Plans: Study high energy physics in the Harvard Physics Ph.D. program

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Daniel Fologea, Professor, Department of Physics and Research Mentor

    Boise, Idaho

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance

    Future Plans: Study high energy physics in the Harvard Physics Ph.D. program

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Daniel Fologea, Professor, Department of Physics and Research Mentor

  • Josue-Xavier-Torres-Fonseca

    Josue Torres-Fonseca

    College of Engineering

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

    Future Plans: Pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science and become a research professor and mentor

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Casey Kennington, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

    Boise, Idaho

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

    Future Plans: Pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science and become a research professor and mentor

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Casey Kennington, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

  • Madeline_Gendreau

    Madeline Gendreau

    College of Arts and Sciences

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Geoscience with emphasis on Hydrology and a Minor in Environmental Studies

    Future Plans: Attain a Ph.D. in a field that intersects climate science and human health, become a research professor

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Ellyn Enderlin, Assistant Professor, Department of Geoscience

    Spokane, Washington

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Geoscience with emphasis on Hydrology and a Minor in Environmental Studies

    Future Plans: Attain a Ph.D. in a field that intersects climate science and human health, become a research professor

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Ellyn Enderlin, Assistant Professor, Department of Geoscience

  • Andrea-Teres-Martinez

    Andrea Terés-Martínez

    College of Arts and Sciences

    Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Media and Strategic Communications with an emphasis in journalism, with certificates in Narrative Arts and Intermediate Spanish

    Future Plans: Copyediting internship with The Wall Street Journal in New York City and become a reporter in a local or national newsroom

    Honored Faculty: Jenn Fields, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Leadership

    Meridian, Idaho

    Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Media and Strategic Communications with an emphasis in journalism, with certificates in Narrative Arts and Intermediate Spanish

    Future Plans: Copyediting internship with The Wall Street Journal in New York City and become a reporter in a local or national newsroom

    Honored Faculty: Jenn Fields, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Leadership

  • Ryan-Olson

    Ryan Olson

    College of Engineering

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

    Future Plans: Move to Chicago to work for Radio Flyer as a Prototype Shop Engineer

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Trevor Lujan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

    Napa, California

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

    Future Plans: Move to Chicago to work for Radio Flyer as a Prototype Shop Engineer

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Trevor Lujan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

  • Patricio-Brayden-Sainz

    Patricio Sainz

    College of Engineering

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, minor in Military Science, and an Intermediate Spanish Certificate

    Future Plans: Work as an overhead transmission line design engineer and project engineer

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Krishna Pakala, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

    Thayne, Wyoming

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, minor in Military Science, and an Intermediate Spanish Certificate

    Future Plans: Work as an overhead transmission line design engineer and project engineer

    Honored Faculty: Dr. Krishna Pakala, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

  • Caitlin-Vasko

    Caitlin Vasko

    School of Public Service

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications

    Future Plans: Pursue a law degree to advocate for education and employment policy

    Honored Faculty: Kate Huebschmann, Senior Fellowships Advisor, Boise State Honors College

    Phoenix, Arizona

    Degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Strategic Communications

    Future Plans: Pursue a law degree to advocate for education and employment policy

    Honored Faculty: Kate Huebschmann, Senior Fellowships Advisor, Boise State Honors College