College-bound students selected for 2018 UCSC Education Awards

The University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) recently presented $28,000 in Educational Awards to 13 college-bound dependents of UTHealth classified staff employees. The awards, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, were a result of generous donations from the university community including executive leadership. The award recipients are:

• Eric Dai, son of Jun Ying, data manager for clinical research, McGovern Medical School, is described as “a natural leader, a focused and mature student and a great quiz bowler and debater.” Eric will attend Case Western Reserve University.
• Alec Furnace, son of Sophia Furnace, research coordinator II, McGovern Medical School, is described as “not merely an exemplary student, achieving the highest results in the classroom, but an exemplary citizen.” Alec will attend the University of Dallas.
• Epstein Jacob, daughter of Litty Thomas, staff nurse II and clinical care coordinator, McGovern Medical School, is described in this way, “in addition to Epstein’s exemplary performance in the classroom, I admire her commitment to bettering the local community as well as the world at large.” Epstein will attend the University of Houston.
• Adithya Menon, son of Manju Menon, staff nurse II, UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center, is said to “demonstrate exceptional communication skills and has a unique ability to motivate others toward a common goal.” Adithya will attend The University of Texas at Austin.
• Malcolm Mitchell-Bennett, son of Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, project manager, UTHealth School of Public Health in Brownsville, “passionately feels the public schools can better serve students and he has developed a passion for education reform.” Malcolm will attend Warren Wilson College.
• Christy Nguyen, daughter of My Nguyen, administrative coordinator McGovern Medical School, “is a very thoughtful student who helps others and tries to be inclusive to all.” Christy will attend the University of Houston.
• Jodie Patcha, daughter of Pinwo Patcha, staff nurse II, UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center, is described as a “student leader who takes initiative and who sets the bar high for her goals.” Jodie will attend St. Edwards University with her sister Jessica, who was a 2017 Education Awards recipient.
• Rachel Ply, daughter of Melissa Ply, program manager, McGovern Medical School, “has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and is a compassionate, smart, organized and overall good person.” Rachel will attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
• Anouska Ramesh, daughter of Kavitha Gopal, staff systems analyst, McGovern Medical School, “single handedly spearheaded a charity event, Falcons Fight Cancer, which raised over $11,000 for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.” Anouska will attend the University of North Texas.
• Timmie Russel, son of Katenia Grays-Russell, licensed vocational nurse II, McGovern Medical School, is described as “a team player whose integrity serves as one of his greatest assets.” Timmie will attend Wiley College where he will also play baseball.
• Migus Wong, son of See-Long Wong, nurse practitioner, McGovern Medical School, is “extremely self-motivated and takes full responsibility for his own learning. He has a genuine love of science that sets him apart from many of his academically qualified peers.” Migus will attend Colorado School of Mines.
• Brian Xu, son of Jianxin Lin, research assistant III, McGovern Medical School, was described as having a “gifted mind and his disciplined study habits” that will contribute to his success in the future. Brian will attend The University of Texas at Austin.

Congratulations again and much success to the 2018 UCSC Educational Award recipients!