AGNR scholarships help students like Hannah have the flexibility to reach for their dreams.
Image Credit: April Brohawn
Hannah Warshawsky, Sophomore Animal Science major
1. What got you interested in this area of study?
I have always loved animals and as I’ve grown up, I’ve found myself gravitating towards every sort of animal- related job that would take me. I’ve dog-sat, bunny-sat, volunteered at the Washington Humane Society, worked at an animal hospital, and now on the UMD campus farm. I’ve enjoyed all my experiences but I’d have to say that my dream job would be to be an animal hospital surgeon (maybe neurosurgeon or cardiologist!). I know a lot of people get really grossed out by all the blood and internal organs, but that’s the part that I find the coolest. I can’t imagine any better job than helping fix broken or dysfunctional anatomical and physiological systems of people’s beloved pets.
2. What scholarship have you received and how has it impacted your time at UMD?
I have received a scholarship from both the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences and another from the College of Agriculture and Natural resources. This year I am receiving from the Chester F. Bletch and Marjorie Schick Endowment, the Hiram I Stine Memorial Fund and the Kinghorne Fund. Altogether, I receive approximately $4,500 a year.
I have used my scholarship as motivation to take full advantage of the resources at my disposal so as not to waste a single moment that my generous donors are providing for me. I have tried my best to join as many clubs and activities as I can while still maintaining a good academic record so I can graduate in good standing and attend Veterinary school. With my generous donors supporting my college journey, I want to make them proud of my experiences here at UMD and make it worth it for them to continue to sponsor me in my education.
3. What are some other activities/organizations are you involved in at UMD?
I am an active sister in Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority and a student worker on the campus farm. I have also played on over 8 intramural sports teams over the course of my four semesters in college. I was part of an Israeli dance troupe, I took a ceramics class at Stamp, student union and I participated in a high school tutoring program as a science and math tutor as well. Additionally, I am an active member of the Jewish community on campus and I attend and help organize weekly events at the Hillel, Center for Jewish Life. I haven’t had a calm week since my first semester, but I love all my groups and wouldn’t give up any of them.
4. From your own experience, why are scholarships/donations so important?
From my experience, scholarships and donations are so important so that bright students have the opportunity to get the education they want and need in order to make a difference in the world without the burden of debt. Additionally, receiving a scholarship is like receiving a vote of confidence from a stranger who has noticed your efforts and declared through their donation that they support you and want you to succeed. They believe that scholarship students have incredible potential and it’s these donors that encourage students to shoot for the stars and work hard to accomplish their dreams.
Ian Doody, Sophomore Agricultural and Veterinary Medicine major
1. What got you interested in this area of study?
I first became interested in this field while working with doctor Matt Iager of Mid Maryland Dairy Veterinarians on embryo transplants. My dream job is a hybrid between large animal medicine and production agriculture.
2. What scholarship have you received and how has it impacted your time at UMD?
I have received the England Scholarship, Poffenburger Scholarship, Southern States Scholarship, Kinghorne Scholarship. While I am not entirely certain of the total value of these scholarships at this time, I do know that they have had a tremendous impact on my ability to pay for my education and have significantly eased the financial burden of college. They have also made it possible for me to pay for further schooling in the future. I haven’t had to work for the purpose of paying my tuition while in school and therefore I have more flexibility to do things to position myself optimally for my future career aspirations.
3. What are some other activities/organizations are you involved in at UMD?
As a freshman, I was on the Maryland Men’s Crew team, and am currently a member of the pre-vet society. I am also a brother in the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho.
4. From your own experience, why are scholarships/donations so important?
From my own personal experience, scholarships are very important not only because they ease the financial burden of paying for the ever-increasing expenses associated with college, but also because they allow students to do the things that will position them most favorably for their future career rather than doing things out of necessity because they have to. For example, I am a part time technician at a local veterinary hospital, and while I could make more money working elsewhere with more consistent hours per week, I am able to take this opportunity to get experience with veterinarians which will help me position myself more favorably for admission to vet-school. Furthermore, if I had to work enough hours per week to pay for college bills, my academics would doubtlessly suffer tremendously. Because I have a significant amount of scholarship aid, I am able to focus on the things that are most beneficial for me in the long run (academics and working as a vet tech).
