Outstanding Graduates--Fall 1997
Friday, December 12, 1997
Colorado State University
Note to Editors: Below are students who will graduate from
Colorado State University during commencement ceremonies
Dec. 20. All students are available for media interviews.
STUDENT FINISHES DISSERTATION WITH VOICE-ACTIVATED COMPUTER
PROGRAM
From the time she was two years old, Deana Namuth has
suffered from juvenile arthritis, a painful disease that often
makes activities such as typing painful and difficult. Namuth
faced the prospect of more pain--and the possibility of worsening
her condition--if she hand-typed the dissertation for her
doctoral degree in soil and crop sciences.
With the help of the university's Assistive Technology
Resource Center, Namuth acquired voice-activated computer
software that enabled her to recite her dissertation and to
compose teaching assignments. Namuth, 29, estimates that it took
her twice as long to use the voice-activated system compared with
conventional typing, but without it her dissertation would not
have been completed on time.
When Namuth graduates from the College of Agricultural
Sciences on Dec. 20, she said she'll think of those at the
university who helped her get through. "I couldn't have done it
without their help," she said. Contact Namuth at (970) 224-3414
or (970) 491-6501.
LIBERAL ARTS GRADUATE DEVELOPING PROGRAM TO AID VIETNAMESE
CHILDREN
After earning his bachelor's degree in liberal arts this
month, Eric Davidson hopes to begin implementing a vaccination
program for Vietnamese children. Davidson, a 29-year-old native
of Winter Park, Colo., has been interested in Asia since high
school. Before coming to Colorado State, he taught English in
Japan and worked in southeast Asia as a freelance news
photographer.
At Colorado State, Davidson studied social sciences and
international development and has been active in the
International Club and Asian studies program. He participated in
a study abroad program and traveled to Hanoi for a year.
Currently, Davidson is working with the Vietnam Veterans of
America Foundation and the Center for Disease Control to develop
a vaccination program for Japanese encephalitis, a virus that
debilitates many children in northern Vietnam. Davidson hopes to
obtain funding and implement the program within the next year.
Call Davidson at (970) 498-0227.
STUDENT'S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT FOLLOWS HIM THROUGH GRADUATION
When Cary Denison graduates with a degree in consumer
science, it's not surprising that he'll own and operate his own
business. Denison's entrepreneurial skill is evident in all the
jobs he has worked while in college.
Denison, a native of Paonia, Colo., has freelanced as a
bullfighter, worked in semi-professional and professional rodeo
and offered services as an independent hunting and fishing guide.
Denison also is a live-in mother's assistant, helping care for
three children.
Denison is now in the process of buying and becoming
familiar with the industrial cleaning business he will run after
graduation. He also is working toward publishing his own outdoor
magazine, which is scheduled to be distributed next spring. Call
Denison at (970) 484-9985.
MARKETING GRADUATE RETURNS TO CSU AFTER YEARS IN 'REAL WORLD',
EARNS TOP HONORS
When Laurie-Ann Mitchell graduates with a master's degree in
marketing this month, it will have been an achievement 10 years
in the making.
A lack of money forced Mitchell to quit pursuing her
bachelor's degree in marketing from Colorado State in 1987. But
after spending six years in the "real world" as a flight
attendant and administrator at Continental Airlines, Mitchell
realized that a degree was key to reaching her career goals.
Mitchell did so well academically that when she graduated with a
bachelor's degree in marketing in 1996, faculty in the College of
Business convinced her to stay and pursue a master's degree and
teach undergraduate courses. She completed the program in just a
year and a half.
During her years as a student, Mitchell earned a place on
the dean's list, won a top 10 graduating senior award and an
outstanding business student award. She is a member of the Sigma
Iota Epsilon, an honors fraternity. Call Mitchell at (970)
282-0281.
ENGINEERING STUDENT EXCELS AT STUDIES AND SERVICE
When electrical engineering student Sheila Ranae Mason
graduates this month, she'll take away a diploma, but during her
time at Colorado State she's been dedicated to giving service to
her college and community.
Mason, a leader in several student organizations,
coordinated a Thanksgiving food drive for the past three years.
She served as a mentor for three underclassmen in electrical
engineering and helped the College of Engineering coordinate
career exploration events, outreach and recruiting programs. Two
years ago Mason initiated and organized the electrical
engineering department's annual High School Shadow Day, an event
that gives high school students an opportunity to sample college
life.
In addition to her class work and community service, Mason
assisted professors with projects and worked in internships
including laser research, weather radar tracking, and fabricating
and testing semiconductors. A native of Leadville, Colo., Mason
plans to work for Intel after graduation, and will move to
Portland, Ore., in January. Call Mason at (970) 416-1331.
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