Zainab Ahmed named honorary student for October

Zainab Ahmed, a junior from Lahore, Pakistan, majoring in molecular genetics, was nominated by Associate Professor of English Iclal Vanwesenbeeck for the October Honorary Student of the Month award.

Ms. Ahmed’s contributions to the ENGL 167 course: Border crossings are considered high impact, according to Dr. Vanwesenbeeck, the course instructor.

“Her work in my course is exceptional, sophisticated and thoughtful. She is a mature thinker who can philosophize on complex issues. Her analytical writing is very strong, as are her hermeneutic skills,” Vanwesenbeeck said.

“His work in my class is outstanding, sophisticated and thoughtful.” – Dr. Iclal Vanwesenbeeck

Additionally, “as an international student and young female scientist doing cancer research, she fully embodies the vision of the program. She is academically motivated, comes from diverse backgrounds and enriches our worldview, and is a student who demonstrates mastery in the humanities and sciences. I enthusiastically recommend her for this award,” said Vanwesenbeeck.

Ahmed began his studies during the pandemic and thrived in a field that is so important in today’s world, Vanwesenbeeck said. “I believe she is motivated by her studies and will carry the name of the honors program far into the future. She has already started looking for a doctorate. cancer research programs and I have every reason to believe that we will soon be inviting her to lecture here at Fredonia as an alumnus of the honors program,” added Vanwesenbeeck.

An exemplary student ranked in the top 1% of her class, Ahmed is an RA at McGinnies, represents students on the Academic Integrity Committee and Judiciary Committee, and is a member of the Resident Assistant Association Board of Directors.

“One thing I enjoy most about (the) honors program is how it pushes me to take courses I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. It allows me to broaden my horizon and learn about socio-economic issues that I wouldn’t have been able to address in my regular Mol-Gen classes,” said Ahmed.

Ahmed’s favorite and toughest honors class was Spring in Fredonia, which she took in Spring 2021, her first semester on campus in Fredonia. “This class introduced me to the trying weather of Fredonia and at the same time it also made me see nature in a completely different light.

“I appreciate nature much more now and I think it’s a personality change that I will pursue forever,” Ahmed said.

“My only advice to fellow honors students would be to make the most of every honors course, however overwhelming it may seem at first. These honors courses have challenged my intellect the most, and I hope they will do the same for any incoming student, because these courses give you knowledge of the world,” she said.

Ahmed’s favorite part of Fredonia is his residence hall and the people who live there. She also loves the nature that surrounds the campus.

“Another, and perhaps most important, thing that I love about Fredonia is the independence it has given me and all the opportunities that have come my way. I am RA at McGinnies Hall I am also a student representative on the Judicial Council and Academic Integrity Council on campus, and I also work at the Quintyne Lab on various cancer research projects,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed’s future goal after the end of this year is to obtain a challenging yet immersive REU (Research Experience for Undergraduate Students) in a prestigious institute or laboratory by the summer of 2023. After obtaining graduation, she would like to immediately pursue a doctorate. in cancer biology.

“I want to thank all of my professors, staff in my residency, and lab colleagues for making me the person I am today. I learned a thing or two from each of them, that whether it is related to studies or simply how to live a balanced life.

The Honors Student of the Month program, which recognizes outstanding SUNY Fredonia Honors students, is a collaboration between the Fredonia Honors Program and the Office of Residence Life, and includes the new Honors House, a living learning community, at Grissom Lobby.

The awards recognize students who reflect the mission and vision of the program:

• Mission: The Fredonia Honors program supports academically motivated students by connecting them to meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and live within a community of like-minded peers.
• Vision: The Fredonia Honors program will be a transformative and comprehensive experience for academically motivated students from diverse backgrounds, providing access to distinctive, high-impact, interdisciplinary learning and leadership opportunities.

To be eligible, Honors students must be in good standing in the Fredonia Honors program; have a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher; have successfully completed at least one specialized course; and have completed at least one year in Fredonia. Students do not need to live on campus.

The student selected as Honorary Student of the Month will receive a $20 gift card to the bookstore, a certificate, and lunch at Cranston Marche with their nominator, as well as Kathy Forster, Director of Residence Life, and student members Committee of the Month honorarium.

Additionally, the student’s name will be engraved on a plaque at the Residence Life Office, and the student will have a biographical article published in the Campus Report. The program is currently accepting applications for the Honors Student of the Month for November. Applications will close on Wednesday, November 30.