Four Beavers Receive Post-Grad Scholarships
Four distinguished Oregon State University student-athletes have been awarded Pac-12 Conference postgraduate scholarships, league commissioner Larry Scott announced Thursday. The foursome of Beavers includes Nicholas Aerne (rowing), Zachary Cardwell (wrestling), Melanie Dembinski (softball) and Lauren Fischer (golf).
Aerne was a four-year letterman for the men’s rowing team and twice earned mention on the Pac-12 all-academic roster, including first team in 2014. The Glencoe High School graduate also was a member of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association’s academic team. Aerne graduated with a bachelor’s degree from OSU in mechanical engineering and will continue his educational pursuits as a master’s of engineering student in Corvallis. He hopes to become a professor at a university in the future.
Cardwell is a graduate of Lowell High School in Lowell, Ore., and earned three letters as a Beaver wrestler, compiling an overall record of 45-15. He has been involved in numerous community service activities, including the IMPACT Program (physical activity program for children) and as a student teacher at several local Corvallis elementary and middle schools. The six-time OSU Honor Roll member is a graduate of OSU with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science, and intends to pursue his master’s degree in physical education. He aspires to be a physical education teacher.
Dembinski is a native of Venice, Fla., and has received her bachelor’s degree in economics from OSU. The two-year letterwinner transferred to the Beavers from Central Arizona Community College. She served on OSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has interned with the University’s Foundation and athletic marketing department. Dembinski is pursuing a master’s degree in education policy in hopes of working in the non-profit sector to promote higher education opportunities to all social classes.
Fischer is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Portland and anticipates receiving her bachelor’s degree in public health, management and policy next month. The four-year letterwinner has earned a place on OSU’s Honor Roll six times. She has been one of the most active student-athletes outside of competition at OSU, including being a part of the Beavers Without Borders initiative, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and as the SAAC president. She intends to earn a master’s degree in public health with a goal of being a hospital administrator.
Each scholarship of $3,000 is presented to student-athletes with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who have also demonstrated a commitment to continuing education, campus and community involvement and leadership. Since the program began in 1999, the Pac-12 has awarded more than $1.5 million for postgraduate study.
