December 2007 Outstanding Colorado State University Graduates Â?? Media Tip Sheet

Biological Sciences, Psychology student aspires to be a professor

Michelle Przybyski is graduating with a double major in biological sciences and psychology as well as a minor in biomedical sciences. Graduation will be special for Przybyski because her father, who is suffering from terminal cancer, will be there when she earns her degree. During her college career, Przybyski was a founding member of the Colorado State chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. She also is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Her awards include Colorado State’s Pacesetters Award and the Student Organizations Awards and Recognition Outstanding Senior Leader of the Year Award. Following graduation, Przybyski plans to stay at Colorado State to pursue a doctorate in ergonomics in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She hopes to one day be a professor in ergonomics.

To speak with Michelle Przybyski, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu

Retired optometrist goes back to college to earn another degree

Coralle Haley earned her first degree from New Mexico State University 23 years ago. Haley, 55, is graduating from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics following a brief retirement from a successful career in optometry. When Haley enrolled in college for her first bachelor’s degree, she used a slide rule for math classes, and class registration was done in person. At Colorado State, she successfully adjusted to Internet registration and laptop computers. In addition to a degree in chemical engineering from New Mexico State, Haley earned a doctorate of optometry from the University of Houston. She hopes her latest degree will help her in graduate school at the University of Northern Colorado. As Haley graduates from Colorado State University, her 26-year-old son, who recently finished serving in the Navy, hopes to follow in his mother’s footsteps and also become a Ram.

To speak with Coralle Haley, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu

Horticulture student spends two summers helping Katrina victims

Lindsey Gaudy is graduating from Colorado State with a degree in horticulture with a floriculture concentration. For two summers, Gaudy participated in disaster relief in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. With her church, Gaudy gutted hurricane-ravaged houses to help homeowners rebuild. Hours were spent removing furnishings, carpet and mud. During her time in Louisiana, Gaudy also enhanced her experience in horticulture. She was involved in an internship at a garden center helping people select plants. At Colorado State, Gaudy was an active member in Pi Alpha Xi, a national honor society for floriculture and horticulture. She participates in community volunteer activities with her husband.

To speak with Lindsey Gaudy, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu

Four-hour commute, two kids, $30 worth of gas all add up to a degree

Wendy Maddock has two children, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and has had to overcome a four-hour, round-trip commute from Denver for the past year and a half. Her children are William, who is almost seven, and Jacob, who is three. They are the light of her life, but they have kept this full-time mom on her toes through her academic journey. Reaching graduation has been difficult. Maddock has made many financial sacrifices and has sacrificed time with her children to receive her degree. But she stayed motivated with the goals of finishing college, being in a position to be competitive in the workforce, and – most of all – being able to support her family.

To speak with Wendy Maddock, contact Nik Olsen at (970) 491-7766 or Nik.Olsen@colostate.edu

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