University of Michigan-Dearborn recognized five students as Chancellor’s Medallion recipients during the university’s commencement ceremony Sunday, April 29. Medallion recipients are selected by the faculty based on their academic record, quality of character, vitality, intellect and integrity.
College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Chancellor’s Medallion Recipient and Student Speaker
Monica Marie De Roche graduates with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and political science, with high distinction. Ms. De Roche was named to the Dean’s List every semester. She received UM-Dearborn Honors three times, was named a James B. Angell Scholar in 2018 and was named Political Science Honors Scholar in Winter 2018. De Roche also has earned 16 scholarships and grants from both internal and external sources to fund her education. These include the Velda Taylor Scholarship, the CEW Linda J. Rider Scholarship, the CASL Alumni Affiliate Scholarship, the College & University Pantries (CUP) Scholarship and the Fast Fourward Scholarship.
During her time at UM-Dearborn, De Roche has excelled in research and community engagement. She completed the Psychology Honors Program, which involved developing, carrying out and presenting the results of her independent honors thesis, The Effect of Gender Role Courses on Attitudes and Policy Preferences in College Students.
Her excellence in research and in coursework led Psychology Assistant Professor Harmony Reppond to select De Roche to work with her on a large, grant-funded research project examining food insecurity on college campuses. Her work on the project was described as at the level of a graduate student, and her performance led to her role as a lead author on the team’s 2018 policy report. Her academic excellence also led Social Sciences Assistant Professor Emily Matthews Luxon to invite her to co-launch a joint research project investigating theories of self in political speech, which is expected to result in multiple published manuscripts over the long term.
De Roche has presented her research at a number of professional conferences, including the Midwestern Psychological Association conference and the Midwest Political Science Association conference. She also has one manuscript (a collaboration with the food pantry research team) under review at the Journal of Community Practice and two others in preparation, one to be submitted to Journal of Applied Social Psychology and the other to be submitted to Political Psychology.
In addition to research, De Roche has served in a number of extracurricular capacities, including as a teaching assistant for Social Sciences Lecturer Jamie Wraight’s Aspects of the Holocaustcourse; she will accompany him to Poland and Germany this summer to attend a seminar and conduct further research in the area.
De Roche has earned acceptance with fellowship funding to several Ph.D. programs, and she will begin her doctorate studies in political science with a concentration in political psychology in Fall 2018.
College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters Chancellor's Medallion Recipient
Brock Rowberry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics. He graduates with high distinction, having earned a 3.99 GPA. He also completed the UM-Dearborn Honors Program. Rowberry has been named to the Dean’s List each semester of his undergraduate career, recognized with University Honors six times and named a James B. Angell Scholar for three semesters. He was the Economics Honors Scholar in 2018, received a Joan Robinson Award in Economic Theory, the Economics Leadership Award and the William J. Branstrom Prize. He is a recipient of the Scholarship for International Students, the Student Leadership in Economics Scholarship and the UM-Dearborn Honors Program Scholarship.
Rowberry held internships at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and in the office of a member of the Parliament of Canada. His campus activities include leadership positions in the Economics Club and the Math Club, serving as a student mentor in economics and mathematics, and as a tutor in the Math Learning Center.
Rowberry also completed three major research projects in economics; his interdisciplinary study in math and economics, Wavelet Analysis of the Twin Deficit Hypothesis, is the first study to use wavelets to examine current accounts and fiscal positions.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
College of Business Chancellor's Medallion Recipient
Marybeth Muliett earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in information technology management and a minor in accounting. She graduates with high distinction, having earned a GPA of 3.97. Muliett received the 2014 Chancellor’s Scholarship and the Michigan Competitive Scholarship. She also was placed on the Dean’s List for every fall and winter term since her enrollment.
In 2016, she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society serving business programs. Her work ethic and abilities are highly regarded by many faculty within the College of Business.
Muliett held multiple positions throughout her college career, including an internship with International Automotive Components, where she still works. She is described as a standout who consistently exceeds expectations. Her work with International Automotive Components does not go unnoticed, as senior directors have personally requested her assistance with projects. Outside of school and work, Muliett is involved in her church as a volunteer for events and as a care team member.
After graduation, Muliett would like to transition into a role in the IT department at International Automotive Components. She plans to earn certifications in Oracle SQL and project management and is considering a return to UM-Dearborn to earn a master’s degree.
College of Education, Health, and Human Services Chancellor's Medallion Recipient
Rachel Marple has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education with a specialization in special education. She graduates with high distinction. She has been on the Dean’s List for five terms, is a member in the Tau Sigma National Honor Society and a recipient of the CEW Ann Arbor Scholarship and the Fast Fourward Scholarship.
Marple has made multiple trips to Haiti, where she co-founded the nonprofit organization Reach Out:Lafond. The goal of the organization is to help the children of LaFond, Haiti, by enriching their education and providing their parents with essential economic advancements so their children can thrive within their own homes. As of 2018, they serve pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students, and Marple is currently fundraising to support a building expansion to accommodate ninth-grade students this fall.
Marple has worked on incorporating a Response to Intervention (RTI) program in the LaFond school. Last summer, she introduced positive behavior supports to the teachers, which has resulted in a decrease in behavior issues. This summer she plans to lead professional development for the teachers to help identify struggling students and incorporate strategies to close the learning gap.
Back home in Michigan, Marple tutors students in her community in math or reading. She also worked with Education Operations Associate Professor Chris Burke and Neinas Elementary School to plan and build a community park near their school.
After graduation, Marple plans to work in the special education field and hopes to begin an afterschool tutoring program to benefit students within the school district where she will be working. Her long-term plans include pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership at UM–Dearborn in order to continue advocating for inclusive educational practices both in and outside of school.
College of Engineering and Computer Science Medallion Recipient
Stephen Mara received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in electrical engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in computer engineering. He graduates with high distinction, having earned a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average. Mr. Mara was awarded University Honors in 2015-2017, was named a James B. Angell Scholar 2016-2018, and was named to the Dean’s List seven times. He is a recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Mara has held several internships while studying at UM-Dearborn. In 2016, he worked as an electrical engineering intern at Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, working on engine control/transmission control modules. In 2017, he completed an electrical engineering internship at Bosch USA, writing software for their engine calibration lab. He also has worked as an IT consulting intern at Macro Connect, Inc., helping to implement IT infrastructure solutions in Detroit schools. Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty praise Mara's academic excellence and breadth of industry experience.
Mara is an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America. His many hobbies include playing piano and guitar, hiking and backpacking. He also has devoted time to mentoring middle school students.
After graduation, Mara will work in embedded systems development at Vector North America. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering.
