Each semester, UM-Dearborn honors a very select group of students with the Chancellor’s Medallion. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, these Fall 2020 graduates are being recognized for their outstanding quality of character, vitality, intellect, integrity and academic record.
Molly DeWyse is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Hispanic Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies.
Molly was named to the Dean’s List for every semester of her undergraduate career, was recognized with University Honors for five terms, and was twice named a James B. Angell Scholar. In addition, she received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, Spanish Awards in Fall 2018 and Winter 2019, and was named a Political Science Honors Scholar. She was also a UM-Dearborn Difference Maker in 2020.
Molly is active in several organizations, including the Political Science Association, where she serves as treasurer; La Mezcla, also serving as treasurer; and the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s National Alliance on Mental Illness, serving as secretary. She interned with the Shiraz Law Firm, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office on the Extraditions and Juvenile Lifers Project, and with the Executive Office of the Governor of Michigan, where she worked on criminal justice reform. Molly also participated in the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Study Abroad Program in Valencia, Spain. She won an “outstanding delegate” award in the Model Arab League competition in Winter 2020.
In the future, Molly plans to attend law school and pursue a career in law and public service.
A true “Renaissance man,” Brandon Klein earned his Bachelor of Arts degree this past summer, having majored in Behavioral and Biological Sciences and minored in Art History and Chemistry.
Brandon’s exceptional academic abilities were repeatedly recognized throughout his career at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Brandon was named a James B. Angell Scholar twice, and received University Honors on four separate occasions. He also received the 2019 Leadership Synergy Certificate from Student Leadership in recognition of his contributions to the campus community.
Brandon transferred to the University of Michigan-Dearborn in Winter of 2017 and quickly excelled. He has been described by CASL faculty as “amazing,” “excellent,” and “outstanding.” Brandon has completed courses as varied as Organic Chemistry, Psychology of Language and Women in Medieval Art, engaging in deep critical thinking and interdisciplinary reflection.
After completing an independent research project on neurobiology, he coauthored a peer reviewed journal article on pediatric brain trauma with Assistant Professor of Neurobiology Dr. Zhi “Elena” Zhang and colleagues, which was published in the Journal of Neurotrauma in July of this year.
During his time at the university, Brandon was also the president of the Art History Association, a Supplemental Instructor in Philosophy, and an Art History tutor. Brandon has left a lasting impression on the University of Michigan-Dearborn community as a model scholar and student. He is sure to succeed in whatever path he pursues.
Omimah Bazzi is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering with the honor of high distinction.
Upon admission to UM-Dearborn in Fall 2017, Omimah was a recipient of the Opportunity Scholarship. In recognition of her high academic achievement, Omimah was awarded University Honors in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Omimah has been named to the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s List for six semesters throughout her collegiate career.
Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IMSE) faculty praise Omimah’s academic excellence, professionalism and outstanding leadership skills. She has worked as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader and mentor for STEMstart, a program aimed at strengthening the math skills of new engineering students. Omimah was named the 2020 Honors Scholar for the Industrial and Systems Engineering program, and she is a recipient of the IMSE department’s Adnan Aswad scholarship.
Omimah is also completing the CECS Experiential Honors program, which inspires the intellectual and leadership growth of students beyond academics. In this program, she developed a research study on how factors like zip code, availability of advanced placement (AP) courses, and quality of high school math instruction can impact student success in college engineering programs.
In the summer of 2019, Omimah began working at DTE Energy as an intern with their Electric Field Operations department. Her work has focused on analyzing productivity metrics for DTE field reps and studying ways to continuously improve their work’s efficiency. After graduation, Omimah plans to begin a full-time position at DTE Energy as an industrial engineer on the Continuous Improvement Team. In the future, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree at UM-Dearborn.
Grant Baker is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Bioengineering with the honor of high distinction.
Upon admission to UM-Dearborn in Fall 2016, Grant was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship. In recognition of his high academic achievement, Grant was named a James B. Angell Scholar in 2018. He has been awarded University Honors six times and was named a UM-Dearborn Honor Scholar in 2019 for Bioengineering. Grant has been named to the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s List for eight semesters throughout his collegiate career.
Grant is described by faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department as an exceptionally bright and hardworking student. Grant is pursuing the 4+1 master’s program in Bioengineering, a program in which highly qualified students can earn BSE and MSE degrees in a five-year accelerated format. He works as a research assistant studying injury and sports biomechanics and was the recipient of the James and Jeraldine Poe undergraduate research assistantship in 2020.
In addition to his rigorous academic studies, Grant is on the UM-Dearborn men’s soccer team and was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District and All-American teams in 2019. He was the first student-athlete in the program’s history to receive this national honor. He has also been recognized as a NAIA Scholar-Athlete and has been named to the Athletic Director Honor Roll throughout his academic career.
After graduation, Grant plans to finish his master’s degree in Bioengineering at UM-Dearborn, pursue future doctoral studies, and continue his research in injury and sports biomechanics.
Kyle Ralston is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services with a concentration in Public Health. He has been on the Dean’s list for five terms, is graduating with the honor of high distinction, and is the recipient of 17 scholarships, including the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, Slosberg and Sorscher Memorial Scholarship, James and Maybell Loeb Scholarship, and Maize and Blue Scholarship. Kyle has also been recognized for his research, winning the Best Presentation at the SURE Poster Conference (2019) and the “Awesomesauce in Research” First Place Outstanding Research Award in the CEHHS Mini-Poster Conference (2019).
Kyle has held multiple leadership roles, including serving on the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wellness Collaborative, where he uses his experiences as a student with mental health conditions to help improve the mental health of others on campus. While taking HHS 350: Community Organizing for Health, he was selected as leader for a service-learning group, which involved serving as the communication lead with the group’s community partner. In addition, Kyle worked with multiple departments in CASL, training new student assistants and taking the lead on many projects. For this work, he won a 2019 Student Leadership Award as an Outstanding Student Employee.
Kyle has also been actively involved in service and research activities, working with Assistant Professor of Social Work Jessica Camp as a research assistant in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. As part of this work, he researched Healing Centered Restorative Engagement (HCRE) and its effects on youth disconnection from work and school. Kyle also participated in a grant writing internship and independent study with Associate Professor of Public Health Natalie Sampson and the Warrendale Community Organization (WCO), planning a solar lighting project and securing a $5,000 grant for the organization’s community garden. In addition, Kyle was part of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s Detroit Community Based Research Program, where he worked with Nortown CDC to create a tourism booklet and write grants.
Kyle’s experiences in scholarship, leadership and service have helped him learn and develop skills that he will take with him into his future. He plans on working in the field of social work after graduation and then attending graduate school for a dual MSW/MPH degree or possibly a doctorate in social work. Kyle wants to continue dedicating himself to helping others and focus on his passion for mental health and trauma by learning and working in that area.
David Muse is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Information Systems Management. David has been on the Dean’s list seven times, and is graduating with the honor of high distinction. He is a multi-year recipient of the Terry and Debbie McElroy Scholarship and was awarded the Richard E. Czarnecki Scholarship. He was also recognized as a UM-Dearborn Difference Maker for 2020.
Along with his academic accomplishments, David immersed himself in extracurricular activities. Having started college a few years later than the typical first-year student, he initially focused on completing his degree as fast as possible. But during his junior year, when he started taking more of his College of Business courses, he noticed other COB students were building closer connections and meaningful relationships. He purposely moved out of his comfort zone and joined COB’s professional fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, and its honors society, Beta Gamma Sigma. That same year, he was also selected as the president of the Information Systems Management Association chapter in COB.
David’s impact in those organizations is evident. Classmates describe him as someone who constantly nurtures the people surrounding him without expecting the reciprocation of support. Others also recognize his commitment. Staff in our Internship and Career Management Center noted David’s integrity, commitment and generosity in volunteering his time and knowledge not only to assist students with their career and engagement needs but to assist staff wherever needed. David also finds time to support his community and has volunteered for the past five years to operate a charity bingo program that provides funding for the Taylor Northeast Little League Baseball activities.
David describes his junior year internship at Northwestern Mutual as “inspiring.” He said he was able to apply his educational experiences and practice soft skills as he worked with clients in his role as a College Financial Representative Intern. After graduating, David plans to continue his education by pursuing a dual MBA/MS Finance degree while working in a financial analyst position. His long-term career interests include corporate finance.
