Presentation remarks:

"Erin, in the past four years your pursuit of knowledge and 'passion for psychological research have been unsurpassed.' One faculty member describes you as 'being in the top one percent of more than 400 students he has worked closely with in terms of your ... motivation, skills, knowledge, curiosity and commitment.' Even as a first semester student you 'seemed to grasp difficult concepts with ease and offered provocative questions that helped everyone in class go beyond the surface details of a topic.'

"You were one of two students to be named an Anderson Endowment Scholar as a sophomore and that summer conducted challenging experimental research with professionalism. Your growing enthusiasm for studying animal language and cognition led you to a wonderful internship with the U.S. Navy's Marine Animal Program after your junior year and you became Denison's expert on the social interaction of captive bottlenose dolphins. Since Denison's dolphin population is on the slim side, you have pursued your honors project with rats. They are admittedly not as endearing as dolphins, but your project is exceptionally creative and will undoubtedly lead to publication. Not surprisingly you have been honored as a Senior Fellow in Psychology, with a Distinguished Leadership Award, and selection to Phi Beta Kappa.

"As President of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, you reinvigorated the organization implementing service projects, movie nights, and active participation in departmental colloquia. Denison celebrates your role as a three year staff member for the pre-orientation, Paving the Way, including functioning as the co-coordinator for the past two years. According to one of your recommenders, you not only 'diligently planned, organized, and shaped this pre-orientation experience' but you have 'continued to be a model, a mentor, and an advocate for multi-cultural students at Denison.'

"Erin, you have been an inspiration to all students who aspire to excellence in the classroom, the laboratory and community. As you embark on what is sure to be a stellar career in psychology, beginning with pursuit of your Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, know how grateful we are that you have graced us with your presence for these four years."

Note to media: Link here [jpg] for a downloadable high-resolution JPEG image of Erin Colbert-White.