Karen Michelle Jessup ’10 was presented the Kraybill Award for Full-Time Study at Arcadia University’s Undergraduate Commencement in May.

“Karen has been an outstanding biology major, and was co-founder and co-President of the pre-med club, mentoring undergraduates interested in medical careers,” said Dr. Steve O. Michael, Provost and Academic Vice President. “She earned a 3.99 overall grade point average at Arcadia and at Honors Convocation this past March she received the Paul R. Cutright Award, the Robert Swaim Award and the The Ellington Beavers Award for Intellectual Inquiry. In addition, Karen was recently awarded a full tuition scholarship to medical school through the United States Air Force Health Professions Scholarship program.”

The Paul R. Cutright Award goes to a senior Biology Major in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in the sciences. The Ellington Beavers Award for Intellectual Inquiry assists students with research projects that best exemplify the substantial intellectual inquiry inherent in good research. This award was established in 1989 by the leadership of Ellington Beavers, Chair, at that time, of the Board, for his distinguished service.

The Robert L. Swaim Award is given to the graduating senior whose academic record shows the greatest promise of superior achievement in a program of graduate study. This award was established in 1984 in remembrance of Robert L. Swaim by his wife, the late Grace Swaim, and their son.

Through her undergraduate Ellington Beavers research project, Jessup made significant contributions to the understanding of the genetic structure of Timber Rattlesnake populations, working with her research adviser, Dr. Lauri Bushar, Chair of the Biology Department.