Two Technician grants awarded

Joshua Chappell and Brooke Wallig are the newest recipients of the Technician grant, a $1,000 grant for students with fewer than 36 hours who serve staff positions on the daily student newspaper and who plan to assume a leadership role in the future.

Joshua Chappell and Brooke Wallig are the newest recipients of the Technician grant, a $1,000 grant for students with fewer than 36 hours who serve staff positions on the daily student newspaper and who plan to assume a leadership role in the future.

Chappell, a sophomore in microbiology, attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics where he graduated with honors in 2010. He is originally from Goldsboro and is a Park Scholar. He said he hopes to attend either medical school or graduate school for life sciences. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano, swimming, and watching NCIS.

Gerald Boarman, former chancellor of the NCSSM and now head of school at the Bullis School in Maryland, said, “Joshua is an intelligent and exceptional student who works hard for all that he achieves and therefore excels on all levels.”

Boarman said it’s clear that Chappell values both the rigors of advanced academic work, leadership and service to his community.

“He has tremendous integrity,” Boarman said and discussed one situation that demonstrated not only citizenship but devotion when one hall mate underwent surgery for a brain tumor and Chappell orchestrated efforts to visit the student in the hospital.

“Josh has given his time and his heart to ‘bring NCSSM to the student’ instead of letting the student feel left out. Josh does not do this for praise. He does not do it for credit. He truly does it because he cares. How amazingly honorable he is!”

Myra Halpin, dean of science at NCSSM, said, “In addition to  being an outstanding student, active in the community and state, excellent swimmer and talented musician, Josh is a fine young man.”

Wallig, a freshman in science education, graduated from Smithfield-Selma High School where she was the class salutatorian and active in Rotary Club competitions and Tar Heel Girls State.

Bradford Wingo, coordinator of advising for the College of Education, said Brooke “works hard, stays hard and plans proactively to ensure that her efforts are well spent.”

Wingo also said Wallig’s commitment to the daily student newspaper is yet one more example of her strong work ethic and passion.

“As if being a teacher education major and Teaching Fellow were not enough, Brooke sought involvement with the Technician from her first moments on campus. Since that time, Brooke has shown her true value to one of the most important student voices on campus. Brooke has invested considerable time and effort to ensure that the Technician maintains a high-level presence on campus.”

And Michael Clinkscales, director of the N.C. State Teaching Fellows Program, said Wallig is an “outstanding young lady with a heart of gold and a stomach to face any challenge head-on.”

Clinkscales also said Wallig will be an asset to the teaching profession and “we fortunate that she has chosen to become a teacher.”

Wallig and Chappell join Alanna Howard, Jeniece Jamison and Brooke Shafranek as recipients of the grant.