Five PhD candidates honored for scholarship, service
By Meghan Chua
UW–Madison welcomed a new cohort into the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Tuesday, when five outstanding doctoral candidates were inducted into the local chapter.
The Bouchet Graduate Honor Society brings together a national network of scholars who demonstrate academic and personal excellence, exemplifying the values of character, leadership, scholarship, service, and advocacy for students who are traditionally underrepresented in academia.
“The graduate students we are honoring here today represent the excellent researchers, scholars, and educators we have on our campus,” Graduate School Dean William Karpus said at the March 20 ceremony. “These individuals are making key contributions in their disciplines, as well as to the research, education, and outreach mission of our campus. They truly embody the Wisconsin Idea.”
The 2018 inductees to the UW–Madison Bouchet Graduate Honor Society are:
- Karla B. Hall, Materials Science
- Diamond Howell, Curriculum and Instruction
- Alyssa Marie Ramírez Stege, Counseling Psychology
- Lorraine Rodríguez-Bonilla, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
- Sarah Stefanos, Sociology and Environment and Resources
LaRuth McAfee, assistant dean for diversity, inclusion, and funding in the Graduate School, said the Bouchet Society is a great opportunity for UW–Madison to recognize scholars who are working to address issues related to equity and diversity. Scholars must be dissertators or postdoctoral scholars to be considered for membership.
“We really view the Bouchet Society as being a benefit to its members, in ways such as providing opportunities to network with diverse scholars, both here and as part of the national Bouchet Society network; promoting retention by motivating scholars to strive toward membership; and reinforcing members’ lifetime commitment to exemplify the five qualities throughout their professional and personal careers,” McAfee said.
In addition to the Graduate School, the Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer along with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement provide support for the Bouchet Society. Cheryl Gittens, assistant vice provost in the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement, applauded the new members for their outstanding work and contributions to scholarship and service.
“I admire the commitment to excellence demonstrated in your bios and your testimonies, from your diverse areas of focus to your commitment to mentoring others and engaging the community in your work and in your scholarship,” Gittens said.
The new members of the UW–Madison chapter will also be inducted into the society at the Bouchet National Induction Ceremony and Annual Conference April 27-29. Inductees receive a professional development stipend from the DDEEA for conference travel.
For more information on this year’s Bouchet Graduate Honor Society inductees, visit https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/bouchet.