Page 30 - Laker Connection Fall 2015

Student Profile
“i will aspire Towards becoming as
amazing a menTor To my sTudenTs asmy professors aT clayTon sTaTe have been To me.
JonaThan blake anderson
Biology Major
Jonathan Blake Anderson, Biology major and Stockbridge native, graduated this spring 2015 as a Presidential Scholar from Clayton State Univer- sity. Throughout his Clayton State career, he was always heavily involved and supportive of the University, having worked under Dr. Barbara Mu- solf, associate professor of Biology in the Depart- ment of Natural Sciences, in a scientific research project for several semesters, and at the Center for Academic Success (CAS) as a tutor and supple- mental instructor.
CAS supplemental instructors tutor for historically difficult classes which the instructor has taken and received an A or B. They provide an in-depth analysis of concepts to work with students in regu- larly scheduled study sessions. Anderson provided students with this deeper understanding and sought his own through additional scientific student re- search.
His most recent project was with fellow Biology major Daniel Fort on a project classifying anxious behaviors of crayfish. Previous to this, Anderson had worked with Musolf studying the synthesis and regulation of 5-hydoxytryptamine (serotonin) in the hindgut of dragonfly nymphs.
“I began conducting research under Dr. Musolf, which sparked an interest in continuing research at the graduate level,” he says. “Soon after, I started working with the Center for Academic Success, which remains my most enjoyable experience at Clayton State, and has led to my current decision to pursue a career in higher education at the colle- giate level.”
One of the second-year “class” of Clayton State Presidential Scholars, Anderson also is a trained classical saxophonist, having earned first chair alto saxophone in the Stockbridge High School wind symphony, and having played for the Clayton
State Wind Ensemble and the Clayton State Big Band jazz ensemble.
In addition to his academic achievements, he was also historian for Stockbridge High School Span- ish Honor Society, a member of National Honor Society, and served as pastor and head assistant of Victoryville Children’s Ministry.
The Presidential Scholarship is presented annually to six graduating high school seniors who will be attending Clayton State University starting the fol- lowing fall semester. Recipients of the scholarship must have demonstrated outstanding academic ac- complishment and also are expected to continue their distinguished performance throughout their careers in higher education.
Anderson says of his variety of experiences: “I am very grateful for everything that Clayton State has offered me in my years here as an undergraduate. If not for the dedication and passion of each in- structor and faculty member, I would not have had these opportunities that shaped my current career interests. I would like to thank everyone involved in my success as an undergraduate. As I continue my academic career at the graduate level, I will as- pire towards becoming as amazing a mentor to my students as my professors at Clayton State have been to me.”
BY SIERA BLASCO
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THE LAKER CONNECTION
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