University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Spring 2013
U.P. Students go to Chi-Town!
From left to right: Front - Rodnika Carter, Kache Claytor, and Caprice Claytor; Back - Sam Wallace, John Etringer, Katie Sumpter,
Allison Kindig, Virginia Davis, Caroline Barraco, and Taylor Kross
Top left: Katie Sumpter and Virginia Davis
Top right: Kache’ Claytor and Caprice Claytor
This spring, the Belin-Blank Center and
Residence Services planned a trip for the
Belin-Blank Center’s University Program
(U. P.) students to Chicago. Students
enjoyed this enriching trip with numerous
attractions in downtown Chi-town, including Shedd Aquarium, Chicago style pizza,
Millenium Park, and the Art Institute of
Chicago. Some students had not visited
Chicago or another big city before. Others
enjoyed the fellowship with fellow BelinBlank Center students. Still other students
enjoyed an opportunity to have lunch with
loved-ones in the area.
Katie Sumpter, a NAASE student at the
Belin-Blank Center shared, “I really enjoyed the trip to Chicago first, because I
had never been there, and second, it was a
great oppurtunity to see the city for free! “
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Katie appreciated the timing of the
trip, as well. She shared, “it was kind
of like my last fun day before I had
to buckle down and study for finals.
It gave me a whole day to relax and
not have to worry about school. It
was also nice because I got to know
a couple people who, even though
they live on my floor, I hadn’t really
talked to much.”
The Belin-Blank Center enjoyed
sponsoring the trip, and we look
forward to sending more students in
years to come!
IN THIS ISSUE
• Chi-Town!
• U.P. Student Recognition
and Accomplishments
• Diverse U.P. Student
Leadership
• Making a Difference
• U.P. Graduates
• Helping Others through
Music
• National Merit Scholar!
University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Issue 2
What’s U.P.?
What’s U.P.?
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Student Recognition and Accomplishments
What’s U.P.? University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Yue Li, a freshman CSP student and finance
major, worked as a tutor for the class,
“Statistics and Strategy Problems.” Yue has
enjoyed working with an American student
and appreciates the income that she has
earned every week.
Shea Stobaugh (below), a sophomore
NAASE student majoring in environmental sciences joined the U of I Student
Garden, a community garden with
celebrations and potlucks during the
summer. Along with getting a portion
of the garden’s yields, involvement in
the garden offers opportunities to learn
about environmental groups and projects that other students are working on.
Salat Jones (above), ITP freshman and
sports studies major, was the captain of an
intramural basketball team this semester,
and he was the leading scorer.
Macey Reynolds (above), a sophomore
NAASE student, was recently accepted into
The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.
She will begin classes in the fall, with plans
to graduate with her doctorate in pharmacy
in 2017.
Mark (Chenzhe) Zhu (below), a sophomore
CSP student and cinema and French major,
is on the Board of Directors for the Bijou
Theater on campus. He is also the Film
Director of the Campus Activities board.
This spring semester, Mark helped organize
the 11th Annual Iowa City International
Documentary Film Festival and is a photographer for IMU Marketing and Design. To
pursue study in his other major, Mark will
be studying abroad in France this summer
and is super excited!
NAASE freshman student Hannah Shows, a
biochemistry major with a minor in global
health, is continuing her research for the
Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases,
as well as in the Biochemistry department.
Additionally, Hannah is the recipient of the
Nadyne Harris Award Scholarship. Hannah
has been actively involved on campus as a
leader for On Iowa and organizing events
for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.
Kaché Claytor, a freshman ITP student,
majoring in journalism and mass communications, as well as Spanish, has been involved in numerous student organizations,
including National Association of Black
Journalists, One (an advocacy organization),
and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Kache’ has also made the Dean’s List, and
is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
NAASE junior Ian
Servin (above;
philosophy; mass
communications)
featured in the
fall newsletter
as a multimedia
editor and still
photographer
with the Daily
Iowan newspaper,
has expanded his
resume. Additionally, he is now the producer for UITV/Hawkeye Network. Responsibilities include producing and directing
short form documentary videos, as well as
live broadcasts of University events and
Hawkeye Athletics press conferences (photo
credit: Adam Wesley).
Freshman NAASE student, Samuel Wallace,
has been the host of a 2 hour radio show on
KRUI, The University of Iowa’s student-run
radio station.
Yifan Lai, a CSP senior with majors in
finance and economics, and a minor in
German, will be taking an internship in New
York at Goldman Sachs Investment Banking
Division this summer.
Katie Sumpter, a freshman NAASE student with a major in human physiology
on the pre-med track, has continued her
involvement with Student Ambassadors
for Ponseti (SAP), which builds awareness about clubfoot and treatments. She
has also participated in an EMS student
interest group, getting certified in first
aid and CPR, riding with Johnson County
Ambulance, and working in the first aid
room during Dance Marathon. Katie
is also involved in Medicus, a pre-med
interest student organization, as well as
UI Paws, a student organization promoting animal welfare.
William Cai (above; CSP sophomore,
finance; economics) is the President of
the Organization for the Active Support
of International Students.
Keep up the
great work!
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Diverse U.P. Student Leadership
Belin-Blank University Programs
encourage students to stand out from
their peers through leadership roles.
Students in Belin-Blank’s University
Programs often take leadership positions in student organizations. Scotty
Hendricks (right), a sophomore student in NAASE, has founded a Green
Party student organization at Iowa.
Lisa Thai (below), a freshman ITP student, has founded the 15th Chapter of
Delta Phi Lambda here at The University. Delta Phi Lambda is the first
Asian interest sorority on campus.
Brittney Reed (below left), a freshman ITP student, has created a pen pal program with youth from inner city Detroit
through the organization Young, Black & Educated (YBE).
She has also started a mentor program at Grant Wood
Elementary School in Iowa City. In addition, Brittney has
held the positions of Treasurer of the Black Student Union
and Director of Programs for YBE. Brittney hopes to be a
founder for a NAACP chapter here at Iowa, as well. For all
her work, Brittney was the recipient of the African American
Studies Community Service Award!
Brandon Ung, (below right), a freshmen ITP student, hopes
to start a student organization for students of Asian background at The University of Iowa in the fall. Brandon will
receive input regarding the organization from professors at
UC Berkeley this summer while working as a mentor at the
UC Berkeley Southeast Asian Student Coalition (SASC) Summer Institute.
These are all examples of how Belin-Blank students demonstrate their incredible leadership, standing high above the
rest and inspiring excellence!
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Making a Difference
This spring, the Belin-Blank Center’s U.P. students gave back to others
through artistic expression. For Valentine’s Day, U.P. students designed door
hangers (below) for families staying at Hope Lodge, a free stay facility for
those undergoing cancer treatments at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, as well as for their families.
In addition to decorating door hangers, U.P. students have served others
through a wide variety of activities,
such as completing household responsibilities at Hope Lodge and the
Ronald McDonald House, as well as
through Tippie Build (assisting in the
contruction of homes for low income
families), and Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA).
Alice (Yijun) Huang (below left), a
freshman CSP student and accounting major in the College of Business,
volunteered for VITA. Her responsibilities included assisting individuals
identify their tax categories, as well
as prepare and file their taxes.
Constance (Jiawen) Sun (below right,
top row second from the right),
another freshman CSP student,
shared about the role volunteering
has had for her at Iowa: “Especially
for Chinese students, you learn more
about how American students spend
time doing social activities, and you
realize how important it is to do
volunteer work.”
Constance also recognized the team
work involved in her activities. “It is
truly a great resume building experience. Also, some part of you grows
up during the process.”
Students were exposed to volunteering through the Belin-Blank
University Programs seminar.
Virginia Davis (above), a freshman NAASE student, had volunteered a lot during high school,
but she was unsure how to get
involved here at The University of
Iowa. Then, a guest speaker from
the Ronald McDonald House attended her Belin-Blank seminar,
and she felt inspired to apply.
Above: David Benitez (ITP)
The Ronald
McDonald
House on his
paints
a cool design
Charitiesbowl.
is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating,
finding and supporting programs
that directly improve the health
and well-being of children. Specifically, the Ronald McDonald
House of Iowa City, where Virginia volunteers regularly, provides
a place to stay for families while
their child (age 21 and under)
undergoes medical treatment at
local hospitals & clinics.
“Shortly after submitting my
application, I began volunteering on Saturday mornings from
9am-12pm,” Virginia shared. “The
Ronald McDonald House was a
perfect opportunity for me. Plus,
volunteering gets me up before
noon on Saturdays and makes me
feel productive... it’s a nice break
from the class and homework
routine. My favorite part about
volunteering is baking--something I never get to do, living in
the dorms.”
Volume 11
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University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Yangmin Ma (left), a CSP graduating senior with a B.B.A. in
Finance, B.S. in Mathematics, and certificates in risk management and insurance, will be leaving Iowa to continue his education at the University of Washington in Saint Louis. He will
obtain a Masters of Finance in Science degree, a Quantitative
Track. Highlights he will remember from his time here in Iowa
are co-founding and consulting a new organization, tutoring math, and taking some graduate-level courses. Yangmin
shared several words of wisdom for other students to keep in
mind: “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible,” a quote from
the Belin-Blank elevators Yangmin found exceptionally inspirational, as well as “What is the difference between genius and
stupid? Genius has limits,” a quote from Dr. Phil Brooks.
Miranda Nielson (right) is a graduating NAASE student with
a B.A. in International Studies and an emphasis in international politics & relations. As well, she earned an honors designation and empasis in global artistic tradition and change,
as well as minors in Spanish, religious studies, and political
science. She has yet to determine what her next adventures
in life will be. Miranda hopes to gain full-time employment
or join the Peace Corps. Her time here at Iowa was spent
engaged with student organizations, particularly those with
a multicultural or human rights focus. Through these experiences, she developed leadership skills and made wonderful
friends. Along with this involvement, Miranda also enjoyed
traveling to France and China between semesters. We look
forward to hearing the next adventures Miranda endeavors
on. Congratulations!
Christopher Wilkerson (left), is a graduating ITP student receiving B.S. degrees in astronomy and physics.
Future plans of Christopher’s include taking the summer off and obtaining his teaching license. Christopher
was involved in Best Buddies, Intramural Soccer and
Basketball, and Photography Club while at Iowa. He
advises other students to explore Iowa City and make
it theirs, particularlly bookstores or parks to go to
when they’re feeling stressed out. Christopher said
these places were like his own personal safe haven.
Christopher also encourages students to go to many
restaurants, sporting events, join clubs, and make a
bunch of friends as time will fly by, and this is how
you can make the most of it. He shares, “Don’t get so
caught up in studying that you forget to have fun. You
won’t remember what grade you got on a paper years
from now, but you might remember the fun and crazy
experiences you had.”
What’s U.P.? University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Congratulations, Graduates!!!
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Yiling Zhao (left), a CSP senior graduating with honors
and a B.S. in economics, as well as a B.S. in mathematics, plans to continue her education after leaving Iowa
this spring. Yiling will be starting an Economics PhD
program at Northwestern in Illinois in the fall. While
at Iowa, she was an Honors Student Staff, co-founder
and president of the Chinese Painting Club, as well as
recipient of the Max O’Lorenz Scholarship, the highest
undergraduate honor from the Department of Economics. Yiling’s advice to other students is to explore different disciplines while at Iowa, as well as ask professional
advice from faculty who like you. Best of luck to Yiling
on her doctoral program!
Zihan Zhu (right), a CSP graduate this spring, is receiving a B.S. in biomedical engineering, with a minor in
mathematics. Zihan plans to attend a PhD program in
Bioengineering at UC Berkley and UC San Francisco this
fall. While at Iowa, Zihan enjoyed working as a lab research assistant and co-authoring several manuscripts,
working as a teaching assistant, and interning at BD
Diagnostic. Zihan also received the Student Employee
of the Year Award this past year, as well as worked
on several projects with the Iowa Medical Innovation
Group and served as president and volunteer chair of
Tau Beta Pi. Zihan advises other students to explore
and have fun! Belin-Blank wishes you well, Zihan!
Anna Zoerner (far left), a graduating NAASE student with a B.S.
in psychology is excited to be moving to Madison, Wisconsin to
work as an Implementation Consultant/Project Manager for Epic
Systems. While at Iowa, Anna was a member of the Health Ninjas
in which she promoted healthy decisions to other students and
community members. In particular, Anna led a tabling event for
freshmen students to encourage them not to drink or choose
safe drinking behaviors. The most challenging endeavor Anna
took-on at Iowa was studying abroad in Cost Rica last spring,
however she had amazing experiences and would love to go
back. Anna’s advice to other students would be to get involved
in study abroad: “You cannot learn cultural awareness through
a textbook. Also, find what you’re passionate about and other
students who are, too. It’s the best way to make connections
that can benefit your future, as well as provide you with positive
memories. “ Belin-Blank has enjoyed having Anna as a student
employee, and we wish her every happiness in Madison and
beyond!
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University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Early Careers in Research
One of the many benefits of
attending Iowa is the opportunity to partake in research. Wade
Bloomquist, a junior NAASE student majoring in mathematics with
a physics minor has been heavily
focused on research. He received a
research assistantship in the math
department, presented a poster at
the Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, and gave a talk at
the Midwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium. This summer,
he will be completing research
at Indiana University as a visiting
undergraduate researcher.
Hannah Shows, (above right) a
NAASE freshman, began her career
in research prior to starting enrollment at Iowa through the SSTP
summer program at the BelinBlank Center. Hannah became
involved in a research project at
the Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases at Iowa as a BelinBlank high school summer student.
As a freshman, she is co-authoring
a journal article from that research,
working on other projects in that
same lab, as well as working in another research lab in the biochemistry department.
It is clear that Belin-Blank students
have bright futures in research
starting right here at The University
of Iowa!
Helping Others through Music
She learned guitar and piano, and
auditioned with both instruments
while singing in English. Rita was
familiar with music and a Chinese instrument, but she had a lot to learn!
Rita (Yuchen) Jin (above) came to
the United States from China with
a passion for music and desire to
study something new. While attending The University of Iowa, Rita
found her academic passion for
helping others through music in the
Music Therapy Program at Iowa.
However, Rita needed to overcome
numerous obstacles before entering
into the Music Therapy Program.
After months of rigorous study
and practice, Rita had the opportunity to demonstrate her talent and
immense capacity to learn at her
audition during finals week in the
spring semester. Rita’s hard work
and dedication paid off, and she was
accepted into the School of Music,
Music Therapy Program at Iowa.
“I am excited to follow my passion,”
Rita shared about having more
areas of study available to her.
The Belin-Blank Center is thrilled
to be supporting Rita during
her exciting endeavors of Music
Therapy, and we look forward to
seeing Rita continue to thrive!
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National Merit Scholar
Above: Samuel Wallace
The Belin-Blank Center is very pleased
to congratulate Samuel Wallace, a NAASE student, for his acheivement of becoming a National Merit Scholar! Sam
is one of 2,500 Merit Scholars from 1.5
million applicants across the country
who received this distinguished honor
based on their accomplishments, skills,
and potential for success in rigorous
college studies.
Sam and other National Merit Scholars
were selected based on Preliminary
SAT scores and two other standardized
instruments, their academic record,
leadership activities, an essay, and a
recommendation letter.
In addition to being a member of the
National Merit Scholar community,
which honors talented youth
and encourages academic excellence,
Sam will be the recipient of a scholarship.
Way to go, Sam!
What’s U.P.? University Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
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Belin-Blank Center
The University of Iowa
600 Blank Honors Center
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-335-6148
Fax: 319-335-5151
University Programs Staff
Dr. Susan Assouline, Director
Jan Warren, Administrator for Student Programs
Amanda Berns, Graduate Assistant
Allison Richards, Graduate Assistant
Alex Wenger, Graduate Assistant
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The Belin-Blank International Center for
Gifted Education and Talent Development
empowers and serves the gifted community
through exemplary leadership in programs,
research, and advocacy.
If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, you may reach Jan Warren at
jan-warren@uiowa.edu or 319-335-6148.
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS AT THE BELIN-BLANK CENTER
Iowa Talent Project is a collaborative project with the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids school districts to support the academic initiatives of gifted minority students.
National Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is an early entrance program for exceptional students who have
completed coursework equivalent to the junior year in high school and are prepared to attend college.
China Scholars Program/Hong Kong Scholars Program provides effective academic programs and support for highachieving international students studying at The University of Iowa.