Nursing Graduate Named Top University Scholar
May 05, 2017

Pilar Mueller, a School of Nursing graduate from Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences, was awarded the Outstanding University Scholar award at the Student Honors and Awards Dinner May 4.
Presented by the ODU Alumni Association, the Outstanding College Scholar awards recognize the undergraduate in each college with the highest academic average above 3.40 who has completed at least 60 hours at the University.
Mueller, from Chesapeake, was inducted last year into Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. She was presented the Academic Excellence Award in exercise science in 2015. She has accepted a job as a registered nurse in the emergency department of Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.
Mueller recognized Amy Lee, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate programs, as her inspirational faculty member. In a questionnaire that accompanied her submission, Mueller said Lee "has a wonderful personality, and always has kind and encouraging words to offer."
Other Outstanding College Scholars recognized May 4 were:
Caitlin Bernadowski of the College of Arts & Letters. Bernadowski, an interdisciplinary studies and elementary education major from Ashland, Virginia, selected Jody Sommerfeldt, senior lecturer in the Department of Teaching & Learning, as her inspirational faculty member.
Chloe-Katrine Wallace of the Strome College of Business. Wallace, an economics major from Virginia Beach, selected Kelly Montgomery, senior lecturer in the Department of Music, as her inspirational faculty member.
Kathleen O'Neal of the Darden College of Education. O'Neal, a speech language pathology and audiology major from Norfolk, selected David Metzger, dean of the Honors College, as her inspirational faculty member.
Brianna Haislip of the College of Sciences. Haislip, a psychology major from Williamsburg, selected Kristin Heron, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, as her inspirational faculty member.
Loi Nguyen of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. Nguyen, an electrical and computer engineering major from Vietnam, selected Gon Namkoong, associate professor from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as his inspirational faculty member.
Two graduating students shared the Provost's Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research.
Jake Brinn, a film major in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts, will soon attend the Cannes Festival, where his short film "Flushed" will be screened. Brinn selected David Mallin, director of the ODU film program, as his outstanding faculty member.
Tyler White, a psychology major, has been involved with research since 2014 and is an author or co-author of four academic studies published or in press. White selected Michelle Kelley, professor in the Department of Psychology, as his inspirational faculty member.