Two students earn Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award
Lakeland University graduating seniors Baylee Babcock and Brelynn Scoles were named winners of the 2024 LU Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award.
This award, which is in its third year, celebrates top undergraduate students who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge for the public good through independent and group research, community education outreach or innovative experiential learning projects in their field of study.
Babcock, who is completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish, has been actively involved in group and individual research through the Lakeland Psychology Laboratory, where she has served as a research assistant for the past two years.
She has supported projects on increasing academic accessibility for diverse learners and documenting attitudes toward mental health services. Her work has been featured at the Midwest Psychological Association Conference and implemented with Lakeland’s faculty and staff.
Babcock, from Mauston, Wis., has also been instrumental in providing tutoring and mentoring support for Lakeland’s Life and Career Studies program, a new initiative that provides college options to learners with intellectual disabilities.
This fall, she will begin graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Master of Science in School Psychology program on her way to becoming an educational specialist in school psychology.
Scoles, who is completing a major in exercise science, is an active and engaged researcher who has presented original work at Lakeland and at national and international academic conferences.
Her research was recognized with the New Investigator Award by the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport. She has three publications to her credit with others currently under preparation.
Scoles, from Kewaskum, Wis., has also demonstrated an ongoing commitment to community engagement and advocacy through her work as rehabilitation technician intern at Aura Sports Health, operations support specialist at ATI Physical Therapy, an academic coach at Lakeland and a head volleyball coach at Spiketown USA.
This fall, she will begin studies toward the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She has been accepted to several of the nation’s top programs, including those at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award winners must be graduating seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 4.00 who are planning to formally continue their education in a graduate or professional school program.
