Kelley Watson Fellowship
The Kelley Watson Fellowship recognizes a student who exhibits academic excellence and leadership and has excelled in the core courses during the first year of graduate study. The fellowship is named in memory of Kelley Watson, a member of the incoming class of September 2000 who impressed her teachers and fellow students with her enthusiasm, commitment to academic excellence, and strong promise for a successful marine science career.
This year the core course instructors have selected Jonathan Lefcheck for the Kelley Watson Fellowship.
It is a pleasure to
recognize Jonathan Lefcheck as the worthy recipient of the Kelley Watson
Fellowship. Jon first came to VIMS in summer 2008 as an REU intern with an
impressive record of research experience, an active interest in a broad range
of ideas, and a general enthusiasm and positive attitude. Jon immediately
integrated into the Marine Biodiversity Lab, proving himself to be bright,
thoughtful, goal-oriented, and mature. He was a natural at both independent and
collaborative research, and amply demonstrated the innate love of scientific
inquiry that is key to a successful long-term career in research. Jon's
performance during the often tumultuous first year has amply confirmed the
early evidence of his promise. During that short time he has excelled in
coursework, dove into the primary literature, begun developing a novel plan for
a dissertation project, and initiated pilot research to begin testing his ideas
about the interactions among environmental stress, community assembly, and
invasion. Jon has that unusual combination of intelligence, intellectual
curiosity, creativity, appropriate ambition, and the right balance of
independence and collaborative spirit to become a leader in science.
Jon is a most worthy recipient of the Kelley Watson Fellowship.
Congratulations, Jon!