Olivet honors Brian Ginn of Bourbonnais at 101st Commencement

BOURBONNAIS, IL (05/15/2014)(readMedia)-- Brian Ginn (biology major, Bourbonnais, Illinois) was honored during Olivet Nazarene University's 101st annual traditional undergraduate Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 10, 2014. He received the Robert M. Milner Award as the outstanding male graduate. He is the son of Dwight and Denise Ginn.

An Honors Program graduate, Ginn was named to the dean's list every semester and graduated summa cum laude with Olivet's Class of 2014. During Scholar Week 2014 at Olivet in April, he presented the results of his capstone research project, "Genetic Determination of ABO Genotype from Buccal Cells: Incorporating PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, and ABO Genotyping into Undergraduate Study." Earlier this year, he was recognized by the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges® program as one of Olivet's outstanding graduating seniors.

While a student at Olivet, he was a teaching assistant for biology and chemistry labs. He also served as the student representative to the Honors Council and was a member of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Outside the classroom, Ginn was president of Biophilic biology club, a member of Heart 4 Missions and a part of the LifeSong worship ministry team. His volunteer experiences include medical missionary work at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea, and locally with the Kankakee River Cleanup.

"Brian always brings a contagious, joyful energy to everything he does," said Dr. Randy Johnson, professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. "For example, in the ecology course - not his ultimate career direction - he still came with a genuine passion for learning and exploring this new knowledge. He then was committed to making a practical difference by volunteering multiple times in our local community."

Each year, the Robert M. Milner Award –– named after a Nazarene minister who is father and grandfather to several Olivet alumni –– is given to a male student who exemplifies the highest standard of excellence in character, scholarship achievement and contribution to extracurricular activities.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three additional sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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Contact:

Laura Warfel

Public Relations Specialist

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL 60914

www.olivet.edu

815-928-5403

lwwarfel@olivet.edu

Posted Thursday May 15, 2014 at 05:10 pm by Olivet Nazarene University
Last Updated Thursday May 15, 2014 at 05:09 pm