The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Alexander Lawson, a 2022 recipient of one of the Glen and Alice Beers Scholarship awards and one of the seven L. Earl Smith Scholarship Fund awards.
Alexander, the son of Gary and Lesley Lawson, is a 2020 graduate of Colonel Crawford High School. He will be entering his third year of a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and Environmental, Soil, and Water Science at West Virginia University this fall.
What is your favorite aspect of college life?
"My favorite aspect of college life is getting to meet new people and make friends with people who have similar interests as mine. I have met tons of people from around the United States and other countries that I would never have met had I not gone to college."
What new interest or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"Last fall, I was looking through a course catalog and saw a course titled 'Soil Physics.' I had no idea what soil physics were, so I signed up for it. I ended up enjoying the course, and have since added a second major in Soil and Water Science."
In what ways has the college experience changed/improved you?
"The college experience has changed me in that it cause me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. Last year, I became involved in a long-term brook trout monitoring project through WVU and the WV Department of Natural Resources. I signed up to help with backpack electrofishing during a field work day and really enjoyed traveling to streams all over West Virginia to study brook trout."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"My best advice for incoming freshman is to go to college with an open mind, and be willing to try new things. If you don't enjoy it, you don't have to do it again. If you do enjoy it, you'll be happy that you tried it."
What is one item on your bucket list?
"Catching a muskellunge is on my bucket list because they are challenging to catch. Their reputation as a challenging fish to catch has earned them the nickname of 'The Fish of 10,000 casts.' I have been an avid fisherman for many years, but I still have not caught a muskie. Plus, muskies are a super cool looking fish."
