The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Luke Biederman, a 2025 recipient of one of the six Arlene H. Smith Scholarship awards, one of the 20 Doug and Renee Leuthold Scholarship awards, one of the nine Glen and Alice Beers Scholarship awards, and one of the 20 Margaret and Donald Wenner, MD Scholarship awards.
Luke, the son of Betty Jackson and Jacob Biederman, is a 2023 graduate from Colonel Crawford High School. He is in his third year of a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences with a Pre-Professional focus at Ohio University.
What is your favorite aspect of college life and why?
"My favorite aspect of college life is the sense of community that I feel with my peers. College has allowed me to create new connections and has helped me to find many new friends. I appreciate having the time to explore my interests and broaden my horizons while encountering new people that I otherwise would likely not have met."
What new interests or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"This past semester, I became very interested in my microbiology courses. I enjoyed exploring the microscopic world and examining the physiology of various microorganisms. I particularly enjoyed the laboratory course, where I was able to run various tests that are often used in clinical settings. While there are not any other microbiology-related requirements for my degree, I hope to take Pathogenic Bacteriology as a future elective to help further explore these interests."
In what way has the college experience changed/improved you?
"My college experience has helped me learn to manage my time efficiently, to become more flexible, and to be more confident. Time management is difficult in the fall due to the time commitment of marching band, but this has motivated me to reassess my priorities and learn to manage my time effectively. College has also challenged me in ways that my previous experiences never did, academically and otherwise. Overcoming these challenges has helped me to become more confident and has helped to shape me into the person that I am today."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"Make an effort to get involved on campus, and do not be afraid to start talking to people. I did not have many connections going into the fall semester of my freshman year, but I have since developed significant friendships. Getting involved on campus and getting to know your professors and your peers is the best way to acclimate to college."
What is one item on your bucket list and why?
"One of the biggest things on my bucket list is to travel more, both domestically and internationally. I had the privilege to travel internationally for the first time last summer, and I am interested to see other parts of the country and the world. I enjoy seeing beauty in nature, and I also enjoy learning about other cultures. I hope to have other opportunities to travel to new places in the future."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Luke!
To learn more about scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
