For many students, receiving a scholarship not only supports them financially, it gives them that extra boost of confidence needed to take advantage of all the opportunities college presents. Alyssa Swam is such a student. As a Dean's Leadership Scholar she receives financial support for working at least 10 hours per week in an area related to her major. "Our scholarships come from someone who believes in us and in the college," she says. "Being selected as a Dean's Leadership Scholar was fantastic. It was like someone saying, 'Here you go, you can do this!' The donors believe in CALS and they believe I can make an impact and that helps me go that extra mile." Make that miles. Swan, a junior in animal science from Milwaukee is an officer in the ISU Horseman's Association and a member of the Pre-Vet Club. She also is a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta / Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Zeta honor societies as well as the University Honors Program. She has worked as undergraduate research assistant in Matthew Ellinwood's lab since her freshman year (see story on Ellinwood on page four). Swan worked as an animal caretaker and assisted Ellinwood with a surgical procedure related to his genetic research on the mucopolysaccharidoses diseases.