Douglas A. Miller, R. Baker Rawlins II Named Student Marshals for Eberly College of Science

4 April 2001 -- Douglas A. Miller of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, and R. Baker Rawlins II of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, will be honored as the Eberly College of Science student marshals during spring commencement ceremonies on 12 May 2001 at the Penn State University Park campus.

Miller, who completed a dual major in biochemistry and molecular biology and economics, and Rawlins, a general-science major in the life-science option with a minor in history, were chosen to represent their class because of their outstanding academic records. They earned a 4.0 grade-point average and were on the Dean's List every semester at Penn State.

"It's a tremendous honor," Rawlins said. "It's really not something you can consciously try to achieve because there would be so much pressure if you really focused on doing that from the start. Then, once they notify you that you're going to be the student marshal you feel a lot of pressure to maintain your grades and not slip during the final few weeks."

For Miller, the weeks following notification of his status as student marshal were a bit more relaxed. "There was a lot less pressure, and it was easier to focus on my thesis," Miller said. "It's been an exciting time. It's wonderful to be honored and it makes all of the other hours and hours of work worthwhile."

In addition to their achievements in the classroom, Miller and Rawlins have earned numerous scholarships and awards. For example, Miller, a member of the honors program, received the Presidents Freshman Award, the Presidents Sparks Award, and the Evan Pugh Scholar Award. A recipient of many of those same awards, Rawlins also credits a high-school classmate who attended Penn State, Sonal Dave, for playing a large role in his academic success.

"She's one of the reasons for my becoming student marshal," Rawlins said. "We just really work well together, we have since high school, and she always helped me maintain my focus. She and my long-time roommate, John Hoffman, were really two of my biggest influences for success at Penn State."

After graduation, Rawlins plans to enjoy some time away from higher education before entering dental school for the fall 2002 semester. He believes his ambition for dental school was shaped at least partially by his grandfather, a physician, and his father, who always has encouraged hands-on work. Typically, that meant repair projects around the house or garage, and while Rawlins enjoys those things he believes he can match his hands-on skills and scientific interests with a career in dentistry. During the time before dental school begins, Rawlins hopes to travel and hone his skills as a musician. He plays the drums and his musical interests range from classical to classic rock.

A graduate of Unionville High School, Rawlins will be accompanied at graduation by his parents, Barbara and Ron; his sister, Niki, and girlfriend Ileana Jaquiery, both Penn State graduates; and his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. John C. Rawlins and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Parker. He has selected Christopher Falzone, an instructor of chemistry, to be his faculty escort for commencement exercises at the Bryce Jordan Center.

A much shorter break after graduation awaits Miller. He begins work as an economics consultant with BatesWite and Ballentine in Washington, D.C., on 9 July. In that role, he plans to combine his business and technical backgrounds. In addition, the company plans to branch into areas such as biomedical and pharmaceutical consulting, which would provide a perfect match for Miller's interests and skills.

"The next few years should continue to be an exciting time for biomedical and pharmaceutical firms, and consulting in those areas really appeals to me because it allows me to use the things that were the basis of my degrees," said Miller, who began planning to attend Penn State at an early age because his family often visited campus for football games and other events. "Being in the honors program and being at Penn State really prepared me well to do that."

Getting accepted into the honors program and being selected as student marshal clearly represent two of the highlights of his college career.

"My parents have done so much for me that it's good when they have something like this to brag about," Miller said. "They were never the type who applied pressure or wanted to make me feel like I had to do something. So, when an honor like this happens it's even more special."

A graduate of Lower Moreland High School, Miller will be accompanied at graduation by his parents, Judy and Jeff; his brother, Greg; and his grandmothers, Shirley Duttinger and Sis Miller. He has selected David Gilmour, associate professor of molecular and cell biology, to be his faculty escort for the commencement exercises.

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