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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Damon Campbell
- Elroy, Wis.
- ACS (comprehensive chemistry degree)
- What's next: University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine
Damon Campbell knows where he wants to go, and he's wasting no time getting there.
After completing a comprehensive chemistry degree at UW-Eau Claire in just three years, he'll attend medical school at the University of Wisconsin next fall. But Campbell, who took 20 (compared to the average of 15) credits a semester to complete his degree in the shortened time frame, somehow found time for extracurricular activities.
He excelled as a student researcher and went on to present research posters at three national conferences. He also co-authored articles that were published in two prestigious science journals. He worked multiple jobs on campus, received several scholarships from the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and has been a leader in the American Chemical Society-Student Affiliate.
Campbell, who's wanted to be a surgeon since he was 10, noted that he quickly decided after arriving at UW-Eau Claire that it was the right school for him: "I got to work directly with professors and do research that wouldn't have been possible elsewhere." (Read a more in-depth article about Damon Campbell.)
More on Damon Campbell
Future plans: I am going to Great Britain for the summer and will be attending the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in August. Long term, I plan to become a surgeon and join Doctors Without Borders or a similar program to travel abroad while helping others.
What he liked most about his time at UW-Eau Claire: I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk directly with the professors taking part in undergraduate research. I also liked how close the campus buildings were to each other.
UW-Eau Claire career highlights:
- Summer research.
- Traveling to present my research at international conferences three times (Boston, San Diego, Salt Lake City).
- My research being incorporated in a published collaborative effort twice (Journal of Biochemistry, Journal of Microbiology).
Proudest college accomplishments:
- Completing an A.C.S. comprehensive chemistry degree in only three years.
- Graduating with exactly 120 credits.
- Being accepted to medical school.
- Receiving the Chemistry Freshman of the Year Award.
- Transforming an old, neglected chemistry department display case into a beautiful cabinet now used as an American Chemical Society-Student Affiliate showcase.
Advice for incoming students:
- Plan out your schedule and know when courses are offered.
- Apply for scholarships you are qualified for from your freshman year on.
- Get involved early on in campus organizations.
- Take more classes early on in your career so you may cut back when courses are more challenging.
- Establish good relations with the faculty early on.
- If you're pre-med, don't whine for every point, but concentrate on learning the material.
Learn about other featured May 2006 graduates
