The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Honors Program congratulates Morgan Mack on receiving the Ryan Prechel Honors Scholarship.
This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding University Honors student who has demonstrated both a passion for service and exceptional leadership. Morgan has exemplified these qualities through her dedicated work with the Honors Program. She serves as president of the Honors Student Steering Committee (HSSC) student organization, is a member of Honors Council, and also works as a student staff member in the honors office. Last spring, Morgan also played a key role in the process of hiring a new honors director when she served as the student representative on the search committee. This fall, she led HSSC in piloting a new, student-led peer mentoring program.
The Ryan Prechel Honors Scholarship honors the legacy of Ryan Prechel, a 2005 UWEC graduate in Computer Science and University Honors, and was endowed by his parents, David and Nancy Prechel. Prechel was an outstanding student leader on campus and was president of the honors student organization. In addition to a $1,000 scholarship for the recipient, the scholarship also provides $500 for the organization, department, or program of the recipient’s choice. Morgan has selected the Honors Student Steering Committee as the recipient of this donation.
Morgan’s positivity and can-do attitude have shaped her work with the Honors Program, and have helped her to be resilient in the face of the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. In Spring of 2020 she was studying abroad in Costa Rica and had to return home two months early. Despite this disappointing turn of events, she states that “this pandemic has made me really look to see the bright side of things.”
Morgan is excited for her senior year, and especially for her classes—she finally has some space for electives. During this semester, you will also find her conducting research on microplastic in crayfish as well as applying to graduate school. Morgan claims that her research experience has been integral for getting into graduating school and knowing what she wants to do next.
Morgan’s advice for students looking for more opportunities is to just say yes! She encourages her peers to “say yes to things even if you may not know where it is going to take you.” If you want to learn more about Morgan—or congratulate her—you can find her working as a student staff member in the Honors Commons.
