Laramie Student Nominated for UW Tobin Award

Laramie’s Mathias McCormick, a physiology and molecular biology major with a minor in neuroscience, and an Honors Program student, was among seven finalists for the 2015 Tobin Memorial Award as the University of Wyoming’s outstanding graduating man.

Cheyenne’s Joshua Messer was the recipient for this year’s Tobin Memorial Award. Callie Berman, of Boulder, Colo., received the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award as UW's outstanding graduating woman.

The annual Tobin award is based on academic excellence and achievement, service to the university, participation and leadership in the community and campus activities, and citizenship qualities. Other finalists were Kyle Bochanski, Fairfax, Vt.; Christian Bopp, Waikoloa, Hawaii; Stanley DeVore, Casper; Andy J. Kulikowski II, Atascadero, Calif.; and Jose Rivas, Gillette. Students were honored at a recent luncheon.

To be considered for the Spitaleri and Tobin awards, students were judged on academic excellence and achievement; contributions and service to UW; participation and leadership in co-curricular activities; and demonstrated character and citizenship.

“When I began my studies at the University of Wyoming in 2010, I was undeclared and unsure of how my path at the university would unfold,” McCormick says. “It is clear to me that my acceptance to the University of Washington School of Medicine would not have been possible without the unique support network of students and faculty alike, as well as how each experience on this campus, in the Laramie community and abroad shaped my perspective on the world.”

Nominators wrote letters of support for each of the students.

“Mathias is a rare student. He has been one of the most thorough, energized, dedicated, intelligent, academic achievers I have taught in the last seven years in the UW Honors Program. To say that he is an outstanding graduate is an understatement. He is so much more,” wrote one nominator. “Mathias is an excellent critical thinker, a refined and mature writer, a very creative thinker, an insightful participant in class discussions, and an extremely compassionate and confident young man.”