Honors Student of the Month Madison Miller (right) with Dr. Courtney Wigdahl-Perry.
SUNY Fredonia senior and Honors Program student Madison R. Miller is the recipient of the March 2023 Honors Student of the Month Award.
Madison, who is originally from Forestville, is pursuing a double major in Biology and Environmental Sciences, with a double minor in Chemistry and GIS. She was nominated for the award by Dr. Courtney Wigdahl-Perry from the Department of Biology, who wished to recognize Madison's embodiment of the three pillars of the Honors Program: Learn. Lead. Live. She was recently named one of two recipients from the graduating class to receive the 2023 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
As Dr. Wigdahl-Perry wrote in her nomination, "Madison is engaged with multiple groups on campus, and is always willing to help out with various department activities! She does all of this while maintaining very high standards for academic excellence!"
In addition to her academic achievements, Madison is also extremely engaged on campus. She is an undergraduate student researcher with Dr. Wigdahl-Perry, a Resident Assistant in Alumni Hall, a member of TriBeta National Biological Honor Society, a Campus Tour Guide, secretary of Biology Club and Comic Culture Forum, treasurer of the Resident Assistant Advisory Board, and has served as a Department of Biology Student Ambassador and as an RA Mentor.
"My favorite thing about Fredonia is the community. My professors always make an effort to know me and help support me every semester which has been beneficial to helping me grow throughout my time here." - Madison Miller
Once she graduates this May, Madison hopes to earn a M.S. in Environmental Sciences or Ecology. Her future goals are to work in the conservation field to help with understanding how climate change is affecting species extinctions and range shifts. Madison noted, "My favorite thing about Fredonia is the community. My professors always make an effort to know me and help support me every semester which has been beneficial to helping me grow throughout my time here."
In particular, Madison would like to thank Dr. Wigdahl-Perry "for always supporting me throughout my time at Fredonia and helping me to grow into the person and scientist I am today. I also want to thank my Residence Hall staff, lab colleagues, and friends for always having my back."
Madison's advice for her peers is "Don't be afraid to get involved in different programs, clubs and activities on campus, but also be sure to take time for yourself!" In looking back on her time in the Honors Program, she reflected that her favorite Honors class was Spring in Fredonia because "the class was held outdoors and we spent the time exploring nature in different parts of Fredonia and Dunkirk while observing the changes that occur when the winter season transitions to spring."
As a recipient of the Honors Student of the Month Award, Madison will receive a $20 campus gift card, and a luncheon with her nominator and members of the voting committee. In addition, her name will be inscribed on the Honors Student of the Month plaque, which hangs in the Office of Residence Life.
