ELON, N.C. – Elon volleyball’s Ali Deatsch is one of 15 rising juniors that were named recipients of the 2011 Lumen Prize, the university’s premier award that comes with a $15,000 scholarship to support and celebrate academic achievements. Deatsch is the first Elon athlete to win this prestigious award.
“It’s kind of unreal,” said Deatsch. “There were a lot of applicants with amazing projects and great resumes. It’s incredible what Elon has planned out for the winners and how much the university can offer us to conduct some amazing research. I’m really excited about my project, so, for me the award also means getting the funding to actually make it happen.”
The Elmhurst, Ill., native will work closely with her mentor, Benjamin Evans, over the next two years to pursue and complete her research project: Optimizing Heating Efficiency of Magnetic Microspheres for Magnetic Hyperthermia Treatment of Malignant Tumors.
“The basic goal of my research is to improve cancer treatment methods,” commented Deatsch. “The next step is to actually get started on the research. Starting either this summer or in the fall, I’ll jump into the researching. I’ve done so much reading and planning for the project I just want to get to do it now!”
Deatsch, the team’s starting libero, played in all 35 matches for the Phoenix during the 2010 season, averaging 3.80 digs per set. The sophomore led the team in total digs with 482 on the season.
“One of the things I love about Elon is that athletes truly get to be students,” said head Elon volleyball coach Mary Tendler. “I am always amazed at what our athletes are accomplishing outside of their sports. Ali has a passion for research and I’m glad that she will be able to continue that with the help of the Lumen Prize. I am very proud of her for pushing herself to her limits each and every day. It is nice to see success come to someone who is talented, works hard and at the same time is so incredibly humble.”
Rising juniors submit their applications for this highly competitive award during the spring term. Lumen applicants map out their vision for their junior and senior years, developing a plan for coursework, research, creative productions or performances, service projects, travel, summer workshops or institutes and international study or internships. A committee of faculty from across the institution determines its selections based on the intellectual/creative merit, distinction and coherence of the proposal, as well as those qualities of intellectual passion, commitment and experience of the applicant.
The name for the Lumen Prize comes from Elon’s historic motto, “Numen Lumen,” which are Latin words meaning “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.” The words, which are found on the Elon University seal, signify the highest purposes of an Elon education.
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