Media Relations
William Woods University

Lucas Watson, a junior from Louisiana, Mo., has received a scholarship from the Missouri Colleges Fund (MCF) in recognition of his accomplishments at William Woods University.

Funding for the scholarship came from Novus International, which donated $16,000 to Missouri Colleges Fund to provide 16 scholarships of $1,000 each for qualified students majoring in science-related disciplines who have a strong academic record and who are judged outstanding because of activities and achievements at the institution.

 

Graduating with a class of 47 students at Louisiana High School, Watson was named valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He has been interested in medicine since he was a child. He has always enjoyed science courses and has excelled in them.

 

Watson, whose dream is to attend medical school and become a physician, is majoring in biology/pre med, with minors in chemistry and physical science. Being a physician, he believes, would combine two of his passions—science and working with people.

 

“I love how in science you can never master the entirety of the subject because, with every day advancements in technology, science is ever changing,” Watson said. “I am fascinated by the human body; human anatomy and physiology has been my favorite course.  I like to know how the body works and responds the way it does in certain situations. 

 

Along with science, Watson also has a passion for people. Working in the Emergency Room at Pike County Memorial Hospital, he fulfills that passion every day.

                                                           

“Each person has their own story, and it is a joy to sit and talk with them and hear their story,” Watson said. “I think just talking to them takes off the stress and anxiety of being in the hospital.”

 

As a Cox Scholar, Watson is currently doing research with Dr. Mary Spratt, Cox Distinguished Professor of Biology at WWU, on tick-borne diseases, specializing in bacterial agents of Borreliosis in Missouri ticks. During the past year, Watson has tested ticks for the existence of Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and Borrelia lonestari, which causes STARI.

 

Watson is on the WWU Dean’s List and is a member of the Biology Club, Pre-Med Club, President’s Twenty and Alpha Chi Honor Society. He is chapter treasurer of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity and chapter president of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. He also serves on the Student Finance Committee and as a Peer Mentor, Freshman Advantage Mentor, University Ambassador and Community Advisor. He was elected Outstanding Sophomore for the 2010-11. 

 

Grateful for what William Woods University has had to offer him, Watson says the opportunities given him here would have not been available elsewhere.

 

“William Woods has really enhanced my learning opportunities and molded me into a more well-rounded citizen,” Watson said.