STE EM Outre each Rock Stars
Science Scholars Randi Rasmussen BS‘20 and Vanessa Chambers BS‘18 Embody the College’s “Culture of Outreach” with Participation in Volunteer Service On and Off Campus Aggies throughout the College of Science enthusiastically volunteer their time and talents to share their love of science and mathematics with people of all ages. But two recent alumnas go above and beyond to share their passion for learning throughout the USU campus and Cache Valley, Utah community. Their motivations stem from early childhood experiences
Randi Rasmussen BS’20, Geology Rasmussen is among thousands of Class of 2020 USU graduates whose dreams of a traditional spring commencement ceremony were dashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Of course, I understand, but it’s still disappointing,” says the Heber City, Utah native, who graduated from Wasatch High School in 2009. “Still, it was a day I’d long looked forward to.” Rasmussen began her undergrad career immediately following high school, but completed just one semester before returning to her hometown, marrying and starting a family. Her dad, Randy, for whom she’s named, encouraged her to return. “He was my best friend and was always telling me to go back and get my education,” Rasmussen says. Sadly, Rasmussen’s father passed away in 2015. “With the loss of my dad, we didn’t have much to keep us in Heber, so I decided it was appropriate to return to school,” she says.
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DISCOVERY MAGAZINE I SPRING 2020
Recent Geology graduate Randi Rasmussen prepares to share a geoscience activitiy she created for her blog, “Little Aggies Science,” at a Science Unwrapped event. Courtesy Randi Rasmussen
Rasmussen first considered marketing or graphic design as majors, but upon her return to campus she began to think about a future as a science teacher. “When I returned to school, I realized how much I loved my science classes,” she says. “I also loved teaching swimming lessons and coaching high school
