Natasha Hongsermeier-Graves, who graduated from Morningside College in May, was recently awarded the $1,000 Rupert Nelson Latture Scholarship from the Omicron Delta Kappa Foundation.

Natasha Hongsermeier-Graves, who graduated from Morningside College in May, was recently awarded the $1,000 Rupert Nelson Latture Scholarship from the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Foundation.

Every year the ODK Foundation awards scholarships for collegiate members to continue their education. The recipients must demonstrate exceptional academic performance and leadership abilities.

At Morningside, Hongsermeier-Graves majored in biology, chemistry and music. She held multiple leadership roles, including ODK circle vice president, biology honor society president, Spanish Club vice president, mentor to Honors Seminar students, and co-captain of the tennis team. She also served as an apartment manager for five buildings on campus.    

In addition, she conducted independent research on Alzheimer’s disease, co-authored an article in the peer-reviewed journal “Sociology Compass,” and studied heart regeneration with funding from the National Science Foundation.

Hongsermeier-Graves plans to go to medical school starting in the fall of 2018. She is the daughter of Ivan and Jennifer Hongsermeier of Phillips, Neb., and a 2012 graduate of Aurora High School.