National Merit Scholar Jill Van Wyk was glowing after she shadowed her mentor, Dr. Bonnie Beer, an obstetrician at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Beer had invited the third- year zoology student along on her Friday night call and to observe a scheduled cesarean section birth. Van Wyk is one of 86 National Merit and Achievement Scholars participating in the ISU Alumni Association's Mentoring Program, which teams high achieving students with alumni leaders in their professions. The students aren't the only ones to benefit from the relationship, said Karen Tow, Alumni Association coordinator of the program.
Many alumni feel strongly that they want to give something back to their alma mater.
Crosbie Alumni Association Jill Van Wyk, a junior in zoology and a National Merit Scholar, spends time with her mentor, obstetrician Bonnie Beer.