This year, for the first time, the Liz and Jack McGrew Scholarship, which has traditionally been given to undergraduates studying zoology at Colorado State University, was awarded to a graduate student in the CSU Professional Science Masters in Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management.
This is a particularly momentous shift, as Jack McGrew was integral to the creation of the PSM program. He is excited at the opportunity to continue supporting future zoologists.
The first graduate-level recipient, Kaylie Adams, is utilizing the scholarship to pursue an independent research project at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs during Summer 2024.
“I am so incredibly grateful for this scholarship for allowing me to pursue the ideal capstone project,” Adams said. “Having to relocate to Colorado Springs comes with its costs, so I cannot thank Jack and Liz enough for providing me some financial stability for this process.”
A history of supporting students
Liz and Jack McGrew started their scholarship back in 2011, just a year after Jack had retired as the assistant dean of the College of Natural Sciences.
Jack McGrew spent his 34-year career at CSU aiding students in nearly every stage of their academic journey.
He first worked as an admissions counselor, helping recruit future students to CSU, then as an advisor for undeclared students in the natural sciences. He helped advise the premedica club, directed the college council — a group of students who help advise the college’s use of technology fees — served as the chief health professions advisor and aided in the creation of a natural science learning community, now called Amplify.
He was also critical to the development and growth of the PSM program, aided by Judy Brobst, Rick Miranda and Jennie Willis. Graduates of the program now have a greater than 90% placement rate to management positions.
Liz McGrew also dedicated her career to supporting students, and spent 40 years teaching German, English and reading at Boltz Junior High School in Fort Collins. In 2011, the two decided to continue their legacy of student support with a zoology specific scholarship, one of the only of its kind.
After supporting nine undergraduate zoology students over more than ten years — some of the students received support for multiple years — the McGrews turned their focus to supporting graduate level PSM students, in the hopes of aiding students who are more narrowly focused on working in zoology.
Studying the power of storytelling
Adams, the first recipient of the reimagined scholarship, will be studying the impacts of storytelling on zoo patrons’ emotional connection to and perceptions of animals.
“I plan to investigate the efficacy of using storytelling as an interpretive technique to foster stronger visitor-animal emotional connections, inspire pro-environmental attitudes and increase overall visitor engagement during [Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s] animal presentations,” Adams said. “Across most accredited zoos, the keeper talks tend to focus on the natural history of the animal and are very fact driven. We want to see what impact we can make on visitors by shifting the narrative of these talks to focus more on the individual animal’s story, rather than just facts.”
Adams hopes to publish her findings with the intent to continually improve the standards of what constitutes effective interpretation and program evaluation. Her research will be supported by several undergraduate research assistants.
“This scholarship has, first off, helped me financially,” said Adams. “It’s lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It was such a generous amount that has allowed me to take a deep breath. Secondly, it gave me a confidence boost that somebody believes in me and thinks my project will be worthwhile. I’m really grateful.”
Jack and Liz McGrew agreed that Adams was an ideal recipient for this graduate scholarship.
“We couldn’t have hoped for a better recipient,” said Liz McGrew. “Kaylie is exactly the kind of person and student that we hoped would be a recipient for this scholarship.”
