At Denison University, students are prepared for lives of professional success and civic impact. Na’il Scoggins ’17, who graduated with a major in biology and a minor in Spanish, is now a Dean’s Scholar at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Scoggins, who hails from Milwaukee, recently was featured in a video promoting the school.
This is not his first encounter with the medical college, Scoggins did extensive research there during the summers. His Denison faculty commented on not only the remarkable level of independence in his work but also that he performed on the same level as graduate students working on their doctorate degrees.
“Attending Denison University has been one of the best decisions I have made,” said Scoggins. “At a most fundamental level, Denison prepared me for the academic rigors of medical school. Beyond memorizing the facts, my professors taught me to actively engage and be critical of the material and to extrapolate information to real-life situations. These skills have allowed me to not only memorize the large content presented in medical school but also understand clinical implications to better serve my future patients.”
While at Denison, Scoggins was presented with the President’s Medal, the highest honor that the college can bestow on a student. He was inducted into Sigma Xi, the scientific research honorary society, and served as both a teaching assistant and tutor for the departments of biology and biochemistry.
When presented with his honor, Denison Provost Kim Coplin noted, “Na’il, your ability to balance your academic work with co-curricular activities has been remarkable. Your outstanding leadership skills and deep concern for the Denison community have been apparent in your work as a resident assistant, a head resident, a mentor for our Paving the Way orientation, and serving as president of Tehillah, a gospel a cappella group.”
She added, “You have chosen to participate in activities and experiences that have a positive impact on Denison and in the world. Na’il, we thank you for your constructive influence on our community, and for showing us what it truly means to be a thoughtful and caring member of the Denison family.”