Bowling Green, KY student receives College of Saint Mary $80,000 Marie Curie Scholarship

OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary (CSM) has selected Cricket Bergner of Bowling Green, Ky., as a Marie Curie Scholar starting in the fall. Bergner received a surprise package with a scholarship check for $80,000 on Tuesday, April 26. She receives the scholarship after standing out in academic talent and showing outstanding leadership service.

“She is a truly gifted student that loves life sciences,” said Debra Shoulders, a veterinarian who taught Bergner, a homeschool student, biology. “Cricket is the type of student that makes you love teaching because she is eager to learn everything you have to offer and researches everything else she wants to know. I cannot wait to see what she can accomplish in her life.”

College of Saint Mary’s prestigious Marie Curie Scholars Program, which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation, provides significant financial support and resources to outstanding young women pursuing study in STEM majors, such as biology, chemistry, human biology or math.

Marie Curie Scholars receive up to $20,000 annually for four years in gift aid. In addition to having access to substantial financial resources and facilities, participants also receive free tutoring, have opportunities for undergraduate research, and have access to top programs like the National Institute of Health and NASA research fellowships. Marie Curie Scholars also often attend and present at national conferences.

At CSM, Bergner, the daughter of Jason and Jody Bergner, plans to major in mathematics starting in the fall of 2022. Located in Omaha, in the heart of Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary uses initiatives like the Marie Curie Scholar Program to provide women from all backgrounds with access to an affordable, excellent college experience, career-driven coursework and lifelong leadership skills. Bergner is one of eight recipients of this year’s Marie Curie Scholarships.