All64: Every corner of Colorado. CSU connects with every county.
“I was interested in Vet School and I wanted to stay in Colorado, and thought that CSU was a perfect way to get both of those things while also moving far enough away from home to feel independent.”
During the 2022-23 academic year, we are highlighting one Colorado State University student or alum from each of Colorado’s 64 counties. The Centennial State’s land grant university has a connection to the diverse lands and people from the counties of Moffat to Baca, Montezuma to Sedgwick and everywhere in between.
Andrew Bollegar
Major: Neuroscience, cell and molecular concentration
Why I chose CSU: I was interested in Vet School and I wanted to stay in Colorado, and thought that CSU was a perfect way to get both of those things while also moving far enough away from home to feel independent.
My favorite thing about CSU: I love the amount of trees that shade the entire campus. Especially right now as autumn sets in, I am looking forward to all of the colors that October will bring.
Clubs/organizations in college: Pre-health organization and I am the MCIN Representative for the Neuroscience Student Organization.
Awards/scholarships in college: Dean’s List
Favorite instructor: Dr. Jeff Bandar is an incredible organic chemistry professor. Organic chemistry has such a foreboding reputation among students in the life sciences, but Dr. Bandar approached the content with a grace and simplicity that I am so thankful to have experienced.
I’d like to thank: Dr. Noreen Reist, Jasmin Twiggs, and Vincent Elias for introducing me to the word of lab work and showing me what doing science is actually like.
Favorite achievement: Working in a research lab and knowing that my work has been presented out of the country!
Career goals: I have a deep passion for research and a fascination with medicine, so I am currently setting my sights on getting into an MD/Ph.D program and being a physician scientist.
Favorite NOCO food or hangout: I recently discovered a bookstore/café in Old Town, “Wolverine Farm,” that has been a great place to get work done or hangout with friends.
Quirky fact: I was homeschooled up until 8th grade!
Favorite CSU tradition: The homecoming bonfire.
What do you tell people in Weld County about CSU: CSU maintains the same homey feeling of Weld County with just more people sprinkled in.
Biggest adversity overcome at CSU: Financial challenges have been an issue for me throughout my life, so coming to CSU meant that I was now going to be responsible for my own finances. Learning how to balance a rigorous school schedule with part-time work has been difficult, but I know that I have become a more resilient and capable person because of it.
CSU’s All64 Project
Read about more students or alums in Colorado connected to all 64 counties. Explore all the questions and answers from every corner of the Centennial State.
