Howdy! Class of ’80,

My name is Ella Rod, daughter of Stanley and Dobie Rod. I am one of five children, and I’m currently a senior at El Campo High School. I will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall with a major in biochemistry, and plan to attend medical school after receiving my Bachelor of Science degree.

Many factors have contributed to my decision to follow the pre-med path. I enjoyed all my classes in high school, but I am most interested in sciences, especially biology and chemistry. For the past year as I worked at Erwin Dermatology, Dr. Melissa Kainer-Erwin’s dermatology office, my interest in science has focused on the medical field. I have made it my goal to receive the education necessary to provide the best healthcare possible to patients in the future.

Some of my other interests are volleyball, piano, and art. I played volleyball competitively in high school and mentor-coached my high school’s freshman team this past spring and summer. This was a great experience and I hope to continue playing volleyball for enjoyment. I have been playing piano for over ten years, and I love creating and viewing art. My appreciation for music and artwork is a large part of who I am.

I am excited for the next four years at Texas A&M University, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store!

Our Past Memorial Endowed Opportunity Award Recipients