RAYGAN L. KIRK

 RAYGAN L. KIRK

School of Environment and Natural Resources
Sustainable Plant Systems - Agronomy
Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Canada

Environmental Sciences major Raygan Kirk began her undergraduate academic career playing hockey in Pennsylvania. In 2021, she sought a new school through the transfer portal, and found a home at Ohio State, where she felt “supported both on the ice and in the classroom.”

In the classroom, Raygan’s nominator describes her as “polite, punctual, precise, dedicated, dependable, and committed.” She took advantage of professional development training opportunities and is now a licensed commercial pesticide applicator, certified by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. She also gained an Incident Qualification Card, commonly called a Red Card, certifying her as a qualified Wildland Fire Fighter.

As a member of The Society for Ecological Restoration, Raygan and other students conducted restoration work at the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park and helped plant native tree species at the Fawcett Center.

Outside of the classroom, Raygan interned with Mad Scientist, LLC, a leading Columbus- based restoration consultancy. She conducted a mussel survey and relocation in Sandusky, Ohio; helped with a herpetology survey at the Army National Guard in McConnelsville, Ohio; gained hands-on experience in invasive species management, helped with wetlands delineations, and planted native species. Raygan is currently helping a student in the Environmental Science Graduate Program, studying organic carbon and nitrogen concentration in soils from locations around Ohio.

Raygan joined other student-athletes in the Second and Seven Foundation, a Central Ohio Reading Program at local middle and elementary schools directed towards second and seventh-grade students. She was also a member of Buckeye Buddies, a partnership between the Women’s Ice Hockey Team and a third-grade classroom. In addition, she was part of Athletes Voices Amplified, mentoring female athletes.

Raygan appreciates mentor Dr. Matthew Davies, particularly for his acknowledgment of the challenges of managing a degree in Environmental Science while playing a Division-1 sport. Ohio State won the Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship for the first time during Raygan’s first year, in 2022. In 2023, they came in second in the NCAA championship. Her nominator adds: “the Buckeye’s National Championship has been transformational for the visibility of women’s hockey. Despite the rigors of her schedule, Raygan never complained. She promptly informed me of her schedule and always ensured she got work submitted on time. She would cheerily inform me she was off to the gym or a practice after a five-hour field class that required significant manual labor. Raygan’s athletic prowess has been recognized through OSU Scholar-Athlete awards, Big 10 awards, and several prestigious national awards.”

Raygan plans to play in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League. After retirement, she may pursue a graduate degree in environmental sciences.

Service, involvement, and accolades: Academic All-Big Ten | Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic Team | WCHA Scholar Athlete | Dean’s List