Barwe/Rexing Scholarship

The scholarship was established by departmental alumna Mary Rose “Rosie” Rexing Hall.

About Mary Rose “Rosie” Rexing Hall

Departmental alumna Mary Rose “Rosie” Rexing Hall (1952-2021) earned a B.A. in Biology in 1974 from IU and then a Master’s in Nutrition Science from Purdue. Following graduation, she was employed by Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana, as a dietician. Rexing Hall then worked at General Foods as a lab technician. Ultimately choosing a career in business, she joined and became part owner of Tri-State Bearing—a family-owned company founded by her father, Edward Barwe; her uncle, Linus Elsner, Jr.; and her grandfather, Linus Elsner, Sr.—from where she retired in December 2019.

Rexing Hall had fond memories of her time at Indiana University. She shared her passion for science and her love of IU with her daughter, Stephanie Rexing. Like her mom, Stephanie also earned an undergraduate degree in biology from our department. She then earned an M.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Charleston and a degree in Environmental Law from San Francisco’s Golden Gate University. Stephanie now works as a Coastal Planner for the California Coastal Commission.

The Barwe/Rexing women (l-r): Stephanie Rexing, Adeline Barwe, Rosie Rexing, and Diane Relleke. — Three generations of Barwe/Rexing women (left to right): Stephanie Rexing, Adeline Barwe, Rosie Rexing Hall, and Diane Relleke. Courtesy photo

2024 Barwe/Rexing Scholar: Aissatou Mbengue

Aissatou is a a first-generation Senegalese-American college student at IU Bloomington; currently, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology accompanied by minors in Anthropology and African-American African diaspora studies on the pre-med track. She has the hopes of first pursuing a master's in medical sciences that has a cognate in public health, then going on to medical school and becoming an OB-GYN. With this goal, she aims to conduct research centered around the female reproductive system, pregnancy, and child development with a primary focus on healthcare equity and creating institutional changes to offset structural racism. During her time at IU Aissatou has worked in the Lau Lab for 2 years researching climate impact on the A. Thaliana, and has interned for the American Chemical Society, the Simon Cancer Center, and IU Health.

2024 Barwe/Rexing Scholar: Leslie Yankoty

Leslie is majoring in Biology B.S with a minor in French. She previously participated in the ASURE program where she focused on bacteria, antibiotics, and resistance. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist.

Department of Biology

Barwe/Rexing Scholarship