Final ‘Strength in Immunity’ vaccination drawing winners announced

Student Brendan Barker was especially shocked when he learned he won $5,000. He didn't realize there was a drawing when he submitted his vaccination status.

"After doing some research I figured out that it was real, and of course I was so excited," he says. "It’s such a cool thing. I felt like I won the lottery."

While tempted to splurge on a flashy purchase, Baxter decided to put the money toward tuition and living expenses.

Baxter says he got vaccinated because it was the right thing to do. "I knew that eventually everyone needed to be vaccinated so honestly, I was just doing my part just like a good citizen should do," he says. "I would encourage other students to get vaccinated because it helps to keep everyone around you safe."

All in all, it's been an excellent first semester for the new Bearcat.

"So far, my experience at UC has been great and I’m really excited to co-op and for everything else UC has in store for me," Barker says.

Faculty member Paul Wojciechowski, MD, was working in the Medical Science Building when he learned he had won $2,500.

"I was quite surprised!"

He's not quite sure how he's going to spend it but plans to do something for his wife and kids.

Vaccination is particularly important to Wojciechowski as he works in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at UC Medical Center, where they treat COVID-19 patients.

"I would encourage all to get vaccinated," he says. "I see the impact that COVID has had on the unvaccinated and I do not wish that on any human being."

Wojciechowski first joined the university in 1998 for medical school, and he's been with UC ever since.

Student Julian Havens was studying in class when he learned he had won $2,500.

“My first thought was that this would help me a lot financially,” he says.

Getting vaccinated was important to Havens because of the direct patient contact that he has, and to keep his family, friends and others safe from getting sick with COVID-19.

He encourages people to think about others when considering getting vaccinated.

“Even if there are minimal risks associated with getting COVID for you personally, we are a community and we need to look out for one another,” he says. “It has been a tough couple of years for us all, and I would just encourage everyone to think about what they can do to help everyone avoid getting sick and get back to a state of normalcy.”

Staff member Beth Brock was working at her desk when she saw the email with the good news.

“I was shocked and giddy with excitement,” she says, “but I did have to read and re-read the email. It seemed too good to be true.”

Student Katherine DiGiandomenico was working at her internship when she learned the good news. “I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “I had to re-read the email a couple times.”

She plans on using the $2,500 toward next semester’s tuition.

DiGiandomenico says she got vaccinated to protect her family, friends and community. 

“I would encourage other students and anyone else to get vaccinated by doing their research using credible resources.”

Assistant Professor Eli Awtrey startled his wife by exclaiming in delight when he read he had won the $2,500 prize.

“We’ve discussed doing something fun as a family, perhaps going to Disneyland,” he says. “Because that’s what you do when you win, right?”

Awtrey relates the idea of getting vaccinated to his area of expertise in management.

“In my courses, I teach about using evidence to improve management skills, and the same is (obviously) true about medical choices,” he says. “Few things are guaranteed in life, but the evidence for the efficacy of the vaccine is overwhelmingly positive.”

He says he’s appreciative that UC is willing to put resources into encouraging and promoting vaccination.

“I am proud that we are an organization that can make difficult decisions by using data and evidence,” he says.

Student Sabrina Saunders was in her trauma/surgery elective class when she learned she won the $5,000 prize, which she plans to put toward tuition.

As a pharmacy student, getting vaccinated was an important decision for Saunders because it plays a large role in her future profession.

“I felt it was the right decision for myself to receive the vaccine and play my part in reducing the spread of the virus,” she says. “I encourage everyone to educate themselves using reliable sources on not only the vaccines, but the virus as well, to better understand the importance of being vaccinated.”

Student Kyla Geitner was studying in the library with friends when she learned she was the latest winner.

“When I read the email, I screamed,” she says, “which isn’t always the best thing in a library, but I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it.”

Geitner says she got vaccinated for her grandmother: “She is honestly my best friend, and her safety was a huge concern during quarantine. So I made sure I was vaccinated the second I could because not being able to see her often was heartbreaking.

“I’m so grateful that (the vaccine) was offered so early to young people like me.”

Student Ashley Rickens was doing homework in a coffee shop with friends when she received the news that she won the week’s $2,500 drawing for students.

Rickens says she’s going to put half the money aside for spring tuition and use the rest on gas, groceries and a special gift for her cat, Pumpkin.

She encourages fellow Bearcats to get vaccinated for their friends and family as well as themselves. 

“Keeping each other safe is important, and these vaccines have the power to do that,” she says.

Faculty member Amanda Buncher was putting her kids to bed when she got the news of what she calls an “unexpected gift.”

Student Max Gardner was working out at the Campus Rec Center when he learned the surprising news that he was the first winner of the drawing. He hopes to use some of the money to take his friends out to dinner.

Gardner says getting vaccinated was important to him because he wanted to make his loved ones feel safe.

“I did it just to be responsible and look out for other people,” he explains. “If we want to stop the spread of COVID-19, getting vaccinated is the best way to do that.”

Faculty member Christina Tan received the news between classes in CCM, calling the prize money a “blessing.”

For her, vaccines represent an opportunity to safely engage with the community.

“Getting the vaccine is one expression of ‘loving our neighbors,’” she says.

Featured image at top: Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand