While on her way to Minnesota last weekend, Iowa State student Kerri-Beth Shaneberger and her boyfriend hit some ice and went into the ditch.

The boyfriend was injured, but Shaneberger, a senior in animal ecology, died.

Shaneberger, 27, grew up in Barre, Vt., although her family lives in Sewell, N.J. She was scheduled to graduate in May.

Her stepfather, Bill Davidson, said he and his family are hoping ISU will give Shaneberger her diploma in May, posthumously.

“She had aspirations of graduating in May and teaching school — teaching biology. At the same time, she had hopes and dreams of going back to school again and becoming a veterinarian,” he said.

Shaneberger went to Spalding High School in Barre.

She graduated in 1988 and went to the University of Vermont, where she was on the varsity field hockey team.

Davidson said she came to ISU for the animal ecology program.

“She did a study with work in South Carolina all summer on a research project dealing with the habitat on mice. That was through Iowa State,” he said.

Davidson described Shaneberger as a 5-foot-4-inch, blue-eyed blonde who enjoyed athletics. “She was always taking care of her body, watching what she ate, ran every day, lifted weights every day.”

She is survived by two brothers, Gary Shaneberger, 28, and Gray, 16; a sister, Jennifer, 22; and her mother, Judith Davidson.

A scholarship fund at Bishop Eustace Prep School in Pennsauken, N.J., has been set up in her name. Davidson requested that donations for the scholarship be sent to: Kerri B. Shaneberger Scholarship Fund, Route 70, Pennsauken, N.J. 08109.