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Two seniors are the Outstanding Students of the Year for Outstanding Co-Curricular Contributions. They are:
Anthropology major Alyssa Haggard is being recognized for her exceptional academic achievements, involvement and significant contributions in academic and research activities, and leadership in improving the educational experience of other students.
With a 3.81 GPA, Haggard received A’s (and top scores) in all 21 upper division anthropology courses she has taken since Fall 2012. She is the only student to become lab coordinator in the Archaeology Research Lab and senior research assistant at the Biological Anthropology Lab at HSU. Haggard also earned the title of lead curator for her work procuring, processing, and curating departmental zooarcheological specimens. She has volunteered as a course assistant for eight classes and has tutored students before exams. Beyond HSU, she has worked on archeological projects in Belize and Poland, and was asked to return to both due to her exceptional work ethic, professionalism, and skill.
Jacob Potter is an Environmental Science major with an emphasis on Ecological Restoration. A well-rounded student, Potter has maintained a 3.8 GPA and was honored as a Presidential Scholar. He’s also a member of the HSU cross-country track team. What makes Potter outstanding is the time he devotes helping others during the school year and over spring and summer breaks. As a volunteer for HSU’s Youth Educational Services (Y.E.S)—an organization of student-run community service programs—Potter worked with the Leadership Educational Adventure Program (LEAP) to help youth experience outdoor adventures. He eventually became a L.E.A.P. co-director, taking on everything from volunteer recruitment, screening and training to implementing weekly meetings and service events. He’s currently a Program Consultant for Y.E.S., and advises and coaches students who lead their programs in service to the community. This past summer, he volunteered as a Wilderness Patroller, and became a member of Alternative Spring Break (ASB), which spent last year’s break in San Francisco at various organizations that serve the homeless.
Other Awards Presented at the April 8 ceremony:
- Academic Excellence in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences — Madeline Shapiro — major in Piano Performance and Accounting.
- Academic Excellence in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences — Gabrielle Ruso — major in Wildlife.
- Academic Excellence in the College of Professional Studies — Kayla Masengale – Child Development.
- Best Individual Artistic Achievement, Visual & Performing Arts— Levi Walls – Piano Performance.
- Club Advisor of the Year—Cesar Abarca, Finding Resources and Empowerment through Education (F.R.E.E.)
- Excellence in Community Service— Gloria Cavanaugh – Sociology.
- Excellence in Intercollegiate Athletics — Kersey Wilcox major in Mathematics Education.
- Excellence in Sports Clubs — Mary Colleen Hannon – major in Marine Biology and Zoology.
- Outstanding Contribution to an Associated Students Program— Jesse Carpentier — major in Economics.
- Outstanding Contribution to a Campus Club, Program, or Organization — Tatiana Lewis major in Environmental Resources Engineering.
- The Al Elpusan Award for Student Activism — Sierra Farmer – major in History.
- The Brian Lorensen Residence Life Staff Award — Anthony Lapiz major in Kinesiology and Political Science
- Outstanding Research Awards: Joao Paulo De Sordi Curti – major in Forestry & Wildland Resources; Haley du Bois – major in Biology; Nathan Graham – major in Geology; Jairo Luqu Villanueva – major in Environmental Resources Engineering; Sylvia Nicovich – major in Geology; and Madelinn Schriver – major in Forestry & Wildland Resources.
- The Patricia O. McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student Awards: Jacob Knight – English: Composition Studies and Pedagogy; Jamie Maccarthy – English: Literature; Kelly Matsunaga – Biology; Colleen Reveley – Psychology: Academic Research; Marissa Schmitz – Environment and Community; Benjamin R. Servais – Kinesiology; Benjamin Taylor – English: Peace Corps Service with TESL Emphasis; Janae Teal – Sociology.