KU announces 2012 Chancellor's Student Awards


Thu, 05/10/2012

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Jill Jess Phythyon

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LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas has honored 10 students with 2012 Chancellor’s Student Awards as part of the 140th Commencement.

The awards recognize students’ academic, volunteer and leadership accomplishments during their time at KU.

• The Class of 1913 Award: Erin Atwood, Topeka, and Greg Loving, McPherson. This award annually goes to a graduating man and woman who show evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies, personal character and promise of usefulness to society.

• The Donald K. Alderson Memorial Award: Julia Barnard, Lawrence. This award goes to a graduating senior who has demonstrated loyalty to and interest in the university and who has been active in events and services that benefit other students. The award was established in memory of Alderson, former dean of men and dean of
student services.

• The Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award: Paige Blevins, Great Bend, and Amber Jackson, Kansas City, Kan. This award goes to a graduating student who has unselfishly contributed to the university through campus involvement. The award was established in 1993 by Dillard’s family and friends to remember and honor him.

• Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Awards: Libby Johnson and Emily Lamb, both of Lawrence. This award annually goes to students who demonstrate a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award was established by a group of seniors in 1973 to honor their fellow student, Leffel.

• The Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award: Ben Pyle, Ames, Iowa. This award goes to a graduating fraternity or sorority member who has demonstrated commitment to the local chapter, the KU greek community, the university and the Lawrence community. The award was established in 1993 to honor Smith, a former dean of student life.

• The Agnes Wright Strickland Awards: Hunter Hess, McPherson, and Megan Ritter, Overland Park. These awards were established in 1953 in memory of Strickland, a member of the Class of 1887. The awards annually go to graduating seniors in recognition of their academic records, demonstrated leadership in matters of university concern, respect among fellow students and indications of future dedication to service in the university.

Recipients will be honored at a reception Saturday, May 12. The honorees also receive special recognition during the Commencement ceremony May 13 in Memorial Stadium. In addition, their portraits will be in the Commencement program.

The Chancellor’s Student Awards committee selects the winners from throughout the university from nominations submitted by students, faculty and staff. The selection committee includes students, faculty and staff.

Biographical information on recipients:

RUSTY LEFFEL CONCERNED STUDENT AWARDS

Emily Lamb, Lawrence, will receive a bachelor’s degree in American studies. She is a member of the University Honors Program and the winner of the E.x.C.E.L. Award in 2011. She was the executive director of the Center for Community Outreach at KU for 2010-2012. Lamb was featured on the Women of Distinction calendar in the Committed to Service section in 2011. She was a member of the Provost’s Strategic Planning Initiative committee, 2010-11; outreach director of The Big Event volunteer day, 2010-2012; and outreach director of Miller Scholarship Hall, 2009-10. She is the daughter of Brent and Stacey Lamb of Lawrence.

Libby Johnson, Lawrence, will receive bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human biology. She is a member of the University Honors Program and the Psychology Honors Program. She is student body president and was featured in the Women of Distinction Calendar in the Leading for Change section in 2011. Johnson organized fundraising projects that raised $5,200 for Court Appointed Special Advocates as Philanthropy Chair of Kappa Alpha Theta in 2010 and coordinator of the Jubilee Cafe Breakfast Kitchen in 2009. She plans to seek a doctorate in neuroscience after two years in a service organization. She is the daughter of Cary and Jean Johnson of Lawrence.

DONALD K. ALDERSON MEMORIAL AWARD

Julia Barnard, Lawrence, will receive a bachelor’s degree in history. She is a member of the University Honors Program. She is the Alternative Breaks co-director since 2011, research assistant for Jonathan Kozol, author of "Savage Inequalities" and National Book Award Winner, and named KU Outstanding Woman Student in a Sorority (Sigma Delta Tau) 2008-2009. She was featured on the Women of Distinction calendar in the Committed to Service category in 2011. She is the daughter of Cheryl Lester and Philip Barnard of Lawrence.

AGNES WRIGHT STRICKLAND AWARD

Megan Ritter, Overland Park, will receive bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and international studies. She was the student body vice president for 2010-2011, named KU Outstanding Woman Student in a Sorority (Alpha Chi Omega) in 2011 and named University Scholar for 2009-2010. She was featured on the 2011 Women of Distinction calendar. She is the daughter of Candace Ritter of Overland Park and John Ritter of Kansas City, Mo.

Hunter Hess, McPherson, will receive a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Hess was an Ex.C.E.L. Award winner in 2011. He was president of the KU Student Alumni Leadership Board from 2011-12. He was active in Rock Chalk Revue, serving as advisory board secretary. He is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was vice president for internal operations in 2009-10. After graduation, he plans to work for Hallmark Cards Inc. He is the son of Gary and Fern Hess of McPherson.

ALEXIS F. DILLARD STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AWARD

Amber Jackson, Kansas City, Kan., will receive a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She received the American Advertising Federation of Kansas City Scholarship and was president of Black Student Union from 2010-2011 and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Membership Chair. She was featured on the 2011 Women of Distinction calendar. She is the daughter of April Jackson of Kansas City, Kan., and Mack Jackson of Jackson, Miss.

Paige Blevins, Great Bend, will graduate with honors and receive a bachelor’s degree in English. She was active in the KU Student Alumni Leadership Board, serving as president in 201-11 and vice president of special events in 2009-2010 and 2011-12. She was vice president of administration for the Dennis E. Rieger Scholarship Hall Executive Board. She is the daughter of Ralph and Laura Blevins of Great Bend.

CLASS OF 1913 AWARD

Erin Atwood, Topeka, will receive a bachelor’s degree in genetics. She was a finalist for the Ex.C.E.L. Award and a Truman Scholarship. She was a University Scholar, Class of 2010, and featured on the Women of Distinction calendar in 2010. Atwood was a Watkins-Berger Scholar and received the Sen. Robert J. Dole Public Service Scholarship and the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. She was active with Natural Ties, a volunteer organization that pairs KU students with an adult with developmental disabilities. She volunteered as a Spanish interpreter at the JayDoc Free Clinic in Kansas City, Kan. She is the daughter of Michael and Jennie Atwood, Topeka.

Greg Loving, McPherson, will receive bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and economics. He is a SELF Engineering Leadership Fellow. He was a KU finalist for Rhodes and Marshall scholarships in 2011 and an Ex.C.E.L. finalist. Loving was selected as the Interfraternity Council outstanding campus leader in 2011. He is the co-founder and president of the KU Energy Club. He wrote a column on international issues for the University Daily Kansan in 2012. He has been admitted to Harvard Business School of a two-year deferral and will enter the MBA program in 2014. He is the son of Jim and Dawn Loving, McPherson.

CARYL K. SMITH STUDENT LEADER AWARD

Ben Pyle, Ames, Iowa, will receive a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was a student senator and vice president of administrative affairs for the KU Interfraternity Council, 2010-11. He held several offices in his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, including president in 2009-10. Through his role in IFC, he helped bring consultants to campus to address hazing issues in the Greek community. He is the son of Doug and Jo Ellen Pyle, Ames.


Thu, 05/10/2012

author

Jill Jess Phythyon

Media Contacts

Jill Jess

KU News Service

785-864-8858