Henderson State University’s Matt Locke Ellis College of Arts and Sciences honored 59 students for their creative and academic accomplishments at the annual Student Awards Ceremony April 12 in the Garrison Center Lecture Hall.
Outstanding Creative Accomplishment awards
Recipients of the Outstanding Creative Accomplishment awards are selected based on artistic accomplishment, research or service to others. Each department within the Ellis College selects a student to receive the award. The 2018 recipients are: Brandon Rimmer of Malvern, art; Allison Surf of Pearcy, biological sciences; Daniel Gibson of Bismarck, chemistry and biochemistry; Jennings Johnson of Heber Springs, communications and theatre arts; Celeste Fishback of Bentonville, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Raven Morris of Texarkana, Texas, music; Destanie Nelson of Arkadelphia, psychology; and Lorena Slatton of Murfreesboro, sociology, human services, and criminal justice.
Outstanding Graduating Senior awards
Each department within the Ellis College selects one student from each major to receive the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. The students must have a cumulative 3.00 GPA or higher and have either graduated in the fall semester or be eligible to graduate in the spring semester.
Awards were presented to: Catherine Wachob of Hot Springs, art education; Laiken Sorrells of Amity, biological sciences; Charlie Clem of Texarkana, Texas, biochemistry; Greta Goslee of Hot Springs, communication; Jacey Russell of Arkadelphia, theatre arts; LeighAnne Cowan of Hot Springs, English; Kayla Ann Kastner of Hot Springs, Spanish; Hunter Penfield of Arkadelphia, computer science; Olivia Cathey of Benton, music education; Frednesha Whiting of North Little Rock, music; Harlee Pennington of Sparkman, nursing; Jackson Baber of Little Rock, physics; Ben Johnson of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, engineering physics; Benjamin East of LaPlace, Louisiana, psychology; Megan Jackson of Rison, history; Zoie Otwell of Prescott, public administration/management; Jared Payne of Bismarck, political science; and Hannah Wahls of Nashville, social science education.
Outstanding Academic Achievement awards
The Ellis College recognizes up to 36 students for Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards. Selected students have a minimum GPA of 3.50. Other considerations might include difficulties overcome in maintaining high academic standards, quality of involvement in campus activities, leadership, and service to the university community.
Juniors
Awards for Outstanding Junior Academic Achievement were presented to: Erica Hamilton of Royal, art; Mercedes Thompson of Siloam Springs, biological sciences; Preston Stricklin of Benton, chemistry and biochemistry; Jacob Glasgow of De Queen, communications and theatre arts; Kassady Chandler of Donaldson, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Kayla Earnest of Malvern, mathematics, computer science and statistics; Jordan Parker of Texarkana, Texas, music; Kayla Green of Smackover, nursing; Katlynn Williams of Arkadelphia, psychology; Eric Brown of Glenwood, social sciences; and Kaitlyn Hall of Star City, sociology, human services and criminal justice.
Sophomores
Awards for Outstanding Sophomore Achievement were presented to: Sarah Ragan of Liberty, Missouri, art; Chloe Cline of Benton, biological sciences; Colten Smith of Texarkana, Texas, chemistry and biochemistry; Harley Whisenhunt of Hot Springs, communications and theatre arts; Thomas Geigley of Hempstead, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Bryan Neal of Benton, mathematics, computer science and statistics; Justin Kennedy of Lewisville, music; Olivia Kinder of Benton, nursing; Rebecca Voss of Arkadelphia, engineering and physics; Sydney Calvert of Cabot, psychology; Mia Sheets of Cabot, social sciences; and Racheal Lewis, sociology, human services and criminal justice.
Freshmen
Recipients of the Freshman Academic Achievement awards are: Anissa Burton of Siloam Springs, art; Keairra Jackson of New Edinburg, biological sciences; Emily Harness of Cabot, chemistry and biochemistry; Tiara Burgess of Arkadelphia, communications and theatre arts; Whitley Cross of El Dorado, English, foreign languages and philosophy; Parker Williams of Prescott, mathematics, computer science and statistics; Kelly Foret of East Sheridan, music; Emmery Boyd of Amity, nursing; Thomas DePriest III of Lake City, psychology; and Joseph Gateley of Greenwood, social sciences.
