TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State University will present nineteen graduating seniors with Jack Kaufman Outstanding Senior Awards at a special ceremony on Saturday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m. in Ball Room C of the University Center on the Tahlequah campus.
Considered a visionary by those who knew him, the late Jack Kaufman will go down in NSU history as one the institution’s most active and influential alumni. In recognition of his exceptional support of the university and its alumni association, the Jack Kaufman Outstanding Seniors Awards are given to deserving seniors each year who are nominated by NSU faculty and staff.
Recipients have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 or higher, have demonstrated their concern for Northeastern through campus involvement, and are considered all-around students who typify the spirit of NSU.
Mustang Hospitality and Tourism Management
Keith is the son of Scott and Kathy Badgett. He is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Delta Mu Delta Honor Society and Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society. He has maintained involvement with Baptist Collegiate Ministries, RiverHawk Ambassadors and Rookie Bridge Camp. Keith was named Mr. NSU and to Who’s Who Among American College and Universities.
Altus Spanish
Laverne, a Spanish major, is the daughter of Alexander and Claudette Bowen. She is a member of the Northeastern State University Marching Band, Association of Black Collegians and is president of Alpha Angels Incorporated. Laverne was named to the President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll, Alpha Chi Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American College and Universities.
Broken Arrow Political Science and Geography
Leslie is the daughter of Derek and Janice Mills and Joy and Sean Robinson, and the wife of Nathan Byrd. She has participated in the Residence Hall Association, Northeastern Student Government Association and the Northeastern Activities Board. She is a member of Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society and Gamma Theta Upsilon International Geography Honor Society. She was named to the President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll and Who’s Who Among American College and Universities.
Bokoshe Political Science
Dru is the daughter of David and Terri Dear. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, served as president of the Northeastern Student Government Association and the Oklahoma Student Government Association and was part of the NSU RiverHawk Flock. Dru received the Alpha Sigma Alpha Four Aims Intellectual Award, and was named one of the Top Five Greek Women and the 2006 NSU Homecoming Queen.
Tahlequah Mass Communications
Dale is the son of Dale Denwalt Sr. and Pamela Cook-Denwalt. He was involved with the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, Northeastern Student Government Association, Society of Professional Journalists and served as the editor of the Northeastern. Dale was named to Who’s Who Among American College and Universities, and received Honors Society Awards for High GPA, Organizational Involvement and Leadership.
Miami Biology
Tiffany is the daughter of Robert and Sally Heydt. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, Northeastern Student Government Association, Northeastern Activities Board and the Pre-Optometry Club. Tiffany was inducted into the Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society and Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society and named to Who’s Who Among American College and Universities.
Tulsa Biology
Joani is the daughter of Michael Howard and Christina Edmonds. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Class, Northeastern Student Government Association and Northeastern Activities Board. She was inducted into Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society and Alpha Chi Honor Society, and was named to the President’s Honor Roll. Joani has received the Student Activity Award for both the President’s Leadership Class and NSGA.
Ada Accounting and Financial Planning
Kristen is the daughter of Wayne and Kathy King and the spouse of Ryan Eller. She is a Sen. Herb Rozell Scholar and is involved with the Honors Program, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Northeastern Activities Board, the Accounting Society, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature and Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Kristen is also a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honors Society and was nominated as one of the Top 5 Greek Females.
McAlester Hospitality and Tourism
Challis is the daughter of Martin and Christy McDonald. She is a member of the Northeastern Student Government Association, President’s Leadership Class, Northeastern Activities Board, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Riverhawk Ambassadors and is a Rookie Bridge Camp volunteer. Challis was inducted into the Rho Theta Sigma Honors Society and Delta Mu Delta Honors Society. She was named to the President’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls and is the recipient of the Alpha Sigma Alpha Founder’s Award.
Sandwich, Ill. Biology
Jaclyn is the daughter of David and Linda Munson. She is a Sen. Herb Rozell Scholar and a member of the President’s Leadership Class, Northeastern Activities Board, Pre-Optometry Club, Pre-Professional Health Club, and the RiverHawk Ambassador program. Jaclyn was inducted into Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society, and was the winner of the Oklahoma Woman of the Year Leadership Award.
Corrales, N.M. Healthcare Administration
Kellen is the son of Richard and Susan Palmer. He is a member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Northeastern Student Government Association, Phi Sigma Nu Native American fraternity served as president and vice president of the Native American Student Association. Kellen was named to the National Dean’s Honor List, was an NSU Homecoming King candidate and is in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Tulsa Business Administration
Jakob is the son of Bruce and Rhonda Prill. He is a member of the Northeastern Activities Board, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and has volunteered at Rookie Bridge Camp. Jakob was inducted into Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society, and named to the Dean’s Honor Roll and Who’s Who Among American College and Universities Students.
Bentonville, Ark., Accounting
Jodi is the daughter of Gene and Sue Ogle and the spouse of Philip Rule. She has served as president of the Rotaract Club and is a member of the Accounting Society, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. Jodi was named to both the President’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls.
Tahlequah International Business
Nathan, an international business major, is the son of Richard and Lori Smith and Lisa Ross. He is involved with the NSU Model United Nations Program and is vice president of the Government and International Studies Society. Nathan is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, and was named to the NSU Dean’s Honor Roll and the National Dean’s Honor Roll.
Claremore Chemistry
Lauren is the daughter of Rusty and Kim Woods and Karen Owens. She is involved with the Honor’s Program, Delta Zeta sorority, Baptist Collegiate Ministries and the Northeastern Student Government Association. She is also a member of the Rho Theta Sigma Honor Society and Alpha Chi Honor Society. Lauren named Greek Woman of the Year and to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.
4/18/2008