2016 School of HES Student Awards Announced
The School of Human Environmental Sciences recognized eleven outstanding students through the presentation of the 2016 Student of Excellence and Student of Distinction Awards on April 29, 2016. The awards program, established in 2006, honors both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates are nominated based on academic excellence, leadership, and service in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. Graduate students are nominated based on their research or creative works, leadership and service in the School. Undergraduate Student of Excellence honorees are selected for each degree program. Graduate Student of Excellence honorees are selected at each degree level within each department. Overall Student of Distinction honors are presented at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The 2016 Student of Excellence recipients were:
- Anna Mason, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Dietetics
- Hannah Puzey, Undergraduate Students of Excellence in Human Nutrition
- Rachel Rose, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Family Sciences
- Lindsay Vance, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Hospitality Management and Tourism
- ReDell Atkinson, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
- Brooke Butterworth, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
- Lekie Dwanyen, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences
- Behnoosh Farashahi, Graduate Student of Excellence for the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management
- Jillian Hawks, Doctoral Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences
Hannah Maddox, a senior double-majoring in human nutrition and biology, was named the 2016 Undergraduate Student of Distinction. Hannah has maintained an excellent academic standing. She is a University of Kentucky Presidential Scholar and received the Outstanding Junior Award from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in 2015. She has a lengthy list of volunteer service activities, including leadership positions with DanceBlue and extensive work with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass. Hannah initiated formation of The Red Shoe Crew, an official student service organization at UK that works to support Ronald McDonald House. She has been an active member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the UK Honors Program, UK Medical Missions International, the Student Dietetic and Nutrition Association and the Pre-Med American Medical Student Association.
Qun Zhang, a doctoral student in the Department of Family Sciences, was named the 2016 Graduate Student of Distinction. Qun has worked in the Department of Family Sciences as a teaching assistant and part-time instructor. Her research focuses on promoting financial security through strategic savings and debt management. Her master’s thesis was the first to apply regulatory focus theory from psychology to the saving domain. She has presented her research at five national and international conferences. Since arriving at the University of Kentucky, Qun has sought out opportunities to be engaged in the community. She has volunteered with God’s Pantry Food Bank and Community Action Council. In fall 2015, she served as a microteaching group leader for UK’s orientation for teaching assistants, utilizing her skills and experiences to help prepare others.
Nine additional students were also recognized for their honors and accomplishments:
- Carrie Kirkland, a senior in the coordinated program in dietetics, was recognized for being named the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Student in a Coordinated Program.
- Kevin Richie, a December graduate with a degree in dietetics, was honored for being named the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Student in a Didactic Program.
- Jalyn Hill, a senior in dietetics, was recognized for being named the Bluegrass Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Student.
- ReDell Atkinson, a senior in merchandising, apparel and textiles, was honored for being the First Place Winner in the national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences Impromptu Public Speaking Contest.
- Kierra Crawford, a senior in human nutrition, and Tiara Fripp, a senior in family sciences, were recognized for receiving national Education Abroad Scholarships through Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
- Tiara Fripp was also recognized for being named the Lyman T. Johnson Outstanding Senior at the University of Kentucky.
- Gloria Maldonado, a dietetics senior, and Xavia Gantz, a graduate student in retailing and tourism management, were honored for being named Farm Credit VIP Scholars by Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
- Logan Douglas, a senior majoring in dietetics, was honored for receiving two funding awards through the Kentucky-West Virginia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
Five students in the School were honored for completing their services as ambassadors for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment:
- ReDell Atkinson, merchandising, apparel and textiles senior
- Allison Burke, merchandising, apparel and textiles senior
- Kierra Crawford, human nutrition senior
- Rachel Ditto, December graduate with a degree in hospitality and tourism management
- Denise Schaeffer, dietetics senior
Congratulations to all the outstanding students honored on April 29, 2016!