•	Dr. Javiette Samuel, Interim Associate Director, welcomes attendees to the 2017 School of HES Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Javiette Samuel, Interim Associate Director, welcomes
attendees to the 2017 School of HES Awards Ceremony.

The School of Human Environmental Sciences recognized twelve outstanding students through the presentation of the 2017 Student of Excellence and Student of Distinction Awards on April 28, 2017.  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 and the community. Graduate students are nominated based on their research or creative works, leadership and service in the School and the community.  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 2017 Student of Excellence recipients were:

  • Rebecca Henry, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Dietetics
  • Ailey Layson, Undergraduate Students of Excellence in Human Nutrition
  • Anne Farkas, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Family Sciences
  • Meaghan Glenn, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Hospitality Management and Tourism
  • Virginia Groppo, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
  • Teresa Lee, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
  • Alex Elswick, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences
  • Katie Hahnel, Graduate Student of Excellence for the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management
  • Amanda Westmoreland, Doctoral Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences

Kendra Oo, a senior majoring in dietetics, was named the 2017 Undergraduate Student of Distinction. Kendra maintained an excellent academic standing throughout her undergraduate program. She received numerous scholarships at the college and university levels, including the International Provost Scholarship and the University of Kentucky Academic Excellence Scholarship. Kendra was an instrumental leader in The Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky for three years. She held numerous leadership positions and provided countless hours of service in gleaning foods, preparing meals and providing meals to food-insecure populations in Lexington. A native of Burma, Kendra immersed herself into academic and extracurricular activities and graduated as an accomplished student and leader.

Two graduate students were recognized as the 2017 Graduate Students of Distinction, Brodie Clark and David Weisenhorn. Both have proven their abilities to exceed in the classroom, in leadership positions and within the structure of academia.

Dr. Nancy Cox, Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, brings greetings from the College.

Dr. Nancy Cox, Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and
Environment, brings greetings from the College.

Brodie Clark completed his master’s degree in retailing and tourism management in May. During this tenure in the graduate program, he was an accomplished researcher, teaching assistant and student. Seeing a need to build a sense of community among the graduate students in the department, he worked with faculty to form the Retailing and Tourism Management Graduate Student Association. Brodie’s research examined how table spacing in fast-casual restaurants impacts the dining experience.

David Weisenhorn is completing his Ph.D. in Family Sciences this summer. During his tenure as a doctoral student, he has served as a teaching assistant and primary instructor. He has developed advanced research skills, leading projects from conceptualization to publication. His research results have been shared through four national conference presentations and two peer-reviewed journal articles. His dissertation examined attitudes toward corporal punishment.

Four additional students were also recognized for honors received through university and professional organizations.

  • Jaeana Gates, a junior majoring in human nutrition, was honored for her election as the Region 3 Vice President for the National Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
  • Kymberley Johnson, a freshman majoring in merchandising, apparel and textiles, was recognized for receiving the Lyman T. Johnson Outstanding Freshman, an award presented by the UK Black Student Union.
  • Adrian Weldon, a graduating senior with a double-major in family sciences and psychology was honored for her selection as the first recipient of the UK Libraries Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship.
  • Kelci McHugh, a December graduate with a B.S. in Dietetics, was recognized for receiving the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award from the Bluegrass Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Five students in the School were honored for their service as ambassadors for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment:

  • Emily Smith, senior majoring in human nutrition;
  • Abby Lowe, junior majoring in human nutrition;
  • Madison Copher, senior who graduated in December with a B. S. in Dietetics;
  • Michaela Mineer, junior double-majoring in family sciences and communications; and
  • Sarah Vain, a senior in the coordinated program in dietetics.

Congratulations to all the outstanding students honored on April 28th!

(Photo album available on Flickr)


Author: Kim Henken
Terms: HES