April 29, 2011, the School of Human Environmental Sciences recognized ten outstanding students through the presentation of the 2011 Student of Excellence and Student of Distinction Awards.  The awards program was established in 2006.  Faculty from each department nominate exceptional students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Outstanding undergraduates are nominated based on academic excellence, leadership, and service in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. Exceptional 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.  Two overall Student of Distinction honors are presented - one for an undergraduate student and one for a graduate student.

2011 Student Award Winners

The 2011 Student of Excellence recipients were:

  • Meredith Cinnamon, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • Matthew Carlson, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Family Science
  • Whitney Kelly, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Hospitality Management and Tourism
  • Lauren Bradford, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Dietetics
  • Megan Johnson, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Human Nutrition
  • Laura Compton, Master's Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Studies
  • Joann Lianekhammy, Doctoral Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Studies
  • Yolanda Jackson, Master's Student of Excellence for the Department of Nutrition and Food Science

Jessica Rebholz was named the 2011 Undergraduate Student of Distinction.  A dietetics major that completed her degree in December, Jessica will begin her internship later this year at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.  She is the daughter of Ted and Tammy Rebholz of Alexandria, Kentucky.  As a student at UK, Jessica was active in the Student Dietetic Association, Preparing Aspiring Wildcats, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and UK FUSION.  She served as president of the Student Dietetic Association, and helped the association grow both in membership and level of achievement.  Jessica maintained a high academic standing and earned the Bluegrass District Dietetic Association Outstanding Student in Dietetics Award.

Ahlishia Shipley was recognized as the 2011 Graduate Student of Distinction.  Ahlishia recently completed her doctoral degree in family studies.  Her dissertation research focused on intimate relationship experiences among black collegiate women.  Ahlishia was an accomplished researcher and presenter, and she presented five research projects at national conferences.  While pursuing her doctoral degree, she worked as a graduate assistant for the African American Studies and Research Program, the College of Agriculture Office of Diversity, and School of Human Environmental Sciences.  Ahlishia received a doctoral scholars fellowship from the Southern Regional Education Board from 2005-2010.  She is a Certified Family Life Educator, and currently works as Program Specialist in the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In addition to the student of excellence and student of distinction recipients, the School of Human Environmental Sciences honored three additional students.

  • Amy Camenisch and Michelle Studeny received the Lilly Chow Award of Excellence. The award recognizes two outstanding juniors in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science and is based upon academic achievement, campus involvement and professional potential. Amy is a junior in dietetics and the current president of the Student Dietetic Association. Michelle is a junior in human nutrition and current president of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
  • Victoria Dunlap was recognized for excellence as a student-athlete. Victoria is a senior in family science. She is the first UK women's basketball player selected in the first round of the WNBA draft, and leaves UK with her place in the history books as the second leading scorer and first player to have more than 300 steals, 100 assists and 100 blocks.

Congratulations to all our outstanding students!

Posted May 1, 2011