School Presents Student of Excellence and Distinction Awards

April 25, 2008, the School of Human Environmental Sciences recognized eleven outstanding students through the presentation of the 2008 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.  Student of Excellence awardees are selected from each degree program.  The School of Human Environmental Sciences also annually recognizes an Undergraduate Student of Distinction and a Gradaute Student of Distinction.
 
The 2008 Student of Excellence recipients were:
    • Jaline Croley Taylor, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Family and Consumer Sciences Education
    • Jessica Durbin, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Family Science
    • Cara Drury, Undergradudate Student of Excellence for Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles
    • Ashley Mowery, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Human Nutrition
    • Julie Northrop, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Dietetics
    • Meghan Peters, Undergraduate Student of Excellence for Hospitality Management and Tourism
    • Amy Laura Arnold, Graduate Student of Excellence for the Master's Program in Family Studies
    • Avery Malone, Graduate Student of Excellence for Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
    • Akemi Sakamoto, Graduate Student of Excellence for Hospitality and Dietetics Administration
The 2008 Undergraduate Student of Distinction is Sarah SmallThe 2008 Undergraduate Student of Distinction is Sarah Small, a senior in Dietetics. Sarah is a native of Hardinsburg, Kentucky and the daughter of Keith and Bettye Small.  Her academic record is outstanding as she has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her studies.  She has been named to the Dean’s list for seven consecutive semesters, and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

Sarah has maintained her high academic achievement while being very involved in extracurricular, service, and leadership activities.  She is a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and has served as the Vice President for Membership and Vice President for Chapter Development.  Sarah also maintains membership in the UK Student Dietetic Association, Bluegrass Dietetic Association, and American Dietetic Association.  Her volunteer and service work includes Dance Blue, Race for the Cure, and Kentucky Welcome.  She served as a UK FUSION Team Leader and as a peer instructor for UK 101.

Carolyn Hofe was recognized as the 2008 Graduate Student of Distinction.Carolyn Hofe was recognized as the 2008 Graduate Student of Distinction.  Carolyn enrolled in the master’s program in Hospitality and Dietetic Administration in the fall of 2005.  As a non-traditional student, Carolyn has balanced graduate school, employment, and family life throughout her studies. She has worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, and currently works as a research assistant with Dr. Lisa Gaetke.  Carolyn balanced these positions with part-time employment with Dietary Consultants, Inc. and Central Kentucky Research Associates.

Carolyn’s research work with Dr. Gaetke has been part of the UK Superfund Basic Research Program, a National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences funded initiative.  The initiative focuses on research that addresses both the environmental and biomedical effects of toxic chemical exposures.  Carolyn works with Dr. Gaetke to develop, deliver and evaluate nutrition programs for community members affected by environmental contaminants.

Carolyn has been active with the Agriculture and Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Association Board, and was a member of the board during the transition period when the two former associations merged.  She also served as a member of the board’s student recruitment committee.