Friday, May 2, the School of Human Environmental Sciences recognized thirteen outstanding students through the presentation of the 2014 Student of Excellence and Student of Distinction Awards. The awards program was established in 2006, and honors both outstanding 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 2014 Student of Excellence recipients were:
- Baylee Johnson Walker, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Dietetics
- Megan Ferrell and Makenzie Jones, Undergraduate Students of Excellence in Human Nutrition
- Allison Olive, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Family Sciences
- Kameron White, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Family Sciences
- Jessica Smith, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Hospitality Management and Tourism
- Allison Burke, Undergraduate Student of Excellence in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
- Aaron Schwartz, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
- Stephanie Armes, Master’s Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences
- Catherine Kimbrel, Graduate Student of Excellence for the Department of Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
- Laura Frey, Doctoral Student of Excellence for the Department of Family Sciences
Matthew Saulnier was named the Undergraduate Student of Distinction in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. Matthew has maintained an excellent academic standing. He has been named to the Dean’s List each semester and is in the UK Honors Program. He has been very active in extracurricular activities, including the Student Dietetics and Nutrition Association and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Matthew’s volunteer service activities include DanceBlue, God’s Pantry and the UK Chandler Hospital Radiology Department. Matthew is a senior in the coordinated program in dietetics. He is currently completing his internship placement and will be eligible to become a registered dietitian in August.
Joann Lianekhammy was recognized as the 2014 Graduate Student of Distinction in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. Joann recently defended her dissertation and will graduate with her doctoral degree in family sciences on May 10. In November, she received the Outstanding Graduate Research Paper Award from the National Council on Family Relations. Joann was one of the first students in the School of Human Environmental Sciences to receive an Alice P. Killpatrick Fellowship. Throughout her tenure as a graduate student, Joann has worked in the Department of Family Sciences as a research assistant and teaching assistant. Her dissertation examined the influence of video games on adolescent brain activity.
This year’s student awards ceremony also recognized the 2013-2014 recipients of the Alice P. Killpatrick Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to fulltime graduate students who excel academically, display strong potential for professional excellence, possess leadership and citizenship qualities, and participate in community activities. Six recipients were presented with medallions.
- Stephanie Armes, master’s student in Family Sciences
- Laura Frey, doctoral student in Family Sciences
- Lauren Roberson, master’s student in Dietetics Administration
- Tabitha Huston, master’s student in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
- Joann Lianekhammy, doctoral student in Family Sciences
- Aniket Sengupta, master’s student in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles
- Mary Boulanger and Emily Rogers received the Lily S. Chow Award of Excellence. The award recognizes outstanding juniors in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition and is based upon academic achievement, campus involvement and professional potential. Mary is a junior in dietetics, and is active in the UK Honors Program and Alpha Phi Omega co-ed fraternity. Her volunteer roles include K-Crew Leader, UK Fusion Coordinator and UK Fusion Event Operational Manager. Emily is a junior in dietetics. She is an active leader in the UK Student Dietetics and Nutrition Association and serves as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Liaison.
- Four students from the School were honored for being named as outstanding students by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Student Council
- Kaitlin Musick, human nutrition, named outstanding freshman
- Karli Jessie, dietetics, named outstanding sophomore
- Kayla Brackman, human nutrition, named outstanding junior
- Emily Dickens, dietetics, named outstanding senior
- Kameron White was recognized for receiving the Outstanding Senior Award from Gamma Sigma Delta. She is a senior in family and consumer sciences education.
- Shelby Rose, a junior in dietetics, was honored for receiving the Kentucky Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Outstanding Student Award. She is serving as president of the UK student unit of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
- Lauren Roberson, a master’s student in dietetics and human nutrition, was honored for receiving the Excellence in a Dietetics Internship Award from the Bluegrass Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Taylor Satterly, a senior in dietetics, was honored for receiving the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award from the Bluegrass Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Emily Rogers was recognized for being named the Outstanding Dietetics Student by the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a junior majoring in dietetics.
- Six students selected as College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Ambassadors for 2014-2015 were introduced.
- Christa Childers, senior majoring in dietetics
- Kenya Frazier, junior majoring in family sciences
- Allison Burke, sophomore majoring in merchandising, apparel and textilies
- Kierra Crawford, junior majoring in human nutrition
- Rachel Ditto, junior majoring in hospitality management and tourism
- Denise Schaeffer, a sophomore majoring in dietetics
All six will represent the college and the School of HES through their role as ambassadors in the upcoming academic year.
Two students who are completing their service as ambassadors were also recognized. Kayla Brackman is a junior in human nutrition that will be entering UK’s College of Pharmacy in the fall. Kenyatta Chandler is a senior graduating with a degree in dietetics. She will begin her dietetics internship at Southern A & M University in August.
Congratulations to all our outstanding students!