Wyatt presented the awards during the 69^th Annual Student Honors Awards Ceremony and Reception, an annual event hosted by the university to recognize ASU’s most outstanding graduates. The reception is the highlight of Convocation of Scholars.

The award is presented to the graduating senior in each college who has the highest overall grade point average. Graduates from August and December 2001 as well as those graduating in May of this year were eligible.

Recipients and their respective colleges were Chad Towns of Salem, Agriculture; Kimberly Dickey of Ash Flat, Arts and Sciences; Amy Whitaker of Jonesboro, Business; Bianca Nicole Phillips of Jonesboro, Communications; Kelli Holman of Jonesboro, Education; Jessie Jones of Conway, Engineering; Oksana Rissoukhina of Russia, Fine Arts; Baljit Rehal of Bombay, India, Nursing and Health Professions; and Mandi Throgmartin of Pocahontas, University College.

Towns will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the College of Agriculture. He plans to attend veterinary school. A Trustees’ and Governor’s Scholar, Towns is a member of the Delta Tau Alpha honor society. He was named Arkansas Future Farmers of America State Star Farmer in 1998.

He is the son of Michael Towns of Georgia and Kathy Gaffney of Salem.

His advisor is Dr. Don Kennedy.

Dickey graduated in August with a degree in chemistry from the College of Arts and Sciences. She plans to become a pharmacist. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Beta Phi honor societies. Dickey was also named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and was a Woodside Scholar.

Dickey is the daughter of Dennis and Donna Dickey of Ash Flat.

Her advisor is Dr. Michael Panigot.

Whitaker will graduate in May with her degree in business education, from the College of Business. She plans to teach business in a local high school. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a College of Business honor society. Whitaker is a recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence from the College of Business, and the outstanding student award.

Whitaker’s parents are Charles and Cindy Whitaker of Jonesboro.

Dr. Ralph Ruby is her academic advisor.

Phillips will receive her bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the College of Communications in May. She plans to move to Memphis after graduation and work for a publication. Phillips was named to the 1998-1999 National Dean’s List and served as photo editor for the Herald this semester. She is a member of two honor societies.

Her parents are David and Delories Phillips of Jonesboro.

Bonnie Thrasher is her advisor.

Holman graduated in August with a degree in elementary education from the College of Education. She hopes to continue teaching gifted and talented classes. Holman was on the President’s List every semester during her undergraduate study, and received numerous scholarships, including the Lillian Barton Scholarship for educators. She is a member of several honor societies.

Holman is the daughter of Ricky and Cathy Holman of Jonesboro.

Dr. Julie Lamb-Milligan is her advisor.

Jones graduated summa cum laude in December with her civil engineering degree from the College of Engineering. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in civil engineering. Jones was a President’s List student and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key honor societies. She was also named to the National Dean’s List in 2000-2001.

She is married to Denny Jones of Conway. Jones parents are Guoxiong Xu and YanQiu Yao of the People’s Republic of China. Her advisor was Dr. Tom Parsons.

Rissoukhina will graduate in May with a double major in vocal and piano performance from the College of Fine Arts. She plans to attend graduate school for a master’s degree in piano performance. Rissoukhina has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the Faculty Women’s Club Scholarship and W.J. Beard Keyboard Scholarship. She has been on the President’s List for five consecutive years.

Her mother is Galina Rissoukhina of Russia.

Julia Lansford is her advisor.

Rehal will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She will continue her education at Northwestern University. Rehal was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She currently serves as president of the International Student Association at ASU and is also a member the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Her parents are Sarwan Singh Rehal and Surinder Kaur Rehal of Oman.

Dr. Terry Baggs is her academic advisor.

Throgmartin will graduate in May with a general studies degree from the University College. She plans to open her own pottery studio after graduation. She is a President’s List student and a recipient of the President’s Scholarship. Throgmartin served as co-editor of the ASU Yearbook CD-rom in 1999 and photo editor of the ASU Yearbook in 2000.

Her parents are James and Cindy Throgmartin of Pocahontas.

Her academic advisor is Dr. Herman Strickland.

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