President's Scholar Awards
announced at Honors Ceremony 

Winners of the President's Scholars Award for 2002-2003 were announced today during the 70th annual Student Honors Awards Ceremony, an annual event hosted by the university to recognize ASU's most outstanding graduates. The ceremony 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 2002 as well as those graduating in May of this year were eligible.

Recipients and their respective colleges were Sach Oliver of Viola, Agriculture; Stella J. Phillips of Alicia, Arts and Sciences; Stephen McDaniel of Jonesboro, Business; Brandy Craig of Brookland, Communications; Paige Higgins of Jonesboro, Education; Leah Minge of Mountain Home, Engineering; Nicole Lea Carroll of Bryant, Fine Arts; Jill Suzanne May of Harrisburg, Nursing and Health Professions; and Brian Joseph Smith of Jonesboro, University College. 

Here is more detailed information about each recipient, in alphabetical order by college:

Agriculture - Sach Oliver Oliver will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business from the College of Agriculture. He plans to attend law school and eventually work in governmental affairs. A former Student Government Association president, Oliver is also involved in many other student organizations, including Delta Tau Alpha honor society, ASU Farm Bureau Club and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He was also the recipient of the Dr. Olen P. Nail Award for the Outstanding Junior in the College of Agriculture in 2002. Oliver's parents are Jeanie and Eddy Oliver of Salem. His advisor is Dr. Paul Armah.

Arts and Sciences - Stella J. Phillips Phillips will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in English from the College of Arts and Sciences. Her future plans are to attend law school. She is a Trustees' Scholar and is the recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. She was also a nominee for the Rhodes Scholarship and the British Marshall Scholarship, and was a Truman Scholarship finalist. Phillips parents are Lynn Phillips of Walnut Ridge and Casey Phillips of Clover Bend. Her advisor is Dr. Deborah Chappel. 

Business - Stephen McDaniel McDaniel will graduate in May with bachelor's degree in finance with an emphasis in insurance from the College of Business. He plans to continue his career in law enforcement. He is a President's List student and member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma. McDaniel is married to Celeste McDaniel of Jonesboro. His advisor is Mr. David Kern. 

Communications - Brandy Craig Craig graduated in Magna Cum Laude in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the College of Communications. She is currently working for Communications Development, a full-service advertising and public relations agency. Craig was a recipient of the Adrian Headly Memorial Scholarship. She was also an ASU nominee for the 2003 Best and Brightest. Craig is the daughter of Judy and Chester Agee of Brookland. Her advisor is Dr. Joel Gambill. 

Education - Paige Higgins Higgins will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in exercise science from the College of Education. She plans to attend either medical or physical therapy school. She has been on the President's List every semester during her undergraduate study, and was named to Who's Who Among Students at American Colleges and Universities. She was also the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award in 2001. Her parents are Luann and Clarence Higgins Jr. of Jonesboro. Dr. Thomas Adams is her advisor.

Engineering - Leah Minge Minge graduated in December with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering. Her future plans are to attend graduate school. Minge received the Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Graduate award in March. She was also a board member of the ASU Engineering Advisory Council and has been co-captain and captain of the ASU Cheerleading squad. Her parents are Harriet and Roger Minge of Mountain Home. Dr. Brad Edgar is her advisor. 

Fine Arts - Nicole Lea Carroll Carroll will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in music composition from the College of Fine Arts. She plans to attend graduate school and study electronic and film music. She has received many honors for her music compositions including a scholarship for the summer of 2001 to study at the Brevard Music Center. Her compositions for electronic media and video were also selected for performances at the Electronic Music Midwest Festival. Carroll is the daughter of Becky Carroll of Alexander and Jimmy Carroll of Camden. Her advisor is Dr. Tim Crist.

Nursing and Health Professions - Jill Suzanne May May will graduate in May with a degree in communication disorders from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She plans to attend graduate school for a master's degree in communication disorders. She was named to Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities and is a member of several honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi. She has also been on the President's List for seven consecutive semesters. May's parents are Judy and James May of Harrisburg. Dr. Mike McDaniel is her advisor.

University College - Brian Joseph Smith Smith will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in digital media and design from University College. His future plans are to work in creating interactive media and to start his own business. Smith is a President's List and Dean's List student. He is also the first graduate from Fine Arts to receive a degree in digital media and design. He is the son of Patricia and Denzil Smith of Jonesboro. His advisor is Dr. Kim Vickrey.

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