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from Arkansas State University

For Release: March 31, 2003
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(L-R) Minge, Rehder, Oliver, Scaife, Harris

Wilson Award, Distinguished Service Awards given at Convocation Ceremony

Sach Oliver (center) of Viola, a senior at Arkansas State University, today was named recipient of the 117th R.E. Lee Wilson Award for 2002-2003 at the 70th annual Student Honors Awards Ceremony.

The Wilson Award, ASU's most prestigious student award, is presented annually to the most outstanding recent graduate or graduating senior. Selection from among the nominees is based upon character, determination, involvement and academic achievement. 

Oliver will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in agricultural business from the College of Agriculture. The former president of the Student Government Association has played a key role in numerous student organizations and excelled in every aspect of his college career. The Wilson Award is presented at the annual Student Honors Reception during Convocation of Scholars, and is the highlight of the annual event. 

The award is named in honor of R.E. Lee Wilson, a member of the institution's Board of Trustees from 1917 to 1933. Wilson was dedicated to ASU's development in the early days, and his family has presented the award each year. Diana Wilson Gray, a great-granddaughter and long-time supporter of ASU, presented this year's award. 

Gray read quotes from the letters of nomination while introducing Oliver as the Wilson Award winner. The writers described Oliver as a student who has "tirelessly and whole-heartedly supported all areas of our university." "Sach is mature, decisive, intelligent and charismatic. He possesses strong determination and the will to succeed. He is a sincere person and has a great sense of pride for ASU. Sach's citizenship is outstanding and he has been endorsed as one of the finest students at Arkansas State University."

Oliver also was named one of five recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. Other DSA winners were Sara Harris of Forrest City; Leah Minge of Mountain Home; Gustavo Pamplona Rehder of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Lorna LaRee Scaife of Springfield. Dr. Rick Stripling, vice president for Student Affairs, presented the DSA awards, which are based on scholarship, contributions to student life, and involvement in university activities. All of the Distinguished Service Award winners have numerous achievements in leadership roles, campus activities and academics. Here are some highlights about each award recipient:

Sara Harris of Forrest City -- A Presidential Ambassador, Harris has served in many leadership positions on campus including secretary/treasurer for the Student Government Association, Student Alumni Chapter president and a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Harris was also Miss Arkansas 2000. She currently works as a community education instructor for East Arkansas Community College, Mid-South Community College and Mississippi County Community College teaching various classes for children and teenagers. She is the daughter of Bette and H.N. Green of Forrest City. Her advisor is Dr. Joel Gambill.

Leah Minge of Mountain Home -- A Cum Laude graduate, Minge has been actively involved in many organizations on campus including American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a board member of the ASU Engineering Advisory Council, ASU Student Alumni Chapter, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a member of Chi Omega sorority and she has been co-captain and captain of the ASU Cheerleading squad. She is a President's and Dean's List student and was named to Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. Choate was also a recipient of the Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Graduate award and a President's Scholar. Her parents are Harriet and Roger Minge of Mountain Home. Dr. Brad Edgar is her advisor.

Sach Oliver of Viola -- A President's and Dean's List student, Oliver has held several leadership positions including president of the Student Government Association, public relations director of ASU Farm Bureau Club, ASU Rodeo Team, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture honor society. He has also been the recipient of many awards and scholarships including the Dr. Olen P. Nail Award for Most Outstanding Junior in the College of Agriculture, and Monsanto and American Farm Bureau Commitment to Agriculture Scholarship. He was also named as a President's Scholar. Oliver is the son of Jeanie and Eddy Oliver of Salem. His advisor is Dr. Paul Armah.

Gustavo Pamplona Rehder of Sao Paulo, Brazil -- As a research assistant, Rehder has presented and co-authored many research papers, including one titled "Stability and Optimization of Photoconductivity in Thermally Vacuum Evaporated Indium (III) Sulfide Thin Films" to be published in the Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, in April. Rehder is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the IEEE Solid-State Society, Electrochemical Society and he was on the election committee for the Student Government Association in 2002. His parents are Beatriz Pamplona and Haraldo Rehder of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Robert D. Engelken is his advisor.

Lorna LaRee Scaife of Springfield -- A President's and Dean's List student, Scaife was also named Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She was involved in many organizations and offices on campus, including president of the Student Activities Board, senator for the Student Government Association, member of the Black Student Association and resident assistant for office of Residence Life. Scaife is the daughter of Paula Scaife of Springfield and Larry Scaife of Conway. Her advisor is Mr. Michael Doyle.

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