Recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards were (seated, from left) Mary Joshua of North Little Rock; Jake Hampton of Stamps; Courtney Rowe of Stamps; Pamela Cummings of Pine Tree; (standing) Shannon Crocker of Crossett; Caitlyn Mitchell of Menifee, Calif., and Serena Ann Burchett of Jacksonville.

Wilson Award and Distinguished Service Awards presented at Honors Ceremony

April 11, 2005 -- Jake Hampton of Stamps, a senior at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, today was named the recipient of the 119th R.E. Lee Wilson Award for 2004-2005 at the 72nd annual Student Honors Awards Ceremony and Reception in the new Student Union Auditorium. 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.

Hampton will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The outgoing 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. Perry Wilson, a great-great-grandson and long-time supporter of ASU, presented this year’s award. Wilson read quotes from the letters of nomination while introducing Hampton as the Wilson Award winner. The writers described Hampton as a student who “is highly motivated to achieve, a characteristic which explains his success so far and guarantees that he will be heard from in the future.”  Another nominator wrote, “His resume is long enough for someone twice his age. He epitomizes everything that the Wilson Award stands for.” Hampton also was named one of seven recipients of the Distinguished Service Award.

Other DSA winners were Serena Ann Burchett of Jacksonville; Shannon Crocker of Crossett; Pamela Cummings of Pine Tree; Mary Joshua of North Little Rock; Caitlyn Mitchell of Menifee, Calif., and Courtney Rowe of Stamps. Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor 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:

Jacob Neil Hampton of Stamps -- A Dean’s List student, Jake will graduate in May with a bachelor of arts in political science from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Jake has been active in campus organizations since he first arrived on campus. He is President of the Student Government Association and has been named to several high level appointments including the university search committee and the shared governance committee. Jake is a member Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, a Global Student Leader, a Tribal Leader and a member of the Student Alumni Chapter and the Student Activities Board as well as a Presidential Ambassador. He was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He is a recipient of the Rotary International Scholarship, the Eisenhower Scholars Award and was named Greek Man of the Year. Just recently, Jake has been selected to serve a congressional internship for the summer in Washington with U.S. Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas. He is the son of Kenny and Dinnah Hampton of Stamps. Jake’s advisor is Dr. David England.

Caitlyn Mitchell of Menifee, California -- Caitlyn is a member of the women’s volleyball team where she serves as team captain. She is attending ASU on an athletic scholarship and is a President’s and Dean’s list student, in addition to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Caitlyn is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and is a sports writer for the student newspaper, The Herald. This year, she received the Adrian Headley Public Relations Scholarship. Caitlyn volunteers in many community and campus organizations and events to benefit children and families. She will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in journalism-public relations. Caitlyn is the daughter of Richard and Kelly Mitchell of Menifee, California. Her advisor is Dr. Marlin Shipman.

Pamela Cummings of Pine Tree (Ark.) -- Pamela will graduate in May as a double major with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the College of Communications. An active member of the Student Government Association, Pamela has served as a Senator for three years and is chief of staff this year. In addition to her service on numerous other SGA committees, she was chair of the Action Fund which distributed $100,000 to support student events. She is active in the Student Alumni Chapter, Society of Leaders, Pi Sigma Alpha, and several other campus organizations. Pamela was selected to be a Tribal Leader and worked at Camp ASU this past year. She is the recipient of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, the President’s Scholarship and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2003. She is the daughter of Arvin and Linda Cummings of Pine Tree. Her advisors are Dr. Gil Fowler and Dr. Ross Marlay.

Serena Ann Burchett of Jacksonville -- Serena will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in journalism-advertising from the College of Communications. A Dean’s List student, she has been active in many organizations including Chi Omega social sorority, national pan-Hellenic conference, the Student Government Association and serving as president of the ASU Advertising Federation. Serena is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Order of Omega, and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and elected to the Homecoming Court in 2004. For the last three years, she has participated in the Cancer Society Relay for Life as well as the Race for the Cure. She is the daughter of Dick Burchett of Alexander and Bonnie Dove of Jacksonville. Her advisor is Dr. Joel Gambill.

Shannon N. Crocker of Crossett -- A President’s List and Dean’s List student, Shannon will graduate in May with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She is active in numerous philanthropic campus and community organizations, especially those which benefit children and health care. She is a member of Phi Mu sorority, the ASU Women’s Ensemble, Student Nurses Association, Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society and Order of the Omega Honor Society. Shannon is a recipient of the Presidents Scholarship, Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, St. Bernards Medical Center Scholarship and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is married to Anthony Crocker of Pocahontas and is the daughter of Janice King of Crossett and the late John F. King. Her advisor is Annette Stacy.

Courtney Michelle Rowe of Stamps -- A President’s List and Dean’s List student, Courtney will graduate in May with a bachelor of science degree in journalism-public relations from the College of Communications. She is active in numerous leadership roles on campus and in the community. Among those are: Student Government Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, National Panhellenic Council, Undergraduate Research Society, Alpha Omicron Pi, Student Activities Board, and the National Broadcasting Society. Courtney was selected as a Global Student Leader, Tribal Leader, and to participate in Camp ASU and the ASU Strategic Planning Committee. She was named as the Most Outstanding Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Greek Woman of the Year and was selected as a nominee for the Phi Kappa Phi fellowship and the Dean Moore Leadership Scholarship. Just recently, Courtney has been selected to serve a congressional internship for the summer in Washington with U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Kaye Rowe of Stamps. Her advisor is Dr. Gil Fowler.

Mary Joshua of North Little Rock -- Mary will graduate in May with a degree in business management and a minor in marketing from the College of Business. She, too, is a President’s List and Dean’s List student as well as being named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Mary has held many campus leadership positions and has an extensive list of student involvement, in addition to many philanthropic activities in the community. She has served as President of the Student Activities Board which oversees a $90,000 budget. She is President of the Marketing Club and serves as a Senator in the Student Government Association. She is the daughter of Michael and Martha Joshua of Sherwood. Her advisor is Christy Qualls Valentine.

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