UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SENIOR HONOR CITATION BANQUET HONORS TWO UA STUDENTS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Alumni Association honored two UA students at the 2002 Senior Honor Citation banquet at 7 p.m., Friday, April 12, at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

The awards were given to senior Jennifer David of Friendswood, Texas and senior Ben Hood of Benton.

The Senior Honor Citation was established by the Arkansas Alumni Association 37 years ago to recognize the senior man and woman who exhibit outstanding academic achievement, campus and community involvement and leadership. The citation includes a personal memento, a $1,000 award and permanent recognition on the Honor Wall at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

Candidates are nominated by faculty and administrators based on the candidates' achievements. A faculty committee representing each college or school makes the final selection.

Jennifer David has been involved in both the community and on campus as a leader.

David's academic qualifications spotlight her 4.0 GPA, designation last year as a Presidential Scholar in the College of Education and Health Professions and recognition this year as a Senior Scholar.

She entered the U of A as a Chancellor’s Scholar and has been recognized as a Razorback Classic and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, honored as a member of Golden Key Honor Society, and selection to her sorority’s highest honor circle.

Her campus involvement includes: service to the admissions office as a recruiter on the SMART recruiting team and in her hometown, Student Ambassador for the College of Education and Health Professions, holder of three key offices in her sorority, Community Service chair for Panhellenic, Razorback Diamond Dolls for four years and as president of the Campus Girl Scouts.

The Fayetteville Community has benefited from her presence in many diverse ways. She has been a project leader for Make A Difference Day and a team captain for four Race for the Cure events. She has led Brownie and Girl Scout Troops since 1999 and has been a peer minister at her church.

As an elementary education major, David has put her training to practical use as the SOAR junior supervisor at Carlson Terrace apartments where she teaches and organizes activities for a diverse group, including Indonesians, Chinese, Hondurans and Columbians. This experience was highlighted by a presentation for the Southwest Districts Association of College and University Housing Officers for which she received "top presenter" honors.

Upon graduation, she will seek a masters in teaching with plans for a doctorate degree and eventual work at the collegiate level as a professor or administrator.

A third generation UA student, Ben Hood has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and the Heifer Project International. He has capitalized on his interest in government, serving as an intern for both the U of A in governmental relations and a congressman. He is also identified as the campus representative for Apple computers.

As a campus leader, he has served Associated Student Government as a senator, (earning recognition as Senator of the Year) and also chaired the Finance and Technology Fee Committees and the Election Commission. He headed the University Programs Issues and Ideas Committee while also serving on the Student Fee Review Board, Health Center Advisory Committee and Computing Infrastructure Committee. His diverse interests resulted in his founding the campus Star Trek Fan Club which raised money for Undergraduate Space Research and organizing a campus film festival.

A dual major in computer engineering and physics, Hood's academic achievements have brought positive academic recognition to the U of A. Entering as a Bodenhamer Fellow, he has conducted research in astronomy. His talent has been recognized by his selection as a Barry Goldwater Fellow, a Marshall Scholar and a Rhodes Scholar finalist. In February he was named to the USA Today All-USA College Academic Team (in effect becoming an Academic All-American) and the only UA student ever selected to the first team.

He plans to use the Marshall Scholarship to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics at St. Andrews in Scotland.

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