Students honored at Student Leadership Banquet

The Midwestern State University outstanding student awards were announced at the Student Leadership Banquet April 28. The awards are presented annually to recognize student leadership and academic excellence at MSU. The nominations were made by organizations or academic programs and were based on character, university service, leadership and outstanding scholarship.    

Nhan LeDai Nguyen and Laura Rachael Kair were named MSU Man and Woman of the Year.

Nhan is a business computer information systems major. He serves as vice president of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, president of the International Student Association, vice president of Delta Mu Delta, and senior student senator for the Student Government Association. He is a member of the University Programming Board, Circle K International, Catholic Campus Center, Student Ambassadors, Mortar Board Cap & Gown Chapter and Alpha Chi. He has been named to the President's Honor Roll, is an MSU Clark Scholar and named to Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Nhan was selected to attend the 2005 Monster Diversity Leadership Program where approximately 2,000 students were accepted among 23,400 applicants.

Laura Kair, majoring in biology and chemistry, serves as vice president of Beta Beta Beta, president of the Pre-Professional Health Sciences Society, secretary/treasurer of the American Chemical Society, treasurer for the Biology Club, treasurer for the Math Club, and a member of Alpha Chi and Gamma Sigma Epsilon. She was a Hardin Scholar Finalist, named to the President's Honor Roll, and was a President's Leadership Scholar. Off campus, Laura volunteers at the Humane Society of Wichita Falls and Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Outstanding Graduate Man was Hoang Duc Bui, a computer science major. He is a member and webmaster of the International Student Association, and a senator for Upsilon Pi Epsilon in the Student Government Association. Hoang has had several research papers published while at MSU and is currently a member of a research team headed by Dr. Nelson Passos which designs new computer cluster architectures. He is also a member of a research team led by Mr. Richard Simpson which is investigating the automation of archeological pottery fragment reconstruction.    

Outstanding Graduate Woman was Laura Anne Harmon, a major in biology. She is a member of Beta Beta Beta, American Chemical Society Student Affiliate and the Biology Club. Laura has worked as a research assistant under Dr. Fred Stangl compiling data that will soon be submitted for publication. She teaches anatomy and physiology labs, participates in the chemistry carnival for the Boys & Girls club, and coordinates an MCAT prep course. In her final year of undergraduate studies, she implemented a campus-wide recycling program that is still being maintained. 

Outstanding Senior Man was Marvyn Luxcy Boatswain, a marketing major.    He is Vice-President of the Student Government Association and President of the Student Senate. Marvyn has represented the student body on the Student Academic Council, Student Enrollment Management Committee, and Chair of the Student Traffic Appeals Committee. Marvyn is a member of the Caribbean Student Organization and the "A-Team." He also serves as Peer Counselor and College Day Host. Marvyn has been certified by the National Conference of Student Leaders as a Certified Student Leader. He is a member of Alpha Chi and Mortar Board as well as being named to Who's Who Among Universities and the President's Honor Roll. Off-campus, Marvyn spends time as a mentor at the East Side Boys & Girls Club, volunteering at Senior Citizen Services of

,  and is involved with the choir at First Assembly of God Church.        

Outstanding Senior woman was Melissa Ken-Nea Yip, a mass communication and Spanish major. She serves as president for the Media Club and co-chair of the Honors Student Committee. Melissa is a member of the University Programming Board, Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic Studies Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor society, Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta. She serves as a Student Ambassador, reporter/director of MSU2 Campus Watch and is outgoing Student Government Association Secretary for 2005. She has also served as Spirit Days Peer Counselor, College Day Preview Host and has assisted with New Student Orientation Programs. Melissa is a recipient of the Shanor Scholarship, Fain Fine Arts Endowment, Priddy Foundation Scholarship and Espinosa Mass Communication Scholarship.  

Outstanding Junior Man was Anthony Joseph Anderson and Outstanding Junior Woman was Jeanine Louise Christian.

Outstanding Sophomore Man was Jason Alan York and Outstanding Sophomore Woman was Amber Denise Kappel.

Outstanding Freshman Man was Hezron Kimani Wade and Outstanding Freshman Woman was Erin Kathleen Short.

The Alumni Award was presented to Laura Rachael Kair. The Catholic Campus Ministry won the James L. Stewart Service Award and Melissa Ken-Nea Yip won the Viola Grady Leadership Scholarship.

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4/15/05