Students honored at Student Leadership Banquet

The Midwestern State University outstanding student awards were announced at the Student Leadership Banquet May 1. 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.   

Alex Pappas and Zahnela Claxton were named MSU Man and Woman of the Year.

Pappas, an accounting major, serves as president of Alpha Chi and vice-president of Delta Mu Delta, and is a member of the German Club, Mortar Board, and the Texas Society of CPA's.    Alex has been named to the President's Honor Roll from 2006 to present and was the Outstanding Junior Man for 2007-2008.

            Claxton, who is majoring in psychology and Spanish, serves as president of Psi Chi, vice-president of Alpha Chi and vice-president of Mortar Board. She is also Career Educator for Mustangs Career Ed, a member of the MSU Lions Club and peer counselor for MSU Spirit Days. Zahnela is a Mustangs Rally host, logistics chairperson for Relay for Life, a member of MSU Unity and Diversity Council, and a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.   

Outstanding Graduate Man was Nathan Brown, an English major. He serves as a member of Sigma Tau Delta, Mortar Board and the Coalition of Anime Lovers.  He has been a teaching assistant in the English Department since 2007.  Nathan is a recipient of the 2009 Harry Brown Award and has co-authored several books. Off-campus, Nathan tutors English at Vernon College and is the World Pugilance League Guest Relations Staff Volunteer.

Outstanding Graduate Woman was Amanda Tettleton, an accounting major. She serves as president of the MSU Lions Club and is a member of the Accounting Society.

Off campus, her volunteer activities include mentoring school-aged children through Partners-In-Education, home building with Habitat for Humanity, assisting in tax preparations sponsored by the United Way and helping with activities at The Gables Nursing Home.

Outstanding Senior Man was Liam Guthrie, a biology and chemistry major. He is president of the Pre-Professional Health Sciences Society, vice-president of Beta Beta Beta, vice-chairperson of the Honors Program Student Committee, and a member of the Biology Club and the American Chemical Society. He is a member of the Wichita County Democrats, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union and Keep Texas Beautiful Campaign. Guthrie is a resident assistant for the Honors House and has served as a Mustangs Rally host for the past seven semesters.

Outstanding Senior Woman was Kerilyn Edwards, majoring in Management Information Systems. She is a member of MSU Lions Club, Association of Information Technology Professionals, Caribbean Students Organization, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Mortar Board and Delta Mu Delta. She was awarded the Dillard College of Business "Intern of the Year for 2008." She has served in many volunteer activities including committee chair for planning and executing the fall 2008 Caribfest.

Outstanding Junior Man was Everaldo Aguiar and Outstanding Junior Woman was Samantha Tomei.

Outstanding Sophomore Man was Joshua Loeffler and Outstanding Sophomore Woman was Nicole Savage.

Outstanding Freshman Man was Laud Mills and Outstanding Freshman Woman was Caesarina Paul.

The Alumni Award was presented to Chelsea Humphrey. The Catholic Campus Ministry won the James L. Stewart Service Award and Liam Guthrie won the Viola Grady Leadership Scholarship.