Hardin, Clark Scholars Named at Honors Recognition Banquet

The Hardin and Clark Scholars, the top academic honors at Midwestern State University, and other outstanding students were named Friday night at the Honors Recognition Banquet held in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

Cara Anne Mack, a mathematics major with a minor in business administration, was named Hardin Scholar. This is the university's highest award for academic excellence and was begun in 1961 by the Hardin Foundation. It is presented each spring to a student during his or her senior year and a $2,500 scholarship award is given with the honor.

Mack is from Llano, Texas, and is a student-athlete with the MSU track and cross country teams. She has received several awards including MSU's Top GPA Female Athlete and as the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Women's Academic Runner of the Year. Mack is a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, the National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Redwine Honors Program at MSU, the LSC Track and Field All-American Team, and the LSC Track All-Academic Team.

Mack's community service includes volunteering with cycling event The Duel, Hotter æN Hell Trail Race, and the MSU Cycling meet. She also volunteers with the MSU Great Day of Service, Mustangs Rally, and the Wee-Chi-Tah Half Marathon. Last summer, she participated in the MSU Study Abroad British Studies Program in London studying international issues in business. Mack plans to attend graduate school as she pursues a career in actuarial science.

Jesse Clyde Brown was named Clark Scholar. The Clark award was established in 1976 to honor E.B. Clark, a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MSU Foundation, and carries with it a $1,500 scholarship award. It is presented each spring to a student in his or her junior year.

Brown is pursuing a dual degree in criminal justice and management. Brister is a two-term president of the MSU Order of Kappa Alpha Society and is the chapter's National Undergraduate Chairman nominee for 2014. He also serves as treasurer of MSU's chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society and was a head peer counselor for MSU Spirit Days. Brown volunteers for the Salvation Army, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Interfaith Ministry, the American Cancer Center Relay for Life, the Adopt a Highway Program, and the Adopt a Family for Christmas Program. Brown plans to attend law school after graduation.