NSU Alumni Association recognizes Outstanding Seniors

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Following the announcement of this years Outstanding Seniors, Northeastern State Universitys Alumni Association has named two Jack Kaufman Seniors of Distinction.

The Outstanding Seniorsfrom the Tahlequah campus were recognized at the Ovation Awards on April 11. Those from the Broken Arrow campus were honored at the Student Leadership Awards Banquet on April 30. From the Tahlequah campus, Taylor Melone, and from the Broken Arrow campus, Christina Forrester, were selected as the Seniors of Distinction.

Melone and Fullerton were among 12 students selected as Outstanding Senior, based on their level of contribution to NSU through university and community service, academic achievements, honors and awards:

NSU-TahlequahOutstandingSeniors:

• Stephanie Bolen of Muskogee, English education and theater majors
• Steven English of Broken Arrow, corporate communication major, political science minor
• Allison Feather of Fort Smith, AR, human family sciences-dietetics major, business and chemistry minor
• Jami Guthrie of Park Hill, elementary education major
• Casey McCullough of Mustang, cellular biology major, chemistry and Spanish minors
• Allison Medlin of Tahlequah, speech-language pathology major
• Taylor Melone of Tulsa, environmental management major, business minor
• Natali Melton of Beggs, elementary education major
• Matthew Ozturk of Park Hill, finance and accounting majors
• Sadie Spurlock of Inola, elementary education major

NSU-Broken Arrow Outstanding Seniors:

• Christina Forrester of Broken Arrow, elementary education major
• Krystie Johnson of Okmulgee, early childhood education major

NSU has made a significant impact on my undergraduate career, Melone said. It was certainly humbling to be honored and selected for this. I've enjoyed every aspect of my involvement on and off campus and Im proud to be a part of such a great class ofseniors.

NSU staff and faculty members nominate students for theOutstandingSenioraward. In turn, the Alumni Association Board of Directors reviews all applications from which the final selections are made. TheOutstandingSeniorsthen participate in personal interviews with the Alumni Association boards selection committee from which the Jack KaufmanSeniorsof Distinction are determined.

The Jack KaufmanSeniorof Distinction awardis named for a man whose life was forever intertwined withNortheastern. Mr. Kaufmans career and life were dedicated to helping students achieve their goals. As one of NSUs most active and influential alumni, one of his greatest accomplishments was driving the effort that led to the construction of the Branscum Alumni Center.

Mr. Kaufman was a tremendous advocate for all things Northeastern, but especially a great champion for its students. Given his affinity for working with students and his leadership with the Alumni Association, it's only natural that we honor his memory and contributions with this prestigious award, Daniel Johnson, director of Alumni Services said.

To be eligible for either recognition, the nominees must be graduating with a bachelors degree; have an overall 3.25 grade point average or higher; demonstrate commitment to NSU, the community and/or student life through extracurricular involvement or service to others; be a well-rounded student who typifies the spirit of NSU; must be ofoutstandingquality, high moral and ethical character, and a leader; they must also be held in the highest regard by faculty, colleagues and their peers.

For more information about theOutstandingSeniorAwards or the Jack KaufmanSeniorsof Distinction, contact the Alumni Association at 918-458-2143.