NSU Rozell scholarship winners announced

Tahlequah, Okla. In recognition of their dedication to service and leadership, Northeastern State University seniors Jasmine Miller of Tahlequah and Nicholas Highsmith of Miami, Okla., are the recipients of the 2011-12 scholarships from the Senator Herb Rozell Scholars Program.

Miller will graduate in May 2012 with a B.S. in human and family science dietetics. Her activities include Northeastern Activities Board, Delta Zeta Sorority, Food Nutrition and Dietetics Club and volunteer work with the Cherokee County Humane Society.

Highsmith will also graduate in May 2012, with a B.A. in social studies education. His activities include NSU Honors Program, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Northeastern State University Student Foundation and volunteer work with Crescent Valley Baptist Church and Grace Living Center.

Miller and Highsmith both said the importance of service to the community was instilled in them when they were children.

My parents always insisted I serve within our church, even as a kid, Miller said. It is so rewarding to end the day knowing I have made a difference in at least one persons life. I enjoy being involved in service-oriented activities because helping others also makes me happy.

With a growing global population creating greater humanitarian demands, Highsmith said his generation must be service-oriented.

We need to produce citizens with proactive mindsets, he said. We must be willing to put others first and always be willing to give back. A great future lies ahead of us if we can become selfless and hands-on in making our world a better place.

Established to honor the outstanding works and deeds of the former state senator, who dedicated 28 years of public service to the people of District 3 and the State of Oklahoma, the Senator Herb Rozell Scholars Program recognizes NSU seniors with tremendous campus and community leadership, outstanding scholastic achievement and commitment to excellence for the future. The program is funded by private donations to the NSU Foundation, and was established in 2004 by Rozells friends and family upon the senators retirement from the state legislature.

Each year the two undergraduate recipients of the scholarship receive a $1,000 award and lead the planning and execution of NSUs annual Big Event on the last Saturday of March.

Miller applied for the scholarship in hopes of offering further service to her hometown.

Tahlequah is where I grew up and I really want to give back to the place that has provided a home and a great life for me, she said. The Big Event gives so much to my community and I really wanted to be a part of that. I know I will learn so much and really be able to use my leadership skills.

Highsmith said he would like to deepen the involvement of Tahlequah High School students in the Big Event.

I think having THS students volunteer begins the process a little earlier of dedicating to service, he said. There is so much potential with the Big Event. The community of Tahlequah has offered and done so much for us and it is an opportunity for us to return the generosity.