Three students were recently recognized as outstanding students by their departments in the College of Science and Technology at Southern Arkansas University.
Courtney McHughes, a senior agriculture sciences major from Little Rock, was named Outstanding Student from the College of Science and Technology. She was also recognized as Outstanding Student from the Department of Agriculture.
“She spends hours tutoring, advising, and assisting students in a variety of courses that are taught at SAU,” said Dr. Jim Tollett, chair of the Department of Agriculture. “She is particularly effective in working with incoming freshmen, helping them to adjust to college and tutoring them in courses ranging from Spanish, English, agriculture, chemistry, mathematics, and biology.”
McHughes has participated in several research projects while at SAU. She has studied stem cell and cloning in dairy cattle, Title 7 – American Agriculture Farm Bill, history of the saddle in equine, and bovine trichomoniasis in beef cattle.
She is a member of the Biology Club, Pre-Vet Club, Ag Club-Collegiate FFA, Rodeo Club, and Spanish Club. She was also inducted into Alpha Chi and Beta Beta Beta. She was the recipient of the 2004-05 Senior Ag Student of the Year Award, the first student chosen from SAU to attend the American Future Agriculture Leaders Conference in Kansas City, chosen to represent SAU at the District 4 Association of Student Advancement Programs Conference in 2004 and 2005, chosen as the first student to publish in the poultry publication of the Nashville News, and held Presidential and Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarships throughout her collegiate career.
McHughes has served as president of the President’s Ambassadors, president and/or vice president of Pre-Vet Club, group leader at Leadership Academy, orientation leader at Mulerider Round-up, historian of the Spanish Club, and secretary of the Rodeo Club.
“Courtney is a truly professional student,” said Tollett. “She is honest, trustworthy, goal oriented and is a champion in advising others to be ethical in their collegiate endeavors. She is a professional, and her demeanor and character exemplify that professionalism.”
The Department of Biology chose Kiley Aaron Smith as its Outstanding Student. Smith is a senior biological science major from Temple, Texas.
“Kiley is a fine person,” said Dr. James Rasmussen, chair of the Department. “He is well-respected by faculty and peers.”
Smith is a member of the Biology Club, Chemistry Club, Beta Beta Beta, and Lambda Alpha. He was also inducted in to Alpha Chi. He was a member of the track team and was chosen as an Academic All-American.
“The commitment of time needed to be a competitive athlete speaks highly of his ability to manage time to become a genuine student athlete,” said Rasmussen.
Smith was accepted into Baylor College of Dentistry with a major scholarship.
Miranda Caswell was chosen as the Outstanding Student from the Department of Physical Science and Technology.
Caswell is a senior chemistry and biological science double major from Magnolia.
“Miranda is a very trustworthy and honest young lady,” said Dr. Rudy Eichenberger, chair of the Department.
She is a member of Lambda Alpha Beta, Physical Science Club, Beta Beta Beta, and the Biology Club. She was inducted into Alpha Chi.
For three years, Caswell has served as a chemistry lab assistant. She is also a supplemental instructor in the Tutoring Center.
“She is always willing to help classmates and professors,” said Eichenberger. “She has a great attitude toward everyone and everything.”
