Four students from the College of Science and Technology at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, were recognized as the top students for the 2005-06 academic year.
Ly Phan, a computer science major who graduated in December was recognized as the outstanding student from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science as well as the College of Science and Technology Outstanding Student.
While at SAU, Phan served as secretary of the Mathematics and Computer Science Club and as team leader of the SAU programming team for the ACM Programming Contest and was an active member of the French Club and International Student Association.
Phan has been named to the Dean’s List every semester during her tenure at SAU. She was also inducted into Alpha Chi and received the SAU Retention Scholarship for International Students for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years. In December 2005, Phan was selected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
She won first place at the SAU programming contest and third place in the SAU writing contest. She led the SAU programming team to represent SAU at the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest and helped ensure the team’s best performance in recent years. She volunteered to work at the 2004 Arkansas Literary Festival at Little Rock as part of the SAU Writing Center.
Sailesh Tripathi, an engineering-physics and mathematics double major from Kathmandu, Nepal, was named the outstanding student from the Department of Physical Science and Technology.
Tripathi is a member of the Engineering Club, Lambda Alpha Beta, Alpha Chi, International Student Association, and the Soccer Club.
His undergraduate research project was “Solar energy transmission by optical fibers.” It is scheduled for presentation at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
The Department of Agriculture named Stephanie Dickerson as its outstanding student. Dickerson is an agricultural education major from Hot Springs.
Dickerson has tutored students in numerous subjects in agriculture, helped advise students, and was the assistant in the computer labs. She regulated the agricultural computer usage.
She has been described as “honest, personable, goal oriented, prompt with assignments, and courteous to everyone.”
While at SAU, Dickerson has been active in the Collegiate FFA and Alpha Tau Alpha, where she served as vice president. She is a member of the National Agriculture Teacher Association.
Tonjeh Mary Stella Bah, a biological science major from Cameroon, was named the Department of Biology Outstanding Student.
Bah has served as president of Tri Beta and the Biology Club, vice president of the Chemistry Club, secretary/treasurer of the Residence Hall Association, and treasurer of the International Student Association. She was a National Residence Hall Honorary, named Resident Assistant of the Year, and served on the Bussey Hall Council.
She was also inducted Alpha Chi, Tri Beta, National Residence Hall Honorary, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and the National Dean’s List.
During her sophomore and junior years, Bah has served as an algebra, chemistry, and biology tutor. She was also a supplemental instructor in statistics in her junior and senior years.
