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Southeastern Honors Top 10 Freshmen

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
November 3, 2008

Front row: Jenna Blakely, Jackie Arend, Randall Self, Brittney Orr, Heather Heltcel. Back row: Student Government Association president Adam Lovell, Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Minks, Meagan Newman, Staci Lammers, Phylicia Vandawalker, Lindsay Washer, Tiffany Jeter, President Michael Turner, and Associate Dean of Academic Services Tim Boatmun.

DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University honored the Top 10 Freshmen with an awards ceremony and reception Friday in the Student Union auditorium.

The Office of Freshman Programs hosted the event.

These students were selected by a committee consisting of representatives from the faculty senate, student government and university administration. The group has a collective 3.72 grade-point average and the members are involved in numerous activities and community service projects that benefit not only SE, but the entire Durant area.

The 2007-08 Top 10 Freshmen are: Jackie Arend, Jenna Blakeley, Heather Heltcel, Tiffany Jeter, Staci Lammers, Meagan Newman, Brittney Orr, Randell Self, Phylicia Vandawalker, and Lindsay Washer.

Jackie Arend is an Accounting/Finance major from Tulsa. As a member of the Honors Program, she took second place for the Honors English Essay contest and earned a scholarship from her scores on the University-administered ACT-CAP. She is a member of the Savage Storm volleyball team and a leader on the court and in the classroom. She is active with the Southeastern Bible Center and volunteers at Families Feeding Families and the Durant Special Olympics.

Jenna Blakely is a Communication major from Ardmore. She serves as president of the Catholic Student Association, is a contributing writer for the Southeastern student newspaper and a disc jockey for KSSU campus radio. She is active in the Residence Hall Association, serving as Secretary and National Communications Coordinator, as well as being a resident assistant in North Hall. As a result of her leadership, she was selected as a Savage Storm Leader in spring of 2008.

Heather Heltcel is a Chemistry/Biology double major from Lindsay. She is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and serves as the Community Service Chair. She has organized a canned-food drive, a teddy bear drive, breast cancer activities and Sweets for Soldiers. She has been a part of Greek Week, Homecoming, and assisted new freshmen on Move-In Day. While working in the Admissions Office, she was selected to give campus tours to prospective students and their families.

Tiffany Jeter of Durant is a Business Administration major with an emphasis in Marketing. She was selected as a member of the 2007-08 President’s Leadership Class where she participated in various campus activities. In the spring semester, she was elected as the New Member Treasurer for the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and serves as the Chaplain and Fundraising Coordinator. She is a member of the symphonic band and participates in the Baptist Collegiate Ministries activities.

Staci Lammers is an Elementary Education major from Denison, Texas. She holds officer positions in the National Panhellenic Council and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She is also a member of the University band and Kappa Kappa Pi. Because of her leadership skills, she was chosen to be a 2008 Savage Storm Leader, which gives her the opportunity to participate in projects and events on campus, including helping assist incoming freshmen make the transition from high school to college.

Meagan Newman is a Theatre Management and Promotions major from Coppell, Texas, who was chosen to be stage manager for two large productions. She has written press releases and her designs were selected to be the posters for Intrusion and Oklahoma for the Theatre Department. She was inducted into Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honorary Theatre Society, and serves as chapter secretary. As a member of the Honors Program, she has been involved with creating study groups for honor students and assisting with Honors Day.

Brittney Orr is a Communication major from Tulsa. She is an active member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and has served as Ritual Chair, Song Chair, and Greek Week Committee Member. She currently serves as vice-president for the Panhellenic Council. As a member of the President’s Leadership Class, she has had several opportunities to be involved on campus, including Homecoming, Parents’ Day, and serving as a Savage Storm Leader.

Randall Self is a Music Education major from Denison, Texas. He has been involved in many campus events, such as Violence Prevention Group, John Parnell Marching Band competition, Sears Cloth and Child, SE block party, Wii Got Game Night, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the marching band, jazz band, symphonic band, pep band, and the orchestra for the musical, Oklahoma. He is also a part of the Music Educators National Conference.

Phylicia Vandawalker is an Elementary Education major from McAlester. She is a cheerleader and takes pride in being a role model and encouraging others to have school spirit. She was elected president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and organizes all activities for the program. She is involved in the Residence Hall Association, as well as numerous other campus organizations. While working in the Office of Student Life, she helps students, faculty, and staff with various events and problems.

Lindsay Washer is a Speech Pathology major from Colbert. She was involved in several community service activities and played a major role in the HPV Awareness Campaign through the Bryan County Turning Point Coalition. She is a charter member of the Leadership Mentoring Program sponsored by Student Support Services, and also a member of the Native American Student Association, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and Student Bible Center. She has performed at various events as a singer/songwriter.