The Student Alumni Council at William Woods University has designated seven students as outstanding representatives of their classes.

They are:

Hannah Mansell of Jacksonville, Ill., Outstanding Freshman Award

Ashley Bauer of Warrenton, Mo., Outstanding Sophomore Award

Brandy Reagan of Montgomery City, Mo., Outstanding Sophomore Award

Erin Strickland of Lebanon, Mo., Outstanding Junior Award

Ben Struemph of Jefferson City, Mo., Outstanding Junior Award

Alicia Delaney of St. Peters, Mo., Outstanding Senior Award

Amy Gibson of Kirksville, Mo., Outstanding Senior Award

The Outstanding Student Awards are the only awards at William Woods University bestowed on students by the nomination and vote of other students. Nominees must demonstrate academic achievement, campus and community involvement and leadership.

 

William Woods University has designated 23 recent graduates as 2014 Distinguished Scholars.

The faculty of various disciplines at William Woods have the opportunity each spring to designate one graduating senior as a Distinguished Scholar. A minimum grade-point average of 3.4 is required, but the faculty may consider other relevant academic factors and variables in the selection process.

The Distinguished Scholars, their hometowns and their majors:

• Emily Barrett of Bull Valley, Ill., Eqine Administration
• Paige Baysinger of Fulton, Mo., Physical Education
• Robert Brandenburg of Montgomery City, Mo., Exercise Science
• Torrie Buehne of Saint Louis, Mo., Elementary Education
• Marcelo Carreiro of Curituba, Brazil, Sports Management
• Alicia Delaney of St. Peters, Mo., Communication
• Ashley DePew of Highland, Ill., Athletic Training
• Lacee Floyd of Littleton, Colo., Buisness Administration
• Shelby Jobe of Russellville, Mo., Interpreting
• Allie Malone of Chula Vista, Calif., Legal Studies
• Amanda Marty of Arnold, Mo., Biology
• Ashley McCaffrey of Olathe, Kan., Graphic Design
• Jennifer Morris of Overland Park, Kan., Psychology
• Jamie Palermo of Santa Fe, N.M., Management Information Systems
• Debra Parrott of Vandalia, Mo., Accounting
• Rebekah Savage of South Berwick, Maine, Equine General Studies
• Luesa Schader of Florence, Mo., Management Information Systems
• Katie Scherder of Bowling Green, Mo., Special Education
• Jennifer Schweiss of Jefferson City, Mo., Art Education
• Mary Raines Scriber of Bentonville, Ark., History
• Katherine Shikles of Columbia, Mo., Mathematics
• Megan Sprenger of Jefferson City, Mo., Elementary Education
• Ashley Sundin of Holt, Mo., Equestrian Science

  

  Ashley DePew

  

  Ashley McCaffrey

  

  Ashley Sundin

  
  

  

  Debra Parrott

  

  Emily Barrett

  

  Jamie Palermo

  
  

  

  Jennifer Morris

  

  Jennifer Schweiss

  

  Katherine Shikles

  
  

  

  Katie Scherder

  

  Lacee Floyd

  

  Luesa Shader

  
  

  

  Mary Raines Scriber

  

  Megan Sprenger

  

  Paige Baysinger

  
  

  

  Rebekah Savage

  

  Robert Brandenburg

  

  Shelby Jobe

  
  

  

  Torrie Buehne

  

  Alicia Delaney

  

  Allie Malone

  
  

  

  Amanda Marty

  

  Marcelo Carreiro

  
  
•  

During the 2013-2014 school year, four students were inducted into Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor society at William Woods University.

The students are:

• Katherine Carney of St. Peters, Mo.
• Kassie Davidson of Center City, Minn.
• T.J. Green of Brandon, Miss.
• Joe Merlotti of St. Louis, Mo.

Throughout the country, Alpha Psi Omega has sponsored the formation for theatre honor societies in high schools and colleges, with the aim of encouraging dramatic production at every step in a person’s academic career and to recognize and reward exemplary student participation in those productions. 

Nine new members were selected for membership in Alpha Chi Honor Society at William Woods University this past academic year.

Alpha Chi is a national honorary society whose objectives are to promote and recognize scholarships and the elements of character that make scholarship effective. It admits membership to students from all academic disciplines, recognizing academic accomplishments and providing opportunity for continued growth and service.

Chosen for membership were:

• Stephanie Edwards of Centralia, Mo.
• Teresa Hickman of Fulton, Mo.
• Sara McCahon of Jefferson City, Mo.
• Rachael Ostrem of Radcliffe, Iowa
• Joanie Ryan of Longmont, Colo.
• Megan Sprenger of Jefferson City, Mo.
• Cody Stewart of Temecula, Calif.
• Maria Vasilyeva of Moscow, Russia
• Anne Wehner of Kouts, Ind.

William Woods University inducted 10 students into the Pi Phi chapter of the Beta Beta Beta (Tri Beta) national biological honor society during the 2013-14 academic year.

Chosen as members were Eilie Cole of Friendswood, Texas; Alora Haney of Winchester, Kan.; Miranda McKee of Jefferson City, Mo.; Jordan McNamara of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Rachael Ostrem of Radcliffe, Iowa; Hallie Peters of St. Robert, Mo.; Sheridan Roe of Greenfield, Mass.; Joan Ryan of Longmont, Colo.; Desiree Strief of Lebanon, Mo.; and Bryn “Nick” Zink of Crocker, Mo.

Beta Beta Beta is a national biological honor society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study, as well as extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.

To be eligible for initiation, students must complete a minimum of three biology majors’ classes at WWU, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.25 in their biology classes.

CUTLINE:

Stephanie V. Walker reads part of the ceremony to initiates (left to right): Eilie Cole, Alora Haney, Miranda McKee, Jordan McNamara, Rachael Ostrem, Hallie Peters, Sheridan Roe, Joan Ryan, Desiree Strief, Bryn “Nick” Zink.

Six William Woods University students were inducted as new members of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society during the 2013-2014 academic year.

New members are:

• Maddie Bickell (pictured above)  of Eureka, Mo., who will serve as historian
• Symone Hurd of Auxvasse, Mo.
• Krisy Kyle of Jefferson City, Mo.
• Heather Rogers of Mexico, Mo.
• Amber Stumpe of Mexico, Mo.
• Laura Whisler of Mexico, Mo.

Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society organized to recognize excellence in education. Education students who have completed 60 hours or more and have achieved a grade point average of 3.25 or above are eligible for induction.  Dr. Michael Tan, associate professor of education, is the adviser at WWU.

American Sign Language educational interpreters working in rural K-12 schools are on the William Woods University campus for two weeks of training.

Nineteen interpreters are attending the session, which began Sunday and runs through July 18. The training is being conducted by WWU professors Becky Davis and Dr. Barbara Garrett.

“We are focusing on interpreting skill development and ASL language development,” Garrett said.

The Rural Educational Interpreter Skill Enhancement Training is co-sponsored by WWU and the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) and paid for by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

This is the ninth year the training has been provided at William Woods University.

Emily Barrett of Bull Valley, Ill., received the top equestrian award for graduating seniors at William Woods University.

Barrett is the 2014 Vera Chenoweth Outstanding Equestrian Graduate. The award is given annually to the overall outstanding equestrian science graduate. The recipient of this award must be an accomplished horseperson, as well as the person who has given the most service to the entire division over four years. The selection is made by the entire equestrian studies faculty.

Georgia Hellum-Willits of Portland, Ore., and Krista Spencer of Naperville, Ill., were the 2014 Atkinson Achievement recipients. The Atkinson Achievement Award is given annually to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most growth as a rider and horseperson while at WWU.

Three students were recognized as Distinguished Scholars: Barrett, equine administration; Ashley Sundin of Holt, Mo., equestrian science; and Rebekah Savage of South Berwick, Maine, equine general studies.

Faculties of the various disciplines may, but are not obliged to, designate graduating seniors as Distinguished Scholars. Eligibility requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4; the equestrian faculty also considers other relevant academic factors and variables in the selection  process.

In addition, each year the riding disciplines recognize outstanding graduating seniors in each discipline. Those recognized this year were:

• Sundin and Emma Staley of Cherry Hills Village, Colo., Dressage Appreciation Award
• Hellum-Willits, Western Appreciation Award
• Kristen Cuneo of East Kingston, N.H., and Katie Lash of Bellaire, Mich., Saddle Seat Appreciation Award
• Rachel Arnold of Prairie Village, Kan., Hunter/Jumper Appreciation Award

William Woods University Athletics Department is excited to announce that varsity men’s and women’s tennis will return to WWU, and competitive play will begin in the fall of 2015.

William Woods had women’s tennis teams from 1976 to 1999, but 2015 will be the inaugural season for men.

“We are eager to add two additional varsity sports to the William Woods athletics department,” said Director of Athletics Jason Vittone. “We are confident the sport of tennis is a great fit for our university and department. We are eager to start a search for our tennis coach and begin the recruiting process.”

One coach will be in charge of both the men’s and women’s tennis programs, starting in August 2014. During the 2014-15 academic year, the coach will recruit and the tennis courts will be resurfaced in preparation for the fall 2015 season.

In the American Midwest Conference (AMC), Missouri Baptist, Lindenwood-Belleville, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Stephens College sponsor women’s teams. Of those, all but Stephens have men’s tennis teams.

“Currently the AMC competes in an unaffiliated grouping to qualify for the national tournament,” said Vittone. “The conference needs six member institutions to receive an automatic bid. With William Woods adding tennis, it gets our conference one step closer to that goal.”

WWU athletics is coming off an outstanding 2013-14 season, with the university collecting 10 AMC Championships; qualifying six teams and eight individuals for Nationals; achieving an athletic department grade-point average above a 3 point; and recognizing 27 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, eight NAIA Scholar-Teams, 109 AMC Academic All-Conference recipients, 83 All-AMC honorees and 19 NAIA All-Americans.

William Woods University will host its 22nd annual Summer Riding Program, beginning June 29. The program provides both beginning and advanced riders a competitive riding experience in English hunter pleasure, hunt seat over fences, saddle seat and western riding disciplines.

Young riders and horse enthusiasts from all over the United States travel to attend this unique camp. The first session of the camp will take place June 29-July 4 for riders ages 14-18, with the second session July 6-11 for riders ages 10-13. Riders have the option to stay in on-campus residential halls or commute.

In addition to one or two riding lessons a day, campers will be able to participate in horse-related activities out of the saddle such as show grooming, equine management techniques and lessons in other equine-related topics. Each session will include demonstrations and discussions on horse health, anatomy, nutrition, conformation and the responsibilities of horse ownership.

“I am so excited to be a part of the summer riding program again this year,” Jennie Petterson, the program director and an assistant professor of equestrian studies, commented. “The energy and enthusiasm that the riders bring to WWU help to remind me about the sheer joy of just being around the horses. I am so proud that WWU is helping

to educate the younger generation of horse lovers!”

The riding program features instruction from professional instructors and William Woods equestrian faculty. Campers will receive special attention with the goal of improved riding.

For more information, contact Petterson at Jennie.Petterson@WilliamWoods.edu or 800.995.3159 x1102 or Kristen Dockler, admissions representative, at Kristen.Dockler@WilliamWoods.edu or 800.995.3159 x4223.