Contact: Phil Hearn
Mississippi State is winner for the fourth consecutive year of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' 2003-04 Outstanding Student Chapter Award.
"This award is in recognition of the membership and participation of the students and faculty, the quality and quantity of your meetings and activities, and your chapter's involvement in local, regional and national events," AIChE awards chairman Marvin Borgmeyer said in a notification letter to MSU chapter officials.
The institute annually recognizes up to 15 student chapters nationally for outstanding performance. This past year, MSU was among 14 chapters recognized out of 158 national student chapters.
"It makes me feel like we are in the top 10 percent," said chapter adviser Atly Jefcoat, holder of MSU's Hunter Henry Chair (endowed professorship) of Chemical Engineering. "It is the dedication and efforts of our students that has brought this honor and recognition to chemical engineering at MSU.
"It's a further indication of the initiative and drive our students have to serve and succeed," added Jefcoat, who was named 2002-03 Outstanding Student Chapter Adviser by the professional organization of more than 50,000 members.
MSU student chapter officers during the award period, all of whom graduated earlier this year, included: president Laura Beth Dong of Webb; external affairs vice president Courtney-Danielle Frawley of Florence, Ala.; internal affairs vice president Trent Jeffreys of Tuscumbia, Ala.; secretary Michael Bestor of Lacey's Spring, Ala.; and treasurer Lisa Ely of Ocean Springs.
Current chapter officers are: president Harris Nelson, a senior from Mufreesboro, Tenn.; external affairs vice president Barry Kirsch, a senior from Decatur, Ala.; internal affairs vice president Laurence Sones, a senior from Diamondhead; secretary Nick Wyckoff, a junior from Columbus; and treasurer Carrie Minton, a senior from Biloxi.
For more information, telephone Jefcoat at (662) 325-7206 or Kirk Schulz at 325-2480.
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LOCAL EDITORS:
Laura Beth Dong is the daughter of Ronald and Linda Dong.
Courtney-Danielle Frawley is the daughter of James and Charlotte Frawley.
Trent Jeffreys is the son of Lanny and Sue Jeffreys.
Michael Bestor is the son of George and Mary Bestor.
Lisa Ely is the daughter of Billy and Pamela Ely.
Harris Nelson is the son of Donald and Rachel Nelson.
Barry Kirsch is the son of Jeffrey and Amy Kirsch.
Laurence Sones is the son of Anthony and DiAnn Sones.
Nick Wyckoff is the son of William and Nancy Wyckoff.
Carrie Minton is the daughter of Stanley Minton.