By Tacie Holyoak
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday May 14, 2003
Six chosen as UA seniors of the year
For six of UA's graduating seniors, this year's commencement will be a little different. Instead of watching the event from a distance, like most graduates do, they will experience graduation from the stage.
They are the seniors of the year, and during their commencement ceremonies, University President Pete Likins will present them with special awards.
"(The awards) are intended to recognize students who have achieved," Likins said, adding that the seniors of the year were chosen by their balanced contribution to both academics and the community.
Each of the three awards to be given during graduation was donated by individuals closely associated with UA.
This year's recipients of the Merrill P. Freeman Medals are Samantha Zipp, a psychology senior, and Doug Hartz, a molecular and cellular biology senior and former student body president.
Freeman, who served UA as a regent and a chancellor in the university's early years, provided funds for two medals to be presented to outstanding seniors each year, a practice that has continued annually since 1916.
"It's an unbelievable honor," Zipp said.
Two Robert Logan Nugent Awards will be given to Lauren McCabe, a journalism and media arts senior, and Sam Chang, a psychology senior. Created in 1964 by the Alumni Association, the award is given in memory of Robert Logan Nugent, who served more than 30 years as the UA executive vice president.
Mario Ruiz, an education and history senior, and Jennifer Reece, former ASUA executive vice president and molecular and cellular biology senior, will be presented with the Robie Medals, accompanied by a cash award provided by late alumni Wendel T. Robie and his wife, Inez Benzie Robie.
Zipp said it is amazing to be considered "outstanding" among a graduating class of talented people.
"We're just a representative of the graduates, of what they have done and will do," she said.
The decision to recognize these students began in January when faculty, staff and student organizations were asked to nominate individuals who demonstrated involvement on and off campus, said Mike Remedi, director of Student Life relations.
"We probably got about 100 applications," he said.
From those many applications, 16 candidates ÷ eight males and eight females ÷ were selected. Each candidate was then interviewed by a university committee, which narrowed the applicant pool down to the six awardees.
For McCabe, who served on the UA Media Board, the interview was an intimidating process.
"They whacked the application stack on the desk. It was five or six inches high," she said. "I walked in and thought, ĪThere's no way.'"
Although recipients were surprised to learn in late March that they had won, the awards did not come without hard work and sacrifice.
Hartz, who as student body president spent many late nights in his office devising a tuition proposal countering President Likins,' which was eventually rejected by the Board of Regents, said he was surprised to be chosen.
"It's very nice to be recognized," Hartz said. "I've just tried to be myself and do the things I love. I've tried to make a difference in people's lives."
Chang also served in ASUA, as chief of staff and assistant elections commissioner this year, and as executive vice president in 2001-2002.
"I tried to get my feet wet in as many activities as I could," said Chang, who added that it was a decision that paid off.
"(These students) are the best the university has to offer," Remedi said. "So few students receive it. It's a tremendous honor."
McCabe emphasized that none of the candidates were looking for recognition; they simply just did what they loved.
"It's who we are," McCabe said.
"We like doing things for other people," she said. "The awards are just an added bonus ÷ an extra push to do the next thing."
