CHES Seniors of Excellence from L-R: Amanda Williams, Kalyn McAlister, Melissa Burden, Kristin McDougal, Tessa Boehs, Nicole Moore, Jessica Thomison and Lindsey Schaefer. (Not Pictured Ruth Coady)

The College of Human Environmental Sciences at Oklahoma State University recently recognized its Seniors of Excellence at its annual awards ceremony Celebration of Excellence.

School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration senior Tessa Boehs from Fairview, Oklahoma has been actively involved with the world-famous OSU Homecoming serving on the Executive Steering Committee as committee member and chair of the Parade Committee, Relay for Life treasurer and a member of the OSU Alumni Association Student Alumni Association.  She is a member of Club Managers of America and the honor societies Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Upsilon Omicron.  She has been on the Dean’s Honor Roll and has received the Jay and Jan Schrock, Brian MacArthur Memorial and the Florence McKinney Scholarships.  She is the daughter of L. Bruce and Sherry Boehs.

Melissa Burden will graduate in May with a degree from Nutritional Sciences with a Dietetics option.  She has been a CHES Ambassador, the American Dietetic Association Student Council member and Nutritional Sciences Club officer.  As a Seretean Research Scholarship recipient, she presented her research poster during OSU Research Week 2007. Burden is currently participating in the Chickasaw Nation’s nutrient awareness program Get Fresh! She is a mentor for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and a Wesley Foundation Nutrition Class volunteer.  Listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll, she is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Upsilon Omicron honor societies. The Ada native is the daughter of Debbie and David Burden.

Design, Housing and Merchandising senior Ruth Coady will graduate with a degree in Apparel Design and Production with a minor in Apparel Merchandising.  She has served as vice-president, secretary and public relations chair on the Merchandising and Apparel Design Association and as a member of the Connect Executive Board and CHES Ambassadors.  Coady was named a finalist in the Kansas City and Dallas Fashion Group Design competitions.  She was a member the OSU Student Government Freshman Council and is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She has been named to the President’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls and holds membership in Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Upsilon and Kappa Omicron Nu honor societies.  She is the daughter of Teresa and Miles Coady of North Newton, Kansas.

 Kalyn McAlister will have completed her degree in 3 years when she graduates with honors from Human Development and Family Science with a Child and Family Services option.  Receiving the OSU and CHES Freshman Research scholarship, McAlister presented her research project her freshman year during OSU Research Week in 2005.  She has been a member of CHES Scholar Leaders, CHES Ambassadors and the student representative on the CHES Dean Search Committee.  Listed on the Dean’s or President’s Honor Rolls every semester, she has received the OSU Distinguished Regent Scholarship, H.G. and Girdie Ware Scholarship and the Lew Wentz Special Scholar Award.  She is the daughter of Lloyd and Karla McAlister of Edmond.

Graduating in May with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, Kristin McDougal will pursue a master’s degree in Child and Family Services in the fall.  McDougal is a member of Mortar Board, Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Kappa Phi. She received a Wentz Leadership Scholarship and has been listed on the President’s Honor Roll 5 semesters. Her volunteer activities include Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor, Muscular Dystrophy Association Camp counselor, the Stillwater Domestic Violence Shelter, the Saville Center and Relay for Life.  She has been actively involved with OSU intramural sports receiving the Cheryl Mannering Outstanding Greek Sports Woman award and Pi Beta Phi.  She is the daughter of John and Pam McDougal of Edmond.  

Nicole Moore will graduate in May with a degree in Human Development and Family Science with the Child and Family Services option. Her experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in CFS which she will begin in the fall.  Listed on the President’s and Dean’s honor rolls, Moore has maintained a 3.96 GPA while serving as vice-president of business and publicity chair of the CHES Student Council and a member of the CHES Ambassadors.  She is also a member of Mortar Board, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and the Human Development and Family Science Club. She has received the Freshman Award for Excellence Tuition Waiver for 3 years and SBC Foundation and Lew Wentz Foundation scholarships.  Her parents are Jana and Jack Moore of Stillwater.

After completing a degree in Foods and Nutrition in Nutritional Sciences, Lindsey Schaefer will enter the Physician Associate Program at the OU Health Sciences Center.  Named the CHES Outstanding Student in 2006, Schaefer has served as CHES Student Council president as well as being a member of the CHES Ambassadors Connect and Recruit teams. She is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu and Golden Key International honor societies.  She has served on the OSU Homecoming committee, the OSU Spirit Squad committee and is an officer for the OSU Spurs basketball spirit squad. Listed on the President’s Honor Roll with a 3.96 GPA, Schaefer has received the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Scholarship for 4 years and the Jan Moran Leadership Scholarship.  A member of Chi Omega, her volunteer work includes the Stillwater Humane Society, Positive Tomorrows, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Relay for Life and the Harvest Carnival.  She is the daughter of Shelle and Ted Schaefer of Edmond.

Jessica Thomison graduates with highest honors in May with a degree in Apparel Merchandising from Design, Housing and Merchandising as well as a minor in Business Marketing.  Thomison has served as secretary and publicity officer for the Merchandising and Apparel Design Association, as member of the CHES Ambassadors Recruit team and director of the DHM Fashion Show held during CHES Week in the spring. She is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu, Kappa Alpha Theta and has received the Regina Brinkerhoff, the OSU Alumni and the OSU Continuing Student Scholarships. She has participated in The Big Event, Into the Streets, Up ‘Til Dawn and Court Appointed Special Advocates. Her parents are Becky and David Thomison of Tulsa.

When Human Development and Family Science senior Amanda Williams graduates with an honors degree in Child and Family Services, she will begin work on a master’s degree in Developmental and Family Science. As a member of the HDFS Club, Williams organized the Relationship Roundup with the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative and served as public relations officer. She has participated in the Oklahoma Moderators and Recorder Academy, is a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society and has been listed on the President’s Honor Roll.  The paper presentation of her honors thesis at the OSU Annual Research Symposium 2007 has been submitted for publication consideration. She has volunteered with Catholic Charities, St. Elizabeth Lodge and Tulsa’s Citizens Crime Commission.  Williams lives in Tulsa.