Pawnee native named Top Ten OSU Ag Senior

She was officially recognized during April 4 ceremonies in which CASNR officials presented $434,100 in scholarships and awards to many of the college’s best and brightest, part of $967,075 in scholarships that CASNR and its academic departments will present to OSU agriculture students for the 2008-2009 school year.

Zweiacker also was named a Dean Fred LeCrone Senior Leadership Award recipient, one of only five such honors presented.

The daughter of Pawnee’s Loran and Suzanne Zweiacker, she will graduate in May with a major in agricultural communications and a minor in agricultural economics.

“I came to college thinking I was leaving home but soon realized I was just expanding it,” she said. “Nothing will replace the people I have met or the opportunities I have had during my collegiate career.”

Jillianne Zweiacker (center) accepts her 2008 CASNR Top Ten Senior Award while her parents Loran (left) and Suzanne look on. (Photo by Todd Johnson)

In addition to her CASNR honors, Zweiacker also was named one of the university’s 41 Seniors of Significance last fall by the OSU Alumni Association awards and selection committee. She also was honored as one of OSU’s Top Five Homecoming Royalty in 2007.

Zweiacker has held the office of secretary in OSU Agricultural Ambassadors throughout her senior year. She previously served two years on OSU Ag Student Council and as an OSU Student Government Association representative.

Other activities include chairing several committees for the National Women’s Fraternity, chairing a conference for the Student Alumni Board, serving as a facilitator for the President’s Leadership Council and working as Gamma Chi recruitment coordinator for the National Panhellenic Council.

The recipient of a four-year President’s Distinguished Scholarship, the talented Zweiacker placed third at last year’s annual Spring Sing. She was named among the Top Three Outstanding Sophomore Greek Women in 2006 and the OSU Top Ten Freshmen Women in 2005.

The OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources places a great emphasis on celebrating the accomplishments of students, said Ed Miller, DASNR associate dean of academic programs.

“Awards for leadership and academic performance and the presentation of scholarships build pride in our students and their families, the faculty, donors and other supporters of the college and the division as a whole,” he said.

DASNR is comprised of the college and two statewide agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

“The exceptional amount of scholarship support we are able to award students to further their education would not be possible without the generosity of our many donors, who recognize the value of the division’s teaching, research and Extension programs,” Miller said.

The college provides 16 majors and more than 40 study options to students interested in pursuing a career in science, business, education, engineering, technology development, natural resources or communications. Prospective students can uncover and explore opportunities through CASNR at http://www.casnr.com on the Internet.

###

REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
News and Media Relations Manager
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating.  Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.