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Nine University of Wisconsin Oshkosh seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership qualities have each been awarded the prestigious 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

The criteria for the award include academic achievement, university-related service and community involvement other than athletics. The award includes a $500 scholarship.

The recipients of the 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence are:

  • Jenna Baker, of Oshkosh, graduates with a major in elementary education and a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school while simultaneously teaching elementary or middle school. While a student, Baker was a member of the National Honor Society of Education, the Student Wisconsin Education Association, the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and the National Psychology Psi Chi Honor Society. She was also involved in the University’s Odyssey orientation program, promoting the University to perspective students.
  • Rabiah Buser, of Oshkosh, double majored in nursing and Spanish and will be joining the Peace Corp immediately after graduation. She hopes to return to Wisconsin and utilize her education to work with Spanish-speaking populations. She also plans to attend graduate school to earn both a master’s degree and a doctorate in nursing. While a student, Buser was on the Dean’s List every semester and maintained a 3.93 grade point average. She earned countless scholarships and awards, and was a member of the Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society.
  • Leslie A. Cormack, of Fond du Lac, is graduating with majors in English and secondary education and minors in Spanish and English as a second language. She plans to return to college to earn a master’s degree in reading education or English as a second language while simultaneously teaching at either the middle school or high school level. While a student, Cormack was a part of the University Honors Program and was on the Dean’s List every semester since fall 2004.
  • Damion Drover, of Oshkosh, graduates with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. As an Eagle Scout, hunter and fisherman, he is dedicated to preserving nature for future generations. This commitment has fueled his interest in becoming a watershed consultant and pursuing a graduate degree in biology and microbiology at UW Oshkosh with an emphasis on biogeochemical interactions. Among his undergraduate activities, Drover has been president of the UW Oshkosh Community Gardens and treasurer of the Environmental Studies Club.
  • Nathan Michael Gribowski, of Mosinee, graduates with a bachelor of business administration degree in economics with emphases in entrepreneurship, financial services, real estate and information management. After graduation he hopes to pursue a career in the financial services industry or in project management. While a student, Gribowski was president of the Oshkosh Student Association and the Order of Omega, Greek Honorary Society, and was a member of several other student organizations. He also volunteered for the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.
  • Jonel Kristo, of Tirana, Albania, double majored in finance and economics with an emphasis in legal studies in business. Originally from Albania, Kristo is fluent in three languages and has been involved in several foreign-oriented organizations on campus. He has also volunteered to raise breast cancer awareness, for an orphanage in Albania and to raise funds for natural disaster victims.
  • Katelyn Reitz, of Oshkosh, graduates with a major in speech communications. After graduation she hopes to start a nonprofit organization helping orphan children in developing countries. While a student, Reitz was the founder of the UW Oshkosh chapter of Colleges for Cancer and started the University’s first Relay for Life, which raised more than $52,000 for cancer research.
  • Justin D. Reuter, of Denmark, Wis., graduates with a major in elementary education and a minor in environmental studies. While a student, Reuter served as a community engagement leadership development specialist for UW Oshkosh’s Department of Residence Life. In that role, he assisted in planning special events designed to promote leadership and citizenship among students.
  • Sarah Schettle, of Oshkosh, doubled majored in chemistry and Spanish and hopes to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. While a student, Schettle maintained a 3.90 grade point average, was on the Dean’s List every semester, and received countless honors and scholarships. Schettle was also an accomplished athlete, serving as captain of the track and field team in 2007 and as captain of the swimming and diving team in 2006. She was named the NCAA Sportsmanship Person of the Year in 2006. Additionally, Schettle was involved in more than a dozen student organizations and volunteered for countless organizations.