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Thirteen senior students who exemplify high academic and leadership qualities and a deep commitment to serving others will be recognized on May 14 as recipients of the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The criteria for this award include academic performance, University-related service and community involvement.

Here’s a snapshot of each spring 2011 Excellence Award winner:

Deseray Aguirre graduates with a major in biology-healthcare and a minor in Spanish. She is a McNair Scholar in the biology department and, in 2009, participated in the student research program in the neuroscience department at University of Virginia School of Medicine. Aguirre also was involved in Knight Owls, Student Organization of Latinos, Oshkosh Student Association and Pre-Health Professionals of Oshkosh. She will pursue a master’s degree in public health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

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Cody T. Anderson graduates with a major in philosophy. Logging seven years as a member of the U.S. Army and National Guard, a span including service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Anderson also earned Dean’s List recognition for six semesters of his academic career. He serves as an Ethics tutor, has led numerous Color Guard events and has been an active volunteer with Special Olympics and Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin. Anderson plans to continue service in the National Guard and remain active in the community.

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Audrey Cowling graduates with majors in psychology and Spanish. She is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success and the UW Oshkosh Honors Program. Her research on the benefits of pet therapy on people with dementia was published in Oshkosh Scholar in spring 2010. She will pursue a master’s degree to become a Licensed Professional Counselor working in areas of college counseling and student affairs.

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Kelsey Hendricks graduates with a major in kinesiology-healthcare science and a minor in chemistry. During her academic career, she has participated in Pre-Health Professionals of Oshkosh, Kinesiology Club, Hands on Oshkosh, Kinesiology for Kids and the women’s rugby team. She will be attending graduate school to become a physician assistant specializing in family and sports medicine and training in osteopathic manipulative treatment.

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Derek A. Komp graduates with a major in supply chain and operations management and a minor in Spanish. He is a community advisor for residence life, ambassador for the College of Business, Food Committee Chairperson for the United Students in Residence Halls Assembly, and Oshkosh Student Association representative for APICS Society. After commencement, Komp will start his career as a production supervisor for Hormel Foods in Fremont, Neb.

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Anna Lussier graduates with a major in music education. Since 2006, she has served as the volunteer director of the St. Mary’s Parish, Winneconne Youth Band and Choir. From 2006 to 2008, she also volunteered to help lead the Oshkosh VSA Choir, an affiliate of VSA Wisconsin: The State Organization on Arts and Disability. She is the winner of multiple music department scholarships and also received the 2010 Student Service Award for Service to the Department of Music. She plans to apply her experience and degree as a music teacher.

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Zachary McCluskey graduates with a major in biomolecular sciences and a minor in microbiology. He has been an active member of multiple student organizations, ranging from service on the concert committee of Reeve Union Board to a semester as freshman orientation leader with Odyssey. He has also served as a Health Advocate in Taylor Hall and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. After graduation, he plans on continuing pursuit of his career goal of becoming a physician.

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Liem Nguyen graduates with a major in mathematics and chemistry. In January, she was a prize winner in the Mathematical Association of America Undergraduate Poster contest. She has also been recipient of the Chemistry Alumni Research Award and the Mathematical Association of American Outstanding Presentation Award during August 2010’s MathFest. She plans to further her education and pursue a graduate degree.

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Madison Pilarski graduates with a major in English. During her academic career, she served as president of Taylor Hall and an Oshkosh Odyssey Captain and Leader. She also served on the Reeve Union Board and helped stage the Oshkosh Community Dragonboat Race and Festival. Pilarski has worked as a Writing Center consultant and student editor of Oshkosh Scholar, a chronicle spotlighting student research. Her goal is to become a teacher.

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Marian Rothkegel graduates with a major in supply chain and operations management and minors in global business and geography.  His educational experience has dovetailed with military experience, including deployment to Kosovo while serving with the German Armed Forces, working on a multinational level with NATO. He is an active member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Rothkegel plans to pursue a graduate degree in business.

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Jessica Sibilsky graduates with a major in accounting and finance and a minor in insurance and financial planning. She has served as a College of Business Ambassador since fall 2009 and has also been an active member of UW Oshkosh Finance Club, serving as vice president in fall 2008. Sibilsky has volunteered her time supporting local and regional Alzheimer Association Memory Walk and Relay for Life events. She plans to pursue a career as a CPA.

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Jacquelyn C. Topp graduates with a major in secondary education in broadfield natural science and a minor in biology. In 2009, Topp was named the Ersnt F. Hollings scholar by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since then, she participated as an intern at NOAA’s Earth Systems Research Laboratory in Boulder, Col. Topp is looking forward to teaching science courses in a Wisconsin school district, and she wants to continue her education by earning a master’s degree.

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Jessica Zimmerman graduates with a major in environmental studies and a minor in sociology. She is a STEP intern for sustainability, research assistant for the sociology department, lead activist for the Greenpeace Student Network and a treasurer for Sociology Club. She will continue to gain educational and professional experiences within the environmental studies field.

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Read more about spring 2011 commencement: