NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's School of Human Sciences faculty and staff members recognized dozens of students during its annual Honors Convocation Tuesday, April 12, on the university's campus.
"This convocation recognizes student excellence and scholastic achievement and acknowledges an outstanding alumni," said Dr. Lynda Martin, director of the School of Human Sciences.
The school offers seven areas of study: child development and family living; family and consumer sciences; fashion merchandising; food, nutrition and dietetics; hospitality administration; interior design; and interior merchandising. Students within each area were recognized, and eight students received outstanding academic achievement awards.
Carly Dewitt, a senior family and consumer sciences major, was among the honorees and received the Teagarden Human Sciences Highest GPA and the FCS Leadership Award.
"It means a lot to me to be able to receive these awards because I have worked really hard," Dewitt said. "I'm also grateful for the recognition because it shows that hard work does pay off."
Dewitt plans to graduate from SFA in August and return to pursue a master's degree in accounting. Her goal is to own a boutique.
Additionally, senior Adrian Gutierrez was honored with the Outstanding Club Member award for child development and family living. Gutierrez is the president of the Jacks Council on Family Relations student organization, has served as a student director for the Purple Haze Association, was a member of the Lumberjack Marching Band for four years, and served as a human sciences ambassador for three years.
"I'm very grateful to have won this award and to have been so involved in campus activities," Gutierrez said. "Going through this program has taught me wonderful leadership skills that I will carry throughout my professional career."
SFA's School of Human Sciences also awarded scholarships to more than 30 students and recognized the human sciences ambassadors.
This year, the school honored alumna Mickey Bufalini with the 2016 Edna Wilkin Teagarden Award for exemplary service in human sciences. Bufalini has been an interior designer for 35 years and has received numerous awards at the national, state and city levels for her work.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!