Kinta Serve is the OSA doctoral recipient and came to ISU from Forth Worth, Texas, and will graduate with a Doctor of Arts degree in Biology. She currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University and a master’s degree from Washington State University. Serve has been vice president of the Biology Graduate Student Association for the past two years and is the current graduate student representative for Immunotoxicology Specialty Section, part of the National Society of Toxicology Association.

Kourtney Wright, 23, will receive the award for the College of Science and Engineering. Wright is getting her degree in chemistry and plans to attend graduate school this fall. While at ISU, she volunteered at the hospital and was involved in Chemistry Club. Chemistry Club was not only fun for Wright, it included activities to get young kids involved in science including school visits and a “Chemistry Magic Show.”

Cassidy Fernandez, 22, is receiving the award for the College of Business. She will graduate with an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with an emphasis in human resources. Fernandez plans to get her Master’s in Business (MBA) from Idaho State University. While attending ISU, Fernandez was a member of Alpha Xi Delta where she held several positions. She was also a member of the University Honors Society, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society and College of Business Fellows.

Kole Spaulding, 26, is originally from Mountain Home and is receiving the College of Education award. He graduated in December with a degree in physical education with an emphasis in exercise science and will be attending medical school at the University of Arizona this fall. He worked as a CNA at the Idaho State Veterans Home and acted as an apartment manager at ISU. He was involved as a coach and P.E. activity teacher for the wrestling club on campus.

Bric Balmforth, 25, will receive an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, Balmforth plans to continue on to graduate school in pursuance of a Ph.D. Balmforth acted as vice president of the ISU chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, vice president of the University Honors program and was a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Tau Beta Pi and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Gregory Fenchel is the OSA award recipient for the School of Nursing at Idaho State University.

Steven Boomhower, 21, is the recipient for the College of Arts and Letters in social and behavioral sciences. After graduating from Twin Falls High School, Steven went on to join the University Honors Program and study psychology at ISU. He has been awarded over $15,000 to study the genetic, dietary and neurochemical factors involved in impulsive choice for food in obese rats and has published research in several journals. Steven plans to attend graduate school at Auburn University in the fall, eventually earning his Ph.D.

Brandalin Barnes is the recipient for the College of Technology. She will receive her associate’s degree in Nuclear Operations Technology. She hopes to work at Idaho National Laboratory as a nuclear operator after graduation. While at ISU, Barnes participated in an INL internship as a nuclear operator and interned in the nuclear operations program last spring. Barnes plans to complete her Bachelor of Science degree next May.

Nancy Lee Sherrill completed her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at the University of New England. She participated in the Colorado migrant health care program as a student dental hygienist. In 2007, Nancy was accepted to the United States Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in South Africa. She said she could not have reached her educational goals without the support of her husband and daughters. Her passions for education continued with the pursuit of a Master’s of Science in dental hygiene.

Alexa Goff, 23, is the recipient of the award for the College of Arts and Letters in fine arts and humanities. She is a member of the University Honors Program and will graduate with an Honors degree. Goff intends to obtain a design fellowship at Chronicle Books designing and laying out books, followed by graduate school. Goff was the student manager of graphic design with Creative Productions for three years and is currently completing an internship doing letterpress printing.

Ariel McKay, 22, will receive the award for the Division of Health Sciences. McKay will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene this spring. After graduation, McKay plans to move to Seattle. At ISU, McKay was involved in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was the vice president of public relations. She also held a position in the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Danielle Ahlstrom, 23, will receive the award for the College of Pharmacy. Ahlstrom will graduate from the College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree this May with a 3.99 GPA. She acted as the Operation Diabetes Chair from 2010 to 2011, was vice president of the University Honors Program from 2008 to 2010 and was an Idaho State University Ambassador in the 2008 to 2009 academic year. Ahlstrom was also a member of Rho Chi Society and Phi Lambda Sigma.

The Idaho State University Office of Alumni Relations has announced the 2013 recipients of the Outstanding Student Achievement (OSA) Award.
“[The award] is a reflection of the quality of education, caliber of instruction, and carries forward the mission of the university,” said Executive Director of the Office of Alumni Relations KC Felt.
The Office of Alumni Relations partners with all of the university’s colleges and divisions to “recognize outstanding graduating seniors who have excelled in their programs, extracurricular activities and have generally epitomized ISU’s outstanding student body,” according to the Office of Alumni Relations’ web page.
One graduating student from each college or unit at ISU is honored each year.
Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to nominate senior students who meet the selection criteria and graduated in the December prior to the award year or who will graduate in May or August of the award year. A selection committee under the direction of the Dean or College Director from each college or division review nominees and select recipients.
“[The neat thing about the OSA] is student recipients can be traditional students, they can be advanced students. We’ve had third-year students who were seniors receive the award, we’ve had married mothers of children receive the award. It can be any student,” explained Casey Thompson, Office of Alumni Relations database operations manager.
Selection for undergraduate nominees is based on academic achievements and honors, career-related experience and extra-curricular activities. Tie-breaking areas can include leadership activities and strength of class load as it pertains to each student’s major.
Selection for graduate nominees is composed of the same three basic areas. Graduate selection committees also weigh and discuss the importance of research, published materials and the amount of time spent teaching as graduate degrees vary in completion requirements and candidates come with different degrees.
“It’s not just about a student, it’s about the quality of students as a whole at ISU,” said Felt. “It recognizes exemplary performance by students in all venues of the university.”
Felt said that about 9 out of 10 OSA recipients are candidates of the Young Alumni Award given each year during homecoming. This award is awarded to students who excel in their career within 10 years of graduation.
“[The Office of Alumni Relations] acts as a link between the university and its students,” explained Felt. “We are the tether that keeps them connected to their alma mater.”