FEATURES

Outstanding Students Honored
For the Wichitan

The Midwestern State University outstanding student awards were announced at the Student Leadership Banquet on April 15. The awards are presented annually to recognize student leadership and academic excellence at MSU. The nominations were made by organizations or academic programs and were based on character, university service, leadership and outstanding scholarship.  
Robbie Lee Graham and Melissa Ken-Nea Yip were named MSU Man and Woman of the Year.
Graham is a chemistry major. He is a member of Alpha Lamba Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Societies, Alpha Chi, Gamma Sigma Epsilon and Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society.  He was named the Clark Scholar for 2004, received the United States National Collegiate Award and named Outstanding Organic Chemistry Student for 2004.  Graham is an MSU Honors Program Scholar, Welch Scholar, Mark Lax Pre-Med Memorial Scholar, Eldon Sund Scholar, George N. Prescott Scholar, Priddy Scholar, and the Scott/Sund Scholar.  He is also a recipient of the Clinics of North Texas and Pre-Professional Health Sciences Society Scholarships.  
Yip is has a double major in mass communication and Spanish. She is a member of Alpha Lamba Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Societies, Alpha Chi Honor Society and is an MSU Student Ambassador. Yip serves as secretary for the Student Government Association, Co-Chair for the Honors Program Student Committee, Vice-President for Mortar Board and Secretary/Treasurer for the Media Club. She has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club Halloween party, has participated in the Adopt-A-Highway Program and has collected books and raised money for the Adult Literacy Council. 
Outstanding Graduate Man was Michael Alan Fairbanks, a history student. He serves as a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Pi Sigma Alpha, Alpha Chi and ASBS, as Senator for the Graduate Student Association and as Social Coordinator for the Spanish Club. Fairbanks also serves as student representative for the Student Conduct Committee, Student Mentor Committee and New Student Recreation Center Committee. He has presented papers at the Texas State Historical Association Convention in Fort Worth, the Southwest Social Sciences Convention in New Orleans, Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference at Midwestern State University and at the first MSU Graduate Student Forum. Fairbanks is a recipient of the Graduate Merit Scholarship
Outstanding Graduate Woman was Elli Lynne Tran, a major in business administration. She serves as Founder and President of the Graduate Students Association, is an active member of Toastmasters and holds the office of Vice President of Education for International Club 305. Tran is a recipient of a competitive scholarship awarded by the College of Business where she holds the position of Graduate Assistant.
Outstanding Senior Man was Jason Alvie Kimbro, a double major in psychology and sociology. He serves as member and President of Phi Eta Sigma, member of Alpha Lamba Delta, Alpha Chi, Sigma Kappa Delta, the Media Club, Chi Alpha, Alpha Omega, and is a student representative on the Student Conduct Committee. Kimbro serves as Secretary for Psi Chi, Senator for the Association of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Chair of the Campus Culture Committee, Executive Member of the University Programming Board and Staff Reporter for The Wichitan.
Outstanding Senior Woman was Marie Diane Ibarra, an English major. She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society, Baptist Student Ministries, Alpha Chi and the English Club. Ibarra serves as Reporter for Alpha Lamba Delta Freshman Honor Society, Assistant Editor for the 2004 MSU Voices Magazine, Chair and Alternate Senator for the Honors Program Student Committee and Student Liaison for the Honors Faculty Committee.  Ibarra is a Perkins-Prothro Scholar, Priddy Scholar and SPJST Scholar.
Outstanding Junior Man was Christopher James Gotcher, and Outstanding Junior Woman was Miranda Kaye Jentsch.
Outstanding Sophomore Man was Ryan Lee Humphrey, and Outstanding Sophomore Woman was Catherine Ann Van Reenen.
Outstanding Freshman Man was Kyle Scott Owens, and Outstanding Freshman Woman was Shanell Jessie Telemacque.
The Alumni Award was presented to Marie Diane Ibarra. The MSU Catholic Campus Ministry won the James L. Stewart Service Award and Robbie Lee Graham won the Viola Grady Leadership Scholarship.


Jazzfest to Raise Scholarship Money
Richard Carter | For the Times Record News

Who:  Jazzfest
Where:  DL Ligon Coliseum
When: Sunday April 24 at 3 pm
Admission: $5 for adults and $3 for students. Advance tickets are available at Market Street, Sam Gibbs Music and T-Shirt Safari.

Springtime means long walks in the park, iced coffee in umbrella-covered cafes and scores of fresh jazz music.
The annual Jazzfest will cover 100 percent of area music lovers’ jazz requirements this Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
The show, put on by the City Council PTA to raise money for MSU scholarships for graduating high school students, will feature jazz music by the Mad Medics, the Basin Street Big Band and the Midwestern State University Jazz Band.
Other jazz acts scheduled to perform include the Pace Makers, Wichita Falls Community Jazz Band, junior high school bands from Zundy and Barwise and high school groups from Old High, Rider and Hirschi.
“It’s an event for the family and for people who enjoy good music,” said Lance Spruiell, president of the city council PTA.
The popular event drew about 600 fans last year at the Wichita Theatre. This year, Spruiell hopes to see at least 1,000 people attend.
Jazzfest T-shirts will be available. People who wear the shirt to the event will be registered for a $100 cash drawing. There will also be a photo booth where music lovers can dress up like a jazz musician and have their pictures taken.