ATHENS, Ohio -- Outstanding student leaders were recognized during Ohio University's Leadership Recognition Reception on Wednesday, May 28.

"The event serves to annually salute those who have especially given their time and talents to maintain and improve the quality of life on campus and in the wider community," Director of Student Activities Anne Lombard said.

Receiving Senior Leaders Awards for the demonstrated commitment and dedication to the university were:

• Amanda Cunningham of Massillon, Ohio, who was presented the award posthumously. A marketing and finance major, she was president of Senior Class Council and involved with Senior Senate and The Student Campaign Advancement Committee.
  
  
• Janel Jackson, economics major from Alphretta, Ga., won the John Newton Templeton Outstanding Senior Leader Award, which is named in honor of the university's first African-American graduate. Jackson is involved with the Black Student Cultural Programming Board, Los Disco Dance Team and the Ohio University Recruiting Society.
  
  
• Jessica Moskwa, a magazine journalism major from North Olmsted, Ohio, was recognized for her commitment to the University Program Council and Golden Key International Honor Society.
  
  
• Amy Poitinger, a broadcast journalism major from Lebanon, Ohio, was recognized for her involvement with Order of Omega, Delta Zeta Sorority and the Women's Panhellenic Association. She was recently selected as the Ohio University Greek Woman of the Year.
  
  
• Katherine Smith, an English major from Dayton, Ohio, was honored for her work with Student Senate, including a term as president.
  
  
• Barry Spurlock, communications system management major from Napoleon, Ohio, has served as a student trustee with the University Board of Trustees and has been involved with the Center for Student Advocacy.

Other students receiving special recognition for their contribution to campus and community life include:

• Angelica Anatole, a political science and pre-theology major from Dayton, Ohio, the King/Chavez/Parks Award, which is presented to an undergraduate minority student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership. Anatole is involved with Student Senate, the Association for Cultural Exchange and College Democrats.
  
  
• David Gumucio, an exercise physiology major from Fairview Park, Ohio; Arian Smedley, a journalism major from Portland, Ohio; and Margaret Tapia, a special education major from Wintersville, Ohio, the Latino Heritage Awards, which recognize students of Latino descent who have shown excellent leadership and service. Gumucio is involved with Alpha Lambda Delta freshmanhonors society and the Exercise Physiology Club. Smedley is involved with Alpha Lambda Delta, and Tapia is involved with Kappa Delta Pi education fraternity and the Spanish Club.
  
  
• Paul Patton, a classic civilization and anthropology major from Nelsonville, Ohio, the Stonewall Leadership Award, which is presented to a student whose leadership has helped to improve the lives of students in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Patton has planned OUTweek and Pride Week and has been involved with Open Doors and Student Senate.
  
  
• Erin Long, an interpersonal communication major from Overland Park, Kan., the Edwin L. Kennedy Leadership Award for Outstanding Community Service. Long is involved with the Paw Paw Festival, Athens Friends of International Students, ATCO, Ohio University Wastebusters and Alpha Phi Omega. Alpha Phi Omega won the student organization award for its volunteer efforts with ATCO, United Campus Ministries, Athens Friends of International Students and a walk to benefit the Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation.
  
  
• Master's student Jamie Fox of Marietta, Ohio, and doctoral student Michaela Meyer of Albany, Ohio, the Outstanding Graduate Student Leader Awards. Fox is involved with ATCO, the Child Assault Prevention Project, Native Peoples Awareness Coalition and the LGBT Advisory Council and is volunteer director of the Vinton County High School Band. Meyer is involved with the Graduate Student Center, serves on the University Curriculum Council and the Post Publishing Board and is a graduate mentor in Interpersonal Communication.
  
  
• Larae Booker, an organizational communication major from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Tara Stuckey, a journalism major from Maumee, Ohio, the Rudy Leadership Awards. Booker is involved with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Los Discos Dance Team and was a University College peer instructor and student leadership consultant. Stuckey is a student trustee on the university's Board of Trustees and is involved with the Association for Cultural Exchange, Chi Omega and the Center for Student Advocacy and serves on the Post Readership Panel and the Academic Quality Improvement Project.
  
  
• Graduate Student Senate and University Program Council received Outstanding Program Awards. Graduate Student Senate sponsored the "Ohio University Graduate Programs Fair," which promoted graduate programs. University Program Council coordinated" Walk Down Memory Lane," an interactive event held during Parents Weekend and "Turning Away from Hate," which featured former neo-Nazi speaker turned activist T.J. Layden.