Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – The 140th recipient of the R.E. Lee Wilson Award, the highest undergraduate award that can be earned at Arkansas State University, was named Thursday night.
Kalayna King, a senior biological sciences major from Conway, AR, with a 4.0 GPA, is the award’s recipient, which honors a graduate who exemplifies character, campus involvement, and academic achievement. She also received a scholarship for education after graduating from A-State.
“How much A-State has given me, and helped me grow from my freshman year, Kalayna, just showing me the real world hardships, and being there with others through your own hardships, and just all of the things that I’ve learned through A-State, it’s amazing to be able to be given an award that represents A-State,” King said.
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In addition to receiving the Wilson Award, King was one of seven students receiving the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes a student’s service to the university, on-campus leadership, and scholastic achievement. All were recognized at Thursday’s ceremony.
The other Distinguished Service Award recipients are Salma Abdel-Karim of Jonesboro; Rocco Hicks of Prattsville, AR; Kyle Johnson of Nassau, Bahamas; Mollie McClain of Marianna; Julia Renee Pye of Sheridan; and Ahniya Williamson of Nashville, AR.
| READ MORE: Seven Selected for A-State Distinguished Service Awards
King holds several student leadership positions on campus, is an alumna of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, participated in study-abroad programs, conducted research at the Nutrition Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for her honors thesis, and volunteered with community organizations such as El Centro Hispano and the Conway Emergency Shelter. She is a U.S. Fulbright Program semifinalist.
King’s next steps will be to continue working at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Nutrition Center and then to apply to grad school. She said she wants to do something in the medical field involving women’s and children’s health.
“I want to tell college students, when they’re coming to college, to take full advantage of everything and not be scared of not knowing what they’re gonna do or what they want to do,” King said. “Getting involved and making the most out of what you can learn from college outside of just academics.”
The Wilson Award dates back to 1934 and is named after R.E. Lee Wilson, who served on A-State’s Board of Trustees until his death. The award is presented by a member of Wilson’s family.
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