"The Ross Award is a pat on the back for working hard in college,"
says Hefty, "because I know I wasn't the smartest guy on the block."
Hefty considers the Ross Award a payment for a job well done.
"I treated college like a job," Hefty says. "I had to
pay for my education myself. I knew if I worked hard, instead of paychecks,
I would get scholarships. And when I left school, I didn't owe any money."
Compiling a top-notch academic record is the first consideration of
the Ross Award committee, but having a 4.0 index doesn't necessarily
mean you should prepare your acceptance speech.
"The Ross Award honors the graduating man who best demonstrates
high standards of academic achievement, evidence of outstanding leadership,
strength of character and overall contributions to the university,"
says Betsy Smithka, associate dean of students.
Fifteen to 20 students are nominated each spring by deans, department
heads, school counseling directors, or staff in the Office of the Dean
of Students. A committee of students selects the winner.
"There were at least 100 other students that were every bit as
qualified to win the award," Jamie Thomton, the 1996 winner, says,
"I was just the lucky one."
Page 1 | Page
2 | Page 3 | Page
4 | Page 5 | Page
6 | Page 7 | Page
8
