Ashley Smith and William Thomas named 'Outstanding Seniors'

November 10, 2008

Outstanding. That’s the word best used to describe one male and one female UW-Whitewater student each October when the Reuben Klumb Outstanding Senior awards are announced. Each year the Homecoming Steering Committee selects one senior female and senior male who have exemplified student leadership through campus involvement, scholarship and extra-curricular activities.

The Klumb Awards are given in recognition of Reuben Klumb to honor his more than 25 years of dedicated work with Homecoming. Students are evaluated based on four areas: demonstrated leadership and scholarship, campus involvement and activities, promotion of school spirit and extra-curricular activities/community service.

The 2008 Senior Award winners are Ashley Smith and William Thomas.

Ashley Smith

Many students try their hand at multi-tasking and receive troubling results. As a student-athlete, Ashley Smith understands how difficult this art can be. Throughout her undergraduate career she has successfully balanced academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities. The UW-Whitewater senior from Elgin, Ill; is a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society, National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Golden Key Honor Society and the Leadership Involvement Team. Along with the UW-Whitewater softball team, Smith is a coach for the Fox Valley Renegades girls softball team as well. Smith has been recognized as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All –America Scholar Athlete, and the Warhawk Varsity Letters award.

“I make contributions because I want to give back to the university and the community that I call home,” Smith said. “It’s not what you get, it’s what you give.”

William Thomas

Winning the Klumb award came as a surprise to William Thomas. The senior from Beloit has been heavily involved on campus since his freshman year; but has never sought recognition. Serving the Black Student Union, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., TIFU Cultural Ensemble and God’s Gang Youth Outreach program, Thomas has always been one to lend a helping hand. Throughout his college career he has been honored with such awards as the Chancellor’s Selection Award for artistic contribution to the university, the McNair Scholarship program and third place in the Irvin L. Young Student Art Show.

“With this award my contributions to the campus have been recognized in a way that has exceeded my expectations, Thomas Said. ” “Hopefully what I’ve done here will have a lasting impact.”