For Immediate Release – Lawton, OK, May 3, 2006
Cameron’s Student Support Services honors
students, faculty and staff achievements
Cameron University’s outstanding students, faculty and staff were recently honored for their effort during
the 2005-06 academic year at the annual Student Support Services (SSS) Leaders in Education and
Opportunity (LEO) awards ceremony.
Six SSS students were recipients of LEO awards for their academic achievements while utilizing the SSS
tutorial labs: Merkeb Ellis (computer), freshman interdisciplinary studies major from Chickasha; Daniela
Krotzer (science), freshman biology major of Geronimo; and Rodney Johnson (reading), junior sociology
major, Paula Merrifield (writing), freshman psychology major, and Victor Serrano (math), freshman RTV
major, all from Lawton. Justin Davis, senior computer information major from Lawton, received recognition
for this success utilizing the individual tutoring services.
Students who were recognized for their work as Outstanding Peer Tutors include: Katherine Wilcox,
sophomore finance major from Apache; Rhymalese Clarke, sophomore finance major from Basseterre,
St. Kitts; Larry Young senior from Cache; Thomas Lewis senior communications major from Fletcher;
Jutta Carter, senior romance languages major, Gail Castlebury, senior mathematics major, Saundra
Mitrovich, senior history major, and Carlyn Finke, sophomore English major all from Lawton; and Dale
Powell, senior computer information systems major from Sandy Point, St. Kitts.
The Outstanding Peer Mentors that were recognized include Dorothy Francis Jefferson, senior accounting
major from St. Kitts and Nevis and Michael Robinson, senior elementary education major, Saundra
Mitrovich, senior history major, and Johnnisha Rice, senior psychology major, all from Lawton.
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SSS awards, ADD ONE
Sherry Reynolds was selected to receive the SSS Outstanding Faculty Award. Reynolds currently serves
as assistant professor and interim chair for the department of education.
“We realize that we have many wonderful academic partners across campus who provide time and effort
above and beyond their classroom duties,” said Student Support Services Director Suzanne Aplin.
“Unsung heroines like Dr. Reynolds are vital to the retention and persistence of students who may come to
this campus academically under-prepared and unsure of their ability to succeed on a college campus.”
Others recognized at the ceremony include: Debbie Crossland, nursing and interdisciplinary advisor, who
was honored for her dedication to student success, and Jaquetta Bowden who received the SSS
Distinguished Alumni Award.
Funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Student Support Services program is one of
the TRIO family of programs established to provide educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of
race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance.
Cameron University currently hosts three other TRIO programs: McNair Scholars Program, Upward Bound,
and Educational Talent Search/Open Doors. The four Cameron TRIO programs contribute approximately
$1.4 million annually to promote educational opportunity in Southwest Oklahoma. One hundred percent of
the total cost of the Student Support Services program is financed with federal money.
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PR# 06-077
Editors and Broadcasters: For more information, contact CU Government & Community Relations at
580.581.2211.