Thursday, December 1, 2005

Writer: Don De Maria, 706/542-4301, demaria@uga.edu
Contacts:  Don De Maria, 706/542-4301, demaria@uga.edu; T.W. Cauthen III, 706/583-0830, twc@uga.edu

Franklin College students among ten UGA Honors students awarded Crane Leadership Scholarships

Athens, GA. – Franklin College of Arts and Sciences students are among ten University of Georgia Honors Program students who have been awarded William Moore Crane Leadership Scholarships for the 2005-2006 academic year.  Administered by the Honors Program and the Student Leadership Center, this scholarship recognizes third- and fourth-year Honors students who have a demonstrated record of high academic achievement and outstanding leadership.

“I am very impressed with this group of scholars,” noted David S. Williams, director of the Honors Program.  “Their diversity of leadership experiences and outstanding academic records make them fitting recipients of the 2005-2006 Crane Leadership Scholarship.”

Named for William Moore Crane, a cum laude 1921 graduate of the University of Georgia, this scholarship was established in his memory to recognize students who demonstrate academic success and campus leadership.  Mr. Crane was instrumental in the founding of the University of Georgia Alumni Society and as an undergraduate, was elected to membership in Phi Kappa, Sphinx and Blue Key honor societies.

T.W. Cauthen III, assistant dean of the Student Leadership Center, added, “This award is a tribute to the students’ leadership and service outside the classroom, combined with their academic excellence.  We are proud to recognize them as Crane Leadership Scholars and are grateful for the continued support of the St. Laurent Family Foundation who established this award in the memory of William Moore Crane.”

Crane Leadership Scholars must apply for this prestigious award during their third year and with demonstrated leadership experiences, can renew the scholarship in their fourth year.

The following students are the recipients of the 2005-2006 William Moore Crane Leadership Scholarship:

* Westin Amberge, a fourth-year cellular biology and microbiology double major from Blairsville (Franklin College)

* Hariqbal Basi, a third-year political science, public relations and psychology (Franklin College) triple major from Dunwoody

* R. Blake Edwards, a third-year management major from Alpharetta

* Katherine Griffith, a third-year romance languages and anthropology double major from Marietta (Franklin College)

* Staci Hutsell, a fourth-year biochemistry and molecular biology and cellular biology double major from Aiken, S.C. (Franklin College)

* Rachel Jacobs, a fourth-year international business and international affairs double major from Athens

* Kurinji Pandiyan, a third-year genetics and cellular biology double major from Chennai, India (Franklin College)

* Nitin Patel, a fourth-year finance and economics double major from Memphis, Tennessee.

* Jamie Peper, a third-year finance and international business double major from Savannah

* Rajesh Shah, a fourth-year honors interdisciplinary studies major from Lawrenceville

For more information about the William Moore Crane Leadership Scholarship, visit www.uga.edu/honors.