The College of Human Sciences 2019 Seniors of Distinction (left to right): Back Row: Emily Callison, Alexis Ferdinandsen and Carli Curtis. Front Row: Katherine Metzinger, Nicole Sparks, Ben Watson, Ashtyn Shugart. Not Pictured: Summer Stevens.

College of Human Sciences celebrates 2019 Seniors of Distinction

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

The Oklahoma State University College of Human Sciences has recognized eight students as 2019 Seniors of Distinction, the highest honor given to graduating seniors by the college.

Faculty in each of four academic units in the College of Human Sciences – the Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising; the Department of Human Development and Family Science; the Department of Nutritional Sciences; and the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management – selected two Seniors of Distinction for their respective units.

Award criteria include academic achievement, balanced extracurricular activities and campus leadership, commitment to major degree program and potential for future success, global learning experiences and significant contributions to the Cowboy community.

The College of Human Sciences 2019 Seniors of Distinction are:

Emily Callison • Nutritional Sciences • Dallas, Texas

Emily Callison is graduating in nutritional sciences with an option in allied health. She has represented the College of Human Sciences as a Link Leader, assisting with student recruitment events and meeting with prospective students and their families to discuss major options, and as a Freshman Scholar Leader Mentor for first-year students. Emily served as vice president of the Pre-Physician Club, participated in Cowboy Cousins and volunteered for numerous organizations, including Into the Streets, Share the WEALTH and Stillwater Medical Center. As a Freshman Research Scholar, Emily conducted research with a faculty member to study the prevalence of eating disorders in college women and her work was recognized with a second-place award at the OSU Undergraduate Research Symposium. Emily is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Upsilon Omicron national honor societies. She is the daughter of Phil and Diane Callison.

Carli Curtis • Human Development and Family Science • Wetumka, Oklahoma

Carli Curtis is graduating from the Department of Human Development and Family Science with an option in child and family services. Carli has worked as a research assistant with the Co-Parenting for Resilience Research Lab in the College of Human Sciences. She also has volunteered with Wings of Hope Family Crisis Center as a sexual assault response advocate and as a church small group leader. A member of the OSU President’s Honor Roll for five semesters, Carli served as vice president for communication and as director of campus life relations for the CowboyThon, a significant philanthropic event to benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Oklahoma City. She worked as a scholar recruitment scheduler and a campus tour guide for OSU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Carli received the Danel Family Endowed Scholarship from the College of Human Sciences and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She is the daughter of John and Cari Curtis.

Alexis Ferdinandsen • Hospitality and Tourism Management • Allen, Texas
Alexis Ferdinandsen is graduating in hospitality and tourism management. While at OSU, she has taken advantage of many major-related leadership opportunities while. Alexis served as events executive co-chair for the Craft Beer Forum of Oklahoma in 2018. She was also wine manager for the February 2019 Chef Event and is the hospitality executive co-chair for Wine Forum of Oklahoma 2019. Alexis is also graduating with a minor in entrepreneurship and served as part of the entrepreneurship student advisory board. A member of the Dean’s Honor Roll in four semesters, she spent two summers as an intern with the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas. She was a part of Human Sciences Student Council and served as communication chair for HTM Student Council. Alexis is also a three-year volunteer for her church host team. She is the daughter of Kelly and Joel Ferdinandsen.

Katherine Metzinger • Nutritional Sciences • Oklahoma City

Katherine Metzinger is graduating in nutritional sciences with an option in dietetics and a minor in child development. Katherine was a Human Sciences Freshman Scholar Leader Mentor and an Ambassador. A student in the Honors College, Katherine participated in research and received the “Recognition of Greatest Potential” Award at the Kathleen Briggs Undergraduate Scholars Forum. She also received Outstanding Dietetic Student for the state of Oklahoma. She was active in the Nutritional Sciences Club, serving as president this past year, and has been inducted to Phi Kappa Phi. Katherine was secretary for Phi Upsilon Omicron and received the organization’s Margaret Jerome Sampson Scholarship, one of seven national awards for outstanding academics and leadership with a nutrition emphasis. Katherine interned with Regional Food Bank Summer Feeding program. She is the daughter of Dale and Marcie Metzinger.

Ashtyn Shugart • Design, Housing and Merchandising • LaVon, Texas

Ashtyn Shugart will graduate from design, housing and merchandising with an option in interior design. Ashtyn represented the College of Human Sciences as a Link Leader, assisting with student recruitment events and meeting with prospective students and their families to discuss major options. A student in the OSU Honors College, Ashtyn made the President’s Honor Roll each semester while at OSU. She has been active with Alpha Omicron Pi, serving as Alumni Relations Chair, and with the American Society of Interior Designers in the roles of both president and vice president. Ashtyn is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. She interned with the DLR Group | Staffelbach in Dallas. Ashtyn is the daughter of Audra Moses and Matthew Shugart.

Nicole Sparks • Hospitality and Tourism Management • Tulsa, Oklahoma

Nicole Sparks is graduating in hospitality and tourism management. She is the Executive Chair for the 2019 Wine Forum of Oklahoma and has served as ambassador chair for 2018 Hospitality Days and as a part of the beverage committee for the first-ever Craft Beer Forum of Oklahoma. In addition, she served as assistant homecoming director for her sorority. Nicole gained experience through two summer internships with Professional Sports Catering for the Tulsa Drillers minor league baseball team. She was also a teaching assistant for the learning lab in Taylor’s Restaurant. Nicole volunteered for Wings of Hope, the Big Event, Into the Street and for the local animal shelter. She received and maintained the Academic Opportunity Award and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is the daughter of Stephanie Sparks.

Summer Stevens • Design, Housing and Merchandising • Perry, Oklahoma

Design, housing and merchandising senior Summer Stevens will graduate with an option in merchandising. Summer was selected as an Oklahoma State University Senior of Significance for 2018-19, representing the top one percent of the senior class. She served as executive director of the OSU Speakers Board and as vice president of membership for the OSU Student Foundation. Summer was also part of the President’s Partners Committee where she helped host events on behalf of OSU President Burns Hargis. She was a Top 10 Freshman Woman and had been inducted to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She interned with Samantha Brown Styling and Dear John Denim and participated in a leadership study abroad program to Spain and Portugal. Summer was also part of a team that earned second place for Product Development in a competition with Target. Summer is the daughter of Rhonda Stevens and the late Norman Stevens.

Ben Watson • Human Development and Family Science • Oklahoma City

Human development and family science senior Ben Watson will graduate with an option in child and family services. Ben has been active in leadership roles with CowboyThon, a philanthropic event to benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation in Oklahoma City, serving as both director of campus life relations and as vice president of operations for the year-long fundraising event. Ben was part of President’s Leadership Council as a freshman and continued as a PLC facilitator as he matriculated through OSU. He has participated in research, working in the College of Human Sciences Child Trauma Lab, which focuses specifically on child abuse and neglect prevention. Ben has served as an OSU Campus Tour guide and also worked as a counselor at Camp War Eagle. Consistently on the President’s Honor Roll, Ben was selected for the National Society of Leadership Success, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and for College of Human Sciences scholarships. He is the son of Brad and Lyn Watson.