Jim Wilkins Excellence in Education Scholarship Winners

After consideration of outstanding applications from graduate and undergraduate candidates throughout the South Central Region, four winners were awarded the 2006 Jim Wilkins Excellence in Education Scholarship. These winners are truly the best of the best, and their achievements deserve congratulations.

The award selections were based on accomplishments in human resources, academics, campus and community involvement and recommendations from professors, advisors and/or employers. This year the awards were presented to students from the University of North Texas, Baylor University and Mesa State College.

Laura Beadles
Laura is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior from the University of North Texas. Laura expects to graduate in December 2007. She has completed 88 hours of course work, with an overall grade point average of 3.93. In addition, Laura is currently the Vice President of the UNT SHRM Student Chapter and President of Beta Gamma Sigma. During the summer of 2006, Laura was an intern in the Human Resources Department at Henry Schein, Inc, where she also worked as an HR Administrative Assistant during her 2005-2006 winter break. In her letter of recommendation, Dr. Donna Ledgerwood, Faculty Advisor for UNT’s HR activities and Beta Gamma Sigma, stated, “Laura is well respected by her professors, her peers and members of the UNT SHRM Chapter. I have known Laura to be a person of character and integrity who is always willing to go the extra mile that ensures success.”

Angela Braudaway
Also a student at the University of North Texas, Angela is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Having completed 61 credit hours with a 3.9 overall grade point average, Angie anticipates graduating in December 2007. In addition, Angie serves as the technical and support assistant to the UNT Staff Council. She is only the third person to serve as student assistant to the Staff Council. According to Dianne Berge, Associate Director of Human Resources at UNT, “this is a prestigious student position requiring additional leadership skills and technical expertise. Angie is always very professional, dependable and reliable. Angie takes initiative and demonstrates a caring attitude towards co-workers and the University in general.” Angie is a member of the UNT Student SHRM Chapter and also holds the office of VP of Community Service in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars of UNT.

April Quinn
April is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. April has completed 82 credit hours, with a 4.0 overall GPA and anticipates graduating in December 2007. In addition to her scholastic achievements, since May 2004, April has been employed with the Mesa County Department of Human Services, where she has served as the Youth Employment Specialist, responsible for coordinating the Governor’s Summer Job Hunt Program. April is currently the Vice-President of the Mesa State College SHRM Chapter. In his letter of recommendation, Dr. Patrick Schutz, Assistant Professor of Business Administration and SHRM chapter faculty advisor, describes April as “a young woman who demonstrates a unique blend of humorous inquisitiveness and studiousness that is at once refreshing, and impressive.”

Matthew Renfro
Matthew is currently a senior year student, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and Marketing at Baylor University. Matt has completed 97 credit hours, carries a 3.46 overall grade point average and will graduate in May 2007. Matt is a SHRM National member and an officer in the Baylor Association of Human Resources. He is also on the Dean’s Academic Honor and has served as Sing Chairman, Rush Chairman and Traditions Chairman of Phi Kappa Chi Fraternity. During the summer of 2006, Matt was an Human Resources Intern at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas. According to Dr. Joe Cox, Professor and SHRM Chapter Advisor at Baylor University, Matt “is the ultimate professional. He is always responsible, energetic and involved in class interactions. He is friendly, well-liked, bright, goal-oriented and hard working.”

These scholarship recipients will each receive a $1,000 grant, plus the proceeds from the HR Southwest Silent Auction. We wish these students and all of the candidates who applied for this scholarship continued success in both educational and professional endeavors. The scholarship winners are also the recipients of an honorarium given by HR Southwest in honor of the Educational Session speakers.

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