Each year, VCU nominates undergraduate and graduate students for recognition in the publication, “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”
Britten Blankinship, the coordinator of leadership and Greek life, said “Who’s Who” gives students who work hard in school and their community a chance to be honored.
“I believe ‘Who’s Who’ allows students who work and really give back to the community a chance to shine,” Blankinship said. “This is a stepping stone for students who are selected to win other awards. This isn’t a competition for one prize, but recognition for many deserving students.”
Students are selected for “Who’s Who” based on their academic achievement, community service and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Junior, senior and graduate students with a least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average who participate in campus and community volunteer activities were eligible.
“We’ve received 65 undergraduate ‘Who’s Who’ applications and 35 graduate student applications,” she said. “We are still evaluating them.”
Tia Gibson, a sophomore majoring in sociology, identified her classmate Jessica Aruta as someone who exemplifies the characteristics of an exceptional student.
“Jessica is a very good scholar and is very involved in the community,” Gibson said. “Jessica is a part of the activist group VOX on campus. She works for VCU’s Americorps program and is a member of the Feminist Action Network she is really working hard trying to balance work and school.”
Antwonie Calloway, one of the 76 undergraduates selected for the honor last year, graduated in August with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. While at VCU, he served as the vice president of the Society of Black Professional Engineers and worked part-time for the Defense Supply Center. Calloway said he remembers receiving an e-mail about applying for “Who’s Who.”
“I knew about ‘Who’s Who’ in high school and was selected back then, but I didn’t know that there was a college edition,” Calloway said . “It was very random.