ASG President Receives Henry Woods Student Leadership Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Stephanie Gosnell is the 2003 recipient of the Henry Woods Student Leadership Award. Gosnell, president of the Associated Student Government (ASG), is a graduating senior in the Sam M. Walton College of Business who is majoring in finance. This award recognizes one outstanding student leader and his or her contributions to the campus community. Gosnell is the fourth recipient of this award, and the first woman to be selected for this honor. She will receive a $750 scholarship for the spring semester.

In addition to serving as ASG President in 2002-2003, Gosnell is currently active with the Student Fee Review Board, the University of Arkansas Distinguished Lecturer Committee, the University of Arkansas Safe Ride Committee and Impact Arkansas. Her academic achievements are also extensive. During her academic career at the University, she has been awarded the USA Today All-American Academic Team Honorable Mention in 2003, a Truman Scholarship in 2002 and a Chancellor’s Scholarship in 1999.

"Stephanie’s leadership and dedication to student concerns is remarkable," said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for student affairs. "Her work with numerous student and community organizations as well as her dedication to academic excellence makes her an outstanding choice for the Henry Woods Student Leadership Award."

The Henry Woods Student Leadership Award was established in 2000 in honor of Henry Woods, a 1973 graduate from the University of Arkansas. His friends and associates created this award in recognition of Woods and his 25 years of service in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Woods worked for United States Representative Bill Alexander and United States Senators Dale Bumpers, Blanche Lincoln and David Pryor.

"As an undergraduate, Henry Woods advocated student involvement," said Skip Rutherford, a visiting UA professor and executive vice president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, Arkansas’s largest communications firm, and president of the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation. "Throughout his college years and his distinguished professional career in Washington, he made a positive difference in people’s lives. I am proud to be Henry’s friend, and I congratulate Stephanie on winning this prestigious leadership award which bears Henry’s name."

Previous recipients of the award are Jordan Johnson of Bryant, president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity in 2000; Eddie Armstrong of North Little Rock, president of the Associated Student Government in 2001; and Jeff Smith of El Dorado, editor of the Arkansas Traveler in 2002.

Brazzell and Rutherford presented the 2003 Henry Woods Leadership Award to Gosnell in a surprise announcement at the 2003 Student Involvement Awards Ceremony in the Arkansas Union April 8.

Gosnell is the daughter of Michael and Debbie Gosnell of Conway.