Six Missouri State University students received the 2017-18 Citizen Scholar Award for living out the university’s public affairs mission, excelling in their studies and taking on leadership roles.

Missouri State’s Board of Governors honored the students at its meeting today (Dec. 14).

Board of Governors member Kendall Seal said the selection committee commends the citizen scholars for engaging the campus community not only with their minds but also with their actions.

“This award, more than any other bestowed upon students, reflects our institution’s deep gratitude for their community engagement, ethical leadership and cultural competence. These citizen scholars make us all very proud to be Missouri State Bears,” Seal added.

The 2017-18 Citizen Scholars

The Citizen Scholar Award recipients are:

• Connor Aller, senior, Holt, Missouri
  Aller is majoring in accounting with minors in Mandarin and economics. He serves the community through his work with Ability Experience and the Southwest Center for Independent Living.

• DeAntra “Shae” Darough, graduate student, Cahokia, Illinois
  Darough is pursuing a master’s in health administration while working as the leadership development graduate assistant. She is actively involved in MSU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council.

• Lily Johnson, senior, Wildwood, Missouri
  Johnson is majoring in cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry. An outstanding volleyball player, Johnson has been the MVC Player of the Year three times, as well as named to All-American teams four times.

• Kendell Loyd, graduate student, Redford, Missouri
  Loyd is working on a master’s in biology. As a teaching assistant for two years, he received the MSU Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award. Loyd helped to found the statewide Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance.

• Brandon McCoy, senior, Spokane, Missouri
  McCoy is majoring in economics with minors in finance and general business. He is student body president at MSU for 2017-18 and has served as a student orientation leader for two years.

• Micaela Wiehe, senior, West Plains, Missouri
  Wiehe is working on her bachelor’s in global studies and Spanish with a minor in Latin American studies. She has studied abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico, and completed an internship at MSU’s campus in Dalian, China, where she tutored English.

About the Citizen Scholar Award

The Citizen Scholar Award, instituted by the Board of Governors and approved in 2007, recognizes full-time students who have made significant accomplishments while enrolled at one of MSU’s campuses.

The award is given to students who have contributed to the university, advanced the university’s public affairs mission and have been significantly engaged in extra-curricular accomplishments and/or in significant service activities in the community.

The students received a crystal globe in recognition of the award and their names are added to the Citizen Scholar wall in Plaster Student Union.