The Missouri State University Board of Governors has announced the 2012 Citizen Scholars. Among the six students honored, two students, Scott Turk and Amber Carr, represent the College of Arts and Letters.

The Citizen Scholar Award was initiated in 2007 as a special Board of Governors program to recognize outstanding citizen scholars at Missouri State University. 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.

Each student received a crystal globe in recognition of the award and their names have been added to the Citizen Scholar wall in Plaster Student Union. In addition, the students will have numerous opportunities to represent Missouri State at the state and local levels.

Scott Turk

Turk is a senior in the socio-political communication program and plans to attend law school. Turk received a nomination from Dr. Galanes. “Scott is an extraordinary young man with exceptional maturity who demonstrates leadership capabilities far beyond his years,” described Galanes.

Turk is active in both the campus and Springfield community with activities including student advisory member for the College of Arts and Letters, Graduate of the Distinction in Public Affairs Program, 2011-2012 Student Body President, 2012 Public Affairs Committee Member, as well as a participant in many outreach initiatives for Joplin following the devastating tornado.

“The Public Affairs Mission is what has made my collegiate experience so much more rewarding. It was not until my sophomore year that I really started to realize the importance of the mission and how much it can be applied to every aspect of my college experience. Mary Ann Wood and everyone within the Public Affairs office have done such a great job integrating on to our campus and it is so incredible to see the strides that it has made even in the past four years that I have been on campus,” explains Turk.

Amber Carr

Carr is a senior in the broadcast journalism program in West Plains and received nomination from Dr. Gary Phillips. “Instead of ‘getting lost in the crowd,’ Amber has maintained the characteristics that are consistent with being a Citizen Scholar. She has demonstrated leadership qualities and excellent moral character,” Phillips commented.

Carr earned her nomination through work with volunteer programs such as the Salvation Army, the Red Cross blood drives, Trunk-or-Treat, and Habitat for Humanity. She also served the West Plains campus as a student ambassador, STAR orientation leader, Student Government Association publicist/member, a student worker and a Steering Committee member.

“I believe that the Public Affair Mission is of vital importance and helps students prepare for the future. Ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement are characteristics that will not only help one to be successful in their career, but in life as well. It’s great that MSU seeks to help their students think about these characteristics throughout their college experience. I believe that it is a mission that encourages thinking and one that sticks with people long after they graduate,” Carr explained.