Outstanding seniors look back on experience

    After years of hard work and little sleep, the 2009 outstanding seniors, Megan Black and Reed Clapp, are finally rewarded for their dedication to the University.
    Megan Black, senior from Murray, Ky., is on the education route and is currently student-teaching in Belize.
    “There are so many opportunities the University offers, it’s difficult not to get involved in everything,” Black said in an e-mail. “I wouldn’t trade my experiences, but this summer I’m looking forward to catching up on all the sleep I’ve missed in the last five years.”
    Black said she is involved at Murray State as a Resident Adviser, a volunteer Spanish tutor and a member of the Honors Program, among many activities.
    She said the Murray State Honors Program was the most outstanding aspect of the University for her.
    “Not only did the classes offer challenging and thought-provoking discussion, the thesis requirement ensured that I got an early start on undergraduate research,” Black said.
    Although Black has been broadly involved at Murray State, she also recognizes the need to find a niche.
    “My advice would be for incoming freshmen to get involved, but to remember how important it is to leave time for yourself to enjoy these four years (or more) of college,” Black said.
    Reed Clapp, senior from Fancy Farm, Ky., said he was excited and honored.
    “I felt like after four years of hard work it finally paid off,” he said. “It’s been a rewarding time, great experiences and a time for personal growth.”
    Clapp said he was probably most qualified for Outstanding Senior Man  because of his dedication to the University for the past four years through leadership roles and commitment to community.
   Clapp is the vice president of Alpha Lambda Delta, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Judicial Board Chair for Student Government Association.
      He was in All- Campus Sing for four years, Campus Outreach and many boards including College of Education Curriculum Materials Center Board, Student Technology Advisory Board and Strategic Plan Council.
    Clapp was a student ambassador for two semesters and an Elizabeth College First Year Leader for two years.
    He is currently a student worker in the Elementary Education Department but has worked with kids in past settings, like the Mayfield Graves County YMCA Summer Camp and Murray Elementary School Kids’ Company.
    Clapp said his professional goal is to teach elementary school or be a school administrator.
    Laura Cash can be reached at laura.cash@ murraystate.edu.