Houston Resident Earns Awards at William Woods University

4/19/2007 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Lauren McMichael, a senior at William Woods University double majoring in psychology and equestrian science, has received three prestigious awards from the university. She has been named the 2007 Distinguished Scholar in Psychology and the 2007 Distinguished Scholar in Equestrian Science. She also received a Student Alumni Council Outstanding Senior Award at the university’s co-curricular honors banquet, April 18. McMichael is the daughter of Kevin and Catherine McMichael of Houston, Texas. She is engaged to Staff Sergeant Johnathan Vines, who is serving in the U.S. Army. To be a Distinguished Scholar at William Woods, a graduating senior must be selected by the faculty of a particular discipline. A minimum grade point average of 3.4 is required. The Outstanding Student Awards are the only awards at William Woods University bestowed on students by the nomination and vote of other students. Nominees must demonstrate academic achievement, campus and community involvement and leadership.

She has served as president and vice president of Alpha Phi sorority and has been a member of President’s Twenty, a University Ambassador and a Community Advisor. She also is a member of Order of Omega Greek honor society and Alpha Chi national college honor society.

As a freshman she was instrumental in starting the Saddle Seat Club and their first fund-raising event made more than $1,000 to assist with students’ showing expenses. She won the 2004 National Championship in the Saddle & Bridle 5-Gaited Horsemanship National Finals. She also was a member of the 2004 U.S. Saddle Seat 5-Gaited Equitation Team that won gold at the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Competition.

In January 2005 McMichael was captain of the U. S. Saddle Seat 5-Gaited Equitation Team that won gold in South Africa. In April 2005, she returned to compete in the South African Saddlebred National Championship Horse Show.