Michelle Wiggett Named Outstanding Student by Western New England University Alumni Association

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Michelle Wiggett

SPRINGFIELD, MA (11/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Michelle Wiggett of Piscataway, NJ, was recently named a recipient of the Royal Skookum Award, an honor presented by Western New England University's Alumni Association. The Skookum is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in all their endeavors: academics, co-curricular activities, sports, and community service. "Skookum" is the Native American Chinook Indian word meaning "excellence." Wiggett was one of 15 outstanding seniors to receive Skookum awards during the University's Homecoming Weekend.

A Criminal Justice major with a concentration in Terrorism Studies and a minor in Political Science, Wiggett is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Alpha Phi Sigma, and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. Her involvement on campus includes serving as Peer Advisor, as part of the Peer Advising Steering Committee, a member of Senior Council, and a Resident Representative for Student Senate. The past two years, Wiggett participated in the Alternative Spring Break program, traveling to West Virginia to assist with refurbishing a family's home and to Talladega National Forest in Alabama to build handicapped-accessible trails. She also became involved with volunteering at a local Extreme Makeover Home Edition construction site and participated in a study abroad program, traveling to London for three weeks. During this past summer, Wiggett interned with the International Center for Terrorism Studies in Washington, DC, assisting on a book about how Al-Qaeda has transformed since the September 11 attacks.