Tanner Cope Awarded George Skiles Anderson Award during Hardin-Simmons University Commencement

ABILENE, TX (05/23/2011)(readMedia)-- Tanner Cope, of North Richland Hills, TX, was presented with the George Skiles Anderson Award during spring commencement ceremonies held this month at Hardin-Simmons University.

The George Skles Anderson Award is presented to the senior man, who having spent three or more years in residence at Hardin-Simmons, has excelled in character, personal development, and service to the university. An HSU faculty committee recommends the recipient.

Cope has achieved a high level of academic success at HSU. He has repeatedly been named to the President's List and is a recipient of several scholarships, including the Hardin-Simmons Dean's Scholarship, the Brinkley Scholarship, the Chapman Scholarship, the Conley Accounting Scholarship, the B. Davis Business Scholarship, and the Student Congress Scholarship. He is driven and focused on accomplishing tasks that represent HSU and the student body.

As a leader on the Student Activity Board, Cope helped develop the annual Turkey Day 5-K, an HSU event that has grown to include the surrounding public community and allowed donations from the event to benefit local non-profits.

Cope has been instrumental in establishing other events, including the annual Blacklight Breakdown and the Bro-lympics. Serving as the HSU Student Body president and on the Student Association, he has worked with HSU's administration to create events such as the annual Town Hall Meeting that is hosted by Dr. Hall for students with questions or concerns to dialogue with the president and vice presidents. Many times, these discussions have resulted in changes that have directly benefited the student body.

Copet has completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with double majors in accounting and economics. His immediate plans are to pursue an internship in New York with the career goal of being an investment banker.

Cope is the son of John and Beth Cope of North Richland Hills, Texas.