Youmans Receives Phi Kappa Phi 2012 Fellowship

MACON, GA (05/29/2012)(readMedia)-- MACON - Mercer University graduate Marielle Youmans, of Cairo, has been selected as a 2012 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Fellowship winner. Youmans, who graduated this month, was selected as one of only 60 winners nationwide and will receive $5,000 as part of her award.

"Marielle has shown herself to be an exemplary Mercer student," said Dr. Bridget Trogden, Youmans' adviser and an associate professor of chemistry and director of first year integrative studies. "She maintained an excellent GPA and balanced many leadership and volunteer roles in campus organizations. She was a hard-working and creative research student and was able to present her research at two national conferences. Furthermore, she has an excellent attitude, earning the respect and admiration of her peers and of her professors."

Youmans graduated summa cum laude with university honors from Mercer's College of Liberal Arts on May 12 with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry. She plans to study dentistry at Georgia Health Sciences University this fall. At Mercer, Youmans served as president of Alpha Epsilon Delta, vice president of Chi Omega Fraternity, general chemistry supplemental instruction leader and AWARE peer educator. In addition to Phi Kappa Phi, Youmans was a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.

Dr. Trogden is president-elect of Phi Kappa Phi and nominated Youmans for the fellowship.

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Its chapters are on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated. Since its founding, Phi Kappa Phi has initiated more than 1 million members into its ranks; all of these members have received emblems and certificates of membership. www.phikappaphi.org

About Mercer University

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at four regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with four teaching hospitals - Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus - and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu

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