Joel Chan, a psychology major from Penang, Malaysia, was named the recipient of the prestigious Hurie Award during the University of the Ozarks' Student Awards Convocation, held on Tuesday, April 28, in Munger Chapel.
Each year the faculty members of Ozarks elect one student to receive the Hurie Award, given to the outstanding member of the senior class. This award is named for Dr. Wiley Lin Hurie, who served as president of this institution from 1923 to 1949. The Hurie Award is the highest honor an Ozarks student can receive. The faculty members choose a graduating senior who has been an exemplary scholar, a campus leader, and a person of outstanding character.
Chan has excelled both in and out of the classroom since arriving at Ozarks in 2005. He has made the honor roll each semester he has attended Ozarks, was selected to the Alpha Chi Honor Society, was named the Outstanding Student in Psychology, and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Chan, who minored in music, was also active in the music department, participating with the University Ringers, the Ozarks Chorale and the Chamber Singers. He was involved in Alpha & Omega, the Baptist Campus Ministries and with Clarksville First Baptist Church, where he was part of the Worship Team and helped mentor high school students.
In addition, Chan worked as a supplemental instructor and tutor in the University’s Student Support Services all four of his years at Ozarks. During the summer of 2008 he was one of 12 students chosen nationwide to participate in The American Psychological Association’s Summer Science Fellowship in Washington D.C.
Chan, who is graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors on May 16, is the son of Isaac and Lydia Chan. He plans to enroll in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall and pursue a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology. His goal is to return to Malaysia to teach in higher education and “help build up the intellectual capital” of his home country.
Topics: Academics