Sabrina Goddard, a biology major from Stroud, Okla., on Tuesday was named the recipient of the Hurie Award as the outstanding member of the 2012 senior class at University of the Ozarks.
Sabrina Goddard, a biology major from Stroud, Okla., was named the recipient of the 2012 Hurie Award.
The award, announced at the conclusion of the annual Student Awards Convocation, is named for Dr. Wiley Lin Hurie, who served as president of Ozarks from 1923 to 1949. Given by the University’s faculty, it is the highest honor an Ozarks student can receive. The faculty members choose a graduate who has been an exemplary scholar, a campus leader, and a person of outstanding character.
Goddard has excelled both in the classroom and on the basketball court since arriving at Ozarks in 2008. She has been named to the University’s academic honor roll each semester she has attended Ozarks and will graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors during the May 12 commencement ceremony. She is the historian of the Ozarks Biological Society, a member of the Tri Beta National Biological Honor Society and the Ozarks Alchemists. She completed a summer undergraduate research fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2011.
As a four-year starter and team captain on the women’s basketball team, Goddard finished her career ranked sixth in points (1,350), seventh in rebounding (683) and recorded 197 blocked shots. She was a three-time all-conference performer and was named to the Capital One Academic All-District Team last year. She was also named to the ASC All-Academic Team three times. She was named the University’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2011.
"It’s an amazing honor," Goddard said. "I’ve watched fellow students walk up and receive the Hurie Award in previous years and I’ve always thought what a great honor it was. It’s an extremely prestigious award and to be chosen is really humbling. I’m still in shock."
Goddard has been an active volunteer in the community, assisting at local hospitals, coaching a Girl’s Club basketball team, helping with the Field of Angels program, walking dogs at Needy Paws, and volunteering for the Special Olympics.
"With playing basketball and going to school I’ve never had a lot of free time, but I felt it was important to volunteer as much as I could," she said. "I wanted to make the most of my college experience and that meant trying to be involved as much as I could."
Goddard plans to attend medical school at the University of Oklahoma in the fall. She is the daughter of James and Martina Goddard of Stroud. Her grandparents are Albert and Tina Delese from Texarkana, Ark., and Donald and Janie Goddard from Peggs, Okla.
Topics: Academics