Students earn highest award

The Order of the Pegasus, UCF's most prestigious award, was awarded to 16 UCF students Monday night.

The award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have excelled in numerous areas. Undergraduate students are judged in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership and community service.

Graduate students are selected based on academic achievement, professional or community service, leadership, and publication or research experiences.

Students are nominated by a committee that includes the university president, provost, vice provosts, deans, student body president, and the director of athletics. All nominees are asked to complete an application and essay, gather recommendations, and participate in an interview with the selection committee.

Brenna Egan, legal studies major, said it is an honor to be recognized with the Order of the Pegasus.

"UCF has given me so much and for UCF to feel the same about me is an honor," Egan said.

Another student named to the Order of the Pegasus, Lisa Kipersztok, micro and molecular biology major, agreed with Egan. She believes the award shows her dedication and love for UCF.

According to former Speaker of the Senate Patrick Stauffer, the award is a culmination of his years at UCF.

"It means a lot to be honored. I am extremely grateful for the award," Stauffer said.

Recipients of the award received commemorative medals, Student Government Association scholarships and a lifetime membership to the UCF Alumni Association.

The following graduate students were inducted into the Order of the Pegasus Class of 2010: Shelly Frick from the College of Business Administration, Timothy Harnden from the College of Education, Carla McKnight from the College of Education, and Sergio Tafur from the College of Sciences.

The following 12 undergraduate students were inducted into the Order of the Pegasus Class of 2010: Anthony Battaglia from the College of Sciences, Jennifer Bazemore from the College of Medicine and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, Natalia Marques da Silva from the College of Arts and Humanities, Amber Dukes from the College of Sciences, Brenna Egan from the College of Health and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Humanities, Lisa Kipersztok from the College of Medicine and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, Stephanie Koffler from the College of Business Administration and College of Sciences, Andrea Long from the College of Nursing, Stephanie Neubert from the College of Medicine and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, Lauren Rehm from the College of Business Administration, Patrick Stauffer from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Miguel Ubiles from the College of Sciences and College of Education.