Two seniors receive Faculty Honors

Two graduating seniors at Northwestern College received Faculty Honors during the college’s commencement exercises on May 10. Olivia Holt of Omaha and Samantha Kleinsasser of Huron, S.D., were recognized.

The Faculty Honors award is bestowed upon graduates who excel in academic achievement, Christian influence, general attitude and participation in worthwhile campus activities. The highest honor the faculty gives to graduating seniors, it is determined by a vote of the entire faculty.

Holt, a Spanish and translation/interpretation major, graduated Magna Cum Laude. A member of the Sigma Tau senior honor society and a graduate of the Honors Program, she received the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the foreign language department. Holt tutored students, studied abroad, participated in Spring Service Projects, and volunteered as an interpreter for community service organizations. A resident assistant and assistant resident director in Fern Smith Hall, she was a two-year member of the volleyball team. The daughter of Keith and Lori Holt will be participating in Northwestern’s Summer of Service program, working with CEPAD, the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua.

Kleinsasser graduated Summa Cum Laude with a major in nursing. The recipient of the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the nursing department, she was a member of the Sigma Tau senior honor society. She was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American in basketball, earning Player of the Year honors this year, and was the national winner of the NAIA’s Liston Award in 2013 for excellence on the court and in the classroom. Kleinsasser was also an NAIA and WBCA All-American and an NAIA Scholar-Athlete. The daughter of Dana Kleinsasser has participated in service projects in Haiti three times and served as a tutor and discipleship group leader.