Oklahoma State University Student Employee of the Year named

In celebration of National Student Employment Week, each year Oklahoma State University recognizes its most outstanding student employees. These students work in various departments around campus and in the Stillwater community and are nominated by their employers.

This year’s ceremony took place Wednesday, April 10 in the ConocoPhilips OSU Alumni Center. The OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and OSU Career Services sponsored the event.

Five finalists were named from a group of 72 nominees. These finalists received a gift basket worth $200 including items from various Stillwater businesses and OSU departments, as well as an orange business portfolio with an engraved plate.

This year’s OSU Student Employee of the Year winner is Mrinalini Patil, a biochemistry and psychology senior from Stillwater, Okla. Patil works in the OSU Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Patil will graduate in May and plans to attend a top medical school. She was nominated by Bill Picking, Professor and department head.

Mrinalini Patil accepts a check from Bill Picking.

Patil received a $1000 scholarship from the OSU Division of Student Affairs, presented by Dr. Bird, floor seats to a men’s basketball game donated by OSU Athletics and a framed portrait.

The other finalists included Kelcea Cundiff, Mulhall, Okla., nominated by Kim Brock, Animal Science Farm Coordinator; Nicole Nunley, Blanchard, Okla., nominated by Brandi White, The Saville Center; John Seth Owens, Morrison, Okla., nominated by Bill Kolarik, OSU Industrial Engineering and Management; Amy Wingo, McAlester, Okla., nominated by Michael Henderson, Lakeside Golf Course.

Aerospace engineering sophomore Ariel Barnes and management junior Jovan Lee were also awarded two student employee scholarships by Terry Baker, Director of University Dining Services and Amanda Sossamon and Toni Layton from US Foods.