Top 2011 graduates from ASU named

At least 3,000 undergraduates getting degrees from ASU on May 12 have distinguished themselves academically, often while working and juggling family obligations.

Among the most prestigious awards are the Outstanding Graduate Awards given by the ASU Alumni Association to those who have achieved both inside and outside the classroom. One student per college is chosen, although this year three were selected from the largest college, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The following is a list of the 2011 Outstanding Graduates:

• Barrett, the Honors College – Mara Steinhaus of Parker, Colo.
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, humanities – Samuel Philbrick of Rochester, Minn.
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, natural sciences – Heather Koch of Phoenix
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, social sciences – Martha Wetzel of Phoenix
• College of Nursing & Health Innovation – Meghan Mills of Baroda, Mich.
• College of Public Programs – Danielle Barragan of Phoenix
• College of Technology & Innovation – Radoslaw Wendzich of Surprise
• Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts – Evan Sorosky of Agoura Hills, Calif.
• Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering – Joy Marsalla of Tucson
• Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College –  Jennifer Falk of Tempe
• New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences – Dhannia Torres of Phoenix
• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law – Heather Horrocks of Gilbert
• School of Letters & Sciences – Osmara Altenhof of Alachua, Fla.
• School of Sustainability – Hannah Wells of Shutesbury, Mass.
• W. P. Carey School of Business – Isaiah McCoy of Tempe
• Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication – Kylee Gauna of Yuma

Some 1,097 students are graduating with summa cum laude honors, with a GPA of 3.8 or higher. Another 932 are graduating magna cum laude, with a 3.6 to 3.79 GPA, and 965 will graduate cum laude, with a GPA of 3.4 – 3.59.

Barrett, the Honors College, boasts 410 graduates. These students have completed at least 30 honors credits and have written a comprehensive honors thesis or creative project and have defended it before a committee.

Another 129 students are receiving the Moeur Award from the ASU Alumni Association, for having a 4.0 GPA with all their coursework completed at ASU.