DURANT, Okla. ­--  Southeastern Oklahoma State University honored the 2008 Top 10 Freshmen with an awards ceremony and reception Friday.

The Top 10 Freshmen were selected from more than 600 students, and included six from Oklahoma, three from Texas and one from Bogota, Columbia. Five are involved in the Honors Program, four in the President's Leadership Class and one is president of the International Student Association.

The group's combined grade point average is 3.85.

Rance Cockrell, Haworth, is an Occupational Safety major who is heavily involved in campus activities, including Homecoming, Springfest and the Honors Program Canned Food Drive. He is secretary of the Honors Advisory Council and a senator in the Student Government Association.

Chase Dennis, Madill, is a Chemistry major and a member of the 2008 President's Leadership Class where he participated in campus activities such as Homecoming, MLK Day and Springfest. He is a member of the Residence Hall Association and volunteers his spare time at Families Feeding Families and the Bryan County Crisis Center.

Ashley Duncan, Bonham, Texas, is a Psychology/Sociology double major and a participant in the President's Leadership Class. As a senator for the Student Government Association, she served on the Safety and Beautification and Civic Engagement committees.           

Heather Hartline, McKinney, Texas, is a Biology/Chemistry double major. She is currently secretary of the Student Government Association and treasurer for the Honors Advisory Council. She is an active member of the Honors Program and Residence Hall Association.

Tiffany Martinez, Bogota, Columbia, is a Business Marketing major and president of the International Student Association. She has received two business scholarships rewarding her study habits and work ethic. Her goal is to help international students become more involved on campus.

Jerreck McWilliams, Caddo, is a Business Administration major.
He is an active member of the Student Government Association and is the Financial Director of the Student Senate. He was named Outstanding Honors Program Student and currently serves as Vice President of the Honors Advisory Council.

Chelsea Nwankwo, Leonard, Texas, is a Nursing major. She is an alumna of the 2008 President's Leadership Class, a member of the Residence Hall Association, a senator for the Student Government Association and a Savage Storm Leader involved in numerous campus activities. She is also a Senator in the Student Government Association.

Paige Percer, Boswell, is a Biology/Chemistry double major. As a member of the Honors Program, she has participated in Honors Day, Springfest, the Honors Newsletter, Homecoming and the President's Leadership Class/Honors Night of Mayhem.

Matthew Sitton, Healdton, is a Biotech major. He is active in the Honors Program and assisted with the Honors Advisory Spring Symposium.

He participated in the re-writing and updating of the Honors Advisory Council by-laws. In the fall of 2009, he was elected Senator in the SGA.

Angel Vilchis, Bromide, is a Biology major. He was a member of the 2008 President's Leadership Class. He is an active participant in the Native American Council and also serves as a Student Government Association Senator and a member of the Residence Hall Association.

Tim Boatmun, Associate Dean for Academic Services, said, "The goal of the Top 10 Freshmen Award is to recognize, celebrate and nurture the success of first-year students."

Back row from left: Southeastern Interim President Larry Minks, Rance Cockrell, Jerreck McWilliams, Angel Vilchis, Matthew Sitton, Chase Dennis, Tim Boatman.