2009-2010 Outstanding First-Year Student Award

Danielle Martin (left) and Jonathan Lee (center) were recognized as co-winners of the 2009-2010 Outstanding First-Year Student Award. Jacob Subash (right) was named Finalist of Distinction for the Award.

The East Carolina Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society presented awards for Outstanding First-year Student for 2009-2010 at a ceremony held on April 18, 2010. In selecting a winner, the committee considered a number of criteria including SAT scores, g.p.a., and number of AP and honor’s hours completed. Candidates also submitted written statements about their personal and professional goals. It was a very difficult decision for the committee because there were eight highly qualified nominees. As a result, the committee has chosen to recognize one finalist of distinction and two co-award winners.

Jacob Subash was named Finalist of Distinction and received a check for $100 from the chapter. Jake emigrated from India to the United States in 2002 and graduated from JH Rose high school in Greenville. He was active in Tae Kwon Do and volunteered at Pitt Memorial Hospital. He received a full academic scholarship as an EC Scholar and received the Brody Early Assurance admission to medical school. Jake is pursuing a major in Biology and will study abroad in Sweden. He has volunteered in the lab of Dr. Keiper in the Brody School of Medicine and is part of the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and plans to pursue the study of medicine and become a practicing physician.

Two ECU honors students were named co-winners for the Outstanding First-year Student Award. Each received a plaque and a check for $500 from the chapter.

Jonathan Lee is a native of Greenville. He graduated from Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, North Carolina. In high school, Jonathan volunteered as a research lab assistant in the Brody School of Medicine, served as a tutor in mathematics and participated in Church orchestra. In 2008 he traveled with his father to Sichuan province of China to serve with the Bridge to the Nations Humanitarian medical mission for earthquake relief. Jonathan was admitted to the university as an EC Scholar and was selected for the Early Assurance Admission program to the Brody School of Medicine. He is majoring in Neuroscience and has volunteered with the Grimesland Indigent Clinic. He too is a member of the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and will study abroad during the coming year. Jonathan plans to pursue an MD and with a joint Master’s of Public Health degree in order to better prepare and serve as a physician in rural America.

Danielle Martin a resident of Pitt County. She attended the Oakwood School and graduated from South Central High School in Greenville. Active in sports, Danielle was captain of the varsity volleyball team and graduated third in her class. She was admitted to the university as an East Carolina scholar.  She is a member of the Honors program and the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. She is also participating in her second semester of club volleyball and is co-captain of her team. Danielle is majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish and she plans to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Despite all of these activities, she has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Eventually, Danielle plans to attend medical school and where she hopes to pursue her dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon.