NATIONAL MORTAR BOARD FELLOWSHIP AWARDED TO

HILLARY HELLMANN

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Mortar Board National Foundation proudly announces that Hillary Hellmann is the recipient of the 2012 Mortar Board Ramier-Coleman Fellowship, a $3,000 award. Hillary graduated summa cum laude in May from the University of Tulsa, earning a double major in political science and Spanish with minors in communication and international studies. In the fall, she will pursue her law degree at the University of Tulsa, specializing in comparative and international law.

Hillary was initiated into the Senior Staff chapter of Mortar Board in 2010 and served for two years as historian. An active leader as an undergraduate, Hillary was involved as president of University Ambassadors, vice president of Delta Delta Delta, and vice president of membership of Order of Omega. She was also selected to serve as student representative on the Phi Beta Kappa Executive Committee. A leader in the local community as well as on campus, Hillary volunteered regularly at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and dedicated four years as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. For her academic and service endeavors, Hillary was recognized as the Jess Chouteau Outstanding Senior at the University of Tulsa.

Hillary went beyond achieving a perfect grade point average in her academic coursework to engage in scholarly research. Her examination of the Mexican drug wars, inspired by a study abroad experience in Valencia, Spain, was chosen for presentation at the University of Tulsa Student Research Colloquium, an honor typically reserved for graduate students. She also undertook cybercrime research for the Tulsa Police Department that resulted in procedural updates for handling digital evidence, and her investigation into cyber-bullying and social networking led to a series of presentations by police officers to local school children. Hillary gained additional experience by interning for the FBI. Motivated to study international law by the events of September 11, Hillary described, “I hope to one day dedicate my career to the federal government so as to help and prevent the terrorism that so significantly influenced me in my adolescent years.”

A 2008 alumna of Eureka High School, Hillary is the daughter of Greg and Paige Hellmann of Wildwood, Mo.

This year, the Mortar Board National Foundation awarded nearly $40,000 in fellowships to 10 exceptional Mortar Board members. Fellowship recipients are chosen based on academic excellence, strong recommendation, scholarly promise and Mortar Board involvement. Since the establishment of the Mortar Board fellowship program in 1941, more than $650,000 has been awarded to assist members in pursuing further study in graduate or professional school.

Mortar Board National Foundation president, Sally Steadman, Ph.D., commented, “These extraordinary students, having already made a positive impact on their campuses and in their communities, share a proven commitment to promoting meaningful societal change. It is with pride that Mortar Board assists them in their pursuit of scholarly, leadership and charitable achievements.”

Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Since its founding in 1918, the Society has grown from the four founding chapters to 229 chartered collegiate chapters with more than a quarter million initiated members across the nation.

Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community. Some notable Mortar Board members include pioneering engineer Lillian Gilbreth, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Emmy-winning actor Rue McClanahan, astronaut and scientist Judith Resnik, adventurer Aron Ralston and lifestyle expert Bruce Littlefield. Learn more about Mortar Board at www.mortarboard.org.