May 5, 2008

Courtney A. Jones (left) was presented with the Outstanding Senior Award for 2008 by Darci Ellwein (right), president, U-Mary Alumni Association and Council.

Bismarck, ND -- Courtney A. Jones of Bismarck was recognized with the University of Mary Alumni Association's Outstanding Senior Award for 2008 at America's Leadership University's annual President's Recognition Breakfast, Saturday, May 3. Each year, the U-Mary teaching faculty nominates members of the graduating class for this prestigious award, based on their academic achievement, community service and service to the University of Mary. The Alumni Council Board then selects the recipient from these nominees.

Jones, who received a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and communication studies, was nominated for her exemplary academic performance, self-giving within and outside of the university, and demonstrated leadership. In making the nomination, Karel Sovak, assistant professor, U-Mary Tharaldson School of Business cited Jones as "the epitome of the quality student we seek to graduate from our university." He said, "She upholds the Benedictine values in all aspects of her life ... Not only has she excelled with a 4.0 GPA throughout her time here, but she has given of her time and talents in a variety of areas. She is a role model for other students ...  [and] has a genuine concern for each person she comes in contact with ... [She] gives of herself 100 percent in areas of integrity, competence, sincerity, personality, and spirituality."

During her four years at America's Leadership University, Jones was an active member of the Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy's business program, participating and often taking a leading role in projects ranging from a real-time location and communication quality assurance laboratory for a client of U-Mary's I.D.E.A. (Incubator for Developing Entrepreneurial Activity) Center to the coordination and implementation of a citywide professional development yoga seminar. She has further supplemented her classroom training serving as a teacher's assistant for Sylvan Learning Center and interning and working part-time for Montana-Dakota Utilities. Her volunteer activities have included working for the United Way Day of Caring, American Heart Association, Northern Plains Dance Academy, and Special Olympics.

A dean's list student throughout her U-Mary academic career and winner of a Sister Thomas Welder Scholarship, Jones was the first recipient of the Lanterman Scholarship and was selected to represent the university last summer in the Lee Iacocca Institute and LeHigh University Global Village Program.

"The past four years at the University of Mary have confirmed for me that when I selected this school for my education, I found a college with a staff and curriculum that could challenge my thinking [and] offer me an education second to none," Jones says. "I have not only grown and learned, but I have developed the desire to keep growing and learning, personally and professionally. I believe U-Mary has given me the tools to succeed in this endeavor.

"The University of Mary has given me great opportunities, not only on campus, but off campus, working in the community and with area businesses through the Harold Schafer leadership program.

"I feel they've really created a well-rounded program to prepare me to go out into the business world. They include the Benedictine values and there's emphasis on ethics. In talking with students from other schools, it seems many of them don't really get the hands-on experience that U-Mary provides, and I think that's very important, especially as I'm doing job interviews now, that's what employers are looking for. That's been very beneficial to me."

Jones desires to stay in North Dakota and is seeking full-time employment in the Bismarck area to enable her to pursue a master's degree. She cites communications and marketing as her primary areas of focus, but says she is "open to other challenges and prospects."

Courtney is the daughter of Greg and Anne Jones of Bismarck.

Nominees for the University of Mary's 2008 Outstanding Senior Award were: Kayla Block, Sidney, MT; Kayla Boschee, Glen Ullin, ND; Katie Dretsch, Frazee, MN; Megan Ferguson, Lexington, NE; Amanda Hendrickson, Buffalo Lake, MN; Krista Heupel, New Leipzig, ND; Scoti Hutzenbiler, Belfield, ND; Courtney Jones, Bismarck; Ashley Maas, Rapid City, SD; Heather Martin, Mandan, ND; Tyler Monson, Jamestown, ND; James Murphy, Steilacoom, WA; Jennifer Nelson, Yale, SD; Alicia Palmer, Pierre, SD; Cassandra Quintus, Bismarck, ND; Maureen Tacke, Greencreek, ID; Kate Weinand, Hazen, ND.