WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Missouri State University-West Plains graduate Rebekah Allen, Summersville, was one of six students who received the Citizen Scholar Award presented today, Dec. 16, by the Missouri State University Board of Governors during its regular meeting in Springfield.

The award, established in fall 2007, is given annually to students “who exemplify the concept of a citizen scholar,” university officials said.

Allen, who graduated summa cum laude (4.0 grade point average) with an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree with a Specialization in Honors at Missouri State University-West Plains in May 2011, has transferred to the Missouri State University-Springfield campus where she is a junior dietetics major.

During her time at Missouri State-West Plains, Allen, a member of the Darr Honors Program, worked as a writing tutor in the Student Advisement & Academic Support (SAAS) Center through the campus Corps of Opportunity program, a scholarship/work-to-learn program for qualified students.  In addition, she served on the Welcome Week Steering Committee and in the Student Government Association, and was a Student Ambassador and member of the Grizzly Cheer Team.

She also received the Outstanding Student Leader and Outstanding Corps of Opportunity Worker awards during her tenure at the local campus.  The awards honor her outstanding character, ethical behavior and leadership potential.  Since transferring to Missouri State in Springfield, Allen has joined the Student Dietetics Association and The Vine, a campus ministries association.

“Ms. Allen is well deserving of this award,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said.  “She was a very talented and active student on the West Plains campus, and I am sure she will continue to be a role model as she works on her bachelor’s degree on the Springfield campus.”

Those nominating Allen for the award pointed out that she “embodied the idea of ‘citizen scholarship’ by improving the lives of people in her area.”  Through her job as a tutor and as a campus ambassador at numerous outreach programs and events, Allen took the time to talk to students personally, encouraging them to believe they, too, could better themselves and their communities through hard work and dedication.

“I remember on several occasions overhearing her talk to students about using education as a path to success,” one nominator said.  “I know other students saw her success and believed they, too, could earn good grades, become involved on campus and change their circumstances.  Her easy-to-approach, warm, generous character acted as an inspiration for others around her.”

In addition to the 18-credit-hour-per-semester course load she carried and her active campus life, Allen also found the time to give back to her community through sending military care packages, participating in community food drives and blood drives, working at a vacation bible school and volunteering for street clean-up.

Allen is the daughter of Gary and Patricia Allen, Summersville, who attended today’s presentation.

Other recipients of the award this year include Alison Bos, a senior from Billings, Mo., majoring in agricultural communications; Racheal Greatwood, a senior pre-med student from Kansas City, Mo., majoring in dietetics; Lindsay Kittrell, a senior nursing major from Republic, Mo.; Deanne Vassalli, a senior marketing major from Fenton, Mo.; and Samantha Warner, a senior agricultural communications major from Archie, Mo.

The Citizen Scholar Award is given to students who have contributed to the university, advanced the university’s public affairs mission, and have significantly engaged in extra-curricular accomplishments and/or in significant service activities to the community.  Each recipient receives a crystal globe in recognition of the award, and their names are added to the Citizen Scholar wall at Plaster Student Union on the Springfield campus.