Four Students Win NC State Mathews Medals

Four graduating North Carolina State University seniors will receive the Mathews Medal, the highest nonacademic distinction awarded to students.

The Mathews Medal is modeled after the Watauga Medal – the highest nonacademic award bestowed by the university – and is administered by the NC State Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program.

The award is named after Walter J. Mathews, the first student enrolled at the N.C. College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1889. It recognizes seniors who have made significant contributions based on leadership and service. The medals will be awarded at a ceremony April 22 at the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center.

This year’s recipients are:

Sam Dennis of Jamestown, N.C., was president of the Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program, where he helped organize pep rallies and other events. A Caldwell Scholar, he served on the Student Government Traditions Commission and was co-editor of The Brick, an annual publication designed to give students more information about NC State traditions.

Alyse Flick of Raleigh is a pre-med major who was president of the Pre-Med and Pre-Health Club. She provided meals to the homeless through Imagine No Hunger and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She was awarded a grant to develop educational materials to help teach elementary children about skin cancer.

Lindsey Pullum of Wilmington, N.C., was elections chair for student government. She founded the university’s first Arabic Club. As a resident adviser, she organized educational and cultural programs for other students. She also mentored an elementary school student and a number of incoming NC State freshmen.

Chandler Thompson of High Point, N.C., served as student body president in 2011-12. She helped develop “54 Things to Do at NC State,” a highlight of NC State traditions. In her role as student body president, she served on the NC State Board of Trustees and on search committees to help fill important university staff positions.

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