Vanderbilt University senior Michael Poku has been named to the honorable mention team in USA Today’s 20th annual All-USA College Academic Team competition.
“USA Today is pleased to be able to honor academic excellence and community service throughout the country,” said USA Today executive editor John Hillkirk in a news release from the national daily newspaper.
The team – which consists of first, second, third and honorable mention team members – was selected by a panel of judges from hundreds of students nominated by colleges and universities across the United States. Judges considered grades, leadership, activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.
Poku is majoring in chemistry and psychology at Vanderbilt and will graduate this May. He worked with Lyn Fulton-John, director of Vanderbilt’s Office of Honor Scholarships, to prepare his application for the USA Today competition.
Criteria for the All-USA College Academic Team were developed in consultation with USA Today’s education co-sponsors: the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The 2009 All-USA College Academic Team final judges were:
● Frank J. Balz, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
● Robin Burns, American Association of University Professors
● Penelope Earley, George Mason University, Professor
● Christie Garton, 2001 All-USA College Academic First Team; Publisher and Author
● Timothy J. McDonough, American Council on Education
For more information on the winners, see the Wednesday, April 29, edition of USA Today or log on to allstars.usatoday.com.
Media contact: Princine Lewis, 615-322-NEWS
princine.lewis@vanderbilt.edu