Ryan Smith honored in Who's Who Among Students for 2015

2015 May 14

Ryan Smith of Belleville, Illinois, has received national recognition as an outstanding campus leader for 2015 by the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges program. He is the son of Ron and Janice Smith.

Smith is one of a select group of 39 seniors (spring 2015 semester) from Olivet Nazarene University to accept this prestigious award. More than 1,000 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated in nominating their students for this honor.

Majoring in mathematics education, Smith received this honor for his achievements while at Olivet, including: Eagle Scout; 2012 Purity in Diversity Award; 2013 Football Intentional Living Award; Pi Mu Epsilon Math Honor Society; Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society; dean's list, all years; Daktronics-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football Scholar-Athlete, 2014 and 2015; Mid-States Football Association All-Academic Team, 2014 and 2015; Tiger football, four years; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), seven and one-half years; FCA Leadership Team at Olivet, three and one-half years; Student Education Association, one year; volunteer at FCA camps; volunteer with Eastridge Church of the Nazarene youth group, 2012–2013; mission trip to Flint, Michigan; team leader, mission trip to Thailand, 2015.

Olivet Nazarene University's campus nominating committee -- made up of representatives from the faculty, administration and student body -- selected and nominated Smith for this award. Criteria for this selection included grade point average, participation and leadership in school activities, community involvement and leadership ability.

For 80 years, Who's Who Among Students has annually honored outstanding student leaders from institutions of higher learning across the country. It is one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs, respected by college faculties and administrations.