Wesley Laurence Hartmann Presented Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award

2016 Apr 22

Wesley Laurence Hartmann of Johannesburg, ZZ, is the recipient of the Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award. The award is one of the most prestigious honors given at Kutztown University.

Hartmann will receive his bachelor's degree in biology in May. Hartmann received the Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award 2016 in the category of noteworthy achievements in athletics. He won as the USA Rugby Collegiate All-American in 2015 (Honorable Mention 2014), Rugby East Forward of the Year in 2015, Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2014 (2015 runner-up) and ACRC Champion in both 2015 and 2013. He has been the Kutztown Rugby Executive Board vice president since 2014 and also served as its secretary 2013-2014, and additionally was the rugby team's captain in 2015 and the A-side 15s and 7s team starter for KU since 2012. He has been on the Dean's List throughout his time at Kutztown and received a Board of Governors Scholarship. He was also Golden Bear of the Week for the KU Student Government Board (SGB), an SGB representative for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a KU Admissions tour guide and founder of the Future Physicians student organization. Hartmann hopes to obtain a competitive internship position in one of the nation's top animal behaviors programs, to work towards a Master's and Ph.D. in animal sciences and to secure a position with a professional rugby team.

Faculty members nominate students after they have met one or more of the six areas of achievement. Areas in which achievement can occur include: successfully completed research projects, original artwork of high quality, artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality, original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community.

The Academic Achievement Award was established through a donation provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, KU faculty member from 1970-2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of KU graduating seniors. Specially designed coin medallions of gold, silver, and copper were presented to the students.