Dalis Lampkins, of Gleason, and Ashton Sawyers, of Gallatin, received Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Awards during the University of Tennessee at Martin’s spring 2019 commencement exercises May 4. These awards showcase outstanding community and campus service by graduating students and are the only awards given during commencement each semester.

Lampkins received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science during commencement exercises and recently completed a position as a public policy intern with the University of Tennessee Office of Government Relations and Advocacy in Nashville. She spent her undergraduate years serving as a Peer Enabling Program mentor for incoming freshmen and was active in the Student Government Association and Chi Omega Xi Zeta chapter. She also participated in the 48<sup>th</sup> and 49<sup>th</sup> general assemblies of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, serving as both deputy secretary of state and elections commissioner.

Lampkins is also the sole student participating in a research project titled “The Impact of Deregulation on Reelfoot Lake Wildlife Refuge” alongside Dr. Patrick Baker and Dr. Anderson Starling, both faculy members in the UT Martin Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics and Political Science. She has presented her research findings at several conferences including the Midwest Political Science Association Conference and the Academic Business World International Conference.

Sawyers received a Bachelor of Science degree in health and human performance during commencement May 4. He is the most recent president of both UT Martin’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Kappa Omicron chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Sawyers also served as a senator in the Student Government Association and has worked to strengthen relationships among the university’s three Greek life councils.

He served as a student assistant in the UT Martin Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs and was instrumental in the creation of events and programming for minority student populations. During his time as an undergraduate, Sawyers received UT Martin’s Emerging Leader Award (2016), the NPHC Greek Man of the Year Award (2017) and was elected as the university’s first homecoming king in 2018.

Dr. Paul Meek served the UT Martin campus as executive officer, dean, UT vice president or chancellor from 1934 to 1967. This award was originally established and funded by the three Meek children to honor their parents.

For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.

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