SIIRE Student Selected as 2019 Razorback Classic

image of razorback classic wordmark

The Arkansas Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2019 Class of Razorback Classics.

 

This class represents the top 11 female and top 11 male graduating seniors at the University of Arkansas for the academic year. Students were selected from among 71 Seniors of Significance honored recently for academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and campus or community involvement.

This year's class of winners includes representatives from a variety of academic disciplines. The majority of awardees are students in the Honors College. Arkansans make up the majority of the recipients with 14 students hailing from the state. Other locations represented are California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas.

The 22 students will be recognized at the Cardinal & White Banquet on May 2 in Boyer Hall at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House. During this dinner and ceremony each recipient and their mentor will be honored. Mentors, chosen by the honorees, are individuals who have made an impact on the students during their time at the University of Arkansas. All of the Razorback Classics will be featured in the Razorback Yearbook and receive a special honor cord to wear at commencement.

Additionally, the top male senior and the top female senior will be announced at the conclusion of the banquet as the 2019 Senior Honor Citation recipients. Guests at the Cardinal & White Banquet will include university leadership, advancement staff, mentors, parents of honorees, past senior award winners and the association's National Board of Directors.

Among those selected is senior SIIRE student, Theodore Christian.

Photo of Theodore ChristianTheodore is a native of North Texas who came to the University of Arkansas to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Theodore’s first year at the university culminated with him being awarded the prestigious Freshman Engineering Student of The Year Award.  The award is presented to one student each year selected from the entire First-Year Engineering Program based on a nomination letter, application, and an interview panel consisting of the heads of the engineering departments. Theodore's awards continued with repeat mentions on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s list for academic achievement as well as being named a 2016 National Scholar from the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. Along with the SIIRE program scholarship, Theodore has been awarded the Arkansas Academy of Mechanical Engineers Scholarship, The Ronald McDonald House Charities National Scholarship, and the National Society of Black Engineers Corporate Affiliate Scholarship.

During his college career as an undergrad at the University of Arkansas, Theodore has completed over 24 months of internship and research experience. He interned at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, L3 Technologies, Georgia Pacific, and completed a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates.

Theodore has accepted a full-time civil service offer as an Aerospace Technologist, Flight Systems Training and Operations in the Daily Operations and Crew Support Group at Johnson Space Center and will be training to be a vital part of Mission Control. On his awarding of Senior of Significance Theodore said, “It is an honor to receive this recognition; I’d like to thank my family, friends, mentors, and professors for their support and encouragement through the years. Woo Pig!”

You can find the full list of students recognized with this honor here.