Release date: May 22, 2002
Contact: Deb Hammacher, Associate Director, Media Relations,
at 404-727-0644 or dhammac@emory.edu

Leadership and Service Nets McMullan Award for Emory Graduate

Service and leadership have defined the college career of Emory University senior and former student government president Anna Manasco. Her dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed by the university, which named her the 2002 McMullan Award winner – $20,000, no strings attached.

The Lucius Lamar McMullan Award, endowed by Emory alumnus William L. Matheson in honor of his uncle, is given to a graduating senior who exhibits "outstanding citizenship, exceptional leadership and potential for service to his or her community, the nation and the world." The donor’s intention is to allow a student to do something he or she wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. Manasco plans to use her award to go to graduate school next year at Oxford University in England.

"I had absolutely no clue I was receiving this award when I was called to the dean’s office. It is a very humbling award and I was particularly honored that the faculty members took the time to nominate me," Manasco says.

Described by faculty members as "the ultimate Emory citizen" and a "true servant-leader," Manasco, a political science major, graduated with highest honors during Emory’s commencement ceremony May 13.

"From the outset, it was expected that I would make the most of my time at Emory, from the goals I set for myself to the expectations of the people here," she says.

Taking on a variety of leadership roles came naturally for the Pollard Turman Leadership Scholar, who also served as president of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, this year. The chapter won the Emory Dean’s Cup for Fraternal Excellence (the highest award given to any Emory Greek organization) for work done during her term of office.

"I think the beauty of Emory is that it is not just a place to work and study, but a place to live and grow and have rich experiences," Manasco says. "I think I have tried to do everything you can possibly do as one person to experience all that Emory has to offer. I’ve made the most of my time here and I leave with no regrets."

As president of Emory’s Student Government Association (SGA) for the 2001-02 academic year, she oversaw a 14-person cabinet, a three-person staff, and $1.7 million budget, and represented 11,000 students to the university community and administration. She previously served as SGA vice president, secretary and freshman legislator.

She also has managed to volunteer her talents as an award-winning debater, teaching a debate class at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta and serving as a volunteer counselor at Alabama Girls State, a mock government program for teenage women.

Some of her accolades and positions of leadership include:

•Member and co-chair, Student Concerns Committee (2000-2001) for the Emory University President’s Commission on the Status of Women
•Freshman Advising and Mentoring at Emory, seminar co-leader
•Barkley Forum debating society member
•Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities
•Omicron Delta Kappa Emergent Undergraduate Leader Award
•Emory Greek Life Award for Outstanding Sorority Leadership
•Emory Greek Life Award for Outstanding Service by a Senior

She also is a member of several academic honor societies, including:

•National Dean’s List
•Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics Honor Society)
•Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society)
•Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society)
•Omicron Delta Kappa Sophomore Superlative Award
•Rho Lambda (Panhellenic Honor Society)

Manasco is the daughter of J. Michael and Jennifer Manasco, and sister of John Manasco Jr., all of Montgomery, Ala. (36117).

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