USAO presents 2024 Distinguished Graduate Award
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma graduate, Chelsea Fuston, was the recipient of the USAO Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award during the 2023-24 commencement ceremony.
Originally from Yukon, Fuston graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in multidisciplinary studies.
“I am truly honored to present this year’s Distinguished Graduate Award to one of our most exceptional students,” said Eugene Earsom, president of the USAO Alumni Association. “Chelsea embodies the very essence of dedication, service and academic excellence that defines this award. I am proud to have such an accomplished graduate join the USAO alumni family.”
Understanding the value of a broad-based education, Fuston advocated as a high school student to attend USAO concurrently instead of going somewhere closer to her high school. Throughout her time as a concurrent student, she actively supported campus events and was involved in the alumni and development office.
After graduating high school, Fuston received the Regents Baccalaureate Scholarship to attend USAO. She designed her own major through the Multidisciplinary Studies program, which allowed her to explore diverse areas of study. Outside of the classroom, she competed in three collegiate sports and was active in USAO’s Student Government Association.
During her tenure as president of SGA, Fuston worked to register seven percent of the student body to vote in the 2022 election. This initiative earned her a spot on the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Student Voting Honor Roll. Her initiatives also boosted student engagement in campus elections by over 400 percent. Furthermore, she organized and hosted a student town hall, fostering open discussions between students and university administration.
In 2023, Fuston was named a Brad Henry International Scholar by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. During the spring semester, she immersed herself in different cultures and norms by living in Wales and attending Swansea University.
Demonstrating a profound commitment to service within the USAO community, Fuston worked in numerous departments on campus, including the Neil-Wint Center for Neurodiversity, Student Success Center, admissions, housing, and marketing and communications departments. From each of her jobs, she was able to gain a wealth of leadership experience and real-world skills that will benefit her post-graduation. Through an internship with a law firm, which eventually led to a full-time position, she discovered her passion for serving rural communities.
Fuston has been admitted to the prestigious concurrent degree program at the University of Arkansas where she will be pursuing a joint juris doctorate and master’s in public policy through the Clinton School of Public Service and Bowen School of Law beginning in the fall.
Since 1981, the USAO Alumni Association has honored a very select group of graduates with the prestigious Distinguished Graduate Award. A committee of alumni and faculty determine the award recipients at the end of each fall and spring semester.
Outstanding Graduate Awards
Additionally, during the commencement ceremony USAO’s five schools presented their Outstanding Graduate Awards for the 2023-24 academic year.
Chloey Desiray Orosco was the recipient for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Humanities; Jordan Bloomfield was the recipient for the School of Science and Physical Education; Colton Ray Pennel and Jamie Rose Townley received the award for the School of Education and Speech-Language Pathology; Alexys Thompson was the recipient for the School of Visual and Performing Arts; while Anastasia Dulle and Chandler Reese Leamon-Webb received the award for the School of Social Sciences and Business.
Outstanding graduate awards are decided by each of USAO’s schools to be awarded to students they deem to be exceptional among their peers.
The Outstanding Graduate Awards photo album can be found here.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.