Doris Agwu Named Outstanding Wichita Student at Mizzou Her list of extracurricular activities is a long one. President of the African Students Association. President of the Minority Association for Pre-Health Professions Students. A Senator in the Legion of Black Collegians.
That’s just the start. Add in United Ambassador, Alternative Spring Breaker, Pre-Med Club Representative, Network of Female Leaders (NFL), Teach For America Representative, and a job at the Truman VA Hospital as a Pharmacy Aid Technician.
Having one major to go with those activities would keep most students busy. A dual major in Biology and Psychology, plus a minor in Business means 15-17 hours a semester.
With that schedule, Doris Agwu admits she “Gives up certain things like sleep to get things done.”
Because of her myriad accomplishments, the Tornado Alley Tigers are pleased to honor Doris as the Outstanding Wichita Student at Mizzou. She received her award at a luncheon with the Executive Board over Spring Break.
A graduate of the International Baccalaureate Program at East High School, Agwu narrowed her college choices to Tulsa, Kansas State, the university of kansas, and Missouri. In the end, the Tigers’ persistence won out. Receiving the Diversity and George Brooks Scholarships also helped. “When I sent my application, they sent some scholarship information,” she recalls.
“My parents and I liked that.”
Mizzou’s location also played a big factor in Doris’ decision. “We grew up with strict parents,” she says of herself and her 3 siblings. “I was ready to start over. I prefer going to new places and meeting new people. I liked the campus, and it is still close enough to get home when it’s necessary.”
When she arrived to begin classes, things were not always easy. As a freshman, she spent most of her time with classmates and “didn’t like Mizzou at all.” But as she spent more time in the shadows of the Columns, changes began to happen. She spent more time with older students, found her niche, and was able to enjoy herself a lot more. “Now, I do like it a lot,” she says. “Mizzou really does take care of their students. Every time I’m around Wichita, I mention Mizzou to people and recommend it to them.”
As she prepares to graduate in December, Doris says she may remain in Columbia. “Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer. I watched the Cosby Show and always wanted to be Clair Huxtable.” She plans to go to law school or medical school, and is considering Missouri’s highly rated law program along with a dual degree in law and medicine. Chapter President Ted Ayres has already given her a recommendation, saying “She seems to be personable and demonstrates a strong sense of self-confidence. It seems to me like she is the kind of student we want in the profession and at Mizzou Law.”
As the inaugural winner of this award, Doris receives a certificate to go along with a Mizzou wall clock.
Claybrooks Wins Alumni Scholarship
The Tornado Alley Tigers (TAT) are pleased to announce that Jennifer Claybrooks of Wichita has been selected as this year’s TAT Mizzou Alumni Chapter Scholarship winner. Claybrooks will receive a $4000 scholarship to the University of Missouri, where she plans to study Engineering.
"I am extremely grateful that you chose my application for the scholarship.” she says. “My acceptance of this scholarship allows me to advance my higher education to my fullest extent. I have had the desire to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia for several years and upon receipt of this scholarship, my desire has become a reality.”
A recent graduate of Wichita East High School, Jennifer is a National Honor Society Member with a 3.7 GPA. Outside the classroom, she is a member of the Blue Aces’ swim team, the debate team, the science and math club, and Science Olympiad. Claybrooks has also participated in various community service projects, including a spring break 2006 trip to assist Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans.
As a member of the 2007 freshman class, Claybrooks will follow in the footsteps of her parents who are both MU graduates. She says, “I am ecstatic to be part of the Mizzou student body because of all that Mizzou has to offer each and every student."
Claybrooks is the third Wichita area student to be honored, following Sara Krehbiel (2006) and Gideon Ney (2005) as winners of this award.
Current Chapter Status: Capstone
The Tornado Alley Tigers are proud to be a Capstone Chapter of the MUAA. This is the highest status a chapter can obtain, and it allows us to award a $4000 scholarship to a deserving Wichita area student who is attending Mizzou.
In order to obtain this status, the chapter has met specific standards in the areas of Diversity, Pride, Respect, Responsibility, and Tradition. If you have projects you feel fit into these categories, please contact a member of our executive board so we can continue to maintain this high status.
As Tigers living in Kansas, we have learned to adapt to a hostile climate of life-threatening twisters, fanatical Wildcat fans and jealous jayhawk faithful.. We must stick together and fight the good fight for ol' Mizzou! The best survival tactic is to join the Tornado Alley Tigers. Membership is free when you pay your yearly MUAA dues!
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