Rinehart named Outstanding Woman of the Year

Jillian Rinehart, a senior biology/pre-med major from Murrells Inlet, has been named the University's Outstanding Woman of the Year for 2007.

University officials honored Rinehart and five finalists March 19 at an afternoon ceremony.

Rinehart, a student in the Honors College, is a Palmetto Fellow, a University scholar and National Honor Society scholar, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical honor society, and Mu Epsilon math honor society. She had an undergraduate research fellowship in immunology with Eugene Mayor in School of Medicine, and she spent a summer abroad studying in Salamanca, Spain.

She has held leadership positions in many of the organizations for which she is involved, including Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Garnet Circle student alumni council, Hillel Jewish student organization, Carolina Service Council, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Dance Marathon, Mortar Board, and College Republicans. She performs with the USC Dance Company and has served as a University 101 peer leader and as a member of the Ada B. Thomas Advisor of the Year Award selection committee.

Rinehart volunteers at Epworth Children's Home, Pet's Inc. Community Shelter, Heartworks Community After School Program, and at local hospitals in both Columbia and Georgetown.

This year's finalists were Regina Carter, a junior English major in the Honors College from Britton's Neck; Sarah Chakales, a senior journalism major in the Honors College from Richmond, Va.; Hannah Dykes, a senior women's studies major from Greenville; Sarah Saylor, a senior English major from Isle of Palms; and Tina Zhang, a senior biology major in the Honors College from West Columbia.

The Outstanding Woman of the Year award is given annually to an undergraduate student who demonstrates exemplary academic achievement, service, and leadership and who is actively in involved in campus and community activities.

3/07