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Clayton State University Natural Sciences

O.C. Lam III Award for Excellence in the Biological Sciences

The O.C. Lam III Award for Excellence in the Biological Sciences is presented at the Clayton State University Honors convocation each Spring Semester to the most outstanding biology student as designated by the biology faculty. The O.C. Lam Award winner receives a cash award, certificate and his/her name permanently engraved on a perpetual plaque displayed in the Arts and Sciences Office.

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be nominated for this award:

  • The student should have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.2.
  • The student should have completed the Organic Chemistry sequence.
  • The student should have completed at least 3 upper division Biology courses at Clayton State University with a B or higher and should have either completed or are enrolled in 2 additional upper division Biology courses at Clayton State University with a B or higher midterm or final grade.
  • The student must be nominated by a Biology faculty member.

Nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • GPA
  • Superior achievement at upper division Biology courses at Clayton State University.
  • Superior Research and scholarship.
  • Participation in departmental and extracurricular activities.

Past winners of the Award

  • Richard E. May                  May 14, 1997
  • Vincent T. Zarzaca            May 18, 1998
  • Angela Michelle Baker       April 27, 1999
  • Steven W. Powell             March 29, 2000
  • Brian J. Kicklighter             April 5, 2001
  • Gina L. Smith                     March 28, 2002
  • Janet R. Martinez              April 3, 2003
  • Pamela K. Coltrain            April 8, 2004
  • Branko Skovrlj                  April 7, 2005
  • Leigh Beasley                   April 2006
  • Nikki Sawyer                    April 2007
  • Jewels Morgan                May 3 2008
  • Who's Next?

O.C. Lam III
Dr. O.C. Lan, professor emeritus in Biology, retired from Clayton State University in January 1997.