Posted on Dec 11, 2006

Murray State University announced the Outstanding Senior Man and Woman for December 2006 at the traditional senior breakfast held yesterday in the Curris Center Ballroom. Scott J. Ellison of St. Charles, Mo., and Jennifer Lynn Gilkey of Nortonville, Ky., were selected for the honors. Scott is the son of Stephen and Sandra Ellison. A member of White College, he is a December graduation candidate for the bachelor of science degree in business with an area in business administration. Ellison is a member of the Murray State University board of regents and served on the 2006 President Search Committee. He has been active in the Student Government Association throughout his college career, first as treasurer and then serving two terms as president. In 2005, Ellison was named Lambda Chi Alpha Member of the Year and Greek Man of the Year. He was elected MSU Homecoming King in 2004. He received the William E. Wilson Lambda Chi Alpha Scholarship and the MSU Leadership and Recognition Scholarship. A member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of Omega, Ellison also won the 2004 first annual MOZZ MTV Video Dance Off. He has served on the Interfraternity Council and as student ambassador. He earned recognition on the Murray State Dean's List and has been active in the intramural sports of basketball, flag football and soccer. Ellison participated in several community service projects including the North American Food Drive, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross Blood Drive and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) 5K Run. He also helped start and lead an All Greek Bible Study at Murray State University and helped build the Life House Teen Pregnancy Center. His career plan is to become an entrepreneur. Jennifer is the daughter of Allen and Vickie Gilkey. She is a summa cum laude December graduation candidate for a bachelor of science in business degree with an area in accounting and information services. She is a member of Hart College. During the summer of 2005, Gilkey studied law in England as a participant in the Oxford Study Abroad Program. She was twice named Outstanding Accounting Student, both as a sophomore and junior. A Dean's List student, she received the American FFA Degree in 2004, which is the highest level that can be achieved as a member of the Future Farmers of America organization. Gilkey is currently serving as president of Beta Alpha Psi and has served two terms as president of the Accounting Society. She has also served as vice president of both Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society and Gamma Beta Phi, treasurer of Hart Residential College Council and historian for Alpha Lambda Delta. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, serves as an ambassador for the college of business and public affairs and was named to the B&PA Dean's Advisory Board. Gilkey is a member of the MSU Tennis Club and was active in intramural volleyball. She has coordinated the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program on campus and participated in Leadership Murray State. After graduation, Gilkey plans to pursue a career as a certified public accountant. Gilkey and Ellison will both speak at the 2006 December Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. in the Regional Special Events Center.