KENT, Ohio - Kent State softball player Holly Finchum was named Student Leader of the Year last week at the 2011 Spring Leadership and Honors Awards Ceremony hosted by the University's Center for Student Involvement.  Finchum and Beth Cinadr each earned Leadership Excellence awards.  

Freshmen Caitie Kilbane and Kim Morgason both earned the Sherrie Jo Luft Memorial Award for having the highest grade point average with the most credit hours in their residence hall.

The awarad ceremony is designed to recognize the contributions made to campus life at Kent State by student leaders, organization advisors, and student organizations.

Finchum serves as vice president on Kent State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has been the softball representative on the SAAC since 2008.  She is also the president of KSU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.  Finchum is a two-time NFCA Scholar Athlete and will graduate cum laude in May.  Her Student Leader of the Year award places a strong emphasis on students who have contributed significantly to the leadership of their organizations and whose campus participation has been outstanding.

Cinadr and Finchum both participated in the athletic department's Leadership Academy.  Their Leadership Excellence award recognizes the truly exemplary students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and dedication to their organization.