Hot Springs native recognized as outstanding SAU undergraduate
Hot Springs native Karleigh Reed was recognized as the outstanding undergraduate for one of four colleges at Southern Arkansas University for the 2016-17 academic year.
Reed was selected by her professors as the College of Science and Engineering’s Outstanding Undergraduate. She is the daughter of Derric and Sandy Reed.
SAU conducted its spring commencement ceremonies Friday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center in Magnolia for 722 candidates for graduation. Reed was recognized during a morning ceremony for graduates from her college, as well as the David F. Rankin College of Business. Graduates from the College of Education and the College of Liberal and Performing Arts, as well as other award winners, were recognized in the afternoon.
Students must rank in the top 10 percent of their class to be eligible for the award. Professors nominate students and deliberate to make selections based on their academic records,
personal involvement on campus, post-graduation plans and other factors.
Reed’s adviser, David Sanson, associate professor of agriculture, informed Reed he planned to nominate her. She did not learn of the Outstanding Undergraduate distinction until late in the semester.
“I totally got blindsided by it,” Reed said. “I had not expected it to come whatsoever. I felt honored. Just the fact that he even considered me for it was a big deal.”
Reed attended Crossgate Christian Academy through the eighth grade and was home-schooled in high school. Dr. Brian Peters, chief veterinarian and owner of Lake Hamilton and Hot Springs Animal Hospitals, allowed her to begin working in the kennels up to her current position as a veterinary assistant.
“Since I home-schooled, I had a really flexible schedule in high school,” Reed said. “I started working there, Dr. Brian was always super helpful and he knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. He took me under his wing. During school, I would go back during the summer and on breaks to continue working.”
Reed enrolled in SAU as an Honors College student in 2013 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science with the Pre-Veterinary option. She said she studied the school and its campus for years before she enrolled.
“I am kind of a home body, I love being around my family and most of them are here,” Reed said. “I knew I wanted to do veterinary medicine and SAU was fairly close by. I really loved the campus when I went and toured. They had a pre-vet program, so it fit.”
Her campus involvement included the Agriculture Club, Horticulture Club, Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society, Alpha Chi Science Honor Society and membership in the Sigma Pi Lambda Sorority, for which she served as chapter secretary. She served the Agriculture Department as an ambassador, supplemental instruction leader in animal science and as a student worker assisting in animal nutrition. Reed said she enjoyed the atmosphere at the college and constant support from her family.
“My professors there in the agri department were extremely helpful,” Reed said. “It had that home atmosphere. Everyone was friendly. I really enjoyed my time there.”
An opportunity as a lorikeet keeper at the Little Rock Zoo allowed Reed to gain more experience last summer. She said she is interested in animal medicine for wildlife and exotic animals.
“I thought it would be a really good opportunity to broaden my horizons a little bit and see what truly working with exotic animals would be like,” Reed said.
Reed plans to move to Baton Rouge, La., in July to enroll in an early course for a two-year program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Classes will begin for the fall semester in August.
“I feel like it is the right path,” Reed said. “I am excited for it.”
Reed will be joined in Baton Rouge by her fiance, Arin Shaffer, who graduated with a degree in plant science. The couple is set to be married in June. Shaffer enrolled in an online Master of Arts in Teaching program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Reed said she hopes to one day own a mix-practice veterinary clinic after she graduates.
“I want to get my feet wet, work under somebody and get a feel for what it is like when you first start off, but eventually come back hopefully here within Arkansas, so I can be close to family,” Reed said. “