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Awards to Outstanding LeadersThe Selection Committee for Outstanding Graduating Student Leaders considers the quality and scope of leadership activities, universitywide leadership,experience, special awards, recognition and recommendations of faculty, staff and students.Olivia BarketOutstanding Female Leader“A true leader doesn’tjust direct, but provides avision that is inspiring andcaptivating for those aroundthem,” Olivia Barket wrote.That principle shaped hertime as a University ofFlorida student leader.Ms. Barket most recentlyserved as chairwoman for Florida Blue Key’s speechand debate tournament. Under her leadership,Florida Blue Key made community service a keycomponent of the tournament; state-of-the-arttechnology was used to improve communicationwith students, coaches and competitors; a mobileapp was created and the tournament was rebrandedto appeal to a wider audience. The sweeping changespaid off. The tournament drew more than 1,100competitors from 15 states as far away as Californiaand Washington.Her influence did not stop with Florida Blue Key.Ms. Barket co-founded Foster Teens in fall 2011 toteach living skills to young adults transitioning outof a foster care home in Citra, a small communitynear Gainesville. The 10-class curriculum coversfinancial literacy, crafting a home budget and othernecessary skills. A finance major in the WarringtonCollege of Business Administration, Ms. Barket alsowas treasurer of Student Government’s Swamp Party,a student representative for the Division of StudentAffairs Advisory Board and a teaching assistant forthe business college.Phuong NguyenOutstanding Female LeaderWhen she first enrolled atthe University of Florida,Phuong Nguyen’s goal wassimple enough: graduate.The odds were not inher favor. English is notspoken in the Nguyenfamily, and her parentsearn minimum wage.What Ms. Nguyen failed to consider was her fortitude,a trait inspired by lessons learned from her father, aPOW during the Vietnam War. Obstacles, he taughther, can be the greatest opportunities.Ms. Nguyen thrived at UF with many of the campus'opportunities at her disposal. She held numerousleadership roles in a variety of groups and becamean ambassador for the Machen Florida OpportunityScholars program, which provides scholarships tofirst-generation college students from low-incomefamilies. Ms. Nguyen was especially active in theWarrington College of Business Administration.There, she was project manager for a student-createdprogram to help struggling local businesses and apeer mentor. She also was finance chair and pledgeclass vice president for Delta Sigma Pi, volunteerambassador for the UF Admissions Office andbusiness manager and community service director forthe Inter-Residence Hall Association.For Ms. Nguyen, who has completed a majorin finance, it was important to give back to UFthrough service. Throughout her years at UF, shemade it her mission to focus on issues that fueledher passions and to lead by example. This missionexplains her goal to someday create a scholarship ofher own for a new generation of students.2014 SPRINGCommencement24