Archived News | Return to News Center

July 26, 2007

Clinical lab science senior receives national student of the year award

John Whetstone, a clinical laboratory science senior at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, received the National Student of the Year Award from the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science at its 75th annual meeting in San Diego, Calif. July 17 – July 21.

Whetstone was also elected to the office of ASCLS National Student Forum chair for 2007-2008, which is a position on the ASCLS Board of Directors. He served as the 2006-2007 chair of the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Student Forum and as the president of the ULM Clinical Laboratory Science Society.

"Receiving my recent recognition for my work and dedication to the field of clinical laboratory science has been a fulfilled dream for me and marks a major cornerstone in my life,” Whetstone said. “I could have never expected two years ago to reach this point in my life and have the ability to represent students from all over the country in our programs. Being able to be a leader on the forefront of our profession and for students has its challenges, but having the ability to give back to this profession the time, energy, dedication, and recognition that I feel it deserves has paid me back in so many ways.”

Also attending the ASCLS annual meeting as members of the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science delegation were Debbie Wisenor, CLS interim department head; Melanie Chapman, CLS assistant professor; and Maegan Guccione, CLS student and LSCLS Student Forum vice-chair.

As another honor, Whetstone received a $1,500 Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity Undergraduate Scholarship, given annually to a student pursing studies in a clinical laboratory science program.

“These awards give me the strength to look into the future at the professional commitment I have made these two years, and know that the choices I have made are life changing," said Whetstone.

AMTF’s purpose is “to honor medical technologists who made outstanding contributions to medical technology, worthy of national recognition, and to assist medical technologists’ education endeavors with monetary grants.”

Wisenor stated, “The ULM CLS faculty and students are extremely proud of John and his accomplishments. John has gained national attention and recognition for his dedication to recruitment of students into the profession of clinical laboratory science and for his outstanding leadership and communication skills.”

Whetstone is currently interning at St. Vincent’s Medical Center School of Medical Technology in Jacksonville, Fla.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with ULM.