Karen Farmer Mills Outstanding Senior Award
The Tampa Alumnae and Kappa Sigma chapters have partnered together to present the Karen Farmer Mills Outstanding Senior Award annually to one graduating senior member of the Kappa Sigma chapter at the University of South Florida.
The purpose of this award is two-fold: to recognize the Kappa Sigma senior who best exemplifies the qualities of Zeta Tau Alpha and to honor Karen Farmer Mills for her many years of service and dedication to the Fraternity.
Karen Farmer Mills is an alumna from the Gamma Iota chapter at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. During her collegiate years, she served as the Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer and President of the Gamma Iota chapter. Upon graduating from the University of Florida, Karen continued to serve the Fraternity at the local level as a member of the Tampa Alumnae chapter, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Historian. Karen also served as a Zeta Day chairman. She continued her service to the Fraternity at the national level, by becoming a Province President for VIIIA, serving the University of Florida (Gamma Iota), Florida State University (Beta Gamma) and the University of North Florida (Theta Iota). Karen also served as Convention Assistant Social Chairman and Social Chairman for Conventions held in Richmond, VA, Palm Springs, CA and Tampa, FL. And most notably related to this award, Karen has served as the Director of New Chapters and Mentor for the University of South Florida (Kappa Sigma). She has been a National Council member, serving as Extension Director and most recently, she serves as the Fraternity Housing Corporation Director at Large, serving several chapters, including again, Kappa Sigma, here in Tampa.
To say the Kappa Sigma chapter holds a special place in Karen's heart is an understatement. She serves as a Director for the William A. Gregory, Jr. Foundation and was able to secure an Endowed ZTA Foundation Recognition Scholarship to be awarded annually to a Kappa Sigma chapter member.
In reward of her constant dedication and service at the local and national level, Karen has also received several awards, including Zeta Lady, Certificate of Merit, Honor Ring and the Vivian Ulmer Smith Recruitment Award. She is the epitome of a Zeta Lady and one, who we are proud to name an award after.
The chapter nominated four graduating seniors and the selection committed reviewed the information package provided by each nominee. All nominees were scored on: Involvement/Leadership within the Chapter, Involvement/Leadership on the USF campus, Academic Achievement, Dedication to Philanthropy and Service Events, Professional/Academic Resume, Letters of Recommendations from Kappa Sigma leadership (past and present) and a Letter from each nominee stating the relevance of this award to them. The nominees were (pictured below, left to right) Samantha Peterson, Sabrina Salem, Bethany Dawson (winner) and Emily Rose.
Bethany was presented with an individual crystal award and the chapter received a perpetual plaque to hang in the house. Congratulations to the nominees and Bethany for all you do.
