University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis recognized two students at the October 2021 Board of Trustees meeting for their outstanding work inside and outside the classroom.
Houston Davis and Daisy Martinez
Daisy Martinez and Grant Williams each received the Bear CLAWS award. CLAWS, an acronym for Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of Our Wonderful Students, is given to one or more exceptional students or recognized student organizations during regularly scheduled board meetings.
Martinez is a senior marketing major from Honduras who came to UCA as an international transfer student her sophomore year. Earlier this year, she was selected as a group marketing and member engagement intern at Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. Martinez also received the Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield 2021 Summer Internship Program scholarship of $5,000.
“I just really appreciate the school and the Board of Trustees and faculty and staff that support me in all my endeavors,” Martinez said. “They appreciate what I have done for my professional career and for the benefit of the university.”
Houston Davis and Grant Williams
Williams is a biology graduate student. He founded and leads the Green Bear Coalition which is a student-led sustainability organization. Their current focus is organic agriculture.
“We’re building an organic garden in the Lewis Science Center,” Williams said. “We’re also tackling recycling efforts around campus and partnering with the physical plant to make sure everyone knows what’s going on as we implement new programs.”
Williams served as the graduate student representative in the Student Government Association last year. In recognition of his work as an SGA senator, he received the Kelley Erstine Engagement Award and the Hardest Working Senator Award for spring 2021.
