Two graduating seniors have been awarded the prestigious President’s Prize for their exemplary leadership, academic excellence and service to the NAU community.
Lindsey DellaDonna, advertising and public relations major, and Nimesh Naik, chemistry and biology major, received their awards Tuesday at the Gold Axe Awards Banquet.
DellaDonna and Naik were picked out of 20 students who received Gold Axe Awards based on their contributions to NAU in the areas of academic performance, service and activity.
The tradition of the Gold Axe Award dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted an axe as the symbol for Lumberjack athletics. Students selected for a Gold Axe Award also are eligible for the President’s Prize, considered the highest student recognition from the university.
After reviewing all the Gold Axe nominations, a university-wide committee makes its recommendations to President John Haeger, who then selects the President’s Prize winners.
Below are the this year’s Gold Axe Award winners:
| December 2008 Gold Axe Award Winners | |||
 Anthony Alexander Hotel Restaurant Management Bethlehem, Pa. |  Tiffany Carlyon Advertising, Merchandising and Sociology Snowflake, Ariz. |  Carina Cure Elementary Education Vista, Calif. |  Lindsey DellaDonna Advertising and Public Relations Phoenix |
 Didi Denetsosie Psychology Farmington, N.M. |  Michaelle Ford Elementary and Special Education Tucson |  Kathryn Grosse Elementary and Special Education San Diego |  Marci Mclntyre Merchandising Lake Havasu City |
 Julie Misiaszek Psychology Tucson |  Nimesh Naik Chemistry, Biology Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |  Alex Rosansky Elementary Education Prescott |  Kyndra Schneider Accounting Kelso, Wash. |
 Colby Seay International Affairs Mooloolaba, Australia |  Bethany Sussman Psychology Phoenix |  Michael Tillmon Journalism Phoenix |  Maria Timpani Sociology Tucson |
 Erblina Vokshi Civil Engineering Gjakove, Kosovo |  Benjamin Williams Environmental Science Vermillion, S.D. |  Katelyn Zirkus Elementary and Special Education Valley Center, Calif. |  Sara Zsenai Elementary and Special Education Clayton, Calif. |