RSU President Dr. Larry Rice (from left) and Vice President for Student Affairs and Admissions Services Dr. Robert Goltra (right) present the Smith family with the 2023 RSU Honorary Family Award. Family members include Jason and Shannon Smith and their daughters, Aubrey and (not pictured) Ashten.
Rogers State University recognized the family of Shannon and Jason Smith and their daughters, Aubrey Smith and Ashten Notz, as the recipients of the 2023 RSU Honorary Family Award during halftime of the RSU men’s basketball game against Northwest Missouri Thursday, Feb. 9. Rogers State University President Dr. Larry Rice and Vice President for Student Affairs and Admissions Services Dr. Robert Goltra presented the award.
The honor, first presented in 2021, is awarded to a group of two or more family members – including parents, siblings, children, cousins, adoptive family, friends, mentors, etc. – who share a common goal, have similar values or a long-term commitment to one another, and who embody the Hillcat spirit, service to the community, and a passion for education.
Shannon Smith is an RSU alumna who earned a bachelor’s degree in community counseling. She is currently a graduate student in RSU’s Master of Science in community counseling program. She served as vice president of the National Society of Leadership and Success and was a member of the Social Justice League.
Jason Smith is an undergraduate student, currently studying community counseling. He is also a member of the Social Justice League.
Ashten Notz is an undergraduate student at RSU, working toward a Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in environmental conservation. She is a member of the Esports team and a member of the ECOclub, which is dedicated to connecting students to nature and environmental conservation through service, recreation and education.
Aubrey, 11, has also expressed an interest in attending RSU in the future and is interested in becoming an art teacher.
The family currently resides in Broken Arrow.
Rice and Goltra congratulated and thanked these family members for their positive representation of Rogers State University and for their Hillcat spirit.
The presentation of the RSU Honorary Family Award took place during Rogers State University’s Homecoming Week, running Feb. 3-11. RSU’s homecoming king and queen will be announced during halftime at the RSU men’s basketball game Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Claremore Expo Center. The men’s game tips off at 3:30 p.m. against Missouri Western, following the women’s game which tips at 1:30 p.m.