The Anderson Society recently awarded A.J. Collins with the Outstanding Sophomore Award, Friday.
“I think it is a huge honor to receive this,” said Collins, a sophomore majoring in economics and political science from Amissville, Va. “Being recognized by the Anderson Society as the top sophomore on campus in terms of contributions to and involvement with UA is a tremendous title to have bestowed upon you, and it excites me to receive that honor.”
Collins has contributed in many areas on campus, in roles such as Vice President of Member Development for Sigma Phi Epsilon, Vice President of Honors College Ambassadors, and Co-Director for Alabama Action Abroad, a service learning project sponsored by the Honors College, to name a few. He was also named a Tragos Scholar for Sigma Phi Epsilon, given to the 16 top Sigma Phi Epsilon members nationwide.
“I was just named a Hollings Scholar, which is a Prestige Scholarship awarded by NOAA,” he said. “Additionally, I was UA’s Outstanding Freshman, the Computer Based Honors Program’s Outstanding Freshman and have received a couple of departmental awards from the Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies Department.”
Collins said his involvement gave him the opportunity to see the great things happening around the University.
Collins said it was a tough call to decide who has impacted him the most throughout his college career.
“[Honors College Dean Shane] Sharpe has had a huge impact on me,” Collins said. “He’s an awesome role model, a great CBH instructor, and a fantastic Dean of the Honors College. When we needed a faculty of record to go to Costa Rica on a service learning project, he was there, on the spot, ready to fly down with us.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Paan Jindapon, said Collins is an outstanding student and the only one to make a perfect score on every exam in intermediate microeconomics and mathematical economics.
“He’s very ambitious in doing research, among other things, and he knows how to achieve his goals,” she said.
“A.J. knew what he wanted to do early and he has what it takes. I’m certain that he will be successful in his research project and also his future career,” Jindapon added.
After receiving his degree in 2013, Collins said he intends to pursue a Ph.D. in economics and someday work for the federal government or a private corporation.
