Award winners of the 2004 Merit Scholarships given by the Faculty Senate for outstanding achievement in academics and community service are being honored at a reception in the Hinde Auditorium Thursday at 4 p.m.

The winners are Samantha Hilber, Sheena Murray, Sheila Bumgarner and Kristen Sweet who will receive the equivalent to registration fees for this semester. This scholarship is funded by Sacramento State faculty members who are responsible for sponsoring the nominees.

“This is an opportunity for us to give back to the students,” said Cristy Jensen, Faculty Senate chairwoman. “These students have really pushed themselves and overcome a lot.”

The faculty sponsors will introduce the winners who will then give a small speech.”It’s incredibly moving to hear from the students,” Jensen said. “We are so proud. It reminds us why we have become teachers.”

Sweet, one of the recipients, is in the master’s of social work program. For two years she volunteered in Ecuador with the Peace Corp and is now a volunteer with the Foster Youth Services program. Her goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker.

“I am so humbled to receive this award,” Sweet said.

Murray is pursuing a double major in economics and government, working on earning her master’s degree. Working her way through college, Murray is active in the College Democrats and is on the board for the Sacramento National Organization of Women.

Coaching the Special Olympics soccer team is just one of Hilber’s extracurricular activities. The senior biology major also serves as a student orientation leader and plays in the marching band. Her goal is to earn a graduate degree and plans to study animal behavior.

Bumgarner gives back to her community by volunteering with Safe Quest, an outreach program at the Solano County Jail and with the county’s Youth and Family Services. She is working on her master’s degree in social work.