Auburn University student Carol Linde was recognized Oct. 7, for earning Auburn's Political Science Leadership Award. The award is given annually to an Auburn student who the department of political science chooses to recognize for their accomplishments in the classroom and community.
Linde, a native of Delaware, is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts double majoring in political science and psychology and minoring in English and women's studies.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers presented Linde with a Congressional Record detailing her many accomplishments and leadership skills at the awarding ceremony, which took place in Room 2222 of the Auburn Student Center at 1:30 p.m.
"It is my honor to announce that Ms. Carol Linde is this year's winner of Auburn's Political Science Leadership Award," Rogers said at the ceremony. "A faculty committee selected Carol after careful consideration of her outstanding credentials."
Other people who acknowledged Linde at the ceremony included University President Jay Gouge, College of Liberal Arts Dean Joseph Aistrup and department of political science chair Steven Brown. Through this accolade, Linde will have her name listed in the congressional record in Washington, D.C.
"When it comes to selection for the award, the political science faculty selects and notifies a number of students from the Honors College," Brown said. "Students who are interested in the award send back information and a resume."
According to Brown, one person is then selected from the students who respond to the original inquiry.
"It was amazing to see how many faculty members had Carol has their first choice for the award," Brown said.
During her time at Auburn, Linde has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is currently on the dean's list and is a member of Auburn's Honors Congress. She has also been recognized with several other awards, including the Sam Long Hutchinson and Sloan Y. Bashinsky, Sr. endowed scholarships. According to Linde, she has gained experience through internships at the state office of Delaware Senator Tom Carper, as well as the state office of U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers.
While also maintaining strong academic involvement and success, Linde has worked for Auburn's Miller Writing Center, worked as a peer instructor for students in the Honors College and tutored student athletes. According to Linde, she has also maintained community involvement by working with the East Alabama Food Bank, local preschools' Head Start programs and assisted in working with recycling initiatives on football game days.
"Prioritizing my academics and involvement has always been important to me," Linde said. "If I was ever worried about my grades, I pulled back on other things that I was involved with."
After graduating from Auburn University in May 2015, Linde said her next goal will be to travel abroad and teach English overseas.
"The amount of feedback I've gotten about my award has been amazing," Linde said. "It's really nice to be recognized for my work."
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