"Words can't even begin to describe how proud I am of each and every one of you," remarked Melvin Stoneywich, keynote speaker of the evening. "Everyone here tonight, no matter what anyone might say, is a winner."

This is the first year that the Office of Student Affairs has given this award. It was named in honor of former RU student Kelly Lester, who flunked out of RU three consecutive times, each time with no higher than a 1.00 grade point average. Lester, who is now in his third semester at Bob Jones University, remarked in a phone interview, "I'm honored. "It's nice to know that I made an impact on good ole' RU in some fashion."

To qualify for this award, a student must first be placed on academic probation, which requires a GPA lower than a 1.25. "Once a student is placed on probation," remarked a spokesman for the Office of Student Affairs, speaking on behalf of Vice President Hurlburt, who was unavailable for comment, "he or she is placed on a list of candidates." All of this year's recipients have been placed on academic probation at least twice.

"We look for more than just a low GPA, though. We also examine the candidates' personal record as well: how many parties they went to, how late they stayed out at night, what clubs they weren't involved in and other criteria. We really seek well-rounded people."

"To think, all those nights of staying out drunk until four in the morning, sleeping in and skipping finally paid off," said Brian Schulz, one of this year's recipients. Brian has been placed on academic probation three times. His GPA for last semester was 1.05. "I remember at Quest, the assistant told us to study hard and get involved, and we would really go places. Shows what they know," he told an amused audience of students, parents, faculty and administration.

"I remember Brian," remarked a faculty member who only identified himself as a professor of English. "I think he came to class a total of ten times that whole semester, and most of them were during the first two weeks. Whenever he bothered to show up, he never took notes, slept through class, rarely participated in group activities-everything this award exemplifies. I'm so proud of him!"

Another recipient of this award, Angie Forbes, said, "Like, all those times I woke up and found myself in bed with some guy I didn't know, I was like 'God, this sucks,' but after winning this award, I'm like 'oh my God, it was all worth it!'" Her parents, who could not make it to the ceremony, probably feel the same way.

"I never joined a club or organization. I stopped going to class a month before finals. I just sat in my dorm all day, watching TV, and you know what? It all paid off," gushed George Hanks, the final recipient of the award.