Kevin Conley, a Stanford Hall senior, was named the University Alumni Association's Distinguished Student for 2003-04. The award is given to a Notre Dame senior who shows excellence in academics and service to the community and Notre Dame.
Conley was nominated by Navy ROTC, of which he is a member.
"I was pretty honored," Conley said. "I was not expecting it."
He was honored by University President Father Malloy during a ceremony and reception in the Main Building rotunda on Tuesday afternoon along with Kathleen Margaret Fox, recipient of Distinguished Graduate Student Award.
"I had a moment to thank everyone [during the ceremony]," Conley said.
Conley is a double major in political science and preprofessional studies. He carries a 3.94 grade point average. After graduation, the Panama City, Fla. resident plans to attend the University of Florida College of Medicine. Eventually, Conley said he hopes to make a career of practicing medicine as an officer in the Navy.
"I would like to get into diplomacy [following retirement from the Navy]," Conley said. "And eventually, one day, maybe run for office."
Conley has served as Stanford Hall president and hall senator and currently is an RA. He was also chair of the Student Senate Residence Life committee and member of the Steering and Academic committees.
Conley has also been an active participant in several campus organizations and projects that promote community service. He was involved in "There are Children Here," a project run by retired Notre Dame professor Jim Langford that seeks to bring inner city children to a farm outside of South Bend for recreational activities and the Trident Naval Society, the Navy service club, among others.
Conley was awarded a Community Service Ribbon by the ROTC for volunteering at least ten hours every semester.
