The Major of the Year Award is presented by the American Association for Health Education to recognize outstanding students from colleges and universities across the nation who are majoring in health. She received a certificate of recognition from the American Association for Health Education, and her name will be published in HE-XTRA, the newsletter of the American Association for Health Education.

Cole has been involved with many professional and service activities while pursuing a health management degree with an emphasis in health promotion, said Dr. Mark Langenfeld, chair of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. She has participated in many community and University health promotion activities including numerous health screenings, he said.

"Not only has she excelled academically, having earned a 4.0 (grade point average) every semester except one, but she also has excelled in her athletic gymnastics career as well," Langenfeld said. "She is tied with three other gymnasts who possess the highest individual bars score in Otahkian history. She earned a spot as an NCAA Regional all-around athlete alternate. Furthermore, Amy's coach emphasizes that she has been a 'coach's dream.' She always was hard-working, self-driven, and thoroughly a team player willing to help others."

Cole expects to graduate from Southeast in August. Following graduation, she is headed to Flagstaff, Ariz., where she will pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree at Northern Arizona University.