Deanne Leonard of Sparks, Nev., received the University of Nevada, Reno's Herz Gold Medal today during Commencement ceremonies on the historic University Quadrangle. Leonard has completed her undergraduate academic career with a degree in Psychology and a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.

Leonard's academic achievement also earned her senior scholar awards from the College of Liberal Arts and the Alumni Association.

"Through my experiences at the University, I've discovered who I am and what I can accomplish if I try," Leonard said. "I can't express how honored I am and my appreciation for the wonderful professors who helped me along the way."

While completing her degree, Leonard has been involved in numerous extra-curricular pursuits. She has also become a trained opera singer and a certified emergency medical technician.

Leonard is a member of numerous national honor societies such as Golden Key International, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Psi Chi, and was a student vice president and a national grant recipient for Phi Kappa Phi. She also served as an ambassador for the campus' Honor's Program and is a member of Circle K.

Deanne has been accepted to the University of Nevada, School of Medicine and will begin her studies in the fall of 2007.

Leonard is a graduate of Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks.

Brothers Richard Carl and Otto Herz created the 1/8-inch thick gold medallion in 1910 when this institution was only 36 years old. It has been presented each year to the graduating senior with the highest grade average.