Clarksville, Ark.-Whitney Lewis is passionate about serving others. 
   
The University of the Ozarks tennis standout has been at the forefront of leading community service projects for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), one of the largest and most visible student-led organizations on campus.  
    
As SAAC President, Lewis and her fellow athletes have been involved in a range of community service activities, including the Special Olympics, and most recently a canned food drive for a local food pantry.
    
The service rendered has been important to those she has assisted, but it has also made an impact on her.      
   
"Since I've started helping out in the community, service has been ingrained in me," she said. "I just like helping people out so much, and I enjoy seeing their smiling faces. As SAAC President, I really want to stress the importance of giving back to the community. And, when our athletes catch the vision of service, it is a magical and awesome feeling. I think giving back is part of my religious beliefs because I want to be a good steward just as Jesus was."

Recently, Lewis spearheaded a canned food drive on campus in conjunction with the American Southwest Conference's Make a Change event. The project netted 700 cans of food for Clarksville's Interfaith Service Network. Lewis has been especially fond of helping at Special Olympic events. She has made certain SAAC has assisted at basketball, track and field, swimming and softball events for the Special Olympians over the last few years.
    
"I enjoy seeing a smile on the Olympians' faces," she said. "They may not have all the abilities in the world, but they just want to have fun. For me to be a part of that experience is amazing. Wherever I work in the future, I want to encourage others to do community service and I want to be an advocate for the Special Olympics."
    
Head Women's Tennis Coach Shaun Wiseman has seen first-hand the type of person his star player embodies. Wiseman is the athletic department's SAAC advisor and has worked alongside Lewis on a number of projects. 
    
"She is an amazing girl to be around," said Wiseman. "I've never seen anything bad come from her. She is a genuinely good person and is universally loved and respected on campus." 
    
Lewis' positive outlook is contagious, according to Wiseman.
    
"She is enthusiastic and positive in all that she does," he said. "Others enjoy being around that type of person. She is a girl that always has a smile on her face."
    
Lewis, a native of Hartman, Ark., believes Ozarks has given plenty back to her. A management and administration major, she plans to eventually attend graduate school following graduation this May.    
    
"I love this university so much," she said. "I feel like Ozarks has prepared me for the workplace. The course work is challenging, but rewarding. The professors are second to none. I want to be an ambassador for the school."
   
Tennis, too, has given her plenty. According to Lewis, she has learned patience and endurance because of the game. 
    
"I believe those things can be applied in life," she said. "And having a team bond is unique and awesome. I've learned so many things in tennis that apply to real life." 
    
She proudly follows the NCAA Division III moniker: student first, athlete second. She has been on the American Southwest Conference All-Academic Team three times and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete Team twice. 
    
"The core of NCAA Division III is being that student first, and then an athlete second," she said. "It takes a lot of discipline and sometimes it gets difficult, but you have to stay focused on obtaining a degree. You have to remember the education you are receiving is priceless."
    
Lewis is among the career win leaders at Ozarks, playing mostly at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles position. She was named All-Conference at No. 2 singles last season. Wiseman believes Lewis' formula for success is simple. She outworks her opponents.

"She makes sure no one outworks her," he said. "On the court, Whitney has consistently defeated more talented players, but has done so by outworking them. She inspires others to work harder. I hope that I will get another opportunity to coach someone like her, but doubt that I ever will."