Catawba College students, faculty and staff were recognized at the 2008 Awards Convocation in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.
Catawba’s Provost Dr. Jesse McCartney, who is retiring at the end of this academic year, was recognized for his 26 years of service to the college.
Tom E. Smith, chairman of the Catawba Board of Trustees, paid tribute to Dr. Robert Knott, who will also retire at the end of this academic year after six years’ as the institution’s president.
Students Richard Dunbar of Greensboro and Cecilia Runge of Milford, N.J., received gavels awarded each year to the retiring president of the Student Government Association. Dunbar was president during the fall term, and Runge during the spring term.
Senior Class President Laura Jollay of Lexington said the Class of 2008’s gift is a spirit rock and monetary gift to the Catawba Fund.
SGA officers for 2008-09 were installed. They are Cecilia Runge, Milford, N.J., president; Katie Hill, Fayetteville, vice president; Stephanie Hill, China Grove, secretary; and Kevin Flebbe, Vineland, N.J., treasurer.
Recipients of Paul Fisher Service Awards for the spring semester include Andrell Sheree Baxter, Evergreen, Ala.; Katherine Virginia Hill, Fayetteville; Joshua William Reinsvold, Mocksville; Amanda Michelle Nantz, Salisbury; and Yolanda Kay McClure, Eden.
Emily Hoffman, Tampa, Fla., received the David Hoyle Award for Outstanding Service in the area of student activities. It is awarded annually to a student who has made exemplary contributions to all areas of student activities.
The new Mr. and Miss Catawba, elected to serve the college in the coming year, are Brittany Alicia Tyner of Cameron and Daniel Philip Ryan of Westborough, Mass.
Lauren Alston Smith of Greensboro received the Frances Decker Wentz Award given annually to the upper class student who has demonstrated, through distinguished performance of responsibilities, a real concern and aptitude for the theory and practice of library science and service. The library staff chooses the recipient.
Dr. Michael Bitzer, assistant professor of political science and dean of admissions, received the Kenneth Clapp Tri-Delta Award. Established by the Class of 2000 in recognition of the work of Dr. Ken Clapp, senior vice president and chaplain, it is presented annually to a member of the faculty or staff who demonstrates dedication, devotion and dependability.
Kendra Diane Joyner of Rock Springs, Wyo., was selected from all of the monthly Paul Fisher Service Award winners as the annual winner. She is also the recipient of an F&M Bank scholarship and engraved plaque.
Fifteen students inducted into Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges are Molly Elaine Harris, Mocksville; Mollie Rose Landers, Williamsport, Pa.; Tara Lyn Ketcham, Gastonia; Jeremiah Shane Timmons Denton; Christine Jane Ofslager, Midlothian, Va.; Lauren Elizabeth Flynn, Salisbury; Meagan Alexandra Kittle, Winchester, Ontario; Shannon Elizabeth Axtell, Charlotte; Ryan Gregory Dayvault, Kannapolis; Daniel Scott Hines, Yorktown, Va.; Timothy Lewis Smith, Walnut Cove; Alexander Shea Will, Milton, Mass.; Ross Michael Scallan, Greensboro; Candace Leigh Neal, Waxhaw; and Jessica Taige, Wauwatosa, Wis.
Jacqueline White of Mount Ulla received the Sherrill & Smith Award in Business Administration. This award is given annually by the partners of Sherrill & Smith to the senior in the Ralph W. Ketner of Business who achieves the best scholastic average during the year.
The Millard F. Wilson Award for Excellence in Business was presented to Leslie Robertson of Salisbury and Jared Temple of Durham. Given annually to a senior in recognition of outstanding service to the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, it also recognizes excellence in academic achievement. The late Professor Millard F. Wilson, former chairman of the business department at Catawba from 1949-1979, established the award.
Molly Elaine Harris of Mocksville received the Dr. Charles Turney Award. This award was established in 2005 from contributions made by family and friends of the late Dr. Charles Turney, former dean of the college and chair of the English Department. It is given annually to a rising senior English major who has at least a 3.5 GPA and a demonstrated aptitude for and an interest in the discipline of English studies.
Ashleigh Herndon of Conway, S.C., and Meagan Kittle of Winchester, Ontario, shared the Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize for their essays. The late Edwin Frantz Nance, Class of 1930 from Altoona, Pa., made possible this annual award in memory of the mother of three former Catawba students.
Sarah Cadence Hamm of Morehead City received the Calvin Koonts Poetry Award.
Lauren Alston Smith of Greensboro was selected by the English Department faculty to receive the Martha H. Morehead Award for a single outstanding work.
Kathleen Ann Blake of Greensboro received the Rice, Andrews, Young Award given to the foreign language major or minor with the highest grades in foreign language studies.
Blair Eileen Elder of Seaford, Va., received the Elisabeth Scranton History Award given to the student with the highest academic average during his or her senior year who represents the ideals of liberal scholarship in the area of history.
The Braun Award in Physics, given by 1934 Alumna Mrs. Anne Blodgett Bashore, was awarded to Max J. Vinograd of Bethesda, Md.
Mary H. Black of Lexington was awarded the Chemistry Prize, funded by donations from alumni who wish to encourage students pursuing a degree in chemistry.
The CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award was won by Joseph S. Manser of Mooresville.
Paul C. Norris of Salisbury, received the American Institute of Chemists Award.
Sarah C. Reeves of Pilot Mountain received the Mathematics Award.
Katie Bender of Salisbury, received the Environmental Science Award.
Matthew Hendricks of Salisbury received the Leader in Environmental Stewardship Award.
Emily Ann Morgan of Norfolk, Va., received the Outstanding Prospective Teacher Award presented to a senior education major or minor with a 3.0 or better grade point average. She was chosen by the Department of Teacher Education faculty.
Jennifer Elizabeth Layton of Bridgeton, N.J., received the Student Education Association/Cynthia Osterhus Award.
Catawba’s Chairman’s Award in Music went to Eric Finland of McLean, Va.
Julia McKinzie of Lakeway, Texas, received the Dean Grove Award, given annually to a student athlete majoring in mathematics or science who demonstrates leadership abilities in both areas, and the Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award on a faculty selection.
Kathleen A. Blake of Greensboro received the Senior Psychology Award.
Carrie Wollaston of Landenberg, Pa., received the Patricia R. Whitley Award in recognition of academic excellence, loyalty and dedication and for outstanding service to both the physical education department and the community.
The Religion Award, given by the ministers of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ, went to Shannon Axtell of Charlotte.
Zachary Acree of Salisbury, received the Bruce A. Wentz Philosophy Award.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was shared by Mollie Rose Landers of Williamsport, Pa., and Dr. Edith Bolick, professor of sociology and dean of the Catawba’s School of Evening and Graduate Studies. They were selected by a committee of students and faculty.
Laura Jollay of Lexington received honorary membership to the Phi Epsilon Honor Society.
G. Ben Smith, assistant director of residence life and coordinator of the Lerner Wellness Center, received the Staff Member of the Year Award after a popular vote of the students.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Joyce Caddell was selected Teacher of the Year after a popular vote of the students.
Rodney Rymer, director of systems and networking, received the Louise Tucker Staff Council Award after nomination by member of the President’s Council and vote of the Staff Council.
The President’s Award for Staff Excellence was presented to Chip Hester, head football coach. He was selected through nominations from the entire faculty and staff, with final selection from nominations by the Staff Personnel Committee.
The late Dr. Bruce F. Griffith, a longtime professor of history at the college, was recognized as the recipient of the Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College. It was presented earlier in the year, several days before his death.
The Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teacher was presented to Dr. Laurel Eason, professor of English.
Whitener Medals to be presented during Catawba’s graduation exercise will go to Meagan Kittle of Winchester, Ontario, and Ryan Dayvault of Kannapolis. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Edgar Whitener of High Point who served as president of the Catawba Board of Trustees from 1925-44. They are presented annually to the man and woman in the graduating class who combine in themselves, in the highest degree, the equalities of character, leadership and scholarship.