Students, faculty and staff at Catawba College were recognized at the institution’s annual Awards Convocation held April 16 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.
Student government
Two students, Cecilia Runge of Milford, N.J., and Katie Hill of Fayetteville, were given a gavel traditionally awarded to the retiring president of the Student Government Association. Runge was SGA president during the fall term and Hill served as SGA president during the spring term.
SGA officers for the 2009-2010 academic year include Secretary Stephanie Hill of China Grove and Treasurer Steffanie Jimenez of Salisbury.
Recognitions
Sarah Dalida Blackmore of Salisbury received the Frances Decker Wentz Award. This award is 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.
Brittany Parker of Mount Ulla received the Leader in Environmental Stewardship Award. It is presented to the student(s) who best exhibits outstanding leadership ability and uncommon commitment to environmental stewardship through the facilitation of activities and initiatives that promote the wise use of the earth’s resources.
The recipients of the annual Paul Fisher Service Awards for the spring semester were announced at the convocation. They include Ben Smith, assistant director of residence life and the coordinator of the Lerner Wellness Center. Devin Rodgers of Glen Burnie, Md., received a scholarship provided by Farmers and Merchants Bank.
Shahin Soltan Mohammadi of Gothenburg, Sweden, 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.
Savanna Farris of Rockwell received an Elisabeth Scranton History Award. It is given in honor of a former professor of history to the student(s) who has attained the highest academic average during his or her senior year and who represents the ideals of liberal scholarship in the area of history.
The CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award was won by Lori Beth Fraley of Cleveland. It is awarded annually to a chemistry major in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement.
Beverly Maurice of Mocksville 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 award was established in 1999 by the Physical Education Department and the Student Majors Club in honor of Dr. Patricia Whitley.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was shared by Nathan Wrights of China Grove and Dr. Andrew A. Vance Jr., professor of modern foreign languages and business law. A committee of students and faculty choose both a student and a staff member annually to receive this award. It is given in recognition of fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living and with the belief that these persons will uphold the spiritual standards of Catawba by their noble characteristics. The award was established by the New York Southern Society as a permanent reminder of the noblest human qualities expressed and followed in the life of its first president Algernon Sydney Sullivan.
Who’s Who
Seventeen students were announced as inductees into Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Nominated by members of the college community and selected by a committee of faculty and students, these students are active leaders and scholars on campus. They include the following local students: Molly Elaine Harris of Mocksville, Lauren Victoria Klopp of Lexington, Megan Elizabeth Spidell of Salisbury and Nathan David Wrights of China Grove.
Employees RecognizedCatawba College employee G. Ben Smith, assistant director of residence life and coordinator of the Lerner Wellness Center, received the Staff Member of the Year Award. It is presented annually and selection is made by a popular vote of the students.
Associate Professor of English Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier was selected as Teacher of the Year. The recipient, who is chosen by a popular vote of the students, demonstrates the best in classroom rapport, evidence of concern for students and intellectual stimulation.
Connie McCullen, a member of the housekeeping staff, was the recipient of the Louise Tucker Staff Council Award. The award is given to a staff member who demonstrates outstanding work ethic and performance in their area, with nominations made by member of the President’s Council and the recipient selected by a vote of the Staff Council.
The President’s Award for Staff Excellence was presented to Margaret Faust, the college’s director of alumni and parent relations. The award is given annually to a member of the college staff who has distinguished himself or herself in achieving excellence in job performance and who has contributed to strengthening of community spirit on campus. The recipient is selected through nominations from the entire faculty and staff, with a final selection from the nominations being made by the Staff Personnel Committee.
Dr. Andrew A. Vance Jr., professor of modern foreign languages and business law, received the Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College. It is presented on behalf of Catawba’s board of trustees and given annually to the person or persons judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the institution. The recipient is selected by a vote of Catawba’s faculty senate.
The Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teacher was presented to Dr. Gary R. Freeze, professor of history. The selection was made by the Faculty Senate to a member of the faculty judged to be an outstanding classroom teacher. The award was created by a gift from the late Hearn Swink, former Rowan County resident, official with Cannon Mills Co. and friend of the college.
Tonia Black-Gold, chief communications officer at the college, received the Kenneth Clapp Tri-Delta Award. Established by the Class of 2000 in recognition of the work of Dr. Ken Clapp, college senior vice president and chaplain, it is presented annually to a member of the faculty or staff who demonstrates dedication, devotion and dependability.