The President's Award was presented to Sierra Harlacher by Tusculum
President Dolph Henry, at left, and the Bruce G. Batts Award was
presented to Levin Sudderth by Dr. Jonathan Franz, provost and
academic vice president, at right, during the annual Honors Convocation
April 18.
Students, faculty recognized during 2002 Honors Convocation
Student academic achievements and student, faculty, and staff
contributions to Tusculum College were recognized during the College's
annual Honors Convocation on April 18.
The President's Award was presented to Sierra Harlacher, a psychology
and political science major from Fort Myers, Fla., and the Bruce
G. Batts Award was presented to Levin Sudderth of Roan Mountain,
a history and secondary education major. The two awards are the
top honors presented to students.
Harlacher, a graduating senior, "has excelled in all phases
of college life. She has earned distinction in the classroom andon
the playing field as well as becoming a leaderon campus,"
said Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry in presenting the
award.
During her four years at Tusculum, she has been a constant on
the Dean's, President's, and Charles Oliver Gray honors lists.
She was a three-year starter for the Lady Pioneers Volleyball
team, and received accolades for both her performance and academic
achievements as part of the team.
Active on campus and in the community, she is president of the
Student Government Association, and also serves as president of
Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Sudderth was described as coming "closest to possessing the intellect,
outlook and values Bruce Batts and the rest of us hoped students
seriously interested in the Civic Arts would exemplify,"
by Dr. Jonathan Franz, provost and academic vice president, in
presenting the award. The award is presented to a graduating senior
who demonstrates the qualities of Batts and the Civic Arts: consistent
civility in dealing with others, a high level of scholarship and
careful thinking and a strong pattern of service to others.
Active on campus, Sudderth is vice president of Alpha Chi, and
is secretary of the Student Government Association. He has been
instrumental in getting the Andrew Johnson Social Science Club
up and running this year, and was a member of the academic Campus
Bowl team. Academic Honors A number of academic honors were presented
to students during the convocation.
Student Awards
Receiving the E.H. Sargent Award for accomplishment in the sciences
was Trevor L. Adams of North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Timothy Dalton, of Knoxville, Tenn., was presented the Warren
Lynn Drain Award, awarded to the graduating senior determined
most outstanding in business and economics.
Anthony T. Swamintham of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, was honored
with the TAHPERD (Tennessee Association Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance) Outstanding Major Award.
The winner of the award is chosen by the Physical Education faculty.
Receiving the Ruth and Arnold Thomas Choral Award, selected by
the Music Department, was Jessica Mitro of Chuckey.
Outstanding students in each of the Professional Studies degree
programs were recognized during the convocation.
Receiving the Dr. Shirley Beck Award for accomplishment in their
Master of Arts in Education studies were Kim Hempy of Ooltewah
(SE) and Mitzy Hall of Dandridge (NE).
Recognized with the Professional Studies Staff Award for achievement
in the Master of Arts in Organizational Management program were
Clyde Hensley of Knoxville (SE) and Angela Wolford of Rural Retreat,
Va (NE).
The David Behan Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in
the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management program were
Brandon Stivers of Knoxville (SE0 and Edward Hutson of Morristown
(NE).
Sherrie Shuler of Knoxville (SE) and Jody Reece of Tazewell (NE)
were presented the Earl Hausle Award for students excelling in
the Gateway program.
Senior Honor Key Awards were presented to students who have earned
a 3.25 or higher in their major, shown achievement and aptitude
in the major, and possess strong character.
Following are the award recipients and their degree programs:
Lauren Abramson of Antioch, Tenn. - Athletic Training;
Elizabeth Anne Mauck of Jasper, Ind.- Biology/Medical Pre-Professional;
Pamela Holt of Greeneville - Business Administration/General Management;
Daniel Hoult of Northland, New Zealand - Computer Information
Systems;
Steve Oakey of Beckenham Kent, United Kingdom - English;
Sara Beth McGar of Modesto, Calif. - Environmental Science;
Levin Sudderth of Roan Mountain - History;
Christopher Echols of Bulls Gap - Mass Media;
Heather Sellers of Hanceville, Ala. - Museum Studies;
David Alan Slaughter of Cumming, Ga. - Physical Education (teaching);
Catherine S. Wellman of Cincinnati, Ohio - Sports Management;
and
Amy Lynn Crittenden of Greeneville -Psychology.
Receiving the Alpha Chi Excellence Award were Tiffany Massengill
of Jonesborough, Rebecca Muncy of Greeneville, and Olumayokun
Soremekun of Nigeria. The award is presented by Tusculum's chapter
of the national honor society to r the highest academically ranked
members of the freshman class.
Alpha Chi graduating seniors were recognized and presented a cord
and tassel to wear at graduation. Juniors and seniors representing
the top 10 percent of their classes qualify for Alpha Chi honors.
The Alpha Chi graduating seniors recognized included Lauren Abramson,
Trevor Adams, Garrett Aldridge of LaFollette, Tenn., Stephanie
Blake of Germantown, Md., Sarah Collins of Greeneville, Lee Ann
Cornett of Mountain City, Amy Crittenden, Timothy Dalton, Kathryn
Elcik of N. Massapequa, N.Y., Trevor England of New Tazewell,
Sierra Harlacher, Leah Holt of Mosheim, Elizabeth Mauck, Melissa
McAffry of Chuckey, Meredith Miles of Morristown, Johanna Ratliff
of Waynesboro, Va., Traci Starnes of Afton, Levin Sudderth, Susan
VonLuehrte of Batavia, Ohio, Jenna Weissert of Bourbon, Indiania,
and Catherine Wellman.
Recognized as Honor Students for having the highest grade point
average for each class were Jason Knight of Mosheim, Tiffany Massengill,
Rebecca Muncy, Matthew Quillen of Afton, Olumayokun Soremekun,
Rebecca Taliaferro of Rogersville, Ryan Tolman of Greeneville,
Candace Wolfe of Talbott, Kathryn Whartenby of Galax, Va., Christopher
Echols, Pamela Holt, and Elizabeth Mauck.
Melissa Peterson of Woodstock, Ga., received a Competency Honor
Award for demonstrating excellence in completing the requirements
for the following Level Three Competencies: civility, self-knowledge,
and ethics of social responsibility. Students are not required
to complete these competencies in the Tusculum program, but those
who do are also recognized with honors at graduation.
Students selected for inclusion in "Who's Who Among Students
in American Universities and Colleges' were also recognized. To
be eligible for Who's Who honors, students had to be an upperclassman
with a 3.25 GPA or higher and be nominated by a college faculty
member. Who's Who students included Elizabeth Mauck, Sarah McGar,
Sierra Harlacher, Timothy Dalton, Heather Sellers, Levin Sudderth,
Trina Wooten of Chuckey, Suzanne Lewis of Cincinnati, Jonathan
Feathers of Bluff City, Laura Lambert of Stuarts Draft, Va., Lauren
Abramson, Sarah Flanigan of Athens, Traci Starnes, Stephanie Woedl
of Fairfield, Ohio, Kathryn Elcik, Kelsa Eschman of Cincinnati,
Tallie Hawk of Greeneville, Donna Kiser of Greeneville, Jason
Knight, Mary Mastrapasqua (a December 2001 graduate), Phillip
Prichard of Riceville (a December 2001 graduate), Anthony Swaminathan,
Pamela Holt, Susan VonLuehrte, Terry S. Johnson of Bristol, Cheryl
Van Dyck of Greeneville, Heather G. Boyd of Bristol, Va., Michael
Cutshaw of Kingsport, Anne H. Ramsden of Gatlinburg, Rita C. Brown
of Athens, Ellen O'Regan Knoxville, Catherine Owens of Clinton,
Joseph Treadwell of Maryville, and Lisa Watt of Knoxville.
Service Awards
Noah Grunzweig of Greeneville was presented the Service-Learning
Leadership Award. This award is presented to a student who demonstrates
excellence in areas such as creativity, initiative and self-direction,
practical judgment and problem-solving, collaboration with community
members, respect for diversity and cultural difference, communication
and listening skills, sound reasoning and reflection, and positive
impact on the target community.
Brian Diaz of Boca Raton, Fla., received the Walter T. Dette Jr.
Memorial Athletic Spirit Award. This award gives formal recognition
to a graduating senior who has excelled in several areas while
attending Tusculum. Selection is based on the person's college
athletic career or contribution to the athletic program, loyalty
to Tusculum athletes, exhibited by leadership and academic achievement.
Sierra Harlacher received the Estel C. Hurley Student Service
Award. This award is presented to the senior judged to have made
the most positive impact on campus life.
Receiving the Outstanding Resident Assistant award was Lee Ann
Cornett of Mountain City.
Chrissa Fulcher of Hickory, N.C., was presented the Pioneer Host
Award, honoring a student determined to be the most outstanding
and dedicated Pioneer Host.
Faculty, Staff Awards
Dr. Jerry F. Ward was presented the Greene County Partnership's
"Outstanding Service to Students" award. "His strong
character, friendliness, and professionalism are models for all
his students," said Gary Farlow, president of the Partnership
in presenting the award.
Receiving the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award
was Corinne Nicholas, an assistant professor of English. This
award is given to a member of the full-time teaching faculty who,
in the opinion of his or her peers, has demonstrated outstanding
teaching excellence and campus leadership.
Presented the Dean's Award in the Professional Studies program
was Dr. Richard Ross.
Alex Adams received the Freshman Faculty Award.
Receiving the Staff Award was Amy Laspada, an admissions representative.
Volunteers of the Andrew Johnson Presidential Museum and Library,
the Doak House Museum, and the Tate Library were also recognized
during the convocation.
