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The event was held in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus and is an opportunity for the entire campus community to recognize student achievements in a variety of academic and service areas.Catawba's Provost Dr. Jess McCartney officiated.
Junior Alex Will of Milton, Mass., Catawba's outgoing Student Government Association (SGA) President, received the Student Government President's Award. This award, a gavel, is given each year to the retiring president of the Student Government Association (SGA).
SGA officers for the 2007-2008 academic year were installed at the convocation. They include Presidents Richard Dunbar, a junior from Greensboro; Vice President Cecilia Runge, a sophomore from Milford, N.J.; Secretary Elizabeth Foye, a junior LaGrange; and Treasurer Heather Schiffhauer, a junior from Weaverville.
Senior Mario Zaldivar of Durham 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, were announced at the convocation. They are junior Sheldon Rogers of Waxhaw and senior Jessica Taige of Wauwatosa, Wis.
Angela Fontaine Jacobs, a senior from Trotwood, Ohio, 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.
Tracie Hummel, associate director of scholarship and financial assistance, was the recipient of 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.
The recipient of the annual Paul Fisher Service Award was announced at the convocation. Junior Jonathan Rhodes of Virginia Beach, Va., was selected from all of the monthly Paul Fisher Service Award winners and is the recipient of a scholarship provided by Farmers and Merchants Bank as well as an engraved plaque.
Twelve students, all seniors, 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 students: Elisa Antonia Alfieri of Salisbury; Joseph Dereck Brooks of Salisbury; Hayley Michelle Bollinger of Simpsonville, S.C.; Tiffany Yvonne Cox of O'Fallon, Ill.; Lauren Christine Connolly of Moon Township, Pa.; Amy Kathleen Guenther of Asheville; Victoria Shay Hamilton of Wake Forest; Leigh Ann Marcischak of Houston, Pa.; John Thomas Poulos of Rockville, Md.; Kelley Michelle Stephens of Boca Raton, Fla.; Nicki Shea Vaughn of Graham; and Mario Alejandro Zaldivar of Durham.
Nicki Vaughn of Graham 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 David Hayley Bollinger of Simpsonville, S.C.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.
Meagen Kittle of Winchester, Ontario 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.
Junior Sarah Cadence Hamm of Morehead City received the Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize for her essay "Dickinson's Poem 520, or, Miss Emily Visits Gentleman Friend at Seashore," judged by the faculty to be the most original. The late Edwin Frantz Nance '30 of Altoona, Pa. made possible this annual award in memory of the mother of three former Catawba students.
Sophomore Rachel "Gracie" Greenbaum of Tolland, Conn., was the recipient of the Calvin Koonts Poetry Award. They were judged by the English Department faculty to possess the most potential as writers of poetry. The award was made possible through a gift from the late Dr. J. Calvin Koonts '45 to stimulate interest in writing poetry.
Senior Will Reedy of Oviedo, Fla., was selected by the English Department faculty to receive the Martha H. Morehead Award. The award, given in honor of a late Catawba professor emerita of English, it is presented for the outstanding single work – poem, short story or graphic contribution to the Arrowhead, the college's annual literary publication. Reedy was selected for his poem, "Nature and Solitude."
Aileen Thomson, a senior from Burlington, Vt., was the recipient of the Rice, Andrews, Young Award.It is given in honor of the former chairpersons of the Catawba Department of Modern Foreign Languages to the foreign language major or minor who has made the highest grades in his/her foreign language studies.
Jeremiah Shane Timmons of Denton received the Elisabeth Scranton History Award. It is given in honor of a former professor of history to the student 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 Religion Award is given by the ministers of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ to a student in the junior or senior class who has excelled in academic work in the religion and philosophy department and has contributed actively to the religious life of the campus community.It was awarded to senior Shannon Axtell of Charlotte.
The Braun Award in Physics, given by 1934 Alumna Mrs. Anne Blodgett Bashore, was awarded to seniors Lauren Flynn and Chris Junker, both of Salisbury. It is given in recognition of the student showing the most meritorious work in the field of physics.
Paul Norris of Salisbury and Angela Bailey of Kannapolis shared the Chemistry Prize, funded by donations from alumni who wish to encourage students pursuing a degree in chemistry. The recipient(s) is a member of the junior class by the chemistry faculty who best represents the qualities of good character, overall scholarship, and excellence in chemistry course work.
The CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award was shared by three students, Kyle Ganow of State College, Pa.; Grant Gibson of Owen Sound, Ontario; and Mary Black of Lexington. It is awarded annually to a chemistry major in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement.
The recipient of the Mathematics Award was senior Katherine Herge of China Grove. This award is presented annually by the mathematics department faculty to a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability, scholarship and interest in the field of math.
Lauren Flynn of Salisbury was awarded the Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award, given in honor of Dr. Daniel E. Kirk, former professor and chair of the biology department at Catawba. It is presented annually to a senior who has exhibited outstanding service and achievement in the Department of Biology after a selection by the faculty.
Seniors Derek Rogers of Glen Burnie, Md., and Shelby Cooksey of Spartanburg, S.C., shared the Environmental Science Award. It is presented annually to a senior who has best demonstrated dedication, inspiration and academic achievement in the field of environmental science.
Senior Amanda Moore of Toano, Va., 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.
Leigh Marcischak Houston, Pa., and Jennifer Mehl of West Creek, N.J., shared the Outstanding Prospective Teacher Award. It is presented to a senior with a 3.0 grade point average or better who majors or minors in education and who has demonstrated outstanding potential as a teacher based on observation in classroom setting by faculty and cooperating teachers. The recipient is chosen by the Department of Teacher Education faculty.
Christine Ofslager, a junior from Houston, Pa., received the Student Education Association/Cynthia Osterhus Award. It is given to the student who has made an outstanding contribution to the student education association and who has shown potential to become an excellent teacher. The award is named in honor of Cynthia Osterhus '73 of Salisbury, a former North Carolina Teacher of the Year, and now a faculty member in Catawba's Teacher Education Department and director of the College's Shirley Peeler Ritchie Academy for Teaching.
Catawba's Chairman's Award in Music went to senior Jared Gordon of Spencer for his significant contribution to the programs of the music department and for his promise of future success in the field of music. Jared Gordon also received the Outstanding Chorale Member Award, given by the music faculty to the student who best exemplifies commitment, musicianship, cooperation and contribution to the quality of performance of this chorale ensemble.
The John Philip Sousa Award was given to senior Andrew Howe of Salisbury. It is presented annually to the college band member who has shown consistent excellence in band work based on musicianship, cooperation and the demonstrated desire to improve the quality of the band.
Senior Matthew Maser of New Holland, Pa., received the Ethan O'Neal Catawba Singers Award. It is given to the member of the Catawba Singers who best exemplifies commitment, musicianship, cooperation and contribution to the quality of performance of the ensemble.
Junior Melissa Bartholomew of New Carlisle, Ind., was the recipient of the Dean Grove Award, given annually to a student athlete majoring in mathematics or science who demonstrates leadership abilities in both areas. The late Dr. Rodger H. Lofland ‘61 established the Dean Grove Award in tribute to Dean N. Grove '40, Lofland's high school coach, biology teacher and mentor.
Katherine Dawn Fair of Anchorage, Alaska, was the recipient of the Senior Psychology Award. It is given annually to a psychology major who has been judged by graduating psychology majors, through secret ballot, as having made an outstanding contribution to the various activities of the Psychology Department.
Kristen Phillips, a senior from Hartwood, Va., 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 Mario Zaldivar of Durham and Linda Kesler Butler, assistant professor of theatre arts. 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.
Mario Zaldivar also received an honorary membership to the Phi Epsilon Honor Society. He was recognized by Phi Epsilon as having been of significant value and worth to the campus community through outstanding character, leadership, and participation in extracurricular activities, and having shown a genuine interest in, and concern for, Catawba College as evidenced by his service.
Catawba College employee Kathryn Welborn, director of the Proctor Health Center, received the Staff Member of the Year Award. It is presented annually and selection is made by a popular vote of the students.
College Senior Vice President and Chaplain, Dr. Kenneth Clapp, 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.
Peggy Mason, administrative assistant to Catawba's Athletics Department, was honored as 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 Carol Gamble, the College's registrar. The award is given annually to a member of the college staff who has distinguished him 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.
The Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College was shared by three employees in the college registrar's office: Carol Gamble, registrar; Marsha Safrit, associate registrar; and Lisa Hilliard, assistant to the registr
