Catawba College's annual Awards Convocation was again a time to recognize and celebrate student, faculty and staff achievements. Members of the campus community gathered in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on April 23 near the end of spring semester classes to clap and affirm awards given to laud award recipients who demonstrated by their actions scholarship, character, culture and service.
As has become a tradition at Catawba, awards distributed were eco-friendly, made of Catawba blue, 100% recycled glass to symbolize the College's commitment to sustainability.
Student Government Association Officers and College Representatives
In another Catawba tradition, the outgoing Student Government Association (SGA) president, T.J. Olsen of Pineville, was presented with a gavel, awarded to the retiring president at the end of the academic year. Olsen served as SGA president during '13-'15 academic years. Other outgoing SGA Executive officers thanked for their service included Vice President Richard Shuping of Jamestown in the fall, and Morgan King this spring; Treasurer Finn Furstenwerth of Hamburg, Germany; and Secretary Justin Burroughs of Salisbury.
SGA officers for the 2015-2016 academic year took the oath of office, but will be installed at this fall's Opening Convocation. They include President Justin Burroughs of Salisbury; Vice President Blake Brewer; Treasurer Caroline Graham of Salisbury; and Secretary David Stevenson, Jr. of Salisbury.
The new Mr. and Ms. Catawba, elected to serve the College in the coming year, were announced at the convocation. They are Rachel Gallup of Fredericksburg, Va., and Johnathan Boles of Salisbury.
Service to the Community & Leadership Awards
Ashley Everidge of Hamptonville 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.
Lauren Sledd of Roanoke, Va., was the recipient of the Sara Cook Award for Student Involvement. This is a new award, established this year by Student Affairs in recognition of the work of Board of Trustee Member Sara Cook and her role in alcohol education, policy and programs that have changed the campus culture of student life at Catawba. It is presented annually to the member of the student body who demonstrates a concern for the well-being of fellow students like Ms. Cook modeled for the college community in regards to making it a better place for students through student life programs outside the classroom. The Office of Student Affairs nominates candidates and makes final choices on the award winner.
For the third consecutive year, Pioneer editor, Darby Reedy of Reading, Pa., received the Pioneer Award, for her hard work and leadership on the staff of the student newspaper, "The Pioneer."
Dr. Sheila Brownlow, a professor of psychology, 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.
Students Colleen Smiley and Eli Wittum, both of Salisbury, and staff member, Brien Lewis, President of the College, received the Leader in Environmental Stewardship Award. It is presented to the person(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.
Jevgenij Gamper of Vilinius, Lithuania, was the recipient of the annual Paul Fisher Service Award and Scholarship. It is presented to the member of the Catawba College community who has made the greatest contribution throughout the year in service to others and makes service an integral part of his or her life. The recipient of the annual scholarship award is chosen from those persons who have been designated as monthly Paul Fisher Service Award winners and receives a scholarship provided by F&M Bank and the recycled glass award. Faculty/Staff member Dr. Norris Feeney, a member of the history department faculty, was also recognized as a recipient of the Paul Fisher Service Award.
The President's Award for Community Service was made to Dee Woodie, an administrative assistant to the Dean of Students. The award is given annually to a member of the campus community who has distinguished him or herself in significant service to the local Rowan-Salisbury community. The recipient is selected through nominations from the faculty and staff with final selection from the nominations being made by the college president.
Members of Catawba's inaugural team who participated in the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities annual Ethics Bowl this year were recognized with certificates of appreciation. They included Blake Brewer of Elfland, Justin Burroughs of Salisbury, Michael Downum of Salisbury, Samantha Gates of Gibsonville, Brianna Gordon of Chapel Hill, and Shelby Wellmon of Salisbury. The Catawba team was coached by Drs. Norris Feeney and Charles McAllister. Dr. Feeney also served as the coordinator for the team.
Inductees into Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges were announced. 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 Gregory William Alexander of Goldsboro; Reuben Carpenter Chance of Augusta, Ga.; Finn Bastian Furstenwerth of Hamburg, Germany; Christopher Austin Gratton of Wilmington; Sydney Rebecca Hyder of Asheboro; Patrick Neal Karriker of Landis; Sloan Evelyn Kessler of Onalaska, Wis.; Ekaterina Kruglov of Karmiel, Israel; Mitchell Todd McDonald of Wellington; Michelle Lee Newberger of Lutz, Fla.; Daniel Joseph Rew of Forest Hill, Md.; Theodore Shepard of Southport; Jacob Branson Shepherd of Claremont; Paige Nicole Smart of Mocksville; and Ellen Michelle Stout of Statesville.
Academic Achievement Awards
Janin Kassner of Giesen, Germany, and Jacob Breig of Greenfield, Minn., were co-recipients of 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 School of Business who achieves the best scholastic average during the year.
The Millard F. Wilson Award for Excellence in Business was shared by Jacob Breig of Greenfield, Minn., and Madison Kennedy of Salisbury. Given annually to a senior or seniors in recognition of outstanding service to the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, this award also recognizes excellence in academic achievement. The late Professor Millard F. Wilson, former chair of the business department at Catawba from 1949-1979, established the award.
Katherine Sims of Mocksville received the Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize this year. This prize is given by an alumnus, Edwin Nance, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, in memory of the mother of three former Catawba College students. It is awarded annually to the writer of an essay judged by faculty to be the most original. Katherine's winning essay is entitled, "A Review of Therapeutic Modalities for Cancer Patients: The Fundamentals of Psycho-Oncology."
Sydney Smith of Salisbury was recipient of the Bethany and Aidan Sinnott Poetry Award. This award was established by the English Department in honor of Dr. Bethany Sinnott and in memory of Dr. Aidan Sinnott. The award is given to the student(s) who demonstrates the greatest potential as a poet, based on a portfolio of his or her work.
Hannah Lewis of Salisbury 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(s) or minor(s) who has made the highest grades in his/her foreign language studies.
The Elisabeth Scranton History Award was presented to Christopher Money of King and Jessica Parker of Winston-Salem. 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 Braun Award in Physics, given by 1934 alumna Mrs. Anne Blodgett Bashore, was given to Kaytee Frabotta of Sterling Heights, Mich. It is given in recognition of the student showing the most meritorious work in the field of physics.
Kenneth Hipp of Salisbury was presented the Chemistry Prize. This award is given annually to a student(s) selected by the chemistry faculty who, in their opinion, 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 Casey LaBelle of Boca Raton, Fla., and Hannah Przelomski of Rocky Mount. It is awarded annually to a chemistry major(s) during their freshman year in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement.
The recipients of the Mathematics Award were Ekaterina Kruglov of Karmiel, Israel, and Sydney Hyder of Asheboro. This award is presented annually by the mathematics department faculty to a student(s) who has demonstrated outstanding ability, scholarship and interest in the field of mathematics.
Sloan Kessler of Onalaska, Wis., was the recipient of the Environmental Programs Award. It is presented annually to a senior who has best demonstrated dedication, inspiration and academic achievement in the field of environmental science.
Sydney Hyder of Asheboro, Christopher Money of King, and Nicole Shaw of White Plains were the recipients of the Shirley L. Haworth Prospective Teacher Award. It is presented to a senior(s) 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 the classroom setting by faculty and cooperating teachers. The recipient is chosen by the Department of Teacher Education faculty.
Courtney Foster of Lexington 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 former faculty member in Catawba's Teacher Education Department and director of the College's Shirley Peeler Ritchie Academy for Teaching.
The College Chairman's Award in Music went to Emma Stoneberg of Asheville for her significant contribution to the programs of the music department and for their promise of future success in the field of music.
Ellen Stout of Statesville and Ekaterina Kruglov of Karmiel, Israel were the recipients of the Senior Psychology Award. It is given annually to the psychology major(s) judged by graduating psychology majors, through secret ballot, as having made an outstanding contribution to the various activities of the Psychology Department.
Danielle Pennington of Cooleemee was the recipient of the Sociology Award, presented annually to the graduating senior who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement in the field of sociology and exemplifies the qualities of the sociological imagination.
Kim Newton of Harrisburg received the 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.
Jacob Shepherd of Claremont received the William L. Russell Award. It is presented annually to the student who best demonstrates the values of Catawba College – scholarship, character, culture and service and in recognition of academic excellence, leadership, loyalty and dedication. The award, for outstanding service to the Department of Sport and Health Sciences and the community, is given in memory of Dr. Bill Russell.
Finn Furstenwerth Hamburg, Germany, and Logan Ellis of Julian received the Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award. It is given in honor of Dr. Daniel E. Kirk, former professor and chair of Catawba's Department of Biology and former Dean of the College. It is presented to a senior(s) who has exhibited outstanding service and achievement in the Department of Biology.
Gregory Alexander of Goldsboro was the recipient of the Bruce A. Wentz Philosophy Award. Given in memory of Dr. Bruce A. Wentz, long-time teacher of philosophy at Catawba, the award recognizes a junior or senior who has shown excellence in the study of philosophy.
Maggie Saunders of Huntington, W. Va., received the Augustin Daly Award for Outstanding Student of the Year in Theatre Arts. This award is named in memory of one of North Carolina's most historically important theatre figures and voted on by the Theater Arts faculty.
Lauren Sledd of Roanoke, Va., was the recipient of the Dr. Karl E. Hales Communication Award. This award was established in honor of Dr. Karl Hales, who taught Communications and Speech at Catawba from 1966 until his retirement in 2005. Dr. Hales is also the well-known Voice of the Catawba Indians, announcing Catawba's home football games in the stadium for over 30 years.
Awards of Special Merit and Achievement
Ekaterina Kruglov of Karmiel, Israel, and Logan Ellis of Julian shared the Dean Grove Award, given annually to a student athlete(s) 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.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was given to Christopher Gratton of Wilmington and Dr. James Hand, an associate professor of Athletic Training and Director of Athletic Training Education. A committee of students and faculty choose both a student and a staff or faculty 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.
The 2014-2015 Staff Member of the Year is Mrs. Sharon Newsome, administrative assistant to the Dean of Students. This award is presented annually and selection is made by a popular vote of the students.
Dr. Ken Clapp, chaplain, senior vice president and assistant professor of religion and philosophy, was selected as Professor of the Year for 2014-2015. 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.
Director of Development, Carolyn Peeler, 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 members of the faculty and staff and the recipient selected by a vote of the Staff Council.
The President's Award for Staff Excellence was presented to Robin Misenheimer, a programmer/analyst in the information technology department at the college. 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 college president.
Dr. Edith Bolick, a professor of sociology, was the recipient of the Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teacher. 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 Hearne Swink, former Rowan County resident, official with Cannon Mills Company, and friend of the College.
Dr. John Wear, director of Catawba's Center for the Environment and Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, was the recipient of the Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College. Dr. Wear has worked to involve the College in projects that have benefitted the community. He dedicated his energy and expertise to the formation of the Salisbury Greenway in the 1990s, working closely with the City of Salisbury to initiate the path, which runs through the Stanback Ecological Preserve on campus.
Fifteen years ago, Dr. Wear led the effort to build the "green" facility that houses the Center for the Environment. One of the first "green" buildings constructed in the state, it was – and is – regarded as a model of sustainability. Dr. Wear has also played a seminal role in the College's recent effort to create a significant solar presence on campus. When completed, the solar installations on seven separate buildings and a covered parking area will rank as the second largest campus solar energy installation in the Southeast. The award is 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.
Whitener Medal Recipients
The recipients of the Whitener Medals were announced at the awards convocation but will actually receive their awards during Catawba's May 16th graduation exercise. They are Sloan Kessler of Onalaska, Wis., and Theo Shepard of Southport. 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, these awards 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. Selection is made by the faculty from the three men and three women who have received the highest number of votes in an election in which only members of the junior and senior class may vote.
