Scholarship, Leadership Recognized At UA’s Annual Honors Week

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama honored its top students of 2000-2001 for their scholarship and leadership today during the Tappings and Awards Ceremony on the Mound, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 16-20.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to: Outstanding Freshman, Caroline Thornley of Jasper; Outstanding Sophomore, Deborah Sodeke of Auburn, Outstanding Junior (female), Lauren Santi of Nashville, Tenn.; Outstanding Junior (male), Drew Thornley of Jasper; Outstanding Senior, Josh Wharton of Arab; Outstanding Graduate Student, Allen Fuller of Nashville, Tenn.; Outstanding Transfer Student, Jessica Lynn Smith of Gordo.

Recipients of UA’s Premier Awards were recognized by Dr. Nancy Barrett, UA provost and vice president for academic affairs. These top awards, given by UA President Andrew Sorensen, include the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the William P. Bloom Scholarship Award, the John Fraser Ramsey Award and the Morris Lehman Mayer Award.

This year’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was presented to one man and one woman of the graduating class and one non-student who has been helpful to, and associated with, the University. The Sullivan Award recognizes excellence of character and service to humanity. Student winners of this year’s Sullivan Award are Ryan Christopher King of Huntsville and Porcia Therese Bradford of Montgomery. Dr. James D. Yarbrough, former dean of the UA College of Arts and Sciences, received the Sullivan Award as a non-student honoree.

The William P. Bloom Scholarship Award honors a junior who has improved intergroup relations within the University community; this year’s recipient is James F. Ford of Auburn.

The John Fraser Ramsey Award, named in honor of the late University history professor emeritus, recognizes in a junior the versatility of gifts and attainments, as well as the breadth of excellence in mind and character, that have traditionally been the goals of a liberal education. The recipient of the Ramsey Award is Joshua Allen Moore of Fairhope.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award, named in honor of Morris Lehman Mayer, business professor emeritus, recognizes one member of the graduating class and one member of the teaching faculty who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA. Daniel Phillip Dugan of Russellville received the Mayer Award as the graduating recipient and Dr. Deborah Crown, associate professor of management in the UA Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, received the Mayer Award as the teaching faculty member.

Peggy and James I. Harrison Jr. of Tuscaloosa were named recipients of this year’s Frances S. Summersell Award, sponsored by UA’s Iota Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK). Established in 1992, this award recognizes an individual or individuals who have aided the educational mission of the University or improved the quality of life in the state. The Harrisons have committed significant time and resources to the support of community organizations, including UA’s nationally-recognized RISE Program that helps developmentally disabled pre-school children. James Harrison Jr. has also served as a board member of numerous community, regional and state organizations, including chairman of the UA President’s Cabinet.

The University’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award, given by the UA Capstone Men and Women organization, was presented to Dr. James Yarbrough. The award, named in memory of former Capstone Woman Amanda Grace Taylor Watson, is given to a person who exemplifies the essence of the University in all aspects of life.

The Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award was presented to Carol Bersch, program assistant in the UA Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to service of UA students.

The Other Club Outstanding Senior Awards were presented to Josh Wharton of Arab, Tony Dixon of Reform, and Alan Johnson of Clymer, N.Y. The Other Club Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award was presented to Beverly Kellen, assistant director of the UA Russell Student Health Center. The Other Club is a student-run honorary organization that brings together undergraduate leaders, concerned faculty and local citizens to discuss timely issues in an Oxford-style atmosphere; it was originally founded in London in 1911.

The UA National Alumni Association’s 2001 Alumni Student Awards were given to Porcia Therese Bradford of Montgomery and Phillip “Carter” Copeland of Fredericksburg, Va. This award honors one male and one female of the senior class who have excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity, and displayed exceptional hospitality toward guests and friends of the University.

The Alumni Association also presented the 2001Alumni Outstanding Senior Award to Katie L. Davis of Huntsville; Kathryn E. Humber of Tuscaloosa; Melinda Lintinger of Slidell, La.; Meredith V. Riley of Phenix City; Andrew T. Cordell of Birmingham (zip code 35243); Daniel P. Dugan of Russellville; Brian M. Grillo of Birmingham (zip code 35242); Chad H. Kendrick of Jasper; Ryan C. King of Huntsville; and Joshua B. Wharton of Arab.

The top University-wide honor societies also tapped new members. They include:

ANDERSON SOCIETY: Anderson Society is an honor society for seniors. The society’s 24 members are chosen in recognition of their significant contributions to the University and the Tuscaloosa community. The society seeks to promote high academic standards as well as excellence in student leadership and service.

New members are: Rebecca Elizabeth Baum, Southside; Morgan Leigh Blankenship, Murray, Ky.; Dana Marie Caldwell, Birmingham (zip code 35243)

Ashley Elizabeth Chappell, Lakeland, Fla.; Tara M. Conway, Snellville, Ga.; Stephanie Leigh Cory, Slidell, La.; Danielle Avery Curtis, Ward; James F. Ford, Auburn; Suzanne Elizabeth Freshwater, Albertville; Tenley Elizabeth Garvich, Signal Mountain, Tenn.; Michelle Lynn Green, Rolla, Mo.; Richard Preston Hobbs, Fairfax, Va.; Jason Whitt Jones, Boaz; Lisa Somerville Jones, Valley Head; Tatum Adams McArthur, Greenville, Ala.; Paul A. McMurray Jr., Roanoke; Rebecca Lynn Myers, Pelham; Jeffrey Wells Nix, Murray, Ky.; Elizabeth Hill Ringland, Birmingham (35223); Lauren Elizabeth Santi, Nashville, Tenn.; Susan Beth Satterfield, Cullman; Ashley Hope Thomson, Birmingham (35242); Wade Michael Watkins, Pelham; David Carl Williams, Huntsville.

Honorary members are: Anne Martha Bernauer, Florence; Katherine Elizabeth Cartwright, Bristol, Va.; Mark Gottfried, Tuscaloosa; Christina Ann Graffeo, Birmingham (35223); Cynthia Johnson, Tuscaloosa; Bradley Clayton Moody, Northport;. Leila Suzanne Tarleton, Jackson; Melissa Renée Watkins, Tuscaloosa.

BLUE KEY HONOR FRATERNITY: Blue Key was, with Omicron Delta Kappa and the Jasons, one of the first three honor societies at UA. During the Great Depression, Blue Key ceased operating on the campus, but it returned in 1987. Blue Key members are selected during spring semester of the junior year and must represent high scholastic ideals, leadership, and diversity of background. Selection is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on rising seniors.

New members are: Phil Abeline Adams, Centreville; Catherine Elizabeth Alford, Hoover (35226); Laura Ellen Anders, Fairhope; Abbie Elizabeth Arnold, Kenner, La.;Rebecca Elizabeth Baum, Southside; Anne Martha Bernauer, Florence; Morgan Leigh Blankenship, Murray, Ky.; Joseph Somerset Borden, Birmingham (35243); Angelea Rhea Brooks, Phenix City; Amanda Louise Burkart, Hanceville; Dana Marie Caldwell, Birmingham (35243); Ashley Elizabeth Chappell, Lakeland, Fla.; Bryan Eugene Comer, Satsuma; Tara Michelle Conway, Snellville, Ga.; Stephanie Leigh Cory, Slidell, La.; Danielle Avery Curtis, Ward; Ashley Elizabeth Dalgo, Colliersville, Tenn.; James F. Ford, Auburn; Suzanne Elizabeth Freshwater, Albertville; Tenley Elizabeth Garvich, Signal Mountain, Tenn.; Bryan Scott Gregory, Mobile; Heather Ann Heath, Estill Springs, Tenn.; Richard Preston Hobbs, Fairfax, Va.; Jason Whitt Jones, Boaz; Lisa Somerville Jones, Valley Head; Margaret Walsh Lott, Mobile; LeeAnn Christine McAliley, Enterprise; Tatum A. McArthur, Greenville; Virginia Ross McCarroll, Dothan; Martha Garland McKee, Faunsdale; Paul Augustus McMurray Jr., Roanoke; Rebecca Lynn Myers, Pelham; Daniel O’Bryan Oliver, Montgomery; Austin Chase Powell, Dothan; Marshall Peter Rathmell, Birmingham (35223); Elizabeth Hill Ringland, Birmingham (35223); Lauren Elizabeth Santi, Nashville, Tenn.; Susan Beth Satterfield, Cullman; Melissa Anne Talbert, Orange Beach; Ashley Hope Thomson, Birmingham (35242); Andrew Maddox Thornley; Lawrence Michael Vinyard, Tuscaloosa; Ginger Elizabeth Watkins, Birmingham (35243); Jennifer Brooke West, Chattanooga, Tenn.; David Carl Williams, Huntsville.

MORTAR BOARD: Election to Mortar Board, a national honor society for men and women, is based on leadership, scholarship, and service. It is one of the highest honors that can be granted to seniors. Members must display outstanding dedication to service and leadership.

New members are: Catherine Alford, Hoover; Abbie Arnold, Kenner, La.; Rebecca Baum, Southside; Joseph Borden, Birmingham (35243); Jacel Brooks, Gadsden; Amanda Burkart, Hanceville; Kane Burnette, Tuscaloosa; Brandace Burnham, Andalusia; Dana Caldwell, Birmingham (35243); Ashley Chappell, Lakeland, Fla.; Tara Conway, Snellville, Ga.; Stephanie Cory, Slidell, La.; Ashley Dalgo, Colliersville, Tenn.; Molly Dyrsen, Bowling Green, Ky.; Lindsay Evans, Boaz; James Ford, Auburn; Suzanne Freshwater, Albertville; Michelle Green, Rolla, Mo.; Mitchell Greggs, Tuscaloosa; Sharlisa Gunnels, Tuscaloosa; Heather Heath, Estill Springs; Katherine Hensleigh, Butler; Rick Hobbs, Fairfax, Va.; Patrick Hollingsworth, Northport; Whitt Jones, Boaz; Lisa Jones, Valley Head; Emilie Kraft, Cullman; Brandee Madden, Opelika; Jessica Massey, Chathom; Tatum McArthur, Greenville; William McDermott, Mobile; Melissa McLure, Birmingham (35216); Gus McMurray, Roanoke; Brian Middleton, Jackson; Monica Moss, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Rebecca Myers, Pelham; Jeff Nix, Murray, Ky.; Amanda Phillips, Demopolis; Margaret Phillips, Tuscaloosa; Latresha Reynolds, Montgomery; Hill Ringland, Birmingham (35223); Lauren Santi, Nashville, Tenn.; Susan Satterfield, Cullman; Ashley Thomson, Birmingham (35242); Drew Thornley, Jasper; Wade Watkins, Pelham; Brooke West, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Jenny Whitworth, Madison; David Williams, Huntsville; Cameron Willis, Gadsden.

OMICRON DELTA KAPPA: The purpose of ODK is to recognize those students who have attained high standards in collegiate activities, to inspire others to strive for similar attainments, and to bring together students in all areas of college life: scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social and religious activities; campus government; journalism, speech, and mass media; and creative and performing arts.

New members are: Phil Abeline Adams, Centreville; Catherine E. Alford, Hoover; Laura E. Anders, Fairhope; Abbie E. Arnold, Kenner, La.; Rebecca E. Baum, Southside; Anne Martha Bernauer, Florence; Jennifer R. Blackwood, Decatur; Morgan L. Blankenship, Murray, Ky.; Jeffrey L. Bolt, Alexander City; Anthony M. Bonadio, Colliersville, Tenn.; Joseph S. Borden, Birmingham (35243); Erin A. Britt, Opelika; Angel R. Brooks, Phenix City; Jacel C. Brooks, Gadsden; Jessica J. Brooks, Birmingham (35223); Jennifer Brown; Amanda L. Burkart, Hanceville; Russell K. Burnette, Tuscaloosa; Olivia Brandace Burnham, Andalusia; Dana M. Caldwell, Birmingham (35243); Paula R. Carter, Paris, Tenn.; Ashley E. Chappell, Lakeland, Fla.; Lindsey W. Clements, Opelika; Ardra L. Coleman, Vestavia Hills; Bryan E. Comer, Satsuma; Tara M. Conway, Snellville, Ga.; Erin L. Cook, Marion, Ark.; Stephanie L. Cory, Slidell, La.; Christa D. Crow, Hoover; Danielle A. Curtis, Ward; Ashley E. Dalgo, Colliersville, Tenn.; Amanda A. Dillon, Huntsville; Lana Estess, Clinton, Miss.; Lindsey Evans, Boaz;. James F. Ford, Auburn; Suzanne E. Freshwater, Albertville; Amanda D. Gamble, Hanceville; Allison L. Gardner, Trussville; Tenley E. Garvich, Signal Mountain, Tenn.; David L. Gober, Oxford, Miss.; Jennifer Greer Gray, Huntsville; Michelle L. Green, Rolla, Mo.; Mitchell D. Greggs, Tuscaloosa; Bryan Scott Gregory, Mobile; Allison E. Guidry, Mandeville, La.; Christina C. Hammock, Wetumpka; D’ Aquisto A. Hamner, Tuscaloosa; Heather A. Heath, Estill Springs, Tenn.; Katherine E. Hensleigh, Butler; Richard P. Hobbs, Fairfax, Va.; Patrick S. Hollingsworth, Northport; Patrick Michael Jackson, Birmingham (35209); Elizabeth L. Johnson, Tuscaloosa; Elizabeth O. Joint, Metairie, La.; Jason W. Jones, Boaz; Lisa S. Jones, Valley Head; Emilie S. Kraft, Cullman; Robin C. Lamon, Tuscaloosa; John W. Lawrence, Talladega; Allen J. Lumpkin, Talladega; Brandee J. Madden, Opelika; Kimberly A. Mason, Athens; Jessica R. Massey, Chathom; LeeAnn C. McAliley; Tatum A. McArthur, Greenville; Virginia R. McCarroll, Dothan; Martha Garland McKee, Faunsdale; Melissa D. McLure, Birmingham (35216); Gus McMurray, Roanoke; Wesley B. Moffett, Fosters; Harmony N. Moody, Montgomery, Texas; Rebecca L. Myers, Pelham; Jeffrey W. Nix, Murray, Ky.; Daniel O’Bryan Oliver, Montgomery; Leah C. Patterson, Clanton; Amanda D. Phillips, Demopolis; Andreé N. Pickens, Houston; David H. Richardson, Tuscaloosa; Elizabeth Hill Ringland, Birmingham (35223); Jennifer A. Rockwell, Huntsville; Julie C. Rogers, Slidell, La.; Michael S. Salloway, Sylacauga; Lauren E. Santi, Nashville, Tenn.; Susan B. Satterfield, Cullman; Holly J. Shepherd, Shoal Creek; Mary E. Sloan, Oxford, Miss.; Victoria D. Starks, Montgomery; Stacey L. Taggart, Tuscaloosa; Melissa A. Talbert, Orange Beach; Leila S. Tarleton, Jackson; Juerrette Renee Thomas, Harvey, Ill.; Ashley H. Thomson, Birmingham (35242); Drew M. Thornley, Jasper; Larry M. Vinyard, Tuscaloosa; Ginger Watkins, Birmingham (35242); Wade M. Watkins, Pelham; Jennifer Brooke West, Chattanooga, Tenn.; David C. Williams, Huntsville; Cameron L. Willis, Gadsden; Sarah E. Zieman, Gulf Breeze, Fla.