Scholarship, Leadership Recognized at UA’s Annual Honors Week

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama honored its top students of 2002-2003 for their scholarship and leadership today during the Tappings and Awards Ceremony on the Mound, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 14-18.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:

Nabeel Ahmed Memon of Tuscaloosa, Outstanding Senior Award; Christopher Dywayne Key of Decatur and Ann Taylor Reed of Mobile, Outstanding Juniors; William Zachary Riddle of Trussville, Outstanding Sophomore Award; and John Griffin of Trussville, Outstanding Freshman Award.

Recipients of UA’s Premier Awards were recognized. These top awards, given by the UA president, 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 Nabeel Ahmed Memon of Tuscaloosa and Kana Anne Ellis of Northport. Margaret Lee Watson 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 Rashmee Nawar Sharif of Tuscaloosa.

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 Kristin Gail Robinson of Birmingham (35243).

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award, named in honor of Morris Lehman Mayer, business professor emeritus, recognizes one member of the graduating class who exemplifies integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA. Ashley Fallon Ragsdale of Huntsville received the Mayer Award as the graduating recipient. Dr. Jack Norman Baldwin was selected as the faculty recipient of this award.

Cleophus (Cleo) Thomas Jr. of Anniston, UA Trustee Emeritus, was named recipient 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 University’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award, given by the UA Capstone Men and Women organization, was presented to Dr. J. Barry Mason of Tuscaloosa, dean of the UA College of Commerce and Business Administration who has recently served as interim UA president. 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 Dr. Cathy Randall of Tuscaloosa, director of the UA Computer Based Honors Program. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to service of UA students.

The Other Club Outstanding Senior Awards were presented to Lucy Hester of Northport; Lauren Kallus of Birmingham (35242), Mark Martin of Huntsville and Oscar Price of Birmingham (35213). The Other Club Outstanding Faculty Awards went to Carla Gower and Steve Miller. The Other Club Outstanding Staff Award went to Rickey Yanaura. 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 2003 Alumni Student Awards were given to Kana Anne Ellis of Tuscaloosa; Laura Jean Medders of Thomasville, Ga.; and Andrew C. Todd of Piedmont.

This award honors members 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 2003 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award to Sarah B. Adair of Hartselle; Blakely Palmer Dueitt of Louisville, Ky.; Allison J. Kellogg of Madison, Miss.; Holly Michelle Morris of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Robin Marie Preussel of Huntsville; Ashley Fallon Ragsdale of Huntsville; Deborah T. Sodeke of Auburn; Patrick S. Hollingsworth of Baton Rouge, La.; Michael Weston Luther of Dawson; Nabeel Ahmed Memon of Tuscaloosa; Tyrance Story of Birmingham (35217) and Gabriel C. Walvatne of Mobile.

Abigail Smith of Tuscaloosa received the 2003 Penny Allen Award, recognizing a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership. The award also recognizes university employees who have contributed to the quality of student life, and was presented this year to Cecilia Phillips. The award was established in honor of the late Sara Bell Penrod “Penny” Allen of the UA School of Social Work.

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:

Jonathan Melton Adams of St. Stephens; Katie Elizabeth Boyd of Enterprise; Amber Marie Bradford of Montgomery; John Phillip Dobbins of Montgomery; Ann Michelle Donaldson of Richmond, Ky.; Meredith Lindbergh Giles of Demopolis; Courtney Elizabeth Gover of Bowling Green, Ky.; Travis Stuart Jackson of Cullman; Christine Bainbridge Jaxon of Eufaula; Angela Frances Johnson of Birmingham (35242); Christopher Dywayne Key of Decatur; Katherine Marie McMinn of Montevallo; Lindsey Rebecca Moore of Gardendale; Joshua Kerry Payne of Tuscaloosa; April Leigh Quinn of Springville; Ann Taylor Reed of Mobile; Emily Elaine Reneau of Wetumpka; Kristin Gail Robinson of Birmingham (35243); Rashmee Nawar Sharif of Tuscaloosa; Elizabeth Boyd Sullivan of Birmingham (35213);
Mary Anne Taylor of Red Level; Lisbeth Caroline Thornley of Jasper; Maury Lynn Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss., and Sarah Michelle Withrow of Huntsville.

Honorary members are:

Joshua Adam Burcham of Cherokee; Matthew Paul Michael Cybulsky of Birmingham (35216); James Bradley Davidson of Selma; Lindsay Brook Esco of Clanton; Erica Lynn Hardy of Wetumpka; Nancy Carmen Oppenheimer of Mobile, and Steven Dewayne Yates of 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:

Jonathan Melton Adams of St. Stephens; Emily Inga Bishop of Great Falls, Va.; Katie Elizabeth Boyd of Enterprise; Amber Marie Bradford of Montgomery; Hallie Elizabeth Bradley of Birmingham (35223); Thomas Elliott Broughton of Montgomery; Mary Amanda Buchanan of Mountain Brook; Lindsey Faye Cannon of Theodore; Ginger Lynn Carroll of Tuscaloosa; John Phillip Dobbins of Montgomery; Ann Michelle Donaldson of Richmond, Ky.; Ashley Diane Erickson of Tuscaloosa; Hannah Lee Ficken of Huntsville; Meredith Lindbergh Giles of Demopolis; Courtney Elizabeth Gover of Bowling Green, Ky.; Mary Lauren Griffin of Birmingham (35242); Jennifer Anne Hudson of Roswell, Ga.; Elizabeth Anne Hunley of New Orleans; Travis Stuart Jackson of Cullman; Laura Marie Jeff of Homewood; Angela Frances Johnson of Birmingham (35242); Christopher Dywayne Key of Decatur; Robin Ann King of Hoover; Steve Pat Lovoy Jr. of Birmingham (35226); Mary Kinney Lowe of Gadsden; Beth Marie Mason of Winchester, Tenn.; Patrick Stephen McCarty of Birmingham (35205); Katherine Marie McMinn of Montevallo; Lindsey Rebecca Moore of Gardendale; Melissa Kay Moore of Birmingham (35244); Elizabeth Leigh O’Brien of Shreveport, La.; Joshua Kerry Payne of Tuscaloosa; April Leigh Quinn of Springville; Ann Taylor Reed of Mobile; Emily Elaine Reneau of Wetumpka; Wesley Douglas Reynolds of Athens; Heather Dawn Scott of Athens; Elizabeth Boyd Sullivan of Birmingham (35213); Jana Nicole Sommer of Germantown, Tenn.; Zachary Chase Thompson of Florence; Lisbeth Caroline Thornley of Jasper; Maury Lynn Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss. and Sarah Michelle Withrow of Hunstville.

Honorary Members are:

Elizabeth McCurdy Crum of Montgomery; Bobby Jack Eyer Jr. of Vestavia Hills; Robert Edward Ferguson of Highpoint, N.C.; Lucy Ann Hester of Northport; James Dwight Hixon of Montgomery; Nancy Carmen Oppenheimer of Mobile; Maggie Elaine Stevenson of Prichard and Josh Thompson of Montgomery.

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:

John Richard Beasley of Mobile; Emily Inga Bishop of Great Falls, Va.; Hayley Nicole Bott of Kennesaw, Ga.; Katie Elizabeth Boyd of Enterprise; Amber Marie Bradford of Montgomery; Hallie Elizabeth Bradley of Birmingham (35223); Lindsey Faye Cannon of Theodore; Holly Elizabeth Caraway of Trussville; James Brian Darnell of Tuscaloosa; John Phillip Dobbins of Montgomery; Ann Michelle Donaldson of Richmond, Ky.; Bobby Jack Eyer Jr. of Vestavia Hills; Hannah Lee Ficken of Huntsville; Meredith Lindbergh Giles of Demopolis; Courtney Elizabeth Gover of Bowling Green, Ky.; Mary Lauren Griffin of Birmingham (35242); Sarah June Gauntlett of Prattville; Susan J. Halliday of Tuscaloosa; Lauren Rechelle Hinton of Northport; Elizabeth Anne Hunley of New Orleans; Travis Stuart Jackson of Cullman; Laura Marie Jeff of Homewood; Angela Frances Johnson of Birmingham (35242); Christopher Dywayne Key of Decatur; Ashley Laura Korner of Helena; Stefanie Vee Fong Leung of Tuscaloosa; Steve Pat Lovoy Jr. of Birmingham (35226); Mary Kinney Lowe of Gadsden; Anna Elizabeth Lunsford of Hoover; Beth Marie Mason of Winchester, Tenn.; Amy Marie Maxwell of Weaver; Katherine Marie McMinn of Montevallo; Lindsey Rebecca Moore of Gardendale; Elizabeth Leigh O’Brien of Shreveport, La.; Joshua Kerry Payne of Tuscaloosa; April Leigh Quinn of Springville; Ann Taylor Reed of Mobile; Emily Elaine Reneau of Wetumpka; Wesley Douglas Reynolds of Athens; Heather Dawn Scott of Athens; Jana Nicole Sommer of Germantown, Tenn.; Elizabeth Boyd Sullivan of Birmingham (35213); Mary Ann Taylor of Red Level; Zachary Chase Thompson of Florence; Lisbeth Caroline Thornley of Jasper; Lynsey Brooke Tibbs of McCalla; Maury Lynn Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss.; and Sarah Michelle Withrow of Hunstville.

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:

Jonathan Melton Adams of St. Stephens; Mark David Beaty of Hoover; Joshua David Bell of Rainsville; Emily Inga Bishop of Great Falls, Va.; Hayley Nicole Bott of Kennesaw, Ga.; Katie Elizabeth Boyd of Enterprise; Amber Marie Bradford of Montgomery; Hallie Elizabeth Bradley of Birmingham (35223); Sarah Kathleen Bradley of Birmingham (35223); Daniel Michael Brennan Jr. of Lowell, Mass.; Byron Keith Buchanan of Scottsboro; Shelley Elizabeth Buck of Birmingham (35243); Lindsey Rebecca Cannon of Theodore; Alyson Leigh Cantrell of Knoxville, Tenn.; Holly Elizabeth Caraway of Trussville; Christopher Phillip Crutchfield of Selma; Jordan Elizabeth Daniel of Charleston, S.C.; James Brian Darnell of Tuscaloosa; Elizabeth Marie Dees of Daphne; Catherine Elizabeth DeWitt of Port Orange, Fla.; John Phillip Dobbins of Montgomery; Ann Michelle Donaldson of Richmond, Ky.; Ashley Diane Erickson of Tuscaloosa; Hannah Lee Ficken of Huntsville; Meredith Lindbergh Giles of Demopolis; Katherine Maxwell Goodloe of Winchester, Va.; Theresa Gibian Goolsby of Montgomery; Courtney Elizabeth Gover of Bowling Green, Ky.; Erin Courtney Green of Montgomery; Mary Lauren Griffin of Birmingham (35242); Stacy Lynn Griffin of Carrollton; Megan Elisabeth Harrison of Alexandria, La.; Lindsey Ann Hayes of Tuscaloosa; Margaret Koster Henderson of Brewton; Lindsey Rae Herring of Hueytown; William Denton Hester of Tuscumbia; Lauren Rechelle Hinton of Northport; Andrew M. Honeycutt of Birmingham (35216); Jennifer Anne Hudson of Roswell, Ga.; Elizabeth Anne Hunley of New Orleans; Travis Stuart Jackson of Cullman; Christine Bainbridge Jaxon of Eufaula, Ala.; Laura Marie Jeff of Homewood; Angela Frances Johnson of Birmingham (35242); Carrie Jacqueline Juliano of Birmingham (35213); Christopher Dywayne Key of Decatur; Robin Ann King of Hoover; Stephanie Lee Kite of Austin, Texas; Ashley Laura Korner of Germantown, Tenn.; Dana Aaron Lackey of Hoover; Janine Marie Lorek of Birmingham (35242); Mary Kinney Lowe of Gadsden; Jennifer Susanne Luker of Camden; Julie Carroll Lumpkin of Tyrone, Ga.; Anna Elizabeth Lunsford of Hoover; Tyler James Marshall of Hoover; Hallie McCoy Marx of Birmingham (35223); Beth Marie Mason of Winchester, Tenn.; Patrick Stephen McCarty of Birmingham (35205); Katherine Marie McMinn of Montevallo; Valerie Marie Miller of Centre; Gina Lei Miller of Birmingham (35215); Rachel Renee Mims of Northport; Lindsey Rebecca Moore of Gardendale; Mary Blanche Neese of Florence; Johona Maria Nelloms of Lanett; Caroline Reed Nicholson of Panama City, Fla.; Justin A. Parden of Mobile; Patricia Sewell Parnell of Mobile; Arrtie Ravindra Patil of Centreville; Joshua Kerry Payne of Tuscaloosa; Amanda Lynn Peltz of Alvaton, Ky.; Kathleen Penton of Sylacauga; April Leigh Quinn of Springville; Ann Taylor Reed of Mobile; Emily Elaine Reneau of Wetumpka; Wesley Douglas Reynolds of Athens; Valencia Lajoy Robertson of Gallion; Stephen Eric Rumanek of Tuscaloosa; Christopher Edward Sanders of Warrior; Jennifer Suzanne Sapp of Trussville; Margaret Lynn Savage of Phenix City; Heather Dawn Scott of Athens; Julie Michelle Sheehan of Hickman, Ky.; Joshua Matthew Silberberg of Coral Springs, Fla.; Sara Katherine Smith of Hoover; Jana Nicole Sommer of Germantown, Tenn.; Andrew Eugene Stafford of Huntsville; Sevanne Hagen Steiner of Theodore; Elizabeth Boyd Sullivan of Birmingham (35213); Mary Anne Taylor of Red Level; Tiffany Ann Thomas of Gardendale; Jill Kathleen Thompson of Tuscaloosa; Zachary Chase Thompson of Florence; Lisbeth Caroline Thornley of Jasper; Robert Richard Allen Turner of Tuskegee; Clarissa Pendarvis Weathers of Franklin, Tenn.; David Bishop Welborn of Alexander City; Rebecca Ellen White of Indian Springs; Maury Lynn Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss.; and Sarah Michelle Withrow of Hunstville.

Honorary Members are:

Sandra Michelle Ambrose of Cottondale; Elizabeth McCurdy Crum of Montgomery; Jennifer May Crum of Monterey, La.; James Bradley Davidson of Selma; Lindsay Brook Esco of Clanton; Bobby Jack Eyer Jr. of Vestavia Hills; Robert Edward Ferguson of Highpoint, N.C.; James Dwight Hixon of Montgomery; Nancy Carmen Oppenheimer of Mobile; Heather Marion Schacht of Decatur; Gina Rae Smith of Northport; Kristin Brooke Sterner of Ionia, Mich.; Maggie Elaine Stevenson of Prichard;
Gabriel Cliff Walvatne of Mobile; Vincent Lee Webb of Heflin; Kimberly Deann Zarzour of Huntsville.