Academic Achievement, Leadership Recognized at UA’s Annual Honors Day

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama honored its top students of 2003-2004 for their academic achievement and leadership Friday, April 16, during the Tappings and Awards Ceremony on the Mound, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 12-16.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:

• Wesley Douglas Reynolds of Athens, Outstanding Senior Award
• Laura Neergaard of Olive Branch, Miss., and William Norvell of Florence, Outstanding Juniors
• Shermeen Memon of Tuscaloosa, Outstanding Sophomore, and
• Blake Barnes of Fairhope, Outstanding Freshman.

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 Robert N. Davis of Montgomery and Katie Boyd of Enterprise.

Thomas P. Davis, retired director of UA admissions, 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 winner is William Zachary Riddle of Trussville.

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 Jason M. Spruell of Dothan.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award, named in honor of the business professor emeritus, recognizes one member of the graduating class and one faculty member who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA. Katherine “Katie” Marie McMinn of Montevallo received the Mayer Award as the graduating recipient. Dr. Sara Davis, UA associate professor of English, has been selected as the faculty recipient of the Mayer Award.

Joshua Payne of Tuscaloosa was recognized as the Outstanding Transfer Student by Freshman Forum. The Outstanding Graduate Student Award was presented to Heather Schacht of Tuscaloosa by The Triangle Association.

James D. Loftin, a UA Trustee Emeritus, and his wife, Marian Loftin, executive director of the Alabama Child Abuse Prevention Fund, both of Dothan, were named recipients of this year’s Frances S. Summersell Award, sponsored by UA’s Iota Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa or 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. Robert E. Witt, 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. Lisa Skelton, director of UA Residential Life. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to service of UA students.

The Other Club Outstanding Faculty Award went to Dr. Jacqueline Morgan, assistant director in UA Undergraduate Admissions. The Other Club Outstanding Student Award went to Keith Buchanan of Tuscumbia. 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 2004 Distinguished Alumna Award winner is Janis Purdy Clements of Birmingham and the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is Reginald Turner Hamner of Montgomery.

The Alumni Student awards honor members of the senior class who have achieved academic excellence, participated in numerous extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity, and displayed exceptional hospitality toward guests and friends of the University.

The recipients of the 2004 Alumni Student Awards are Katie Elizabeth Boyd of Enterprise and Robert Richard Allen Turner of Tuskegee.

The Alumni Association presented the 2004 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award. Winners are Amber Maria Bradford of Montgomery; Robert N. Davis of Montgomery; Ann M. Donaldson of Richmond, Ky.; Mary Lauren Griffin of Birmingham (zip code 35242); Travis Stuart Jackson of Cullman; Angela F. Johnson of Birmingham (35242); Christopher D. Key of Decatur; Katherine M. McMinn of Montevallo.; Kristin G. Robinson of Birmingham (35243); Thomas B. Saunders Jr. of Alexander City; Mary Anne Taylor of Red Level; and Maury Lynne Wilkinson of Clinton, Miss.

Lisa Catherine Vaughan of Birmingham (35216) received the 2004 Penny Allen Award. This award recognizes 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 Helen Leathers, assistant director in UA Student Financial Aid. 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 – A senior honor society comprised of 24 members who 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.

Regular Members: Desiree Diane Adams of Mobile
Kristin Lee Bradbury of Knoxville,Tenn.
Christina Adelia Carden of Cullman
Erin Lyn Duncan of Hendersonville,Tenn.
Rachel Anne Duncan of Pelham
Leah Elizabeth Finley of Birmingham (35242)
Christy T. Gantt of Wetumpka
Anna Christine Green of Gadsden
William Cochrane Jamison of Tuscaloosa
Michael Ryan Kuffner of Huntsville
Jessica Dean Lindsey of Haleyville
Laura Elizabeth Mitchell of Florence
Harold D. “Hal” Mooty III of Montgomery
Laura L. Neergaard of Olive Branch, Miss.
William Key Norvell of Florence
Nicholas Allen Prillaman Jr. of Hermitage, Tenn.
James Wells Robinson of Montgomery
Antonio Alexis Saunders of Birmingham (35207)
Brinkley Ann Serkedakis of Marietta, Ga.
Grace Deneice Shelby of Huntsville
Melissa L. Srygley of Smyrna, Tenn.
Maridi Leigh Thompson of Tuscaloosa
Lisa Catherine Vaughn of Birmingham (35216)
Anna Kathryn Walley of Albertville

Honorary Members: Hallie Allie Elizabeth Bradley of Birmingham (35223)
Jeanna Elizabeth Crocker of Collierville, Tenn.
Mary Lauren Griffin of Birmingham (35242)
Margaret Sims McCrary of Tuscaloosa
Jana LeeAnn Mullins of Decatur
Brian Anthony Murphy of Birmingham (35242)
Wesley Douglas Reynolds of Athens
Valencia LaJoy Robertson of Gallion

Outstanding Sophomore: Shermeen Bashir Memon of Tuscaloosa

Honorary Faculty Members: Dr. Harvey Kline, Dr. Mark Nelson, Dr. Fran Oneal and
Dr. Richard Richards

New Faculty Adviser: Dr. Larry Bowen

Blue Key Honor Fraternity – Blue Key was, with Omicron Delta Kappa and the Jasons, one of the first three honor societies at the University. 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.

2004–05 New Members: Kristin Lee Bradbury of Knoxville, Tenn.
Brittany Leslee Bryant of Tuscaloosa
Laura Lee Bundrick of Opp
Jennifer Lynn Burt of Rogersville
Kristen Denise Conner of Birmingham (35213)
Nathan Luke Cox of Tuscaloosa
Jeanna Elizabeth Crocker of Collierville, Tenn.
Phillip Jordan Dean of Dothan
Thomas Nickless McCain Devin of Clarendon, Texas
Donielle Paige Dubose of Brewton
Erin Lyn Duncan of Hendersonville,Tenn.
Rachel Anne Duncan of Pelham
Leah Elizabeth Finley of Birmingham (35242)
Christy T. Gantt of Wetumpka
Meredith J. Gilchrist of Muscle Shoals
Bryan Andrew Grayson of Mountain Brook
Anna Christine Green of Gadsden
Madeleine Mozell Hill Birmingham (35242)
Leslie Anne Hopkins of Birmingham (35242)
William Cochrane Jamison of Tuscaloosa
Carrie Jacqueline Juliano of Birmingham (35213)
Emily Ruth Kornegay of Prattville
Michael Ryan Kuffner of Huntsville
Jessica Dean Lindsey of Haleyville
Allen Rees Mayer of Huntsville
Laura Elizabeth Mitchell of Florence
Lauren Amy Morgan of Hoover
Margaret Goldthwaite Murphy of Montgomery
Laura L. Neergaard of Olive Branch, Miss.
William Key Norvell of Florence
Alison Marie Pickering of Cleveland, Tenn.
Nicholas Allen Prillaman Jr. of Hermitage, Tenn.
Sarah Rose Reppucci of Huntsville
William Zachary Riddle of Trussville
James Wells Robinson of Montgomery
Lara Ann Santini Tuscaloosa
Ann Brinkley Serkedakis of Marietta, Ga.
Grace Deneice Shelby of Huntsville
Maridi Leigh Thompson of Tuscaloosa
Shelley Elizabeth Wallace of Homewood
Sara Elizabeth Watkins of Bryant
Alexandra H. Yeager of Savannah, Ga.

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.

2004–05 New Members: Kristin Lee Bradbury of Knoxville, Tenn.
Brittany Leslee Bryant of Tuscaloosa
Laura Lee Bundrick of Opp
Jennifer Lynne Burt of Rogersville
Christina Adelia Carden of Cullman
Morgan Lynn Clark of Silverhill
Kristen Denise Conner of Birmingham (35213)
Jonathan David Conolley of Moody
Leah Alice DeRamus of Prattville
Thomas Nickless McCain Devin of Clarendon, Texas
Kristen Leigh Duke of Carrollton, Ga.
Erin Lyn Duncan of Hendersonville, Tenn.
Rachel Anne Duncan of Pelham
Leah Elizabeth Finley of Birmingham (35242)
Christy T. Gantt of Wetumpka
Leigh Anne Gilchrist of Muscle Shoals
Courtney Hummer Graham of Tuscaloosa
Bryan Andrew Grayson of Mountain Brook
Christine Anna Green of Gadsden
Caitlin Hunt Greenwood of Knoxville, Tenn.
Leah Julianna Hardin of Huntsville
Laura Elise Hayles of Birmingham (35213)
William Cochrane Jamison of Tuscaloosa
Emily Ruth Kornegay of Prattville
Michael Ryan Kuffner of Huntsville
Jessica Dean Lindsey of Haleyville
Margaret Sims McCrary of Tuscaloosa
Laura Elizabeth Mitchell of Florence
Laura L. Neergaard of Olive Branch, Miss.
William Key Norvell of Florence
Anna Caroline Pennington of Mobile
Mary Katherine Poole of Dayton
Nicholas Allen Prillaman Jr. of Hermitage, Tenn.
Preston Linden Reeder of Florence
Sarah Rose Reppucci of Huntsville
William Zachary Riddle of Trussville
James Wells Robinson of Montgomery
Emily Beth Roth of Huntsville
Lara Ann Santini of Tuscaloosa
Antonio Alexis Saunders of Birmingham (35207)
Brinkley Ann Serkedakis of Marietta, Ga.
Grace Deneice Shelby of Huntsville
Lea Jordan “Cissy” Smith of Vestavia Hills
Emily Price Titlow of Roswell, Ga.
Maridi Leigh Thompson of Tuscaloosa
Lisa Catherine Vaughn of Birmingham (35216)
Shelley Elizabeth Wallace of Homewood
Anna Kathryn Walley of Albertville
Lindsay Ann Wonson of Mobile
Kelly Anne Wybenga of Prattville

Honorary Members: Dr. Barbara Ann Chotiner, Dr. Kathleen Cramer, Dr. Joseph A. Hornsby IV, Mrs. Anne C. Witt

Omicron Delta Kappa – The purpose of O?K 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.

2004–05 New Members: Maria Ann Accomando of Chalmette, La.
Darren Adair Achord of Baton Rouge, La.
Martha Elizabeth Allen of Lyon, Miss.
Gary Andrew Barnes of Boaz
Megan Elaine Bedwell of Dauphin Island
Agnes Lee Bender of Mobile
Kathryn Ashley Bentley of Montgomery
Lauren Ashley Bethune of Gardendale
Kristin Lee Bradbury of Knoxville, Tenn.
Emily Ann Brown of Hoover
Brittany Leslee Bryant of Tuscaloosa
Lauren Elizabeth Bryant of Tuscaloosa
Jennifer Lynn Burt of Rogersville
Christina Adelia Carden of Cullman
Leslie Kathryn Christopher of Athens
Morgan Lynne Teel Clark of Silverhill
Catherine Rebecca Collier of Rainbow City
Jonathan David Conolley of Moody
Kristen Nicole Coward of Mobile
Nathan Luke Cox of Tuscaloosa
William Michael Cumby of High Point, N.C.
Lydia Grace Davis of Sylacauga
Leah Alice DeRamus of Prattville
Jacy Noelle Thompson Douglas
Kristen Leigh Duke of Carrollton, Ga.
Erin Lyn Duncan of Hendersonville, Tenn.
Rachel Anne Duncan of Pelham
James Bernard Etheridge of Atmore
Leah Elizabeth Finley of Birmingham (35242)
Kristin Diane Flowers of Jackson
Katherine S. Gamble of Killen
Christy T. Gantt of Wetumpka
Catherine Ann Gassie of Maitland, Fla.
Mary Angela Garibaldi of Cordova, Tenn.
Leigh Anne Gilchrist of Muscle Shoals
Meredith J. Gilchrist of Muscle Shoals
Benjamin Harris Glasscock of Birmingham (35242)
Adam Jamieson Goethe of Montgomery
Holly Lynn Graham of Troy
Bryan Andrew Grayson of Mountain Brook
Anna Christine Green of Gadsden
Caitlin Hunt Greenwood of Knoxville, Tenn.
Genevieve Julia Guest of Tuscaloosa
George Clanton Gunn IV of Jackson, Miss.
Amanda Michelle Hamilton of Fort Payne
Leah Julianna Hardin of Huntsville
Leigh Elizabeth Hart of Birmingham (35226)
Laura Elise Hayles of Birmingham (35213)
Heather Lorene Henderson of Spanish Fort
Leslie Clare Hines of Tuscaloosa
Lee Faith Holland of Tuscaloosa
Caroline Alise Holt of Newnan, Ga.
Leslie Anne Hopkins of Birmingham (35242)
Ashley Elizabeth Jackson of Montgomery
William Cochrane Jamison of Tuscaloosa
Melanie Lynn Jarrett of Daphne
Jennifer Lyn Joyner of Huntsville
Kristen R. Kendrick of Fayetteville, Tenn.
Emily Ruth Kornegay of Prattville
Michael Ryan Kuffner of Huntsville
Allison Joyce Lee of Hoover
Jenny Lin of Northport
Jessica Dean Lindsey of Haleyville
John Chandler Lindsey of Abbeville
Kevin Lee Loper of Citronelle
Margaret Michelle Maddox of Carrollton, Ga.
Amy Marie Maxwell of Weaver
Jonathan Louis May of Memphis, Tenn.
Katie Lynn McCrory of Bessemer
Margaret Sims McCrary of Tuscaloosa
Ray Harvey McLaughlin Jr. of Ozark
Emily Lucile Middleton of Mobile
Zachary Shane Milner of Brandon, Miss.
Laura Elizabeth Mitchell of Florence
Abby Elizabeth Moorehead of Lineville
Harold Dean “Hal” Mooty III of Montgomery
Elizabeth Ann Mummert of Hoover
Brian Anthony Murphy of Birmingham (35242)
Margaret Goldthwaite Murphy of Montgomery
Laura L. Neergaard of Olive Branch, Miss.
William Key Norvell of Florence
Ashley Marie Oscarson of Birmingham (35205)
Natalie Renee Owens of Southside
Corbin Bryant Pardue of Houston, Texas
Clayton Elizabeth Park of Birmingham (35223)
Anna Caroline Pennington of Mobile
Alison Marie Pickering of Cleveland, Tenn.
Mary Katherine Poole of Dayton
Nicholas Allen Prillaman Jr. of Hermitage, Tenn.
Preston Linden Reeder Jr. of Florence
Sarah Rose Reppucci of Huntsville
Laura Lee Rice of Atlanta, Ga.
William Zachary Riddle of Trussville
Ashley W. Roberts of Franklin, Tenn.
James Wells Robinson of Montgomery
Emily Beth Roth of Huntsville
Lara Ann Santini of Tuscaloosa
Antonio Alexis Saunders of Birmingham (35207)
Jennifer Lee Scrimpshire of Satsuma
Ann Brinkley Serkedakis of Marietta, Ga.
Grace Deneice Shelby of Huntsville
Lea Jordan Smith of Vestavia Hills
Melissa Lynne Srygley of Smyrna, Tenn.
Charles Edwin Tait of Camden
Maridi Leigh Thompson of Tuscaloosa
Carrie L. Thornton of Marietta, Ga.
Anna Law Threadcraft of Birmingham (35242)
Emily Price Titlow of Roswell, Ga.
Bevin Keene Tomlin of Northport
Kory Ann Tull of Lafayette, Ind.
Lauren Elizabeth Tulloss of Trussville
Lacey Nicole Valeska of Dothan
Jordan Frank Vaughn of Birmingham (35242)
Lisa Catherine Vaughn of Birmingham (35216)
Shelley Elizabeth Wallace of Homewood
Anna Kathryn Walley of Albertville
Jessica Jordan Whitley of Opelika
James Kelly Williamson of Tuscaloosa
Lindsay Ann Wonson of Mobile
Emily Christine Woolley of Mobile
Kelly Anne Wybenga Prattville
Alexandra H. Yeager of Savannah, Ga.

Honorary Members: Jeanna Elizabeth Crocker of Collierville, Tenn.
Lauren Elizabeth Davis of Pell City
William Thomas Ellis III of Ringgold, Ga.
Marie Nicole Feagins of Tuscaloosa
Megan Elaine Fortson of Indian Springs
Candace Leigh Handley of McCalla
Madeleine Mozell Hill of Birmingham (35242)
Bryant Jackson Isom of Florence
Michael Stephen McNair Jr. of Mobile
Thomas Greene Miller of Vestavia Hills
Julie Dodd Moore of Fayette
Kandice Eboni Pickett of Tuskegee
Hugh Wesley Shoff of Jasper
Steven Earl Sprayberry Jr. of Sylacauga
Melody Marie Twilley of Tuscaloosa
Katie Elizabeth Whitt of Birmingham (35242)