Scholarship, Leadership Recognized in 2008 UA Honors Day

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama honored its top students of 2007-2008 for their academic achievement and leadership Friday, April 18, during the Tappings and Awards Ceremony, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 14-18.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:

Outstanding Freshman — Emily Jo Wayman of Norman, Ind.

Outstanding Sophomore — Matthew Williams of Tuscaloosa

Outstanding Junior — Alex Chandler of Spanish Fort

Outstanding Senior — Amy Bedingfield of Madison

Outstanding Transfer Student — Guy Standeffer of Jasper

Outstanding Graduate Students — Christopher Brinson of Pike Road and Muriel K. Wells of Huntsville

Recipients of UA’s 2008 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, the Morris Lehman Mayer Award and the Dr. Catherine J. Randall 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 Jack Trey Hayes of Brilliant and Karoline Richardson of Montgomery. Dr. John Holaday is the non-student recipient.

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 Alex Flachsbart of Concord, Calif., a political science and economics major.

The William P. Bloom Scholarship Award honors a junior who has improved intergroup relations within the University community; this year’s winner is Jessica Garcia of Tampa, Fla., a student in the UA College of Arts and Sciences majoring in English and Spanish.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award is named in honor of Morris Lehman Mayer, business professor emeritus who recently passed away. For three decades, Mayer was a beloved UA teacher and a guiding force in student life. The award recognizes one faculty member and one member of the graduating class who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA and in the community while making significant contributions to student life. Tim Neunzig of Tuscaloosa is the student recipient of the Mayer Award. Jan Brakefield of the UA College of Human Environmental Sciences is the faculty recipient of the Mayer Award.

The Dr. Catherine J. Randall Award, named for the former director of UA’s innovative Computer-Based Honors Program, is given for the first time this year to one graduating senior. The Randall Award recognizes the most outstanding student scholar at UA, based on GPA, rigor of course study and extraordinary scholarly or creative endeavor. Michelle McGaha of Albertville is this year’s recipient of the Randall Award.

The Frances S. Summersell Award, sponsored by UA’s Iota Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, was given to Pat and Joyce Whetstone. Established in 1992, this award recognizes an individual or individuals who have aided the educational mission of the University and improved the quality of life in the state. Pat Whetstone is director of alumni affairs at UA. Additionally, Dr. Catherine J. Randall was named the 2007-2008 ODK Living Legend in recognition of her lifetime contributions to the goals and ideals of higher education.

The Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award was presented to Dr. Jose A. Cano, instructor in the UA department of modern languages and classics. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to the service of UA students.
The University’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award, given by the UA Capstone Men and Women organization, was presented to Dr. Pamela H. Parker, vice president for advancement at UA. The award, named in memory of former Capstone Woman Amanda Grace Taylor Watson, is given to persons who exemplify the essence of the University in all aspects of life.

The Other Club Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award went to Dr. James Hamilton, Dr. Mark Nelson and Star Bloom. The Other Club Outstanding Senior Award went to Madeline Moore of Knoxville, Tenn., R.B. Walker and Graham Hixon, both of Montgomery.

The UA National Alumni Association 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award winner is Mary Allen Jolley of Moundville and the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is John D. Clements of Birmingham.

The recipients of the 2008 Alumni Student Award are Michelle L. McGaha of Albertville and Dylan Whisenhunt of Vestavia Hills.

The 2008 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award winners are: Philip Adam Harbison of Crane Hill, Jack “Trey” Hayes, III of Brilliant, Joan-Marie Manolakis of Prattville, Tim E. Neunzig of Tuscaloosa, Sarah Reichwein of Cullman, Renee Nicole Rivas of Richardson, Texas, Mary-Kathryn Sewell of Helena, Jackson Switzer of Gulfport, Miss., Andrew Vincent of Birmingham, and Jennifer Nichole Wheelus of Northport.

UA Black Scholar Awards included recognition of Alexandrea Ellington, recipient of the Vivian Malone Jones Endowed Scholarship, and recognition of Kendra Key, recipient of the Autherine Lucy Foster Endowed Scholarship.

Bethany Powe of Birmingham received the 2008 Penny Allen Award. This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership. The award was established in honor of the late Sara Bell Penrod “Penny” Allen of the UA School of Social Work.

UA students were also inducted into these campuswide honoraries:

Omicron Delta Kappa — The purpose of ODK is to recognize 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.

ODK inductees include: Hunter Adams, Daniel Almond, Barbara Anderson, Rachael Austin, Caroline Ball, Laura Behlen, Tiffany Blevins, Christopher Brinson, Collier Broadaway, Frank Burford, Erin Cornelius, Ellen Cornutt, Megan Courington, Louise Crow, Amanda Dunn, Rachel Fowler, Haley Franklin, Meri-Glenn Freeman, Elizabeth Frenkel, Lauren Garrett, Anna Giles, Amanda Giles, Laura Goodwin, Patty Ann Green, Bradley Green, Kevin Greer, Emerald Greywoode, Martha Griffith, Caroline Gwaltney, Ashley Harrod, James “Rob” Heflin, Mayden Hogsed, Hayden Hundley, Phillip Jordan, Cason Kirby, Laura Kyser, Lauren Lambuth, Dana Lewis, Chelsea Lloyd, Cassandra Martin, Christina McClellan, Sara “Kristin” McDonald, Kendall McGiffert, Katie McInnish, Meghan McPheeters, Armando Medina, Amanda Montgomery, Emily Morgan, Milton Nettles, Anna Owen, Matthew Owen, Sarah Palecek, Kristen Parsons, Samantha Petrey, Kelly Poole, Chris Portier, Jordan Praytor, Julie Ann Pyatt, Catherine Qualls, Caroline Sarratt, Bonnie Scott, Austin Shirey, Caitlin Sims, Cody Smith, Cameron Smith, Meagan Smith, Elizabeth St. Clair, Alexa Stabler, Sarah Sturm, Ryan Tate, Al Teel, Kimberly Tenorio, David Tereshkow, Russ Terry, Molly Tilghman, Andrew Tucker, Strudwick Tutwiler, Muriel Wells, Susan Whitt, Paige Whitt, Katherine Williams, India Williams, Peyton Yarbrough, Sarah Yates

Blue Key Honor Fraternity — Blue Key was one of the first honor societies at the University. Blue Key members are selected during the spring semester of the junior year and must represent high scholastic ideals, leadership and diversity of background. Selection is one of the highest honors bestowed on rising seniors.

New Blue Key members include: Hunter Adams, Caroline Ball, Collier Broadaway, Alex Chandler, Erin Cornelius, Ellen Cornutt, Megan Courington, Louise Crow, Alex Flachsbart, Meri-Glenn Freeman, Brandi Freeman, Jessica Garcia, Amanda Giles, Patty Ann Green, Emerald Greywoode, Marth Griffith, James “Rob” Heflin, Mayden Hogsed, Ben Holmes, Barrett Hundley, Hayden Hundley, Austin Ladner, Lauren Lambuth, Hailey Lann, Dana Lewis, Stacy Manasco, Sara “Kristin” McDonald, Kendall McGiffert, Meghan McPheeters, Armando Medina, Claire O’Rear, Anna Owen, Hilary Phillips, Jordan Praytor, Julie Ann Pyatt, Allen Ross, Caroline Sarratt, Mallory Scogin, Caitlin Sims, Meagan Smith, Cody Smith, Alexa Stabler, Brody Summerall, Strud Tutwiler, Paige Whitt, Susan Whitt, India Williams, Meg Williamson, Abby Wilson, Sarah Yates

Anderson Society — Anderson Society is a senior honorary comprised of 24 members who are chosen in recognition of their significant contributions to the University. The society seeks to promote high academic standards as well as excellence in student leadership and service.

Anderson Society inductees include: Tiffany Blevins, Harold Bloom, Alex Chandler, Erin Cornelius, Michael Emery, Alex Flachsbart, Ben Foster, Meri-Glenn Freeman, Jessica Garcia, Patty Ann Green, Emerald Greywoode, Martha Griffith, Laura Kyser, Sara “Kristin” McDonald, Meghan McPheeters, Claire O’Rear, Anna Owen, Hilary Phillips, Christopher Portier, Caitlin Sims, Cameron Smith, Cody Smith, Russ Terry, Sarah Yates.

Anderson Society Honorary Members: Strud Tutwiler, Mary Kathryn Sewell
Megan Courington, Jordan Praytor, Kelly Poole, Sarah Palecek, Sarah Simpler

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.
Mortar Board inductees include: Hunter Adams, Daniel Almond, Caroline Ball, Laura Behlen, Tiffany Blevins, Alex Chandler, Calliope Corley, Erin Cornelius, Megan Courington, Michael Emery, Alex Flachsbart, Meri-Glenn Freeman, Jessica Garcia, Lauren Garrett, Patty Ann Green, Emerald Greywoode, Martha Griffith, Mark Graham Heard Jr., James “Rob” Heflin, Barrett Hundley, Cason Kirby, Laura Kyser, Dana Lewis, Christina McClellan, Sara “Kristen” McDonald, Theresa Marie McDonald, Kendall McGiffert, Katie McInnish, Elissa McIntyre, Milton Nettles, Claire O’Rear, Anna Owen, Matthew Owen, Emily Patty, Ashley Phares, Hilary Phillips, Chris Portier, Julie Ann Pyatt, Malcolm “David” Roebuck, Allen Ross, Sally Sarrett, Mallory Scogin, Brian Selman, Caitlin Sims, Cody Smith, Meagan Smith, Alexa Stabler, Russ Terry, Kathryn Tippey, Morgan Welch, India Williams, Abby Wilson, Sarah Yates.