Honors Day at UA Recognizes Campus Scholars, Leaders

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama honored its top students for their academic achievement and leadership Friday, April 8, during the Honors Day Tapping on the Mound Ceremony, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 3-8.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:

Outstanding Freshmen – Mary Sellers Shaw of Birmingham and Samuel Jacob Guggenheimer of Dayton, Ohio.

Outstanding Sophomore – A.J. Collins of Amissville, Va.

Outstanding Junior  – Joseph Pavlisko of Kirtland, Ohio.

Outstanding Senior – Ian Sams of Watauga, Tenn.

Outstanding Transfer Students – Ian Mangum of Montgomery and Parker Murff of Memphis, Tenn.

Outstanding Graduate Student – Krystal A. Hedge of Long Island, N.Y.

Recipients of UA’s 2011 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 Catherine Johnson Randall Award.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recognizes excellence of character and service to humanity. The award honors one man and one woman of the graduating class and one non-student associated with UA. Winners of the Sullivan Award are Marshall Raymond Houston of Birmingham, Meg McCrummen of Mobile and Pat Whetstone, director of  UA Alumni Affairs who is retiring this spring.

The William P. Bloom Scholarship Award honors a junior who has improved intergroup relations within the University community; this year’s winner is Seema Kumar of Shreveport, La.

The John Fraser Ramsey Award 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 Lindsay Jones Lindsey of Madison.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award recognizes one graduating senior and one member of the teaching faculty who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA and in the community. Ellyn Louise Hamm of Huntsville and Dr. Frank M. Thompson Jr., coach of UA’s Forensics Team, are recipients of the Mayer Award.

The Catherine Johnson Randall Award recognizes the most outstanding graduating senior based on GPA, rigor of course study and extraordinary scholarly or creative endeavor. Darryl A. Outlaw of Birmingham 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 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hardy Bromberg Jr. of Birmingham. 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.

Dr. Dorothy “Dot” J. Martin, assistant academic vice president for administration, was named recipient of the ODK Living Legend Award in recognition of her contributions to the goals and ideals of higher education.

The Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award was presented posthumously to Mark Foster. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to the service of UA students.

The National Alumni Association recognizes and honors one male and one female in the senior class to receive the Alumni Student Award. The recipients of the 2011 Alumni Student Award are Stephanie F. Prickett of Attalla and Daniel E. Bush of Panama City Beach, Fla.

The 2011 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award winners are: Ellyn Hamm of Huntsville, Benton Atchison of Montgomery, Lindsay Leon of Mobile, Taylor Scott Collins of Decatur, Whitney Hobson of Montgomery, Zachary J. Coppens of Madison, Emily Lauren Lloyd of Excel, Austin Alan Doss of Mount Olive, Holly Nicole Willis of Lake View and John Michael Murray of  Birmingham.

The University’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award, given by the UA Capstone Men and Women organization, was presented to Dr. Charles L. Karr, dean, UA College of Engineering. 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.

UA Black Scholar Awards recognizing high academic achievement included:

Sandral Hullett Award: Tyler Ashleigh Chavers, Kennesha Chauntae’ Curlee, Alana L. Davis, Brandon L. Garrett, Jourdan K. Green, Kimberly M. Griggs, Robin Ann Hall, Kendra S. Jackson, Brittni C. Lucas, Jamelia C. McCarthy, Janel N. McCorvey, Corrina R. McCray, Dynasty R. Moore, Alexandria K. Taylor and Gabrielle E. Taylor.

Earnestine Tucker Award: Jasmyn N. Anthony, Taylor Charise Cravanas, David P. Daniels, Alexander J. Griskell, Wesley E. Ingram, Nicholas S. Kelly, Maya M. Posey, Meghan A. Reed, Charles Tyrone Thomason, Naomi A. Thompson, Nicholas L. Tinker, Chelsea J. Tucker and Tiffany N. Underwood.

Archie Wade Award: Hisham K. Ali, Courtney Tiara Green, Latifah Zakiyah Rasheed, Kelvin N. Williams and Whitley D. Wilson.

Cleo Thomas Award: Angel R. Everett, David Lynn Fernandez, Elyse Monique Love, Desiree Nicole Mahr and Brandi Nicole Powe.

Joffre and Zadie B. Whisenton Award – Mia C. Long.

Vivian Malone Jones Endowed Scholarship– Chelsea C. Chatman.

John England Award– Johnjerica Hodge.

Autherine Lucy Foster Endowed Scholarship – Marquita Gray.

African-American Alumni Network Scholarship – Tavaris Sommerville.

James Hood Endowed Scholarship– Megan Winningham.

Three faculty committees select the seven most Outstanding Graduate School Students each year and the honorees included:

Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation: Dr. John Latta, College of Communication and Information Sciences, journalism.

Outstanding Master’s Thesis: Benjamin J. Hollars, College of Arts and Sciences, English.

Excellence in Teaching by a Master’s Student: Christopher Thawley, College of Arts and Sciences, blological sciences.

Excellence in Teaching by a Doctoral Student: Skye Cooley, College of Communication and Information Sciences, communication studies.

Excellence in Research by a Master’s Student: Daniel A. Mullins, College of Arts and Sciences, anthropology.

Excellence in Research by a Doctoral Student: Brittany G. Travers, College of Arts and Sciences,  psychology.

Outstanding Service by a Graduate Student: Abigayl M. Perelman, College of Arts and Sciences,  psychology.

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.

Omicron Delta Kappa inductees include: Frank G. Adams, Brittney Bahlman, Jesse Blount, Joanna C. Boardman, Nicole Bohannon, Norma Boyd, Seth Boyles, Benjamin Brady, Sydney Branch, Margaret Brandl, Tara Bullock, Jasmine Cannon, Tabitha Coleman, Morgan Crittenden, David Curenton, Mary Cypher, Adaire Daniel, Danielle Drago, Lindsey Drexler, Avery Driggers, Lucie Enns, Brooke Fleming, Mark Foley, Adams Frank, Kerry Franks, Kaylan Gee, Ashley Getwan, Kayla Glass, Kayla Grantham, Katie Griscom, Amelia Gwaltney, Lauren Hammonds, Rudy Harrison, Carter  Harsh, William Harvey, Mary Hatchett, Megan Hayes, John Heflin, Sarah Hicks, Anna Hinton, Sarah Hinton, Mary Howell, Mark Husted, Jessica James, Barrett Jones, Ashley Justin, Katie Kallam, Kristina Kamburis, Mark Kennedy, Andrew Klein, Elisabeth Klopman, Elliot Mayson, Mary Margaret McCord, Emily McLaughlin, Whitney Miller, Jesse Morrison, Alexander Murray, Xavier Neal-Burgin, Kristin O’Brien, Erin O’Connor, Brooke Pancake, Hallie Paul, Caroline Philips, Meredith Phillips, Daniel Powell, Jennifer Prendergast, Margaret Priester, Malissa Pynes, Matthew Riley, Stephanie Riley, Cameron Shevlin, David Simpson, Holly Simpson, Caroline Skinner, Caitlyn Smith, Ebony Smith, Emmett Smith, Jessica Smith, John Summerford, Andrew Swindle, Hunter Tate, Rachel Terry, Thomas Tofield, Alexandra Tucci, Matthew Tucker, Brittany Turner, Valerie Vargas, Wesley Vaughn, Corey Whaley, Holly Willis.

Blue Key Honor Society – Blue Key was one of the first honor societies at the University. Blue Key members are selected during the spring semester of their 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: Joanna C. Boardman, Nicole Bohannon, Norma Boyd, Seth Boyles, Frederick W. Bromberg, Will H. Broome, Charlotte Brown, John Bruhn, Teresa Croom, Mary F. Cypher, Danielle Drago, Elizabeth Avery Driggers, Lucie Enns, Mark Foley, Kaylan Gee, Ashley Getwan, Joshua M. Gray, Dorothy Griffith, Lauren Hammonds, Ronald P. Harrison, William Harvey, Mary Hatchett, John F. Heflin, Sarah Hinton, Jill Hoover, Barrett A. Jones, Crystalline Jones, Katie Kallam, Mark D. Kennedy, Seema Kumar, Ayla Luers, Rita Martin, Xavier Neal Burgin, Kristin O’Brien, Erin O’Connor, Hallie Paul, Priscilla Pauley, Daniel B. Powell, Christina Southerland, John T. Summerford, Laura Teichmiller, Alexandra Tucci, Colin Whitworth, Chelsey Woodford and James E. Woodham.

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: Joanna C. Boardman, Norma Boyd, Charlotte Brown, Danielle Drago, Avery Driggers, Mark Foley, Kaylan Gee, Ashley Getwan, Dorothy Griffith, Coresa Nancy Hogan, Emily Hubert-Wallander, Crystalline Jones, Katie Kallam, Fernanda Lima, Ayla Luers, Xavier Neal-Burgin, Amber Parker, Hallie Paul, Joseph Pavlisko, Jonathan Pittman, Daniel Powell, David Simpson, Emmett Smith, Alexandra Tucci. Anderson Society Honorary Members – Barrett Jones, Andres Pena, Johnathan Speer, Holly Willis. Anderson Society Honorary Faculty – Dr. Jason Black, Dr. Steven Ramey, Nick Saban.

Mortar Board – Election to Mortar Board, a national honor society, 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: Avery Adcock, Joanna C. Boardman, Nicole Bohannon, Cameron Bolt, Norma Boyd, Charlotte Brown, Stephanie Brumfield, Phillip Cochran, Nathan Cordle, Walker Donaldson, Danielle Drago, Avery Driggers, Lisa Elizondo, Brooke Fleming, Mark Foley, Kaylan Gee, Ashley Getwan, Kayla Glass, Allyson Golden, Joshua Gray, Sam Grimes, Lauren Hammonds, Mary Hatchett, John Heflin, Emily Hubert-Wallander, Christopher Izor, Caroline James, Lindsay Jones Lindsey, Katie Kallam, Seema Kumar, Fernanda Lima, Ayla Luers, Rita Martin, Sarah Massey, Elliot Mayson, Katherine McClellan, Emily McLaughlin, Theresa Mince, Xavier Neal-Burgin, Kristin O’Brien, Erin O’Conner, Anne Ostrow, Brooke Pancake, Hallie Paul, Joseph Pavlisko, Jonathan Pittman, Daniel Powell, Lauren Radziminski, Katherine Rainey, Michael Robson, Erica Schwalm, Sarah Shannahan, Cameron Shevlin, Meridith Shook, Samantha Silor, David Simpson, Jessica Smith, Emmett Smith, John Summerford, Alexandra Tucci, Matthew Tucker, Wesley Vaughn, Megan Wilson, Rachel Wilson, Chelsey Woodford and Mike Zhang. Mortar Board Honorary Faculty – Dr. Stephen A. Borrelli, Allen Jones and Dr. Linda M. Parsons.