College Celebrates Scholarship, Leadership and Service With Spring Convocation Awards
April 23, 2020
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay away from each other攁nd campus攂ut the college community remains closer than ever, 91茄子 President Carol Quillen said in a video address to the students and faculty honored today with Spring Convocation awards.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay away from each other攁nd campus攂ut the college community remains closer than ever, 91茄子 President Carol Quillen said in a video address to the students and faculty honored today with Spring Convocation awards. Personalized video messages recorded by academic department chairs and college administrators were sent to the 67 award winners this morning.
淚 want to thank you for your empathy and courage, Quillen said in her address. 淪tudents, faculty, staff all have pushed past the sadness and anxiousness. You檝e poured yourselves into upending, then reconfiguring, how you do everything.
淵ou have bridged enormous distances to help others, to sustain and strengthen the incomparable sense of community we all cherish so much at 91茄子.
The awards recognize achievement, character, innovation, sportsmanship, and service. They honor future scientists, mathematicians, writers, sociologists, economists, artists, diplomats, doctors, teachers and military leaders for what they檝e already accomplished.
淲e need leaders who seek multiple perspectives on a threat like COVID-19, Quillen said. 淲e need to recognize how much we can檛 and don檛 know. We all need to figure out how to collaborate in ways large and small to create an effective team response.
People look to you for hope, she told students.
淭his pandemic lit a blinding spotlight on how much our world needs the graduates who every year step off of campus and into our neighborhoods and nations around the globe, she said.
Leading by Example
Besides awards, the college recognized honor society members, scholarship recipients, and graduating students planning to embark on international fellowships.
Spring Convocation also provides an opportunity to thank and celebrate donors who established new scholarships this year that will support 91茄子檚 talented students.
Though students received the bulk of awards, they took time to issue their own to faculty and staff.
The Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) teaching award went to Rosalba E. Scott, visiting lecturer in Spanish.
淲ith selflessness as a staple of her teaching, Dr. Scott consistently goes above and beyond for her students, the award says. 淪he is a passionate teacher who engages each student in the classroom while challenging the student to use knowledge to better the world.
Martha Howland of Building Services received the ODK staff award.
淢artha greatly impacts 91茄子 through her genuine passion for students, staff, faculty and all whom she encounters in the E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center, the award says. 淪he is an important presence in the 91茄子 community as she purposefully engages, encourages and uplifts others.
Peter Ahrensdorf, James Sprunt Professor of Political Science, received the Student Government Association (SGA) teaching award. The award 渞ecognizes the positive involvement of a professor in the lives of students outside the classroom setting.
Associate Chemistry Professor Nicole Snyder received the Pre-Major faculty advising award. The award 渞ecognizes a professor for dedicated and meaningful guidance to students in pre-major advising.
Quillen said that while the pandemic thwarted tradition this year, it doesn檛 diminish achievement.
淐ongratulations to all of you, she said. 淚 really look forward to the day when we檙e all back together and can celebrate in person all that you檙e accomplished.
Award Recipients
