UVa-Wise awards students at Honors Convocation

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise recognized the scholastic achievements of members of the Class of 2007 during the Honors Convocation on May 18.

The only branch of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation’s top public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. UVa-Wise is home to 1,900 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

The following UVa-Wise students received awards during the Honors Convocation:

Business & Economics

Terri Anne Hill of St. Paul received the Napoleon Hill Achievement Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who most embodies Hill’s principles for success.

Matthew J. Dean of Charlottesville received the Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Award. Dean is currently employed with the accounting firm of Hantzmon Wieble in Charlottesville.

Justin Trey Sanders of Coeburn received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration Award.

Dustin T. Lambert of Duffield received the Outstanding Achievement in Economics Award. Lambert hopes to pursue a career as an administrator in major league baseball.

Raymond C. Damm III of Fredericksburg received the David W. Roane Award in Business Ethics, which recognizes a senior who has practiced the highest level of integrity and honesty in his or her interaction with the department’s faculty, fellow students and staff of the College.

Communication Studies

Conchetta R. Peters of Wise received the Senior Capstone Award, which recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in the capstone course by conducting and presenting outstanding original research in communication.

Allana C. Barrett of Saltville received the Ronald Heise Award for Excellence in Communication Studies, named for the man responsible for establishing the concentration in communication at UVa-Wise that has now developed into the Department of Communication. The award recognizes a senior who has demonstrated excellence in the diverse areas of communication represented in the current department.

Education

Brittney L. Mullins of Wise received the Richard A. Davidson Education Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the potential to carry on the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Professor Davidson during his 36 years at UVa-Wise.

David A. Flanary, Jr. of Gate City and Emery W. Reid of Glade Spring each received a Beulah M. Johnson Award, which recognizes academic excellence and a student’s commitment to a life-long career in teaching.

Laura K. King of Abingdon was named the Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education.

History & Philosophy

Clint E. Carter of Pennington Gap and Brittany M. Hall of Norton were each recipients of a Clinch Valley College History Fund Award, which recognizes history majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.

Joshua V. Justice of Wise was the recipient of the William Elbert Fraley Award in History, which recognizes unusual academic ability and promise in the field of history. Justice will begin graduate studies at James Madison University this fall.

Language & Literature

Bethany K. Hall of Wise received the William Elbert Fraley Award in English, which is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in English studies and who plans to attend graduate school. Hall also received the Senior Seminar Award, which recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in this capstone course by conducting and presenting outstanding original research in literature. This fall, Hall will attend graduate school at East Tennessee State University, where she will concentrate in American literature and linguistics. Ultimately, she hopes to earn a Ph.D. in English.

Jessica N. Ratliff of Vansant was presented the Augusto Portuondo Award in Spanish, which recognizes a Spanish major whose demonstrated aptitude for Spanish and for teaching places him or her among those who will carry on the tradition of academic excellence and who will continue Professor Portuondo’s dedication to the promotion of Spanish language, literature and culture. Ratliff now plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Spanish at the University of Louisville.

Mathematical Sciences

Constance Ann-Delyse Anderson of Wise and Crystal D. Dougherty of Nickelsville were named the Outstanding Seniors in Mathematics. Anderson will now attend Old Dominion University, where she will pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics. Dougherty plans to begin graduate studies this fall and hopes to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics or mathematics education.

Robert Jason Sparks of Wise was named the Outstanding Senior in Computer Science. Sparks plans to begin his pursuit of a Ph.D. in computer science this fall.

Natural Science

Nellibrooke A. Stidham of Norton was presented the American Institute of Chemists Award, which recognizes a student's ability, character, scholastic achievement, and potential for advancement in the field of chemistry.

Dimitri A. Bikos of Falls Church was presented with the American Chemical Society Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in chemistry. Bikos plans to attend graduate school.

Kimberly Nicole Pilkenton of Wise was the recipient of the J. Rex Baird Outstanding Biology Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of graduating seniors in biology, whose efforts and accomplishments incorporate the rigor and diligence of modern biology, and express the exhilaration of investigative work that marked Professor Baird’s career. Pilkenton also received the Joseph C. Smiddy Science Award, presented to the outstanding senior in natural sciences, in honor of Joseph C. Smiddy, the College’s first biology professor and chancellor. Pilkenton plans to begin graduate study in January 2008 and hopes to have a career as a physician’s assistant.

Kevin M. Fowler of Big Stone Gap was named the CRC Freshman in Chemistry, which recognizes the student judged to be most outstanding in freshman chemistry.

Nursing

Jade E. Nightstar of Staten Island, N.Y., was presented the Outstanding Graduate in Nursing Award in recognition of academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the nursing profession.

Kristina M. Steffen of Wise received the Karen Denice Lane Nursing Challenge Award, which recognizes a graduating senior who has coped with the challenges of obtaining a degree, demonstrated high academic achievement and excellence in nursing practice and is committed to community service and life-long learning. Steffen plans to begin her pursuit of a master’s degree in a family nurse practitioner program in the spring of 2008.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Brittany L. Parks of Nickelsville was presented with the Outstanding Graduate in Administration of Justice Award, which recognizes a graduating senior based on academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the administration of justice profession. Parks plans to pursue a master’s degree or to attend law school.

Michael G. McBride of Richlands and Amanda B. Sturgill of Clintwood each received a Leon and Helen Lederer Memorial Award in Applied Psychology, which is presented to graduating seniors who will attend graduate school in applied psychology, and who have demonstrated excellence in academics, scholarly research, leadership, and service to the College and community. McBride will now begin his pursuit of a master’s degree in counseling at Radford University, and Sturgill will pursue a master’s degree in counseling at East Tennessee State University.

Jeremy T. Horn of Whitesburg, Ky., and Amy E. Kilgore of Big Stone Gap each received an Outstanding Non-traditional Student in Psychology Award. Horn will now pursue a Master of Divinity degree at the University of New Orleans.

Andrea E. Jones of Bristol and Ashley L. Reader of Yorktown each received an award for Outstanding Research Contribution in Psychology, which recognizes students whose original research has been accepted at a national conference. Jones will pursue a master’s degree at Wheaton College in Illinois, and Reader will attend the Appalachian School of Law this fall.

Tashenda D. M. Clemen of Virginia Beach was presented the Scholar in Sociology Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and student leadership. Clemen plans to pursue a graduate degree in sociology at Fayetteville State University.

Joshua V. Justice of Wise received the Scholar in Government Award, presented to students who have excelled in the study of government.

Mary Katherine Crabtree of Honaker and Ashley L. Reader of Yorktown each received a Dana Ann Collier Memorial Scholarship Award, which recognizes graduates who have been accepted by an accredited law school, who demonstrate high scholarly ability, and who have overcome imposing obstacles during their college careers. The award honors the memory of Dana Ann Collier, a 1988 graduate of the College. Crabtree will attend the Appalachian School of Law this fall.

Travis B. Lee of Saltville and Tracy M. Tiller of Vansant each received a Joseph M. Scolnick, Sr., Memorial Pre-Law Award, presented to outstanding students who plan to pursue a career in law. Lee plans to attend law school in 2008. Tiller plans to attend law school and practice family law.

Sara M. Roop of Big Stone Gap and Kenneth Ryan Nutter of Saltville each received a Joseph M. Scolnick, Jr., Excellence in Politics and Media Award, which recognizes seniors who share the late professor’s commitment to sharing, understanding and promoting discussion of issues vital to the civil and intellectual community. Nutter plans to pursue a master’s degree in education.

Deidra L. Lawson of Jonesville received the Joseph M. Scolnick, Jr., Excellence in Government and Public Service Award, which honors the College’s long-time political science professor. The award recognizes a senior who has served the College community in a variety of posts, guarding the values of the institution and promoting the well-being of its student body. Lawson plans to pursue a career in social services.

Peake Honors Program

Posted June 13, 2007