(left to right)
Dr. John Carson and Dr. Stefanie Baker
Erskine College Celebrates Achievements At
Honors Day Convocation
Erskine College senior Laura Lee Stuart of Columbia won Erskine’s top student award, and biology professor Dr. Stefanie Baker of Piedmont won the highest faculty honor at the annual Honors Day Convocation today, when awards were given to students and faculty in the areas of scholarship, citizenship, and artistic endeavor.
Stuart was given the H.M. Young Ring, the highest of honors available to a member of the senior class. Children of the late H.M. Young, an Erskine graduate, gave the fund, the interest of which is to be used annually in purchasing the H.M. Young Ring in memory of their father. The award is based on scholarship, Christian character, and promise of future usefulness to society. Stuart’s name will be inscribed on a large plaque listing the names of Young Ring recipients for more than 60 years.
Baker, who has taught at Erskine since 2000, was given the Younts Excellence in Teaching Award. Administered by the faculty, which elects recipients from among teachers nominated by the student body, the award includes a cash gift provided in memory of the late Dr. C.R. Younts of Atlanta, Ga., former treasurer of the Erskine Board of Trustees and longtime patron of Erskine College.
Seniors Peter Bechtel of LaBelle, Fla., and Caroline Culp of Spartanburg were winners of the Sullivan Awards, presented annually by the New York Southern Society to "a man and a woman in the senior class who have shown such qualities of heart, mind, and conduct as evince love for and helpfulness to other men and women."
The American Legion furnishes medals to a man and a woman in the senior class who have shown unusual and outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship. American Legion Medals this year went to Rob Brown of Westminster and Hannah Bell of Fleetwood, N.C.
Senior Julie Brown of Charleston won the Student Distinguished Service Award. Sponsored by the Office of Student Services, this award recognizes a student whose character and strong qualities of leadership have enabled the Erskine community to experience growth and development in all areas of campus life.
Seniors Peter Bechtel of LaBelle, Fla., and Mark Goldsmith of Candler, N.C., received the Patrick Lee Davis Award, given annually in honor of the late Patrick Davis, Class of 1979, to a senior of the Rho Psi cast.
Erskine Players Theatre Awards were given to junior Jacob McMaster-Bigum of Dalzell for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in "Valentine's Day"; sophomore Cami Jenkins of High Point, N.C., for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role, also in "Valentine's Day"; sophomore Adam Lynn of Gastonia, N.C., for Best Male Actor in a Major Role for his performance in "Valentine's Day"; junior Bethy Miller of Lexington for Best Female Actor in a Major Role for her performance in "Shakespeare's Music"; and junior Amanda Sweeney of Lees Summit, Mo., for Technical Support in "Valentine's Day."
The Athenian Literary Society selected Janet Ferguson of Facilities Maintenance as Woman of the Year for service, leadership, and interest in the Erskine family.
Randy Estep of the Erskine Public Safety Office received SGA’s Distinguished Servant Leadership Award for 2003-2004. This award recognizes a member of the Erskine College Community who has exemplified the ideals of servant leadership.
Junior Wendy Workman of Laurens received the Dr. and Mrs. James Boyce Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to young women at Erskine on the basis of good moral character and involvement in extracurricular activities.
The Dr. Janet Alexander Scholarship was awarded to freshman Jong-In Lee of Daegu, South Korea. The Student Christian Association established this fund, which awards scholarships to foreign students, to honor Alexander, a medical missionary to Pakistan and physician at Erskine College.
The Paul P. McCain Library Award, established by the late alumnus Dr. J. A. Young in memory of alumnus Dr. Paul P. McCain, and given annually to a student who demonstrates the most profitable use of the library during the year, went to senior Elizabeth Koon of Mountain Rest.
Winners of the James William Thomson Bible Scholarship, awarded to students at or above the sophomore level majoring in one of the programs offered by the Department of Bible and Religion, were sophomores Erica Johanson of Morganton, N.C., and Anna Oates of Danville, Va.; and juniors Polly Brown of Abbeville, Jessie Cook of Easley, Ashley Hall of Greenville, Rene Marshall of Greensboro, N.C., and Sarabeth Shoger of Moreland, Ga.
The American Association of University Women Freshman Awards were given to Jennings Tanner of Greenville in Art; Amy Dawson of Mooresville, N.C. in Bible; Jason Broach of Timmonsville, Andrea Clarke of Statesville, N.C., Sara Curtiss of Acworth, Ga., and Jong-In Lee of Daegu, South Korea, in Biology; Jennifer Blakely of Gray Court, Sara Curtiss of Acworth, Ga., and Jong-In Lee of Daegu, South Korea, in Chemistry; Rebekah Lewis and Liz McDaniel, both of Gastonia, N.C., in English; Drew Carlisle of Essex Junction, Vt., in History; Jenny Blakely of Gray Court, Matt Cockrell of Greer, and Matt MacDonald of Anderson, in Mathematics; Leigh Gray of Greenville in Physical Education; Matt Cockrell of Greer in Physics; Lisa Mosley of Hilton Head and Lisa Wheeler of Inman in Psychology; and Derek Buzhardt of Batesburg in Sociology.
The T.D. Brown Scholarship, honoring the late Erskine College professor of biology Thomas D. Brown, was awarded to junior Whitney Gaillard of Anderson; freshman Alex Gleason of Calhoun Falls; sophomore Rachel Jackson of Chesnee; and freshman Kim Kanapeckas of Due West.
Receiving the Beta Beta Beta Award for Service and Achievement were sophomore Brandon Brown of Dillon: seniors Jan Haussmann of Mauldin and Claire Horton of Clifton; and freshman Caleb McMahan of Abbeville. Beta Beta Beta is the biological honor society.
Receiving the Dr. Calvin Graham Reid Pre-Medical Scholarship in Biology, established by the Phillip L. Van Every Foundation in Charlotte, N.C., were junior Rachel Morgan of Groveland, Fla.; sophomores Julie Jefferson of Lexington and Lindsay Zielinsky of Florence; and freshman Andrea Clarke of Statesville, N.C. An Erskine alumnus, Dr. Reid served the Charlotte area as a physician for more than 25 years.
Recipients of the Dr. Calvin Graham Reid Pre-Medical Scholarship in Chemistry, also established by the Phillip L. Van Every Foundation, were freshman Jong-In Lee of Daegu, South Korea; junior John Propst of Simpsonville; senior Esther Udall of Lindon, Utah; and junior Josh Veres.
The William Lee Ellison Biology Award was given to seniors Audrey Barry of Rockford, Tenn.; Peter Bechtel of LaBelle, Fla.; Laura Lee Stuart of Columbia; and Jenny Trammell of Greenwood. Sponsored by the Tri Beta Biological Society in memory of the late Dr. Ellison, professor of biology at Erskine College, this award recognizes outstanding senior students in biology.
The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award honors a business major on the basis of excellence in academic performance in the department and in the college as a whole. This year's winner is senior Caroline Culp of Spartanburg.
The Jacob O. Kamm Scholarship was presented to juniors Lauren Cartledge of Mountville, George Corley of Clinton, Ashley Hall of Greenville, Amanda Johnson of McConnells, Jamie Maxwell of Laurens, and Ben Stoner of Simpsonville; and sophomore Marshall Stein of Clover. This program provides annual scholarships for business and economics majors with the highest grade point ratio in courses taken in the department.
The Bolt-Squires Scholarship was given to sophomore Karen King of Statesville, N.C. The fund was established in memory of Cornelia Bolt Squires, wife of William H. Squires and mother of William H. Squires, Jr., Harold Tappey Squires, Laura Ann Bierly and Cornelia Squires Decker. It is also a tribute to Mrs. Squires’ parents, Harold Tracy Bolt and Laura Clinkscales Bolt.
The Richard Austin Lazenby Scholarship was awarded to junior Alisha Scott of Westminster. The scholarship honors Richard Austin Lazenby, Erskine alumnus. The scholar must be a student majoring in business and must show promise of future usefulness to society while emphasizing the highest in moral and ethical behavior.
Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Reid Scholarships were awarded to freshmen Patrick Martin of York and Catherine Tolbert of Statesville, N.C.; sophomore Susanna Downing of Concord, N.C.; juniors Brandi Ashbrook of Inman, James Hawthorne of Greenwood, Jessica Martin of Clermont, Ga., Mark Ridgeway of Anderson, Ashley Simpson of Greenville, and Robert Whetsell of Columbia.. This scholarship fund was established by the children of Dr. Reid, who taught chemistry at Erskine for over 60 years, and Mrs. Reid, who taught music at the Due West Woman’s College.
The James N. Bonner Scholarship was awarded to freshman Sara Curtiss of Acworth, Ga.; sophomores Renee Bozard of Lexington and Janna Register of Columbia; and junior Jennifer Boyd of Anderson. This scholarship honors the memory of Mr. Bonner, who served Erskine as professor of chemistry and physics and as registrar.
The E.L. Reid Awards in Chemistry, one given to the freshman student making the highest grades in general chemistry during the year, and the other to the student making the highest grades in organic chemistry, were presented to Patrick Martin of York in General Chemistry and juniors Jennifer Boyd of Anderson and Rachel Morgan of Groveland, Fla., in organic chemistry.
The Eugenia Gurney Carter Scholarship was awarded to freshman Jennifer Duncan of Rembert. This scholarship is given to a chemistry major showing outstanding academic promise. It honors Eugenia Gurney Carter, who taught chemistry at Hiwassee, Columbia and Presbyterian Colleges, for her dedication to her family, lifelong learning, excellence in teaching and devotion to church and civic responsibilities.
Winner of the Everette Askins Sloan Award was senior Hannah Bell of Fleetwood, N.C.. This award is given each year to the outstanding student in physical chemistry, in honor of the late Dr. E.A. Sloan, professor of chemistry and physics and former dean of the college.
The William F. Junkin III Physics Award, established in 1986 in honor of Dr. Junkin, professor of physics, is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of physics. This year's winner is sophomore Zach Barnett of Greenwood.
Teacher Education Awards, given by the Department of Education on the basis of potential usefulness to the teaching profession, need, and scholarship, were presented to juniors Kathryn White of Columbia in Early Childhood Education; Kayla Richey of Iva in Elementary Education; and Jessie Pott of Irmo in Secondary Education.
The Rev. Forrest W. and Kathryn S. Sherrill Scholarship was given to freshman Tracy Ammons of Columbia. The Sherrill Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Judith Sherrill Bazemore of Spartanburg to honor her parents. Recipients are to be juniors or seniors of exceptionally good character, majoring in elementary education and committed to a career in elementary education.
The Robert and Mildred Cunningham Excellence in Teaching Awards have been established by the daughters and Robert and Millie Cunningham to encourage a legacy of distinction at Erskine in the field of education promoting teaching as a profession. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated the ability to integrate technology and the classroom setting. This year's awards go to seniors Danielle Belcher of Fort Mill in Elementary Education; Tracey Dantzler of Simpsonville in Special Education; and Amber Gremmer of Pelzer in Secondary Education.
The Department of Education and Special Education presents awards to senior men and women for excellence in student teaching. This year's recipients are Kristy Cothern of Greenwood in Early Childhood Education; Kate Cothran of Anderson in Elementary Education; Elise Looney of Greenwood in Special Education; and Amber Gremmer of Pelzer in Secondary Education.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society Grant-in-Aid Award was presented to senior Kristy Cothern of Greenwood. This award is given to an outstanding woman graduate who has chosen to enter the field of educaiton, with the recipient chosen on the basis of academic standing, contributions to school and community, and dedication to education.
The William C. and Margaret Miller Scholarship was awarded to juniors Hannah Collier of Columbia, Amy Jones of Chipley, Fla., and Emily Scism of Spartanburg; and junior Bethy Miller of Lexington. Recipients are to demonstrate high moral character, usefulness to society and either a declared English major or strong inclination to major in English.
Recipients of the Dessie Dean Pitts Award were juniors Bethy Miller of Lexington and Jacob McMaster-Bigum of Dalzell. This award was established by the late Mrs. Pitts, a former English professor at Erskine College, and is designed to encourage students who, by proficiency in reading comprehension, forensics, and the study of literature, have demonstrated ability, ambition and incentive for success in their life work.
The Edgar Long English Award is offered by friends and family in memory of the late Edgar Long, distinguished English professor. The award is given to a junior or senior English major chosen by the English faculty on the basis of excellence of work done and promise of future growth. Junior Amy Lew Jones of Chipley, Fla., received the award this year.
The Hanora Cuddy Dorn Scholarship Fund was established to provide a lasting tribute to Mrs. Hanora Cuddy Dorn. Recipients are to demonstrate superior achievement with an aptitude and desire for the study of English, Foreign Languages or History. Chosen this year were juniors Matt Gore of Due West, David Dangerfield of Moncks Corner and Amanda Sweeney of Lees Summit, Mo., in History; and juniors Jason Davis of Kernersville, N.C., and Jacob McMaster-Bigum of Dalzell in English.
The W. Lindsay Wilson Scholarship was established in honor of Mr. Wilson, historian, genealogist and native of the Old Abbeville District, and is given to a junior or senior history major with special interest in the history of the Piedmont section of South Carolina, South Carolina history, or southern United States history in general. Junior David Dangerfield of Moncks Corner is this year's winner.
The Joseph Wightman Scholarship, a memorial scholarship honoring the ninth president of Erskine College, is given to students based on academic achievement, financial need, potential for future usefulness to society and positive campus leadership skills. Preference is given to history majors. Junior Joshua Ness of Bamberg is this year's recipient.
The Robert Stone Galloway Americanism Scholarship was given to junior Joshua Ness of Bamberg. This is an award given annually based on a paper on Americanism, and is in honor of the late Robert S. Galloway of Due West. The award was established by United States Senator Strom Thurmond as advisor for the John P. Gaty Charitable Trust.
The Fennell-Lindsay Scholarship, established by Helen Ligon of Greenville, a former voice teacher at Erskine and founder of the Choraleers, honors Mrs. Langdon S. Ligon, the former Minnie Fennell, and pays tribute to the ties between the Fennell and Lindsay families and Erskine College. Recipients are to show promise of future usefulness to society and demonstrate merit, with preference given to history majors. Junior Sarah Simpson of Greenville is this year's recipient.
The Bernard L. Poole Government Award is given by the Abbeville Rotary Club to a student showing excellence in the study of American Government, and is in memory of Dr. Poole, a former professor of government at Erskine. Junior Polly Brown of Abbeville is this year's winner.
The Roy M. Smith Mathematics Scholarship is funded by a generous gift from the estate of Elizabeth B. Smith. This year's Roy M. Smith Mathematics Scholars are freshmen Matt Cockrell of Greer and Shawn Marler of Greenwood; sophomores Zach Barnett of Greenwood amd Jennifer Raiford of Kernersville, N.C.; and juniors Thomas Henderson of Troutman, N.C., and Rene Marshall of Greensboro, N.C.
The J. Todd Kincannon Award is given in honor of Mr. J. Todd Kincannon a 2002 graduate of Erskine College who earned a triple major in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The award is given to students in each of the following five categories: chemistry, mathematics, physics, homeschooled and transfer. Recipients must be upperclassmen who have shown exceptional academic achivement. Recipients for 2004 are sophomore Zach Barnett of Greenwood in Physics, junior Rene Marshall of Greensboro, N.C., in Mathematics and junior Josh Veres of Pelzer in Chemistry.
The Isabel Boyd Phillips Music Award is given by Dr. and Mrs. Dode Phillips Jr. of Columbia, in memory of his mother. The recipient is selected by the music faculty to recognize notable contribution to the musical life of the campus. Senior Amanda Jackson of Rock Hill is this year’s recipient.
The Brawley Memorial Music Scholarship was awarded to freshman Helen Joy Paul of Flat Rock, N.C. This scholarship was established by the family of the late Dr. John G. Brawley Jr., longtime professor of music at the college. The recipient is to be an instrumental music major and member of Sinfonia demonstrating outstanding talent and profiency.
Winner of the Dr. M. Burton Brown Psychology Award was senior Julia Marie Brown of Charleston. This award goes to a psychology major who, in the opinion of the department faculty, is the most outstanding in academic achievement and is a contributor to campus life. The late Dr. Brown, former professor of psychology, established this fund upon his retirement in 1976.
Winner of the Mary McDill Family Life Institute Award was senior Sharon Livingston of Lexington. The Mary McDill Family Life Institute recognizes Miss Mary McDill, retired professor of home economics. It is given to a student majoring in behavioral science who has shown satisfactory academic performance, contributed to campus life, and has exhibited professional potential.
The Paula Moore Dillingham Award was established in 1998 in remembrance of Paula Moore Dillingham, an Erskine College graduate, class of 1988. The cash award is presented annually to a graduating senior in good standing with the college, who in the estimation of the selection committee shows promise of a faithful Christian life and servanthood and is the most qualified to exemplify Paula’s life of exuberance, joy, love and loyalty, representing the purpose of Erskine College — “Knowledge Joined with Morals.” The award was given to senior Peter Bechtel of LaBelle, Fla.
(left to right) Dr. John Carson and Peter Bechtel
(left to right) Dr. John Carson and Caroline Culp
