Dr. Carson
presents Barron Suarez the H. M.Young
Ring during Honors Day Convocation
Erskine
College Honors Day Convocation Held May 4
Erskine College senior Barron Suarez of Mount
Pleasant won Erskine's top student award, and
retiring professor Dr. Benjamin Farley won the
highest faculty honor at the annual Honors Day
Convocation held May 4, when awards were given to
students and faculty in the areas of scholarship,
citizenship, and artistic endeavor.
Suarez 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. Suarez's name will be
inscribed on a large plaque listing the names of
Young Ring recipients for over 60 years.
Farley, who has taught at Erskine since
1974, 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.
Jeremy Crisp of Starr and Laura Whitlock
of Columbia 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
Sue Kahrs of Bogart, Ga., and Lucas Hollar
of Summerville.
Senior Allison Lynn Smith of Lancaster 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.
Winner of the Erskine Players Theatre Awards for
outstanding roles in Erskine College productions
during the year were won by freshman Paul Mulner
of Toccoa, Ga., for best male actor in a supporting
role; junior Jenni Norris of Leesville for
best female actor in a supporting role; sophomore Eric
Freeman of Beaufort for best male actor in a
major role; junior Jennifer Blackwell of
Mayesville for best female actor in a major role; and
freshman Nora Fuller of Tabor City, N.C., for
technical support.
Senior Jeremy Crisp of Starr 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.
Winners of the Dr. Robert Calvin and Gladys
Patrick Grier Scholarship were junior Jennifer Ann
Metz of Irmo and junior Asbury Kirk Suits of
Irmo. The late Dr. C.H. Nabers and Mrs. Nabers
established this fund to honor the late president of
Erskine College, and the award goes to a rising
senior who most clearly embodies the ideals of
Erskine College.
Freshman Chanda Todd, Loris; sophomores Tobe
Frierson, Sumter, Livia Ryan Stephens,
North Augusta, and Stacy Thackston, Fountain
Inn; and juniors Jennifer Blackwell,
Mayesville, Crystal Rice, Anderson, and Ashley
Youngblood, Okatie, were recipients of 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 M. Stanyarne Bell Memorial Scholarship was
awarded to sophomores Brandon Keith Poston of
Pamplico and Mara Dee Rodefferr of Laurens.
This scholarship fund was established to honor the
memory of President Bell, who served Erskine College
from 1973 until his untimely death in 1981.
The Blythe Family Leadership Award was presented
to juniors Reiggin Hilderbrand, Stony Point,
N.C., and Heather Eliza Shealy, Taylorsville,
N.C. This award was established by members and
friends of the Blythe family of Mecklenburg County,
N.C., to provide scholarships for rising seniors who
have demonstrated leadership, academic proficiency,
and Christian commitment. Preference is given to
out-of-state students with first priority for
students from North Carolina.
The Daniel Stinson Bell Memorial Scholarships were
awarded to junior Adam Joseph Bruyere,
Clinton, junior Lauren Theresa Eudy, West
Columbia, sophomore Eric Andrew Freeman,
Beaufort, sophomore Ashley Elizabeth Nichols,
Hartsville, and junior Andrew Forrester Shoger,
Lakeland, Fla. These scholarships are based on
character and Christian commitment as well as
academic standing, energetic outloook, and promise of
future usefulness to college, community and society.
The Dr. Janet Alexander Scholarship was awarded to
freshman Adelyne Vanessa Fernandes of
Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. The Student Christian
Association established this fund, which awards
scholarships to foreign students, to honor Dr.
Alexander, a medical missionary to Pakistan and
physician at Erskine College.
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 Kelly Beam, Statesville, N.C., Rhett
Carson, Due West, Kristin Fisher,
Charleston, Elizabeth Long, Black Mountain,
N.C., and James White, Piedmont.; and juniors Matthew
Hendrix, Spartanburg, and Reiggin Hilderbrand,
Stony Point, N.C.
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 Daniel
Barry Eller of Rock Hill.
The American Association of University Women
Freshman Awards were given to Heather Greer,
Simpsonville, in Bible; John Lucas,
Greenville, Dianna Plyler, Aiken, Jennifer
Stiner, Titusville, Fla., Elizabeth Smith,
Greenwood, Robeson Tinsley, York, and Sara
Weber, Greensboro, N.C., in Biology; Lisa
Wonoski, North Augusta, and Dianna Plyler,
Aiken, in Chemistry; Elizabeth Marshall, Chapin,
Christy Milner, Summerville, and
Mara Rodeffer, Laurens, in Education; Gina
Pratico, Huntsville, Ala., in English; Blaire
Oakley, Conyers, Ga., in History; James Gowdy,
Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., in Mathematics; Kathleen
Goodman, Charlotte, N.C., in Music; Nathan
Carrington, Charlotte, N.C., in Physics
and also in Psychology; and Jonathan Lewellyn
of Summerville in Sociologyy
Receiving the Beta Beta Beta Award for Service and
Achievement were senior Jason Burkhart of
Aiken, junior Ryan Cockrell of Lexington,
sophomore Kate Freeborn of Anderson, and
seniors Jonathan Roling and Gina Webb,
both of Simpsonville. Beta Beta Beta is the
biological honor society.
The T.D. Brown Scholarship, honoring the late
Erskine College professor of biology Thomas D. Brown,
was awarded to sophomore Yusuf Bhaiji
of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania; junior Crystal Rice
of Anderson; and sophomore Emily Rogers of
Clinton.
Receiving the Dr. Calvin Graham Reid Pre-Medical
Scholarship in Biology, established by the Phillip L.
Van Every Foundation in Charlotte, N.C., were
sophomores Bonnie Barte of Columbia and Gina
Berthold of Greenville, and freshmen Dianna
Plyer of Aiken and Elizabeth Smith of
Greenwood. 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 freshmen Jaime Pace of Spartanburg, Dianna
Plyer of Aiken, and Candy Yeung of
Darlington, sophomore Chris Spires of
Winnsboro and junior Jason Tompkins of
Williamston.
The William Lee Ellison Biology Award was given to
seniors Greg Clanton of Greenville, Jeremy
Cobb of Westminster, Jeremy Crisp of
Starr, Barron Suarez of Mount Pleasant and Laura
Whitlock of Columbia. 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 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was awarded to
junior Brandon Martin of York. The Barry M.
Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education
Program pays tribute to Senator Goldwater by
establishing in his name an endowed recognition
program to foster and encourage excellence in science
and mathematics.
The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award,
honoring a business major on the basis of academic
performance, was given to senior Elizabeth
McDaniel of Greenville.
The Jacob O. Kamm Scholarship was presented to
juniors Tami Boyce of Florence, Crystal
Cooper of Easley, and Pamela Henry of
Gastonia, N.C., and to sophomore Ashley Nichols
of Hartsville. 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 Keith Poston of Pamplico. 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 Pratik Shrivastava of
Raleigh, N.C. 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 Nathan Carrington of Charlotte,
N.C., John Lucas of Greenville, Brian
McNatt of Hendersonville, N.C., Paul Mulner
of Toccoa, Ga., Jerrod Poe of Aiken, Jeff
Pruitt of Columbia, Will Walkup of
Hickory, N.C., and Eric Williamson of Aiken;
sophomores Michelle Kernells of Hodges and OhnrČ
Whaley of Charleston; and juniors Marie
Tompkins of Summerville and Ashley Youngblood
of Okatie. 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
freshmen Julie Cooper of Rock Hill, Noelle
Garvin of Trenton, and Lisa Wonoski of
North Augusta; and juniors Mitch Baker of
Simpsonville and Todd Kincannon of
Simpsonville. 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 freshmen Nathan
Carrington of Charlotte, N.C. and Will Walkup
of Hickory, N.C. in general chemistry and junior Ashley
Youngblood of Okatie in organic
chemistry.
Winner of the Everette Askins Sloan Award was
senior Qusai Darugar of Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania. 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, presented
annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence
in the study of physics, was presented to senior Qusai
Darugar of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. This award
was established in 1986 in honor of Dr. Bill Junkin,
professor of physics.
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 Clare Goudelock of
Hartsville in Early Childhood Education/Elementary
Education; Adam Bruyere of Clinton in
Secondary Education; and Beth Topping of
Laurens in Special Education.
The Reverend Forrest W. and Kathryn S. Sherrill
Scholarship winner was junior Katie Yates of
Moncks Corner. This award is given to juniors or
seniors of exceptional character who are majoring in
elementary education and committed to a career in
elementary education. The fund was established by Dr.
Judith Sherrill Bazemore of Spartanburg in honor of
her late parents.
The Department of Education and Special Education
Awards given to senior men and women for excellence
in student teaching were given to Heather Knight of
Simpsonville in Early Childhood Education; Elizabeth
Pursley of Clover in Elementary Education; Christi
Seward of Marietta, Ga. in Special Education; and
Tiffany Smalls Cooper of North Charleston in
Secondary Education.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society Grant-In-Aid Award
for an outstanding woman graduate who has chosen to
enter the field of education was given to senior Elizabeth
Pursley of Clover 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 junior Daniel Koon of Dorchester.
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
seniors Kristie Arthur of Lenoir City, Tenn.,
and Sue Kahrs of Bogart, Ga. This award was
established by the late Mrs. Pitts, a former English
professor at Erskine College.
The Hanora Cuddy Dorn Scholarship, for students
demonstrating superior achievement and aptitude in
the study of English, Foreign Languages or History,
was awarded to sophomores David Carter of
Summerfield, N.C., and Jamie White of
Piedmont; and juniors Jason Burton of
Abbeville, Andrew Shoger of Lakeland, Fla.,
and Josh Uhall of Donalds.
Senior Kris Whitten of Greer received the
Edgar Long English Award, offered in memory of the
late Edgar Long, distinguished English professor, and
given to a junior or senior English major on the
basis of excellence of work done and promise of
future growth.
The J. Calvin Koontz Poetry Prize was awarded to
senior Sue Kahrs of Bogart, Ga. This monetary
prize is awarded annually to the senior who possesses
the most poetry-writing potential, in honor of Dr. J.
Calvin Koontz, Erskine Professor Emeritus of
Education.
Recipient of the W. Lindsay Wilson Scholarship was
sophomore Keith Poston of Pamplico. This
scholarship honors 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 Piedmont, South Carolina, or
southern history.
The Joseph Wightman Scholarship winner was junior Adam
Bruyere of Clinton. In memory of the ninth
president of Erskine College, this award honors
recipients on the basis of academic achievement,
financial need, potential for future usefulness to
society and positive campus leadership skills.
The Fennell-Lindsay Scholarship was won by junior Kristy
Robinson of Anderson. The scholarship was
established by Helen Ligon of Greenville, former
voice teacher at Erskine and founder of the
Choraleers, and honors Minnie Fennell Ligon.
Recipients are to show promise of future usefulness
to society and demonstrate a need for financial
assistance.
The McGee History Award went to senior Rebecca
Carson of Due West. Given in memory of W. Frank
McGee of Anderson, this award is presented annually
to the student judged most outstanding in the field
of history by the faculty of the Department of
History and Government.
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 Jenny
Shealy of Clinton is this year's recipient.
The Brawley Memorial Music Scholarship was awarded
to Tobe Frierson of Sumter. 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.
The Robert Stone Galloway Americanism Scholarship
is an award given annually to needy and worthy
students, based on a paper on Americanism, and is in
honor of the late Robert S. Galloway of Due West.
Established by United States Senator Strom Thurmond
as advisor for the John P. Gaty Charitable Trust, the
scholarship this year goes to freshman Jenni White
of Anderson.
The Most Valuable Freshman Choraleer Award was
given to Kathleen Goodman of Charlotte, N.C..
This award was established by the officers of the
Erskine College Choraleers in 1994-95 to honor
outstanding contributions by first-year members.
The "Brian" Award for the Most Valuable
Erskine College Choraleer has been given every year
since 1989. All sophomores, juniors, and seniors are
automatically nominated and the award is chosen by a
vote of all the Choraleers. This year's recipient is
senior Jenny Shealy of Clinton.
Winner of the Dr. M. Burton Brown Psychology Award
was senior Lucas Hollar of Summerville 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 Kristin Shinn of Mooresville,
N.C. 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 presented
this year by Paul Dillingham and given to senior Laura
Whitlock of Columbia.
