Achievement and Leadership Recognized at UA Honors Day

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama honored its top students of 2005-2006 for their academic achievement and leadership Friday, April 7 during the Tappings and Awards Ceremony, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 3-7.

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:
Outstanding Freshman – Alexander Flachsbart of Concord, Calif. (presented by Omicron Delta Kappa)
Outstanding Sophomore – Daniel Isaiah Sullivan of Millry (presented by Anderson Society)
Outstanding Junior – Jennifer Phillips of Birmingham (zip code 35216) (presented by Mortar Board)
Outstanding Senior – Clinton Light of Arab (presented by Alpha Lambda Delta)
Outstanding Transfer Student – David Michael Bussman of Fort Payne (presented by the Office of the Dean of Students)
Outstanding Graduate Student – Heather Cunningham of Moundville (presented by the Graduate Student Association)

Recipients of UA’s 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 and the Morris Lehman Mayer Award.

This year’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was presented to one man and one woman of the graduating class and one non-student who has been helpful to, and associated with, the University. The Sullivan Award recognizes excellence of character and service to humanity. Student winners of this year’s Sullivan Award are Cody J. Locke of Boaz and Shermeen B. Memon of Tuscaloosa. Betsy Plank received the Sullivan Award as a non-student honoree.

The William P. Bloom Scholarship Award honors a junior who has improved intergroup relations within the University community; this year’s winner is Kimberly Goins of Eight Mile.

The John Fraser Ramsey Award, named in honor of the late University history professor emeritus, 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 Kristi M. Wilcox of Tuscaloosa.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award, named in honor of the business professor emeritus, recognizes one member of the graduating class and one faculty member who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA. Rachel Duncan of Pelham received the Mayer Award as graduating recipient. Dr. Cassandra Simon, assistant professor of social work, has been selected as the faculty recipient of the Mayer Award.

UA Black Scholar Awards included:

Sandral Hullett Award – Tiffany D. Blevins of Pleasant Grove, Arnelya P. Cade of Thomaston, Gwennette Renay Duncan of Talladega, Emerald P. Greywoode of Montgomery, Lekisha R. Gunn of Montgomery, Mary L. Heard of Birmingham (35215), Rachel M. Hill of Montgomery, Jacqueline Denise Jemison of Talladega, Anthony L. Poellnitz of Dixon Mills, Myeshia L. Reynolds of Birmingham (35209), Carolyn E. Strothers of Roswell, Ga. and Wayne B. Sullivan of Huntsville

Earnestine Tucker Award – Denise A. Austin of Georgetown, Guyana South Africa, Jacqueline C. Freeman of Tuscaloosa, Jessica Renee Giles of Tuscaloosa, Warren F. Jones of Hoover and John H. Lewis of Anniston

Vivian Malone Endowed Scholarship – Shawntae L. Nettles of Jackson

Cleophus Thomas Award – Ashley Nicole Smith of Montgomery

James Hood Award – C’Kiimba M. Hobbs of Cottondale

John England Award – Ronald D. Williams of Tuskegee

Joffre and Zadie S. Whisenton Award – Joy Francette Johnson of Hueytown

Autherine Lucy Foster Endowed Scholarship – Heather Ashley Freeman of Tuscaloosa

The Frances S. Summersell Award, sponsored by UA’s Iota Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, was given to James M. Kelly, UA graduate and pilot of the NASA Space Shuttle. Established in 1992, this award recognizes an individual or individuals who have aided the educational mission of the University of improved the quality of life in the state. Thomas P. Davis of Tuscaloosa was named the 2005-2006 ODK Living Legend Award in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the goals and ideals of higher education, historical scholarship and preservation.

The Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award was presented to Dr. Hank Lazer, UA assistant vice president for undergraduate programs and services. The Guyton Award recognizes outstanding commitment to the service of UA students.

The Other Club Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award went to Dr. Linda Dorr and Steve Birch. The Other Club Outstanding Student Award went to Tim Kucharski and Jimmy Welch.

The University’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award, given by the UA Capstone Men and Women organization, was presented to Pat Whetstone, director of UA Alumni Affairs, and his wife Joyce Whetstone. 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.

The 2006 Distinguished Alumna Award went to Sara West Wuska of Vestavia Hills and the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Award went to William H. Lanford of Tuscaloosa.

The 2006 Alumni Student Award winners were Shermeen B. Memon of Tuscaloosa and Cody J. Locke of Boaz.

The 2006 Alumni Outstanding Senior Awards went to Lynsey Anne Bullard of Dothan, John William Crawford Jr. of Montgomery, Rachel Anne Duncan of Pelham, Jennifer Gray of Decatur, William Cochrane Jamison of Tuscaloosa, Taylor Nichols of Northport, DeMeco Ryans of Bessemer, Courtney J. Sanders of Steele, Neil Kirit Shah of Tuscaloosa and LeeAnn Wilson of Vestavia Hills

Rebecca Buchanan of Cullman received the 2006 Penny Allen Award. This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership. The award also recognizes University employees who have contributed to the quality of student life, and was presented this year to Dr. Jerome Rosenberg, UA professor of psychology/New College. The award was established in honor of the late Sara Bell Penrod “Penny” Allen of the UA School of Social Work.

The top University-wide honor societies also tapped new members. They include:

Mortar Board

Election to Mortar Board, a national honor society for men and women, 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.

2006-2007 New Members
Jessica Lee Diane Atwood of Los Lunas, N.M.
Forrest Lawson Bailey of Attalla
Blake Barnes of Fairhope
Katie Boyd of Pelham
Robert Boylan of Mountain Brook
Rebecca Buchanan of Cullman
Laura Beth Carroll of Athens
Brian A. Carter of Northport
John Cooper of Wetumpka
Jordan F. Davis of Austin, Texas
William Davis of Montgomery
Matt Dover of Jasper
Rachel English of Saraland
Michelle Rene Fuentes of Lake Forest, Calif.
Amy Lyn Gipson of Woodstock
Kimberly Goins of Eight Mile
Ashley Gorday of Hoover
Harrison Hawke of Saraland
Jack (Trey) Hayes III of Brilliant
Lauren Hoffman of Brentwood, Tenn.
Michael Ingram of Dothan
Elizabeth Caitlin Knowles of Montgomery
Aundrea Lollar of Northport
Samuel (Sam) Morris Masters of Gadsden
William A. McCracken III of Cullman
Catherine A. McGimsey of Birmingham (35242)
Kori Mosakowski of Weaver
Tiffany M. Mosley of Mobile
Sandra D. Parker of Greenpond
Caitie Parsons of Birmingham (35223)
Jennifer Lynn Phillips of Vestavia Hills
Sheena C. Quizon of Fort Payne
Kristen Ragland of Florence
Emily Ray of Hamilton
Sara Senicz of Birmingham (35242)
Amanda Elizabeth Shepherd of Decatur
Patsy Sibley of Jackson, Miss.
Amanda Smith of Trussville
Anna Elizabeth Smith of Tuscaloosa
Lindsey Smith of Brewton
James William (J.W.) Snider III of Madison, Miss.
Porscha Stiger of Tuscaloosa
Meghan Stringer of Montgomery
Sarah Kate Sullivan of Birmingham (35213)
Virginia Anne Thomas of Montgomery
Megan Townsend of Glencoe
Kristen Trotter of Arab
Robert Cameron Wesley of Tallahassee, Fla.
Kristi M. Wilcox of Tuscaloosa
Spencer Wyatt of Birmingham (35242)

Blue Key Honor Fraternity

Blue Key was one of the first honor societies at the University. Blue Key members are selected during the spring semester of the junior year and must represent high scholastic ideals, leadership and diversity of background. Selection is one of the highest honors bestowed on rising seniors.

2006-2007 New Members
Ann Browning Ackley of Greenville, S.C.
Jessica Lee Diane Atwood of Los Lunas, N.M.
Forrest L. Bailey of Attalla
Blake Barnes of Fairhope
Katie Boyd of Pelham
Robert Boylan of Mountain Brook
Lauren Burch of Fairfield, Conn.
John Cooper of Wetumpka
Jordan Davis of Austin, Texas
Matt Dover of Jasper
Rachel English of Saraland
Kibbe Foss of Dunwoody, Ga.
Michelle Rene Fuentes of Lake Forest, Calif.
Ashley Gorday of Hoover
Leah Graham of Madison
Bess Granger of Alexander City
Breanna Harris of Cullman
Jack (Trey) Hayes III of Brilliant
Ashley Hays of Guntersville
Laura Elizabeth Hembree of Anniston
Benjamin K. Hinton of Tuscaloosa
Dennis Hinton of Tuscaloosa
Amanda Holland of Brewton
Michael Ingram of Dothan
Peter L. Jernigan of Mobile
Jeffrey Juneau of Mobile
Samuel (Sam) Morris Masters of Gadsden
William A. McCracken, III of Cullman
Amanda Kaye McMillan of Monroeville
Molly Katherine Minton of Gadsden
Caitie Parsons of Birmingham (35223)
Sheena C. Quizon of Fort Payne
Emily Ray of Hamilton
David Reeves of Birmingham (35226)
Anna Elizabeth Smith of Tuscaloosa
James William (J.W.) Snider III of Madison, Miss.
Meghan Stringer of Montgomery
Sarah Kate Sullivan of Birmingham (35213)
Kristen Trotter of Arab
Kenneth Vandervoort of Anniston
Spencer Wyatt of Birmingham (35242)
Andrew A. Yerbey of Killen

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.

2006-2007 New Members
Lisa Michele Alfano of Birmingham (35226)
Lisa Andrzejewski of Orchard Park, N.Y.
Jessica Lee Diane Atwood of Los Lunas, N.M.
Forrest Lawson Bailey of Attalla
Blakely Weston Barnes of Fairhope
Britany Jade Binkowski of Cullman
Jennie Katharine (Katie) Boyd of Pelham
Robert Forrest Boylan of Mountain Brook
Rebecca Buchanan of Cullman
Lauren Burch of Fairfield, Conn.
John Cooper of Wetumpka
Sarah Katherine Crocker of Hamilton
Melissa Anne Day of Tuscaloosa
Benjamin Edward Dean of Dothan
Mary Alice Elizabeth (Mary Beth) Dearmon of Millry
Will Clayton Demeranville of Mobile**awarded posthumously
Anna Kathryn Ellis of Tuscaloosa
Rachel Anne English of Saraland
Laura Jane Finley of Mobile
Michelle Rene Fuentes of Lake Forest, Calif.
Amy Lyn Gipson of Woodstock
Heather Elizabeth Goff of Semmes
Ashley Lane Gorday of Hoover
Leah Graham of Madison
Bess Marie Granger of Alexander City
Drayton Louis Green of Hoover
Breanna Rebecca Harris of Cullman
Laura Elizabeth Hembree of Anniston
Benjamin King Hinton of Tuscaloosa
David Wayne Holt of Muscle Shoals
Thomas Jeffrey House Jr. of Decatur
Amanda Suzanne Johnson of Crane Hill
Richard Parker Johnson of Montgomery
Jeffrey Juneau of Mobile
Jennifer Nicole Kitt of Midland, Mich.
Elizabeth Caitlin Knowles of Montgomery
Matthew Copeland Laney of Gadsden
Dwight William Lewis Jr. of Birmingham (35208)
Aundrea Lollar of Northport
Samuel (Sam) Morris Masters of Gadsden
William A. McCracken, III of Cullman
Molly Katie Minton of Gadsden
Kori Shaye Mosakowski of Weaver
Susan Caitlin Parsons of Birmingham (35223)
Jamie Ann Phillips of Gadsden
Jennifer Lynn Phillips of Vestavia Hills
Emily Ray of Hamilton
Erin Rightley of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Jayme Suzanne Robertson of Madison, Miss.
Emeel B. Salem, Jr. of Birmingham (35223)
Anna Elizabeth Smith of Tuscaloosa
Justice Dink Smyth IV of Tuscaloosa
Katie Snowden of Meridian, Miss.
Jaclyn Speights of Akron
Sarah Kathleen (Sarah Kate) Sullivan of Birmingham (35213)
Jessica Joyce Thomas of Birmingham (35214)
Virginia Anne Thomas of Montgomery
Emily Estes Tish of Oneonta
Kenneth Vandervoort, Jr. of Anniston
Daniel Thomas Ventress of Enterprise
Kristi Marie Wilcox of Tuscaloosa
Taylor Alexander Williams of Montgomery
Justin Buchanan Wygal of Scottsboro
Andrew A. Yerbey of Killen

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.

Regular Members
Jessica Lee Diane Atwood of Los Lunas, N.M.
Blake Barnes of Fairhope
Jacob Batson of Tuscaloosa
Katie Boyd of Pelham
Robert Boylan of Mountain Brook
Rebecca Buchanan of Cullman
Matt Dover of Jasper
Michelle Rene Fuentes of Lake Forest, Calif.
Kimberly Goins of Eight Mile
Matthew Lee Harper of Helena
Breanna Harris of Cullman
Jack (Trey) Hayes III of Brilliant
Michael Ingram of Dothan
Aundrea Lollar of Northport
Samuel (Sam) Morris Masters of Gadsden
William A. McCracken III of Cullman
Kori Mosakowski of Weaver
Sheena C. Quizon of Fort Payne
Anna Elizabeth Smith of Tuscaloosa
James William (J.W.) Snider III of Madison, Miss.
Meghan Stringer of Montgomery
Kristen Trotter of Arab
Kristi M. Wilcox of Tuscaloosa
Spencer Wyatt of Birmingham (35242)

Honorary Members
Katherine Lynne Ellis of Vestavia Hills
Thomas Jeffrey House Jr. of Decatur
Sarah Kathryn Luken of Boaz
Tiffany M. Mosley of Mobile
Alison Leigh Terry of Madison

Honorary Faculty and Staff Members
Dr. Jeanette VanderMeer
Chris Hutt
Darren Evans-Young
Dr. Kim Caldwell
Mike Shula