2017 UA Honors Week Recognizes Excellence

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama honored its top students for their academic achievements and leadership today during the Honors Day Tapping Ceremony, the highlight of UA’s annual Honors Week, April 3-7.

Tapping on the Mound

Outstanding Student Awards for each class were presented to:

Outstanding Freshman: Lauren Cook, Jackson Bryant.

Outstanding Sophomore: Morgan Ross.

Outstanding Junior: Lavinia Bao Nhu Doan.

Outstanding Senior:  Mackenzie Ross.

Outstanding Transfer Student: Ibukun Afon.

Outstanding Graduate Students: Candace Chambers, Billy Clark.

Anderson Society: Anderson Society, a senior honorary, was founded at The University of Alabama in 1975 and seeks to promote excellence in student leadership and service as well as high academic standards. Each year 24 members are selected in recognition of their significant contributions to the University.

Inductees: Ibukun Afon, Annkay Alexander, Candace Allen, Samuel Baker, Amanda Boornazian, Marissa Cornelius, John Denton, Heather Grubbs, Andrea Hayes, Maggie Holmes, Benton Hughes, Jared Hunter, Brittany Johnson, Kanitta Kulprathipanja, Richard Lewis, Ling Hui Liu, Katherine Mauldin, Lance McCaskey, Blair Morrison, Rebecca Murdoch, Kaylee O’Connor, Ryan Pellegrino, Lillian Roth and Alex Smith. Honorary Members: Megan Birkes, John Clary, Kelsi Long, Anne Matthews, Cokie Thompson, Jacqueline Visina and Delphanie Wu. Faculty Inductees: President Stuart R. Bell, Dr. Karla Gower, Dr. David Heggem Jr. and Dr. Robert Morgan.

Blue Key Honor Society: Blue Key was, with Omicron Delta Kappa and the Jasons, one of the first three honor societies at The University of Alabama. During the Great Depression, Blue Key ceased operating on the campus, but it returned in 1987. Blue Key members are selected during spring semester of the junior year and must represent high scholastic ideals, leadership and diversity of background. Selection is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on rising seniors.

Inductees: Jack Albritton, Annkay Alexander, Candice Allen, Samuel Baker, Taylor Barron, Amanda Boornazian, Michael Bouton, Madison Bush, Ryan Caselton, Emily Cerrina, Whitney Cravens, Alexa Dato, Allison Diamond, Lavinia Doan, Grace Elbert, Emma Farrow, Emily Ferons, Will Freeman, Alexandra Grady, Helmi Henkin, Sarah Howard, Katherine Jeffries, Jeffery Krout, Rose Lamberth, Lance McCaskey, William McLemore, Blair Morrison, Rebecca Nesbitt, Kaylee O’Connor, Gabriella Oppenheimer, Morgan Patrick, Rutland Patterson, Ryan Pellegrino, Madeline Peterson, Madeline Powell, Jessica Procter, Lillian Roth, Sarah Schumacher, Thomas Scott, Margaret Selesky, Michael Sirh, Alexandria Smith, Manoj Sunny, Nicole Swisher, Taylor Tingle, Yonina Witman, Alyssa Woltemath and Mary Jane Young.

Mortar Board: 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.

Inductees: Candace Allen, Madison Anzelc, Emily Ard, Amanda Boornazian, Eleanor Bowers, Catherine Bruni, Caroline Buchanan, Jonathan Burks, Madison Bush, Emily Cerrina, Fiona Coupe, Addie Crane, Whitney Cravens, Anne Culverhouse, Alexa Dato, Holden DeGrave, Lauren Deutsch, Lavinia Doan, Andrew Dobry, John Ebersold, Matthew Farris, Emma Farrow, Carly Fennell, Mollie Gillis, Alexandra Grady, Abigail Greenberg, Sonya Haines, Sommer Hallquist, Sarah Hardin, Andrea Hayes, Helmi Henkin, Abby Holland, Maggie Holmes, Caroline Hudson, Kaitlin Huff, Cecil Ingram, Katherine Jeffries, Brittany Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Mariah Karigan, Lindy Koury, Rose Lamberth, Anthony Lipscomb, John Lott, Zachary Lyles, Laura Mafla, Erica McNaughton, Olivia Miskelly, Madison Mullinax, Rebecca Murdoch, Kaylee O’Connor, Graham Parker, Morgan Patrick, Ryan Pellegrino, Madeline Peterson, Corey Phillis, Taylor Price, Caroline Prichard, Ellis Pullen, Morgan Purvis, Andrew Rice, Lillian Roth, Reid Ruggles, Alexa Ruttenberg, Sarah Schumacher, Thomas Scott, Claire Sielaff, Alex Smith, Manoj Sunny, Nicole Swisher, Mae Tyson, Alec Van Wagnen, Lita Waggoner, Mary Waldrop, Yonina  Witman and Thomas Wiygul. Honorary Members: Bill Battle, Mary Battle and Dr. Kay Palan.

Omicron Delta Kappa: The purpose of Omicron Delta Kappa is to recognize those 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.

Inductees: Ibukun Afon, Jack Albritton, Annkay Alexander, Candace Allen, Shelby Anderson, Madison Anzelc, Samuel Baker, David Bird, Megan Birkes, Amanda Boornazian, Blair Bush, Nathan Butler, Ryan Caselton, Kathryn Cater, Ben Christiansen, John Clary, Caitlin Cobb, Addie Crane, Caitlin Curtis, Alexa Dato, William Davis III, Elizabeth Dawkins, Claire Day, John Denton, Lauren Deutsch, Allison Diamond, Nathan Dickerson, Lavinia Doan, Andrew Dobry, John Ebersold, Matthew Farris, Madison Fendley, Will Freeman, Asha Fuller, Stephanie Gaytan, Mollie Gillis, Alexandra Grady, Charles Gray, Abigail Greenberg, Sommer Hallquist, Coleman Harris, Jessica Hastings, Maggie Holmes, Sarah Howard, Caroline Hudson, Benton Hughes, Jared Hunter, Leeann Huynh, Katherine Jeffries, Brittany Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Virginia Jordan, Joseph Kabalin, Kelsey Kauffman, Rose Lamberth, Mariss Lee, Marshall Lee, Anne Lehmann, Laura Mafla, Lance McCaskey, Mary McDonald, Chelsea McElroy, William McLemore, Erica McNaughton, Olivia Miskelly, Blair Morrison, Madison Mullinax, Joseph Nelson, Shelby Norman, Kaylee O’Connor, Gabriella Oppenheimer, Morgan Patrick, Rutland Patterson, Ryan Pellegrino, Marcelle Peters, Madeline Peterson, Tyler Portanova, Maddie Potter, Caroline Prichard, Jessica Procter, Morgan Purvis, Andrew Rice, Emily Risher, Gary Roberts, Lillian Roth, Alexa Ruttenberg, Thomas Scott, Jessica Shieh, McKenna Smith, Alex Smith, Mary Figuers Stallings, Emily Stebbins, Manoj Sunny, Julia Travagline, Mae Tyson, Alec Van Wagnen, Rebecca VanMarel, Lita Waggoner, Mary Waldrop, Amanda White, Megan Wingbermuehle, Thomas Wiygul and Mary Jane Young.

2017 Alumni Student Award Recipients

The purpose of the Alumni Student Award is to honor seniors who have excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity, and displayed exceptional hospitality toward guests and friends of the University.  Nominations are accepted from student organizations, deans, department heads, The recipients are: Anne Stabler Matthews and Tyler D. Merriweather.

2017 Outstanding Senior Award Recipients

The purpose of the Outstanding Senior Award is to honor an additional group of seniors who have excelled at the University and have demonstrated exceptional character.  The Outstanding Senior Award recipients are limited in number according to the judgment of the selection committee. They are: Sarah Grace Dougherty, Jeromey Beaman, Allie Hybart, Chris Lancaster, Virginia Morgan, Justin L. Lomax, Anna Lee Price, Carlo Antonio Rezzonico, Katie Smitherman and Herbert Ke’Shawn Jamal Toles.

UA Black Faculty and Staff Association Awards

The UA Black Faculty And Staff Association recognizes the scholastic achievement of African-American undergraduate students. Awardees included:

Autherine Lucy Foster Endowed Scholarship: Awarded to a sophomore in honor of the first black student to attend The University of Alabama: Diamond J. McNeil, Cara Antonia Clay.

Vivian Malone Jones Endowed Scholarship: Awarded to the junior with the highest academic standing who exemplifies the spirit of Vivian Malone Jones in honor of the first black graduate of The University of Alabama: Sabrina R. D’Agostino, Danielle L. Jones.

African-American Alumni Network Endowed Scholarship: The scholarship is awarded annually to a matriculating undergraduate student demonstrating academic promise: Ashley Jeter, Morganne Johnston.

BFSA Founder’s Scholarship: Jazmin Amalia Mae Dilligard, Shaqueria Jo’Nay Dial.

Joffre and Zadie Whisenton Award: Awarded to an African-American graduate student receiving a doctoral degree with the highest standing and graduating in current year in honor of the first black students to receive a doctorate from The University of Alabama: Mary Hanks.

Cleophus Thomas Award is awarded to the graduating seniors with the highest academic standing honoring the legacy of the first Black SGA president of The University of Alabama: Abby Ysabelle Andre, Rikisha Bridges, Courtenay Brooks, Kaylynn Christigail Cain, Kayla O. Krueger and Kaylyn M. Williams.

Archie Wade Award is awarded to the juniors with the highest academic standing honoring the legacy of the first Black professor at The University of Alabama: Alexis N.  Banks, Anthony R. Lipscomb, Obie J.  Moultrie Jr., Serena  Jurnee Promisee, Yvonne F. Russell, Samuel Torres Jr., Alayna J. Watson.

The Earnestine Tucker Award is awarded to the sophomores with the highest academic standing honoring the legacy of the former long-time serving BFSA president: Byron J.  Bennett, Randi Michelle Blackmon, Camille  C. Carr, Norris L. Davis III, Jasper J. Edwards, Kynnedi Jasmin Elizabeth Fye, Jazmine N. Hall, Asia Monet Hayes, Anna B. Johnson, Renesha K. Matthews, Diamond J. McNeil, Jessica Lanette McTier, Jamesia  S. Morris, Ronald Roy Nelson Jr., Tedra Jasmine Roper, Kristen Elise Russell, Breancha M. Scott, Valencia N. Scott, Resha T. Swanson, Kristina F. Terrani, Kaitlyn E. Thomas, Jessica M. Tolbert, Lauren Michael Tucker, Tyesha C. Turner, Shanna Jarea Wallace, Erin L. Washington, Jasmyne Williams and Hannah N. Woodard.

The Sandral L. Hullett Award is awarded to the freshmen with the highest academic standing honoring the legacy of a devoted University of Alabama former trustee: Ashley Christina Adams, Jillian Marie Altemus, Hannah E. Anderson, Jason M. Anthony, Brandon D. Barham, Kaitlyn J. Barham, Abdul Rahman R. Barrie, Kayla M. Bell, Hanna Anissa Benkhraba, Dashia L. Black, Rhonalda Wynette Bonner, Antonia C. Boyd, Tiana Aliaya Branch, Jeserica Beauty Dejanee Brinson, Leia C. Brown, Telia Shajuan Brown, Brianna M. Brown, Treyvion C. Chambers, Victoria A. Clark, Cara Antonia Clay, Meagan G. Coleman, Raine  Cook, Jayla T. Crump, Kailyn N. Dean, Kelly Elizabeth Dever, Kenza Albina El Abdallaoui, Destiney Rae Elliott, Ja’Nequa Daisy Ford, Mallorie N. Gilbert, Ashalya D. Hayes, Kennedy C. Hicks, Bryana T. Holiday, Kristopher D. Jackson Jr., Desta E. Johnson, Jason Aaron Jones, Makaylah Y. Kirk, Alexis O. Leonard, Jordan A. Lewis, Mikeala D. Lowry, Ivana N. MaClin, Nikkia R. Manuel, Natalia Marie Mayo, Zharia N. McKenzie, Trent E. McMullen, Christine Haley Muirhead, Roxanne Osborne, Reginald C. Porter, JeMarcus Pullins, Anna J. Richardson, Brianna A. Smith, Kassidy Stewart, Sarah B. Strickland, Allana Marie Thomas, Jamari D. Toney, Loren Amiemhekhai Ugheoke, Brittany Marie Voner, Ryan A. Ware, Nakia S. Washington, Leah Ariane White, Angel S. Wynn, Jasmine Nicole Yarbrough and Taylor Monay Young.