UVa-Wise presents achievement awards to Class of 2009

The academic departments of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise recognized the scholastic achievements of members of the Class of 2009 and other students on May 15.

The following UVa-Wise students received awards:

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Tywon O. Thompson of Martinsville received the Napoleon Hill Achievement Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who most embodies Hill’s principles for success.

Jared A. Owens of Haysi received the Outstanding Achievement in Accounting Award.

Holly E. Mullins of Pound received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration Award.

Joseph M. Ramey of Wise received the Outstanding Achievement in Economics Award.

Elena P. Klinova of Rybinsk, Russia, 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

Aaron A. Collier of Big Stone Gap 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.

EDUCATION

Veronica F. Rasnick of St. Paul 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.

Tara N. Large of Pound and Maria D. Cobb of Big Stone Gap each received a Beulah M. Johnson Award, which recognizes academic excellence and a student’s commitment to a lifelong career in teaching.

Ginny A. Shortt of Pound was named the Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education.

Cara M. Hamilton of Gate City received the Ray Spenilla Award in Health and Physical Education.

Hannah B. Ellis of Keokee received the Gilmer Blackburn Award in Sports Management.

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY

Sara A. Bailey of Haysi received a Clinch Valley College History Fund Award, which recognizes history majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.

Morgan M. Cook of Lebanon, Wesley A. Hearp of Norton and Danielle C. Smith of Jonesville each received a William Elbert Fraley Award in History, which recognizes unusual academic ability and promise in the field of history.

Steven C. Davis of Clintwood received the Dana Sample Phi Alpha Theta/Travel Award created in 2007 to support student international travel, presentations at historical conferences.

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Brenda S. Bush of Nickelsville and Daniel G. Helbert of Wise each received a William Elbert Fraley Award in English, which is presented to graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in English studies and who plan to attend graduate school.

Jade A. Bolling of Wise and Tara N. Large of Pound each received an Outstanding Senior English Major Award, which recognizes students who have exhibited outstanding academic merit in the study of English language and literature.

Daniel G. Helbert of Wise received the Senior Seminar Award, which recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in the capstone course by conducting and presenting outstanding original research in literature.

Wesley A. Hearp of Norton received the Language and Literature Award for German. This award recognizes outstanding work in German language and literature.

Beverly Lee Ann Caruso of Norton was presented an 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. Caruso also received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Languages.

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Jonah L. Adkins of Galax and Mathew R. Sanders of Wise each received the Outstanding Senior in Computer Science award.

Jessica M. Newman of Jonesville was named the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics.

Aaron T. Bolling of Pound, David W. Mays of Castlewood and Stefan Raguz of Coeburn each were recognized as members of the first graduating class in software engineering. UVa-Wise offers Virginia’s only undergraduate degree in software engineering.

NATURAL SCIENCES

Andrew J. Maggard of Wise and Morgan E. Meade of Wise each were 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.

Tosha N. Sturgill of Wise received the American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemist Award. The Northeast Tennessee section of the Society annually recognizes senior chemistry majors for their outstanding achievement in chemistry.

Christina V. Mullins of Pound 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.

Andrew J. Maggard of Wise received the Joseph C. Smiddy Science Award, presented to the outstanding senior in natural sciences. The award is named in honor of Joseph C. Smiddy, the College’s first biology professor and chancellor.

David C. Ison of Wise received the Starnes Medical Award, given to an outstanding senior in the natural sciences who is entering a professional program in medicine.

NURSING

Leslie B. McNew of Duffield was presented the Outstanding Graduate in Nursing Award in recognition of academic performance, College and community service, and commitment to the nursing profession.

Heather J. McIlvaine of Abingdon received the Karen Denice Lane Nursing Challenge Award, given to a graduating senior who plans to attend graduate school, who achieved a high level of academic performance while promoting and supporting classmates and emulating excellence in nursing practice, and who is committed to community service and lifelong learning.

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Dustin L. Osborne of Abingdon was presented 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.

Jenna R. Haynes of Duffield received the 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.

William K. Newberry of Vansant was presented the Scholar in Sociology Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and student leadership.

Shawn R. Fischer of Roanoke received the Scholar in Government Award, presented to students who have excelled in the study of government.

Daniel A. Hobbs of Alexandria received the Joseph M. Scolnick Jr. Excellence in Government and Public Service Award, which honors the College’s longtime 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.

Holly E. Weisinger of Virginia Beach received the Joseph M. Scolnick Sr. Memorial Pre-Law Award, presented to outstanding students who plan to pursue a career in law.

CHANCELLOR’S MEDAL FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Daniel G. Helbert of Wise is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal for Undergraduate Research, an award that recognizes and honors students who have attained a high level of scholarship as undergraduates. The Chancellor’s Medal is awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the pursuit of knowledge beyond the classroom.

PEAKE HONORS PROGRAM

Beverly Lee Ann Caruso of Norton, Wesley A. Hearp of Norton and Emily Barrett Witucki of Alexandria each graduated with College Honors due to their completion of the Peake Honors Program, which requires students to engage in interdisciplinary coursework beyond the requirements of their major.

                                                                                                     Posted May 18, 2009