Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards Announced

It would take too long to list all the accomplishments senior Olivia Ellis has achieved and she has recently added one more to the list - The Algernon Sydney Sullivan award. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan award is considered one of the highest honors given by Carson-Newman. It is given to two seniors (one male and one female) based on service, integrity and academics.

Ellis excels in all these areas. She has a 4.0 GPA and is part of the Carson-Newman's honors program. She is a piano performance major. When she presented her honor's project, "The Left-Hand Piano Etudes of Camille Saint-Saens: An Analytical Study of Style and Significance," at the Alpha Chi convention, she won one of the highest honors.

"Since music majors work closely with their applied professors in a one-on-one setting, they are held highly accountable from one week to the next on their progress," said Professor Ryan Fogg, her honor's project advisor and nominator. "It is uncommon for a student to be so self-motivated and hard-working that external pressure is unnecessary, but this is the type of student Olivia has been each semester. I seldom have to remind her of what she needs to do - she already has a plan of action in place. I have been privileged to work with her. I am proud of her accomplishments, and I am sure there are great things in store for her in the future."

Ellis has also contributed to campus life; she is the vice president of SGA and a member of numerous honors societies, including Mortar Board, Alpha Chi, Delta Omicron and Pi Kappa Lambda. She is also in A Capella choir and is the accompanist to Women's Singers.

Despite her many accomplishments, the announcement took her by surprise.

"I was very surprised to be chosen for the award, but also surprised that everyone (especially my family) was able to keep it a secret! I felt honored to be given this particular award because it is based on character and service," Ellis said.

Her professors continue to sing her praises.

"We are very fortunate to have a student like Olivia to come our way in the Music Department and set such a high bar of excellence for her peers," said Professor Ann Jones.

Ellis is currently waiting for a letter to see what graduate school she will be attending to work on her Masters of Music in Piano Performance.

Stellar grades did not earn this award. It was a strong work ethic, passion, and the ability to lead. It was his servant's heart.

David Beecher Madden, a senior religion major, was at the soundboard during Honors Convocation when the Provost, Dr. Kina Mallard, began to describe the male winner of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award, one of the most prestigious awards the college offers.

She spoke of someone who served with Appalachian Outreach for four years. He thought that could be anyone. Then she said that the winner served as the worship leader at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City. He knew that had to be him, but he could not believe it.

While Mallard continued to list his activities - marching band, symphonic band, wind ensemble and jazz band - he debated what he should do.

Should he start walking forward? Did she really mean him? He turned around to find Jim Wilson and Chad Morris grinning at him.

"It's you," he understood their grins to say.

"He has an incredible passion to serve others," Mallard continued. "He leads by example and is a gifted musician with a strong work ethic."

Jonathan Madden, a sophomore who David Madden describes as his brother, roommate and friend, agreed.

"I believe that David has had a tremendous impact on Carson-Newman College, as well as Jefferson City. During the three summers he spent as an Appalachian Outreach summer missionary, he not only worked on people's homes but impacted many people by simply loving them and spending time with them," he said.

"I have always admired David's work ethic and positive attitude. While working four part-time jobs - running sound for chapel on Tuesday and Thursday, working at the drop-off building at Appalachian Outreach on the weekends, working in the campus ministries building, and leading worship for two different churches - as well as taking classes and making good grades, and planning a wedding with his fiancée Jamie this June, he always keeps a very positive, upbeat attitude about life."

His fiancée, Jamie Swarthout, calls him the most caring person she knows.

"It is clear that his love for others is not forced, but genuine. He has a very strong calling to help others and honor God through service," she said.

The college gives the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award every year to a student who has spent their time at Carson-Newman in service to others. David Madden hopes to spend the rest of his life as a servant in a ministry.

"I have a passion for seeing people worship God," he said. "I really enjoy getting to meet people's needs. I think that's what ministry is, and how you reach people for Christ."

Madden never thought that he would receive the award, which was why he hesitated for so long that day.

"I knew about it and when I compare myself to people who won it last year, I say - wow. I just didn't consider . I thought it would go to someone who is not me," he said.

He called his grades mediocre, but was proud of how he spent his four years at Carson-Newman: in service, getting to know the people of the community.

"It's really cool to get recognition and affirmation of how you spend your time. It makes me want to keep doing what I'm doing," he said.