Student Leaders Honored

The Student Leadership Banquet, hosted by Student Affairs was held on April 16th, 2009 at Calhoun's on the River in Knoxville, honoring those who have contributed to the college throughout the year. Student Affairs gave several awards. The Student Organization President award went to Kevin Cline of Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Justin Quinn of Student Ambassador Association, Elizabeth Cook of the Eagle Production Company and Mandy Branch of the Student Government Association.

The Advocate of the Year was given to Dr. Brad Bull, assistant professor of counselling.

"While I hope the award affirms my role models, I just happen to be the one recognized this year; you'd be very hard pressed to find a faculty member on this campus who is an exception to that kind of care," Bull said.

The Staff Member of the Year award was given to Chad Morris, associate director of Campus Ministries.

"I am very fortunate to be surrounded with such competent, dedicated, and wonderful co-workers and students at this college," Morris said. "There are so many others that could have easily won this instead.It is a true honor to receive such an award from my alma mater.It is also extremely humbling for me and I will continue to appreciate not only the honor of the award but even more so the opportunity to serve here at Carson-Newman."

Both of these awards are given to individuals who go "above and beyond the call of duty" while interacting with students, and student groups for the goal of successful advocacy and performance, according to the award requirements.

Student Affairs named Alpha Chi the Organization of the Year for their "significant contribution to the life and work of the college... [and their] commitment to the mission and goals of Carson-Newman College and the Division of Student Affairs."

The Student Leader of the Year was awarded to the student with a "high level of competency in leadership skills, [and] merited stature among campus constituents," among other achievements, according to the award requirements. This year's award winner was Hannah Oliver. In addition, the Student Affairs Endowed Scholarship went to Marilee Betz.

Recreational Service's Senior Intramural Service Recognition was given to three undergraduates and one graduate student. Garrett Haws, Delayne Allred, Colby Clark and graduate student Caroline Hamilton were recognized with this award.

Campus Ministries recognized several individuals for various awards. David Madden received the Appalachian Outreach Student Volunteer of the Year, while Jenny Sessoms received the Baptist Collegiate Ministries Servant Spirit Award and Audra Jordan was recipient of the Leila Thornton Everett Memorial Scholarship. In addition, Meredith Haynes and Emily Saunders both received the James and Irene Murphy Missions Scholarship.

Residence Life gave recognition to Janice Berry by awarding her with the Resident Assistant of the Year award, while Jamie McGregor received the McDougal Cup.

The Student Activities Eagle Production Company awarded both Katie Crouse and Courtney Gisiner the Star Student of the Year. The Student Ambassador Association awarded Megan Self the Ambassador of the Year award.

Student Government Association also had several individuals who received recognition. This includes Most Valuable Student Advocate Award going to Olivia Ellis, the Association Volunteerism Award was given to Lindy Mason, and the Most Valuable Committee was given to Mary Kwee in recognition of the Public Relations Committee. In addition Bradley Keaton received the President's Excellence Award and Rebecca Greenup from the cafeteria received the Staff Appreciation Award.

The banquet sponsors and division providers for the awards included Division of Student Affairs, Ernest L. Boyer Laboratory for Learning, Campus Ministries, Recreational Services, Residence Life, Student Activities, Safety and Security, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Eagle Production Company, Student Government Association and the Student Ambassador Association.