In the words of Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, the university’s Academic Awards & Recognition ceremony, held May 5, was a time for highlighting “some of the outstanding students who have really made a mark in their programs and majors, and the faculty who have given so much to advance their learning.”

From the podium at Lee Chapel on campus, he continued: “From analytics to sales, music education, elementary education, theatre arts, chemistry, environmental science, economics and Russian, we honor the students who have committed themselves to their studies, to their intellectual passions and their community of classmates and colleagues.

“Today we also honor the outstanding and distinguished faculty who make such a difference in the lives and learning of their students.”

The awards, he added, are both for academic achievements and community engagement, “recognizing the power and positive impact our students and faculty have on the people and communities in which they live.”

Following Roellke, Andrew Larson, DMA, associate dean and professor of music, choral conducting, gave the Academic Address. He was introduced by Provost Noel Painter, PhD, who will take a much-deserved sabbatical and then return to the faculty in the School of Music.

Larson spoke of feeling “better when you stop focusing on yourself and start serving other people.” Also, he talked about truths.

“Know the relative and comparative importance of the truths you cling to, live by and fight for,” Larson said. “Learn that not all truths are of equal importance. Most of us probably need a wake-up call to realize that in many or most cases, there are higher truths than the ones we are clinging to right now.”

He concluded: “We can only both have truth and be right when we espouse the highest truths, and those truths will always lead us to live peacefully one with another and to serve one another.”

Then it was time for the presentations — final grand gestures to students among the 695 undergraduates who would receive bachelor’s degrees in two ceremonies at Spec Martin Stadium the following day.

OVERALL STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS

McTeer Turner Award 

Since 1994, Stetson has honored a graduating senior who represents the highest standard of excellence in academics and leadership, and who has a demonstrated personal commitment to community service and outstanding character.

This year’s winner was nominated by faculty who clearly have not only been positively impacted by this student, but witnessed firsthand her positive impact on others. During this student’s time at Stetson, she was a leader for academic and non-academic societies, participated as a student leader in the university honors programs, engaged with the community as a head researcher, worked multiple jobs, and cared for her late mother during a time of transition. She has shown herself to be trustworthy, reliable, hard-working and to bring a positive atmosphere to any place around her.

Winner: Catherine Kraft

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards 

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards are presented annually to two students in the graduating class whose dedication to service and nobility of character set them apart.

The first winner is described as an “exceptional student, with not only excellent academic performance, but also a humble character and an attitude of service — demonstrating “excellence in academic performance and community service and a role model for all students.”

This winner is double major in health sciences and religious studies, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society, as well as president and founder of the RAD (Religion and Dialogue) student organization, and certified as an EMT along with volunteering as a firefighter.

Winner: Kirk Mattern

The other winner was noted as, “exemplifying the deepest commitment to both our academic and civic missions as an institution — a student who cares deeply about our community, who has found a particular issue on which to focus their incredible academic abilities, who does the research and practice necessary to learn while making change.”

This winner is a dual major in public health and Hispanics students, and also earned a Certificate of Community Engagement. Additionally, the winner was part of the Honors and Bonner programs, plus received a SURE grant for research, was a Writing Center Tutor, a Good Samaritan Clinic administrator and an intern.

Winner: Maddie Skelton

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Paul E. Dascher Outstanding Scholar Award

Winner: Kendall Buck

Theodore J. Surynt Merit Award for Business Systems Analysis

Winner: Tiffany Scott

E. C. Furlong Merit Award for Management

Winner: Sven DeWilde

Merit Award for Professional Sales

Winner: Amanda Woodley

Outstanding Senior Business Award in Economics

Winner: Christopher Kent

Distinguished Marketing Student

Winner: Daliyah Hammoud

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Presser Award (Highest Award Offered Annually In The School Of Music)

Winner: Presley Fiore

Most Outstanding Music Educator Award

Winners: Princess Malave

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Ray V. Sowers Elementary Education Award  

Winner: Emily Sedgwick

Marjorie Forster Gilbert Award for Performer   

Winner: Josh Dennis

Michael McFarland Award for Outstanding Senior  

Winner: Alexis Diamond 

Byron H. Gibson Award   

Winner: Xanthippe Pack-Brown

Ronald L. and Margaret Smith Hall Philosophy Award  

Winner: Kristina Mickens 

Outstanding Senior in Gender Studies   

Winner: Xanthippe Pack-Brown 

Dorothy L. Fuller Award

Winners: Rebekah Brawley and Chloe DeYoung 

American Institute of Chemists Foundation Outstanding Senior Award

Winner: Jake Simmons 

The Jack Gibson Endowed Physics Research Award 

Winner: Grayson Taber 

Rachel Carson Environmental Science Award

Winner: Analee Monrreal  

Health Sciences Scholarship and Service Award  

Winner: Christopher Walker 

Outstanding Student in Economics

Winner: Pam Spurrell 

Gilbert L. Lycan History Award for Outstanding Senior

Winner: Catherine Kraft

William Armory Underhill Award

Winner: Shadia Munoz-Najar 

The Psychology Department Award for Excellence in Research  

Winner: Lauren Radesi 

The Joel Stanton Wright Department of Sociology and Anthropology Award for the Outstanding Senior Thesis

Winner: Cydney McCann 

Sergei Zenkovsky Prize in Russian Studies

Winner: Elise Y. Reed 

University Honors Program Award for Outstanding Senior

Winner: Allison Deal

FACULTY AWARDS

John Hague Award for Distinguished Teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Established in 2007 and named in honor of John Hague, PhD, Professor Emeritus of American Studies, this award celebrates Stetson’s tradition of excellence in teaching the liberal arts and sciences and devotion to scholarship, morality and friendship. Those are the guiding principles of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honorary society.

A widely admired teacher, scholar and academic leader, Professor Hague led Stetson’s application to earn a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1982; Stetson’s chapter was the first established at a private university in Florida. The initial gift allowing Stetson to honor the career of John Hague was made by Dr. and Mrs. William Dunifon.

Winner: Eric Kurlander, PhD, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of History

Hand Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievements

The Hand Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievements are made possible through the continued generosity of trustee emeritus and alumna Dolly Hand and her husband, Homer Hand. Through their support of excellence in higher education, Stetson recognizes outstanding faculty with awards that have been presented to faculty since 1988 for professional achievement in Research, Creative and Professional Activity.

Winner (Research, Creative and Professional Activity): Khushbu Mishra, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics

McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching

Established in 1974, the McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching is considered Stetson most prestigious award — based on the highest attainment of teaching excellence as personified by William Hugh McEniry, former Dean of the University. Exceptional teaching in the classroom is at the heartbeat of this award, along with intellectual growth, professional competency, academic activities outside of the classroom, and meaningful service to students and the university.

Winner: Cindy Bennington, PhD, Professor of Biology

Faculty Advisor of The Year Award

Ten years ago, Stetson introduced this annual recognition for outstanding faculty advisors. In addition to teaching students to navigate their academic success, such faculty play a critical role in helping students explore, develop, and achieve their academic and career goals.

Winner: Michele Skelton, PhD, Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Special Award: Distinguished University Service for Advising

Winner: Andrew Larson, DMA, Associate Dean and Professor of Music, Choral Conducting