At the 2024 Academic Awards and Recognition ceremony, held Friday, May 10, at Lee Chapel on campus, President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, appropriately set the stage. 

His words: “At this ceremony, we will highlight 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.”

Those comments were followed by Provost Elizabeth Skomp, PhD, vice president of Academic Affairs and professor of World Languages and Cultures, who added further context. She called the ceremony a “wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the highest academic achievements of our students, as well as our distinguished teacher-scholar faculty.”

In keeping with tradition, another academic leader delivered the opening address. This year that was David Hill, PhD, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Political Science. With characteristic grace, Hill, a 1994 Stetson graduate, talked about “responsibility to others and the world around us.”

Speaking directly to the students, Hill said, “ … It is up to your generation and those that follow you to find the solutions to our very formidable problems. And each one of you, as the best of your generation, bears a profound responsibility to confront these challenges head-on.” 

Hill urged the students to “consider your responsibility to truth and knowledge.” And, in closing, he said, “Embrace these responsibilities with courage, integrity and a sense of purpose. And have a lot of fun along the way.”

Then it was time for the awards, beginning with presentations to faculty. 

Faculty Awards

Faculty Advisor of the Year Award

For the past 11 years, students have been invited to show appreciation for their advising experience by nominating their professors. Among the descriptions for this year’s recipient was a “tireless student and community advocate” and someone who “helped me understand no matter where I come from or do, we are all the same and as a group, we can make this a better place for the better.”

Recipient: Rajni Shankar-Brown, PhD, Professor and Jessie Ball duPont Endowed Chair of Social Justice Education

Hand Awards for Distinguished Faculty Achievement

The awards have been presented to faculty since 1988. This year, the professional achievements of three outstanding faculty members were recognized in two primary areas: Community Impact and Research, Creative and Professional Activity. 

Winner of the Hand Award for Community Impact came to Stetson in 2014 as a department chair. In her nearly 10 years at Stetson, she has achieved a distinguished record of community service, becoming a vital public figure and environmental champion in the broader West Volusia community.

Recipient: Wendy Anderson, PhD, Professor and Chair of Environmental Science and Studies and Director of the Sustainable Food Systems Program

The first of two Hand Award for Research, Creative and Professional Activity recognized a faculty member who, in her short time at Stetson, has established herself as one of the most productive scholars in the School of Business Administration. Her scholarly inquiry focuses on services marketing, global marketing, and the influence of the marketing function within the firm and the discipline. In eight years, she has produced 10 peer-reviewed journal articles. Seven of those papers have appeared in the field’s most prestigious journals.

Also, by pursuing research projects with current and former colleagues, and supervising at least eight student research groups annually, her students have benefited significantly from her expertise in a broad set of analytical techniques.

Recipient: Carol Azab, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing

The second Hand Award for Research, Creative and Professional Activity honored a teacher-scholar who has rapidly established herself as a leading scientific researcher and whose quality of research has had a transformative impact on the field of molecular biology.

Since arriving at Stetson in 2019, she has acquired an impressive publication record. Also, she has garnered major grant support, including a recent multiyear award from the National Science Foundation. Further, her involvement of students as researchers in her own professional development has led to ground-breaking research in molecular biology, as well as experiential learning opportunities for students.

Recipient: Jean Smith, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology

William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching

This award, considered Stetson’s most prestigious faculty honor, recognizes an exceptional educator who demonstrates highest attainment of professional teaching competency, innovative pedagogy and deep commitment to transformative learning experience for students.

The 2024 winner was praised for embodying all the qualities of a dedicated teacher-scholar. Multiple student nominations referenced her ability to push students to do their best work while being supportive and compassionate. 

Faculty colleagues describe this year’s winner as someone who spends countless hours “editing personal statements for graduate school, and giving [students] honest feedback on their work and a place to vent their frustrations, resulting in students who are smarter, savvier, kinder and better people for knowing [her].” 

That dedication to undergraduate students has resulted in remarkable outcomes for graduates in their field, including SURE grants, conference presentations and placement in excellent graduate programs. In addition, this year’s winner also has the ability to spark the imagination of students who come to her general education class with no prior interest in the subject and continue taking classes with her. 

Recipient: Katya Kudryavtseva, PhD, Assistant Professor of Art History

Student Awards

[School of Business Administration]

Business School Foundation Paul E. Dascher 

This award is the highest honor for a graduating business senior.

Recipient: Audrey Berlie, for dedicating her time to integrating sustainability and business

Business School Foundation Theodore J. Surynt Merit Award for Business Systems Analytics

Recipient: Kelly Lui, graduating with academic honors as a major in Marketing and minors in Creative Writing and Business Systems and Analytics

Business School Foundation E.C. Furlong Merit Award for Management

Recipient: Mira Lea Piepenbrink, analyst and team leader for the Hatter Angel Network

Business School Foundation Merit Award for Professional Sales

Recipient: Robert Isaac Choate, double-major in Finance and Professional Sales

Business School Foundation Eugene M. Lynn Merit Award for Finance 

Recipient: Braden Hill, Finance major and winner in the 2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge Florida

Business School Foundation Merit Award for Marketing

Recipient: Ashlyn Prewitt, completed her degree this past December as a double-major in Marketing and Management

[School of Music]

Presser Scholar

The Presser Scholar Award is the highest honor offered annually in the School of Music. 

Recipients: Isabel Barbato (versatile vocal talent capable of mastering a range of styles from Baroque to musical theater) and Dominique Robinson (exceptional music educator and a beacon of inspiration)

Outstanding Vocal Music Educator 

Recipient: Dominique Robinson

Outstanding Instrumental Music Educator 

Recipient: Sara Pyburn (a clarinet major, she showcased great proficiency across all instrument families)

[College of Arts and Sciences]

Ray V. Sowers Elementary Education Award 

Recipient: Juliana O’Hara, for the ability to balance coursework and the demands of teaching, plus excel at lacrosse

Ed Hamill Award for Outstanding Senior in Art  

Recipient: Madison Higgs, winner of the Student Choice award at the Annual Juried Exhibition and the Ann West Hall Travel Award, and a LaValle Experimental Learning Grant recipient

Michael McFarland Award for Outstanding Senior  

Recipient: Camille Taylor, for social justice and activism

Byron H. Gibson Award 

Recipient: Hosanna Folmsbee, winner of the English department’s highest award

Ronald L. and Margaret Smith Hall Philosophy Award 

Recipient: Grace Norgard, plans to attend Liberty University for a Master’s in Divinity

Dorothy L. Fuller Award

Recipient: Emily Thompson, winner for outstanding senior in Biology

American Institute of Chemists Foundation Outstanding Senior Award 

Recipient: Christian Berberich, double-major in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology

Rachel Carson Environmental Science Award

Recipients: Audrey Berlie and Megan Brinton (for academic achievements and service to the Central Florida region)

Health Sciences Scholarship and Service Award 

Recipients: Richelle Eastridge (active campus involvement and certifications in mental health first aid and music therapy/sound healing) and Elodie Foster (research assistant/coordinator who co-authored several manuscripts)

Outstanding Senior in Gender Studies 

Recipient: Carlye Mahler (Honors Program student with a double major in History and Communication & Media Studies, and minors in American Studies and Gender Studies)

Outstanding Student in Economics

Recipient: Grant Ellington, part of the Honors Program and the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honors Society

Gilbert L. Lycan History Award for Outstanding Senior 

Recipient: Mary Brandt (Interfaith Values fellow and SURE grant recipient) and Devin Hernandez (co-winner of the 2024 Colonel John Taylor Rhett History Manuscript Award)

William Amory Underhill Award

Recipient: Cody Larsen, for public service

Psychology Department Award for Excellence in Research

Recipient: Elodie Foster

Sergei Zenkovsky Prize in Russian Studies 

Recipient: Diana Nasreddine, heritage speaker of Russian who served as a language tutor

University Honors Program Award for Outstanding Senior 

Recipients: Audrey Berlie and Faith Hannah Lea (both have degrees in Science and Business Administration, with 3.998 GPAs)

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

This award is presented jointly by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation and Stetson to students whose personal example and influence throughout the campus best exemplify the noblest human qualities. It’s awarded to one male and one female student.

Male Recipient: Christian Berberich

Female Recipient: Richelle Eastridge

Etter McTeer Turner Award

The Turner Award, honoring Stetson’s first woman dean of students, recognizes outstanding academic performance, leadership and community service. 

Recipient: Audrey Berlie

-Michael Candelaria