Honors presented to top faculty and students at CCU
Blair Paul, a senior marine science major of Queenston, Ontario, received the 2007-2008 Faculty's Distinguished Student Excellence Award. Candidates for this award, selected by a faculty committee, must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.75, the endorsement of a faculty adviser and a record of academic honors. Paul, whose GPA is 3.91, is captain of Coastal's cross country team and a participant in Coastal's Honors Program. He was selected for summer internships at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and at Harvard University's Biological Laboratories. Paul also volunteered to serve as a tutor to CCU math and science majors and as a mentor at Whittemore Park Middle School in Conway.
Marissa Mitzner, a senior management major from Charleston, W.Va., received the 2007-2008 Ronald D. Lackey Service Award. Named in honor of the late Coastal faculty member and university chaplain, the award is given annually to a senior who has served the university through involvement and leadership in campus organizations. Mitzner is Coastal's first Student Sustainability Coordinator, and she has been instrumental in developing programs that promote conservation and "green" initiatives on campus. In addition, Mitzner is president of the Students for Environmental Action (SEA), a Jackson Scholar and a Resident Assistant. Last summer Marissa interned at Captain Planet, a nonprofit organization in Atlanta that funds environmental education grants for K-12 students worldwide.
Steve Hamelman, professor of English, received the Distinguished Teacher Scholar Lecturer Award. Sponsored by HTC Inc., this award was initiated in 1996 to recognize faculty members who distinguish themselves as teachers, scholars and communicators. Hamelman specializes in American literature and popular culture, particularly rock 'n' roll music. He is the author of "But Is It Garbage? On Rock and Trash," published by the University of Georgia Press in 2004, and has published extensively in academic journals. Hamelman is also the drummer of Coastal's faculty rock band, Virtue Trap.
Barbara Norvell, assistant professor of early childhood education, was named Teacher of the Year, an annual honor presented by Coastal's Student Government Association. Norvell joined the Coastal faculty in 2005, and her research focus is on the efficacy of recess and play environments within elementary education. She earned a Ph.D. from Auburn University and has taught kindergarten, second and third grades.
Lee Bollinger, associate professor of communication, was presented the Student Affairs Division Award. Bollinger, who joined the Coastal faculty in 1999, earned a Ph.D. in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina and has written extensively for newspapers, magazines and academic journals. For the past two years she has chaired the Campus Judicial Board.
Charmaine Tomczyk, associate director of library services, was recognized for receiving the Robert L. Morlan Faculty Secretary Award in honor of her contribution to Coastal's chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the national leadership honor society. This national award recognizes individuals involved with ODK who have devoted years of distinguished service to the organization.
Two new awards have been added this year to recognize the crucial contribution made by faculty and staff in their capacity as advisers. Brianne Parker was named Distinguished First Year Adviser, and Deborah C. Walker was named Distinguished Collegiate Adviser of the Year.
Departmental awards were presented to 33 students in recognition of outstanding academic accomplishments and contributions to the academic quality of their respective departments. The following awards were presented:
E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration:
* Accounting - Richard J. Zook of Pawleys Island
* Finance - Liliya Sabaleuskaya of Myrtle Beach
* Management - Wendy A. Bernstein of Myrtle Beach
* Marketing - Martin J. Keiser of Fairfield, Conn.
* Economics - Victoria Livinski of Myrtle Beach
* Master of Business Administration - Christopher A. Halkowitz of Johnson City, Tenn.
* Resort Tourism Management - Elizabeth J. Vickery of Rock Hill
Spadoni College of Education:
* Early Childhood Education - Shanna D. Aughinbaugh of Canton, Ohio
* Elementary Education - Brandi L. Johnson of Galivants Ferry
* Middle Grades Education - Jerry L. Pappas of Surfside Beach
* Health Promotion - Jamie D. Lee of Marion
* Recreation and Sport Management - Laura Moran of Bel Air, Md.
* Physical Education - Katie M. Jenkins of Blackwood, N.J.
* Secondary Education - MAT- Sugar E. Kirk of Gatlinburg, Tenn.
* Special Education - Cheryllynn A. Cardlin of West Islip, N.Y.
Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts:
* Communication - S. Ashleigh Gunning of Baton Rouge, La.
* Dramatic Arts - Jessica E. Leach of Greenwood
* English - Matthew G. Molzan of Surfside Beach
* Foreign Language - Danielle M. Paese of Greer
* History - Kate Mitchell of Pelzer
* Interdisciplinary Studies - Dawn L. DePencier of Myrtle Beach
* Music - Kenton L. Simon of Darlington
* Musical Theatre - Ernest L. Gerrald, III of Galivants Ferry
* Philosophy and Religion - Jonathan D. White of Little River
* Politics and Geography - Jonathan D. White of Little River
* Visual Arts - Jeremy P. Alford of Conway
College of Natural and Applied Sciences:
* Biology - Sunni D. Stewart of Rockview, W.Va.
* Chemistry and Physics - Donald F. Kavanagh of Hagerstown, Md.
* Computer Science - Anant Pradhan of Cary, N.C.
* Marine Science - Nicole A. Kuenzel of Westminster, Colo.
* Mathematics - Felicitas B. Mensing of Neuhausen, Germany
* Psychology - Alexander R. Kohorst of Cincinnati, Ohio
* Sociology - Jonathan E. Sharp of Georgetown