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CCU Convocation honors students and faculty

May 9, 2014

Awards were presented to Coastal Carolina University students and faculty for academic achievement and recognition at the annual Honors Convocation held today in Wheelwright Auditorium.

Aaron Smith, a double major in math and computer science of Myrtle Beach, received the Distinguished Student Award that recognizes a student with superior accomplishments in both academics and campus service. Smith will be presented the President's Award at Saturday's commencement ceremony for achieving a cumulative 4.0 grade point average. He will pursue a Ph.D. in computer science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Denise Williams, a lecturer in mathematics and statistics, was voted 2013-2014 Distinguished Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed by students on a fair, caring and dynamic faculty member who is always available to help students learn. She joined the CCU faculty in 2009 and earned both undergraduate and master's degrees in mathematics education from the University of North Carolina Pembroke. She has been described by her students as not accepting failure and putting in extra work to help students succeed.

The 2013-2014 Distinguished Adviser of the Year went to Denise Davis, academic adviser in the Spadoni College of Education, who joined the CCU Office of Public Safety in 2006 while working on her master's degree. In 2011 she joined University College as an academic adviser and later moved to the education college.

Departmental awards were presented to students in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the academic quality of their respective departments. Candidates were nominated by department faculty.

University College:

Interdisciplinary Studies - Antonio Mark of Conway

E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration:

Accounting - Emily Bernard of Myrtle Beach

Economics (B.S.B.A) - Rachael Sismour of Chesterfield, Va.

Economics (B.A.) - Nathaniel Grimes of Henderson, Nev.

Finance - Matthew Peck of Stanley, N.Y.

Management - Courtney Boe of Bluffton

Marketing - Susan Nazimek of Woodbridge, N.J.

Master of Accountancy - Lee Franks of Pawleys Island

Master of Business Administration - Shane Boyd of Myrtle Beach

Resort Tourism Management - Meghan Miller of Union Bridge, Md.

Spadoni College of Education:

Early Childhood Education - Erica Norwood of Rock Hill

Elementary Education - Tonya Hewitt of Conway

Master of Arts in Teaching - Shannon Bogart of Myrtle Beach

Master of Education-Educational Leadership - Kelly Wilson of Myrtle Beach

Master of Education-Learning and Teaching - Jessica Moore of Conway

Middle Level Education - Chad Hamilton of Charleston

Physical Education - Cody Craig of Moncks Corner

Special Education - Jessica Paternoster of Conway

Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts:

Art Studio - Mary Elizabeth van der Horst of Myrtle Beach

Communication - Taylor Patton of Brick, N.J.

Dramatic Arts - Drew Hardy of Oxford, Ga.

English - Kenneth Lewis of Bishopville

Graphic Design - Tori Jordan of Loris

History - Matthew Tyler of Loris

Music - Zachary Andrew Patton of Myrtle Beach

Musical Theatre - Alexa Doggett of Round Rock, Texas

Philosophy - Lindsay Cortese of Myrtle Beach

Political Science - Anastasia Rhodes of Myrtle Beach

College of Science:

Biology - Romie Barnes of Conway

Biochemistry - Ina Troutman of Murrells Inlet

Chemistry - Tyler Aslund of Lexington

Computer Science - Brian Atkinson of Myrtle Beach

Exercise and Sport Science - Jessica Lee Otten of Bluffton

Health Administration - Tyrone Derrick Davis of Myrtle Beach

Health Promotion - Samantha Spivey of Lake View

Information Systems - Daria Horinbein of Myrtle Beach

Marine Science - Nathaniel Grimes of Henderson, Nev.

Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies - W. Beckett Hills of Conway

Mathematics and Statistics - Aaron Joseph Smith of Myrtle Beach

Nursing - Tiffany Stephens of Conway

Physics - Richard Floyd of Olanta

Psychology - Alysha McGrath of Conway

Recreation and Sport Management - Chad LeVan of Fleetwood, Pa.

Sociology - Amanda Bernadyn of Myrtle Beach