Faculty & Student Awards for Honors Convocation

Austin College hosts 2023 Honors Convocation, Presents Faculty and Student Awards

SHERMAN, TX – The Austin College Honors Convocation returned to Wynne Chapel on Thursday, April 20, with seniors and faculty processing into Clifford J. Grum Sanctuary for the final formal gathering of the academic year until Commencement weekend.

2023 HOMER P. RAINEY AWARD
After a welcome from President Steven P. O’Day, the ceremony began with the presentation of the Homer P. Rainy award, which is given annually to a faculty or staff member in recognition of outstanding achievement or exemplary service to Austin College. The award was created by the Board of Trustees in 1975 by the Board of Trustees in memory of Homer P. Rainey, a 1919 graduate of Austin College. Rainey subsequently earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago and taught at Austin College as well as several other colleges around the country.  A strong and constant champion of academic freedom, he also served as president at four institutions during his career. He was selected as a member of Austin College’s Athletic Hall of Honor, a Distinguished Alumnus of the College, and received both an Honorary Doctorate from Austin College and the College’s Founders Medal.

This year two recipients were honored with Homer P. Rainey awards: Dr. Ricky Duhaime, Professor of Music, and Kim Snipes, Biology Lab Coordinator & Adjunct Instructor in Biology (posthumously).

FACULTY CHAIR INSTALLATIONS 
Three faculty members were installed to faculty chairs and professorships by Dr. Beth Gill, vice president for Academic Affairs, and the President. “An investiture is an ancient academic ceremony that has symbolized the pursuit of knowledge since the Middle Ages,” Gill said. “A faculty chair is created through the establishment of an endowed fund, often by a private donor. The investiture ceremony honors the faculty member and the generosity of donors who create the funds.”

The faculty installed in chairs and professorships:

• Wayne Crannell in The Mildred S. Mosher Professorship in Music
• Audrey Flemming in The Shelton L. Williams Professorship of Comparative and International Politics
• Mikidadu Mohammed in The Jack B. Morris Professorship in Economic Policy

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS
Austin College also recognized excellence in teaching each year with two faculty awards: The College’s nominee to the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Professor Award and the Austin College Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Award.

For 2023, the Piper Professor Nominee is Dr. Ashley Tharayil, associate professor of economics, and the Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Award recipient is Dr. Andrea Overbay, associate professor of mathematics.

RECOGNITION OF RETIRING FACULTY
The ceremony continued with the recognition of retiring faculty. Only one member of the faculty is retiring this year: Dr. Ricky Duhaime.  Dr. Beth Gill recognized Dr. Duhaime’s contributions to Austin College, saying “Great teaching by dedicated teachers, artists, and scholars is at the heart of an Austin College education. I consider this opportunity as a great privilege and an honor to express gratitude to this highly reputed and honorable retiring faculty member who, for 45 years, has inspired students and his colleagues. He has promoted musical insights and intellectual curiosity that shaped and will continue to shape our students’ professional and personal lives.”

PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED EARLIER
Before proceeding to the day’s student award announcements, Dr. Gill also recognized students who have been honored in prestigious award announcements earlier this spring. These include Go! Fellowship recipients, students who are participating in the Departmental Honors Program, Hallam Citizen Scholars, Sally Posey Leadership Fellows, Scarbrough Fellows, and Sumners Scholars.

Fulbright Awards
Two seniors were also recognized for prestigious Fulbright awards: Addison Norman is a semifinalist for a Fulbright/Manchester Metropolitan University Creative Writing Award, and Natalia Nevarez is a semifinalist for an English Teaching Assistantship in South Korea (final selection will be made this summer). The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Go! Fellows
Austin College Global Outreach Fellowships support student engagement and servant leadership opportunities in working with community development projects around the globe each summer. Created in 2007 through a grant from the Todd and Abby Williams Family Foundation, the fellowship program is designed to support more than 250 students over two decades. The 2022-23 recipients are: Riley Cregg, Jack Graman, and Jessilyn Tran.

Departmental Honors Program
A student with excellent research potential and exceptional performance in the major may be invited to participate in the Departmental Honors Program. Emphasizing independent investigation, the program culminates in a bachelor’s thesis, defended in oral examination. Successful completion is indicated on the diploma as “Honors in (Discipline).” Founded in 1965, the program is open by invitation only. The students below have completed the requirements for honors in 2023.

Avery Atencio, Economics; Charley Bartolo, Anthropology ; Beau Beshires, Chemistry ; Anika Chand, Chemistry ; Katherine Cox, Public Health; Caroline Fowler, Psychology; Diana Gomez, Spanish; Cayden Griffith, Anthropology; Zachary Griffith, Classics; Jedidiah Lim, Public Health; Katherine McBroom, Biology; Mariagisse Morales, Spanish; Adam Myers, Biology; Tate Nelson, Mathematics; Addison Norman, English; Shruti Raghavan, Biology; Larry Ramirez Quintana, English; Austin Rue, Chemistry; Marcus Slonaker, Economics; Becca Tobias, Chemistry; James Truitt, History; Lora Vaughan, Psychology; Sydney Versen, Biology. 

The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholars
Hallam Citizen Scholars are those who have demonstrated a commitment to community service in addition to outstanding academic performance. The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholar Program was established in 2000 by Robert and Sara Hallam of Dallas, Texas, in response to an Austin College challenge grant issued by the Houston Endowment. 2023 recipients are: Lana Abou-Khamis, Rooha Alexender, Alyssa Daniels, Caroline Fowler, Amna Haque, Zoe Martir, Roopika Menta Kishore, Mariagisse Morales, Rebecca Osei, Alejandra Salinas Garza, Lara Shehadeh, Rund Shehadeh, Cassandra Silva Salas, Kayla Vanderburg, and Madison Wilson.

Sally Posey Leadership Fellows
The Sally Posey Leadership Fellows Scholarship Program was established to allow students to participate in events and experiences that expand their personal leadership development. PLI Fellows are engaged throughout the Austin College community and beyond to demonstrate leadership that creates positive social change.

2023 Inductees are: Tyra Bennett, Shayla Caldwell, Nia Carter, Blume Cernero, Bryanna Cortes Pinedo, Jacob Johnson, Renata Loyo Perez, Emeri Watson, and Chloe Wright.

Scarbrough Fellows
The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Program in the Humanities and Social Sciences was created in honor of former Austin College professors Dr. Paul Beardsley (theatre) and Dr. Clyde Hall (economics), and supports faculty-sponsored student research. Two were awarded in 2023, to Danielle Saltzman, English, and Emma Schlomann, English.

Sumners Scholars
The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation was established in 1949 for the study and teaching of the science of self-government. Now the Sumners Foundation and its trustees seek young men and women who are civically engaged and possess a capacity for leadership. Sumners Scholars demonstrate academic excellence, a sense of civic responsibility, and potential for leadership. This year, one Austin College student was selected for this honor: Nia Carter.

THE AWARDS OF THE DAY
In addition to the recognition of faculty, Honors Convocation is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of Austin College students through the awarding of more than 100 endowed scholarships and awards. The students are chosen by departmental faculty to represent academic excellence in departments across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. Some of these scholarships have existed for decades, having been established by donors in memory of faculty, family, or fellow alumni. “All have been made possible by the generosity of those who believe in the mission of Austin College and its students,” Gill said.

Departmental chairs or their representatives were on stage to congratulate students, which divisional deans were at the podium announcing the awards. The Dean of Social Sciences is Dr. Lisa Brown, psychology; Dean of Sciences is Mr. Michael Higgs, mathematics and computer science; and Dean of Humanities is Dr. Greg Kinzer, English.

Following is a list of student award recipients, in alphabetical order, along with their award names.

Nolan Adams received the Christopher L. Elliott Memorial Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Political Science.

Kimberly Aguilar received the Anna L. Anderson Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.

Jacqueline Barboza received the John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Modern Languages for Spanish.

Tyra Bennett received the Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.

Marianna Bert received the Emily A. Coe Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Exercise and Sport Science or Education, and the Charles Curtis McKinney Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Psychology.

Ashley Boatright received the George L. Landolt Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.

Clay Bourne received the Reverend David A. Sharp Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Music and Religious Life.

Miranda Brown received the Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Classics.

Liberty Chanin received the Dorothy Abernathy Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership in the Church.

Austin Coe received the Sig Lawson Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Alyssa Cox received the John Cameron Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in French.

Riley Cregg received the John S. and Rachel Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Religious Studies, the Russell V. Rogers Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund for an Outstanding Student Studying for the Ministry, and the Hanschen Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.

Evan Cueva received the William B. “Bill” Davis Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Sarah Davis received the William B. Steele, Genevieve Wakefield Steele, and Sue Steele Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Liberal Arts.

Cody Dean received the Henry L. and Laura H. Shoap Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.

Leah Ding received the Stephen Dudley and Lillie S. Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in the Sciences and the Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Erwin Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.

Zoë Doyle received the S. D. Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in English.

James Drenner received the Hope Ridings Miller Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in History.

Justus Fagan received the Mary Foulks Gourley and Lloyd E. Gourley Prize for an Outstanding Student in Physics.

Bridget Ferris received the Anne Lorraine Dennis Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry and the E. Don and Ann R. Williams Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Heather Foster received the Charles “Bo” Miller Scholar/Athlete Award for an Outstanding Athlete who Excels in Academics.

Alejandra Salinas Garza received the E. H. Black Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education and the Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Isabel Garrison received the Hope Ridings Miller Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Literature.

Elanor Goldsmith received the Anne Lorraine Dennis Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.

Josue Gonzalez received the Thomas Edgar and Kathryn Heard Craig Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.

Sam Gonzalez received the Howard McCarley Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.

Frank Goodavish received the M. D. “Bud” Bryant Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Biology.

Gabriel Graf received the Bradshaw Frederick Armendt Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.

Garrett Guthrie received the Dr. Thomas Baker Memorial Endowed Academic Honors Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Brenda Herrera received the Karen Toda Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.

Hannah Herron received the Anna Laura Page Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Music and the Verta Eckman Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.

Brittany Hutton received the Gerald H. Hinkle Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Philosophy.

Carrie Johnson received the Frank Mayborn Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Journalism and the Hope Ridings Miller Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Journalism.

Jason Jones Jr. received the Bonnie J. Beardsley Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.

Megan Kiel received the Foster Award for an Outstanding Student in Music.

Arianna Kermally received the Bernice and Sara Rebecca Honea Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Megan Kiel received the Laura H. Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.

Taylor Levan received the E. H. Black Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Christian Luera received the Charles “Bo” Miller Scholar/Athlete Award for an Outstanding Athlete who Excels in Academics.

Miguel Liuzzi received the P. S. Wharton Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry and the Dr. Arthur Springall Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.

Sebastião Martin received the Jerry Lincecum and Peggy Redshaw Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English.

Susan Martinez received the Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Katherine McBroom received the Brittain Memorial Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.

Dauvo McDonald received the Joaquin Johnson Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Law.

Cory McGrath received the Paul W. Beardsley Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.

Chase Mitchelson received the Scott H. Boyd, M.D., Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Psychology.

Alexzandra Morgan received the Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service.

Mariagisse Morales received the Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award.

Jackson Mullis received the Folbre Prize for an Outstanding Student in History.

Adam Myers received the Andy and Narcadean Buckner Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.

Paola Paulin received the John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Modern Languages for Spanish.

Phoebe Nguyen received the M. D. “Bud” Bryant Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Biology and the Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Erwin Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies and the Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.

Ella Nunneley received the Reverend David A. Sharp Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Music and Religious Life and the Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.

Danny Orozco received the Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service.

Nolan Adams received the Clara Zauk Binkley and James Binkley Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Foreign Languages for German.

Keely Perry received the Thomas W. Folbre Jr. Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in History.

Rebekah Perales received the Grace Dupree Ridings Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Literature.

Christian Peterson received the E. Don and Ann R. Williams Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Jarrett Pleasant received the Daniel L. and Martha P. Nuckols Award for an Outstanding Student in Economics.

Shruti Ramesh received the Dr. Paul Geers Award for Excellence in Pre-Medical Achievement.

Maggie Reed received the Scott H. Boyd, M.D., Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Psychology.

Alejandrina Reyes received the Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Frances Rogers received the Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Classics.

Danielle Saltzman received the Lois Jenkins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English.

Josh Sangalli received the P. S. Wharton Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry and the Wilbur Powell Computer Science Award for an Outstanding Student in Computer Science.

Emma Schlomann received the Grace Dupree Ridings Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Literature and the Mary Edna Finch Bryson Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in the Austin Teacher Program.

Nicholas Schmidt received the S. D. Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in English.

Rund Shehadeh received the Alfred Lafayette Ridings Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.

Kennedy Shumate received the Jayne C. Chamberlin Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication Studies.

Berenice Soto received the Anna Laura Page Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Music and the Margaret Zauk Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.

Carlos Suárez received the George L. Landolt Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.

Samantha Thiele received the Lois Jenkins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English.

Christine Tomasino received the Hope Ridings Miller Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Humanities, the Minnette C. Shipley Endowed Award for an Outstanding Student in Art, and the Paul W. Beardsley Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.

Danya Van Vuuren received the Peggy Redshaw and Jerry Lincecum Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Biology.

Jaidyn Vankirk received the Shellene Kelley Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Computer Science.

Hector Vergara received the Clara Zauk Binkley and James Binkley Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Foreign Languages for German.

Clemon White received the Hope Ridings Miller Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Humanities and the Stephen F. Austin Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in History.

Willa White received the Catherine Rosalie Fincher Kucera Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English or History.

Janet York received the Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award and the E. H. Black Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.

Michelle Zhu received the Suzanna B. and Joe M. Norwood Endowed Award for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.

Members of the College’s 17 national and international honor societies are also recognized at Honors Convocation with all current members listed in the event program. The College houses chapters of Phi Beta Chi, national undergraduate honor society; Alpha Chi, national college honor society; Alpha Psi Omega, national theatre honor society; Beta Beta Beta, national biological honor society; Chi Alpha Sigma, the College’s recently affiliated national college athlete honor society; Delta Phi Alpha, national German honor society; Eta Sigma Phi, honor society for classical studies; Omicron Delta Epsilon, international honor society of economics; Phi Alpha Theta, national history honor society; Pi Delta Phi, national French honor society; Pi Sigma Alpha, national political science honor society; Psi Chi, international honor society in psychology; Sigma Delta Pi, national collegiate Hispanic honor society; Sigma Pi Sigma, physics honor society; Sigma Tau Delta, international English honor society; and Sigma Xi, international scientific research honor society.