Senior Casey O’Dell of Ware Shoals received the school’s top student honor, and Professor of English Dr. William Crenshaw the highest faculty prize

Erskine College senior Casey O’Dell of Ware Shoals received the school’s top student honor, and Professor of English Dr. William Crenshaw the highest faculty prize at the yearly Honors Day Convocation Thursday, in which students, faculty and staff members were recognized for scholarship, citizenship and artistic achievements.

O’Dell, who is completing a double major in biology and chemistry, was selected to receive the H.M. Young Ring, the highest of honors available to a member of the senior class. Children of the late H.M. Young, an Erskine graduate, gave the fund, the interest of which is to be used annually to purchase the H.M. Young Ring in memory of their father. The award is based on scholarship, Christian character, and promise of future usefulness to society. O’Dell’s name will be inscribed on a large plaque listing the names of Young Ring recipients for more than 60 years.

Crenshaw, who joined the Erskine faculty in 1976, received the Younts Excellence in Teaching Award. Administered by the faculty, which elects recipients from among teachers nominated by the student body, the award includes a cash gift provided in memory of the late Dr. C.R. Younts of Atlanta, Ga., former treasurer of the Erskine Board of Trustees and longtime patron of Erskine College.

Daniel Drechsler of Clover and Ashley Stafford of Lawrenceville, Ga., won the Sullivan Awards, presented annually by the New York Southern Society to “a man and a woman in the senior class who have shown such qualities of heart, mind, and conduct as evince love for and helpfulness to other men and women.”

The American Legion furnishes medals to a man and a woman in the senior class who have shown unusual and outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship. American Legion Medals this year were given to Alex Andryszak of Goose Creek and Kendal Shaffer of Chapin.

Senior Jessica Gregg of Chesnee won the Student Distinguished Service Award. Sponsored by the Office of Student Services, this award recognizes a student whose character and strong qualities of leadership have enabled the Erskine community to experience growth and development in all areas of campus life.

The College Faculty Endowed Scholarship, awarded for the first time last year, was given to Emily Drummond of Columbia. This scholarship goes to an outstanding student in the junior class who has shown excellence in the college’s academic program and outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas: research or independent study, professional service, and creative or performing arts.

The Paula Moore Dillingham Award was established in 1998 in remembrance of Paula Moore Dillingham, a 1988 graduate of Erskine College. The cash award is presented annually to a graduating senior in good standing with the college, who in the estimation of the selection committee shows promise of a faithful Christian life and servant hood and is the most qualified to exemplify Paula’s life of exuberance, joy, love and loyalty, representing the purpose of Erskine College — “Knowledge Joined with Morals.” The award was given to Sarah Edge of Conway.

The winner of the Mary McDill Family Life Institute Award was senior Jessica Huskey of Lyman. The Mary McDill Family Life Institute recognizes Miss Mary McDill, retired professor of home economics. It is given to a student majoring in behavioral science that has shown satisfactory academic performance, contributed to campus life, and exhibited professional potential.

Winner of the Dr. M. Burton Brown Psychology Award was senior Ashley Stafford of Lawrenceville, Ga. This award goes to a psychology major that, in the opinion of the department faculty, is the most outstanding in academic achievement and is a contributor to campus life. The late Dr. Brown, former professor of psychology, established this fund upon his retirement in 1976.

The Brawley Memorial Music Scholarship was awarded to junior Barry Dreier of Rock Hill. This scholarship was established by the family of the late Dr. John G. Brawley Jr., longtime professor of music at the college. The recipient is to be an instrumental music major and member of Sinfonia demonstrating outstanding talent and proficiency.

The J. Todd Kincannon Award is given in honor of Kincannon, a 2002 graduate of Erskine College who earned a triple major in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The award is given to students in each of five categories: chemistry, mathematics, physics, home schooled and transfers. Recipients must be upperclassmen who have shown exceptional academic achievement. This year’s recipients were senior Heather Blythe of Waxhaw, N.C. (physics); junior Hudson Smith of Piedmont (mathematics); senior Laura Leathers of Rock Hill (chemistry); sophomore Mitchell Hunt of Honea Path, (transfer); and freshman Joseph Spate of Greenwood (home schooled).

The Roy M. Smith Mathematics Scholarship is funded by a generous gift from the estate of Elizabeth B. Smith. This year’s scholars were juniors Annette DuPree of Fort Mill, Jonathan Hornby of Grayson, Ga., Katie Moore of Laurens and Hudson Smith of Piedmont.

Junior LaBorde Coble of Columbia received the Bernard L. Poole Government Award, given by the Abbeville Rotary Club in memory of Dr. Poole, a former professor of government at Erskine, to a student showing excellence in the study of American Government.

The McGee History Award, furnished by the family of the late W. Frank McGee, an Anderson businessman and loyal supporter of Erskine College, in his memory, was given to seniors Jaymeson Benton of Columbia and Hannah Crisler of St. Louis, Mo. The award is presented annually to the students judged most outstanding in the field of history by the faculty of the Department of History and Politics.

The Fennell-Lindsay Scholarship, established by Helen Ligon of Greenville, a former voice teacher at Erskine and founder of the Choraleers, honors Mrs. Langdon S. Ligon, the former Minnie Fennell, and pays tribute to the ties between the Fennell and Lindsay families and Erskine College. Recipients are to show promise of future usefulness to society and demonstrate merit, with preference given to history majors. Junior Lydia Hill of Greenville was this year’s recipient.

The Robert Stone Galloway Americanism Scholarship was given to sophomore Emily Robinson of Belmont, N.C. This is an award given annually based on a paper on Americanism, and is in honor of the late Robert S. Galloway of Due West. It was established by the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond as adviser for the John P. Gaty Charitable Trust.

The Joseph Wightman Scholarship, a memorial scholarship honoring the ninth president of Erskine College, is given to students based on academic achievement, financial need, potential for future usefulness to society and positive campus leadership skills, with preference given to history majors. Junior Jared Baker of Summerville was this year’s recipient.

The W. Lindsay Wilson Scholarship was established in honor of Wilson, a historian, genealogist and native of the Old Abbeville District, and is given to a junior or senior history major with special interest in the history of the Piedmont section of South Carolina, South Carolina history, or southern United States history in general. Junior Katherine McMullen of Waxhaw, N.C., was this year’s winner.

The Hanora Cuddy Dorn Scholarship Fund was established to provide a lasting tribute to Dorn. Recipients are to demonstrate superior achievement with an aptitude and desire for the study of English, Foreign Languages or History. Chosen this year were freshmen Kristina Culbreth of Newberry, Ellis Evans of Liberty and Lisa Jones of Gastonia, N.C. (English); and sophomore Randy Hudson of Lincolnton, N.C., junior Stephanie McAllister of Early Branch, sophomore Ryan Northey of Mount Holly, N.C., and junior Michael Sewall of Falls Church, Va. (history).

The Emily Dean Millice Scholarship is awarded to recipients of high moral character who in the opinion of the scholarship committee are worthy of the high honor associated with the scholarship. Recipients shall either fully intend to major in English, as in the case of an incoming freshman, or be majoring in English, as in the case of a currently enrolled student. This year’s recipients were sophomore Annie Baldwin of Savannah, Ga., and freshmen Kristina Culbreth of Newberry, Shannon Field of Sumter, Sarah LaCourse of Taylors, Katelin Manley of Gray Court and Victoria Unthank of West Columbia.

The Edgar Long English Award is offered by friends and family in memory of Long, a distinguished English professor. The award is given to a junior or senior English major chosen by the English faculty on the basis of excellence of work done and promise of future growth. Senior Hannah Crisler of St. Louis, Mo., was this year’s recipient.

Recipients of the Dessie Dean Pitts Award were seniors Rebekah George of Mauldin and Emily Roberts of Florence. This award was established by the late Mrs. Pitts, a former English professor at Erskine College, and is designed to encourage students who, by proficiency in reading comprehension, forensics, and the study of literature, have demonstrated ability, ambition and incentive for success in their life work.

The William C. and Margaret Miller Scholarship was awarded to freshman Sarah La Course of Taylors, sophomores Laura Caskey of Lancaster and Emily Robinson of Belmont, N.C., and juniors Elizabeth DeVault of Easley and Howard Wellons of Gastonia, N.C. Recipients are to demonstrate high moral character, usefulness to society and either a declared English major or strong inclination to major in English.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society Grant-in-Aid Award was presented to junior Anna Zwart of Gilbert. This award is given to an outstanding female student who has chosen to enter the field of education, with the recipient chosen on the basis of academic standing, contributions to school and community, and dedication to education.

The Robert and Mildred Cunningham Excellence in Teaching Award was established by the daughters and Robert and Millie Cunningham to encourage a legacy of distinction at Erskine in the field of education promoting teaching as a profession. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated the ability to integrate technology and the classroom setting. This year’s awards went to seniors Tiffany Driscoll of Columbia, Michelle Hornby of Grayson, Ga., and Katherine Malmquist of Anderson.

The Rev. Forrest W. and Kathryn S. Sherrill Scholarship was given to sophomores Anna Cason of Anderson and Randy Hudson of Lincolnton, N.C. The Sherrill Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Judith Sherrill Bazemore of Spartanburg to honor her parents. Recipients are to be juniors or seniors of exceptionally good character, majoring in elementary education and committed to a career in elementary education.

Teacher Education Scholarships are given by the Department of Education on the basis of potential usefulness to the teaching profession, need, and scholarship. This year’s recipients were juniors Kristin Gainey of Hartsville and Brianna Prater of Westminster.

The Micah Mandate Scholarship Fund seeks to acknowledge a student whose life is characterized by an effort to sincerely pursue justice, mercy and humility primarily in the way the Lord requires and secondarily, in the way Erskine desires. This year’s recipient was junior Will Miller of Gilbert.

An award was established in 1986 honoring Dr. William F. Junkin III, professor of physics at Erskine for many years. The award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of physics. Junior Hudson Smith of Piedmont received this year’s award.

Winners of the Everette Askins Sloan Award were seniors Heather Blythe of Waxhaw, N.C., and Eric Coleman of Columbia. This award is given each year to the most outstanding students in physical chemistry, in honor of the late Dr. E.A. Sloan, professor of chemistry and physics and former dean of the college.

The E.L. Reid Awards in Chemistry, one given to the freshman student making the highest grades in general chemistry during the year, and the other to the student making the highest grades in organic chemistry, were presented to freshmen Molly Harpe of Anderson and Matthew Rice of Greer (general chemistry) and sophomores Brittany Brown of Rock Hill and Vincent Chauvette of Levis, Quebec (organic chemistry).

The Eugenia Gurney Carter Scholarship was awarded to freshman Kyle Abercrombie of Donalds and sophomore Brent Wells of Ware Shoals. This scholarship is given to chemistry major showing outstanding academic promise. It honors Carter, who taught chemistry at Hiwassee, Columbia and Presbyterian colleges, for her dedication to her family, lifelong learning, excellence in teaching and devotion to church.

The Dr. Calvin Graham Reid Pre-Medical Scholarship was established by the Phillip L. Van Every Foundation in Charlotte, N.C., to recognize Reid, an Erskine alumnus and athlete. He had a distinguished career in the profession of medicine in Charlotte for more than 25 years. Students taking the pre-medical course of study with an emphasis in chemistry receiving the scholarship this year were freshman Matthew Rice, Greer; sophomores Amanda Reavis, Mocksville, N.C., and Portia Thomas, Camden; and juniors Megan Busch, Round O, and Steve Robertson, Matthews, N.C.

The James N. Bonner Scholarship was awarded to sophomores Brittany Brown of Rock Hill, Rebecca Brown of Anderson and Taylor Wolfe of Gastonia, N.C.; and junior McKenzie Campbell of Belton. This scholarship honors the memory of Bonner, who served Erskine as professor of chemistry and physics and as registrar.

Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Reid Scholarships were awarded to freshmen Chandler Adkins, Gray Court, Molly Harpe, Anderson, Fernando Perez, Gastonia, N.C.; and Chris Waugh, Gastonia, N.C.; sophomore Nikki Miller, Simpsonville; and juniors Katie Henderson, Greenwood and Jocelyn Smith, Greer. This scholarship fund was established by the children of Dr. Reid, who taught chemistry at Erskine for over 60 years, and Mrs. Reid, who taught music at the Due West Woman’s College.

The Dr. E.A. Sloan Scholarship was given to freshmen Kaitlyn Lollis of Clinton and Courtney Balcome of Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Sloan Scholarship is given to a chemistry major of high academic achievement and promise of future usefulness to society.
The Richard Austin Lazenby Scholarship was given to sophomore Oliver Smalls, Charleston; and juniors Rebekah Kidd, Fayetteville, Tenn., and Hannah Oates, Bartow, Fla. The Lazenby Scholar shall be a student majoring in business and shall show promise of future usefulness to society while emphasizing characteristics of the highest in moral and ethical behavior as exemplified by Lazenby, an Erskine College alumnus and a man of principle, integrity, courage, determination, intellect and faith. He began his career as a teacher and moved into the corporate sector.

The Bolt-Squires Scholarship was awarded to sophomores Jourdan Page of Anderson and Cade Weatherly of Lexington. The fund was established in memory of Cornelia Bolt Squires, wife of William H. Squires and mother of William H. Squires Jr., Harold Tappey Squires, Laura Ann Bierly and Cornelia Squires Decker. It is also a tribute to Mrs. Squires’ parents, Harold Tracy Bolt and Laura Clinkscales Bolt.

The Jacob O. Kamm Scholarship was presented to freshmen J.P. Duncan, York, Katelin Manley, Gray Court, Matt Sluga, Greer, and Kevin Ussery, York; sophomores Joe Anderson, Belton, Patricia Cardinale, Rock Hill, Samantha Collier, Columbia, Raleigh Davenport, Belton, Tyler Evans, Alcolu, Alesia Jerrells, Blythewood, Katelin Manley, Gray Court, and Jourdan Page, Anderson; and juniors Beth Carlisle, Essex Junction, Vt., Andres Castano, Winter Garden, Fla., Rebekah Kidd, Fayetteville, Tenn., Rebecca King, Tillman, Hannah Oates, Bartow, Fla., Lauren Parrish, Easley, Hugh Russell, Greenville, and Amanda Tinker, Enoree. This program provides annual scholarships for business and economics majors with the highest grade point ratio in courses taken in the department.

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Leadership Award, given for most outstanding leadership in the development and sustainability of the SIFE program along with leadership in the development and implementation of service projects, was presented to eight students: freshman Kevin Ussery, York; sophomores Sam Collier, Columbia, and Will Middleton, Anderson; juniors Rebekah Kidd, Fayetteville, Tenn., Hannah Oates, Bartow, Fla., and Cory Robinson, Clinton; and seniors Kim Bussey, Vero Beach, Fla., and Alex Kessell, Gastonia, N.C.

The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, presented to a graduating business major based on knowledge of accounting, economics and finance as well as overall performance and service to the business program, was given to seniors Kim Bussey, Vero Beach, Fla., Alex Kessell, Gastonia, N.C., and Kendall Wurtz, Mooresville, N.C.

The Galloway Award, a certificate and medallion presented to the senior who scores the highest on the business capstone exam, is given in honor of Professor Louis Galloway, who taught the first business course at Erskine in 1915. This year’s recipient was David Hubbs of Florence.

The William Lee Ellison Biology Award was given to four seniors: David Camak, Ware Shoals; Jessica Cooley, Pelzer; Charles Kidd, Fayetteville, Tenn.; and Casey O’Dell, Ware Shoals. Sponsored by the Tri Beta Biological Society in memory of the late Dr. Ellison, professor of biology at Erskine College, this award recognizes outstanding senior students in biology.

Receiving the Dr. Calvin Graham Reid Pre-Medical Scholarship in biology, established by the Phillip L. Van Every Foundation in Charlotte, N.C., were juniors Daniela Arias of Columbia and Dezirea Jones of Rock Hill. An Erskine alumnus, Reid served the Charlotte area as a physician for more than 25 years.

Receiving the Beta Beta Beta Award for Service and Achievement were sophomores Sarah Brown of Clarks Hill and Angelo Ciarrocchi of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Province, South Africa, and senior Jessica Cooley of Pelzer. Beta Beta Beta is the biological honor society.

The T.D. Brown Scholarship, honoring the late Erskine College professor of biology Thomas D. Brown, was awarded to juniors Lauren Files, Bremen, Ga., Kerry Fincher, Easley, Kristy Fincher, Easley, and Sarah Franco, Williamston.

The American Association of University Women Freshman Awards were given to Erin Tovo, Aiken (art); Kelley Griffin, Due West, (Bible); Anna Dailey, Clinton, Brandon Hammond, Belmont, N.C., Logan Hammond, Belmont, N.C., Kelsey Spurrier, Charlotte, N.C., and Lana Ward, Gaffney, (biology); J.P. Duncan, York, Kevin Ussery, York, and Schadell Brooks, Belmont, N.C., (business); Chandler Atkins, Gray Court, Courtney Balcome, Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada, Heather Emch, Chapel Hill, N.C., and Kaitlyn Lollis, Clinton (chemistry); Will Cooper, Greenville, Kelley Griffin, Due West, Abby Hope, Due West, Leighton Morgan, Greenville, and Lana Ward, Gaffney (English); Heath Major, Anderson, Liz Massey, Greenville, and Chelsea Strupper, Simpsonville (health and human performance; Heather Emch, Chapel Hill, N.C., Eric Goodwin, Greenville, and Victoria Unthank, West Columbia, (history); Schadell Brooks, Belmont, N.C., and Peter Kim, Rock Hill (music); Emily Brown, Clemson, (physics); Joseph Spate, Greenwood (politics); and Megan Kunkle, Sumter (psychology).

Recipients of the James William Thomson Bible Scholarship, awarded to students at or above the sophomore level majoring in one of the programs offered by the Department of Bible and Religion, were sophomore Jon Oliphant, Taylors; and juniors Kaela Brown, Bradenton, Fla.; Scott Cook, Easley; Zach Keuthan, Belmont, N.C.; and Christina Land, Simpsonville.

The Paul P. McCain Library Award, established by the late alumnus Dr. J.A. Young in memory of alumnus Dr. Paul P. McCain, and given annually to a student who demonstrates the most profitable use of the library during the year, went to senior Hannah Crisler of St. Louis, Mo.

The Dr. Janet Alexander Scholarship was awarded to sophomore Vincent Chauvette of Levis, Quebec, Canada. The Student Christian Association established this fund, which awards scholarships to foreign students, to honor Alexander, a medical missionary to Pakistan and physician at Erskine College.

Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Rob Elsner was named Renaissance Person of the Year. Alpha Psi Omega gives this award to one who has contributed the most to the cultural arts at Erskine College.

Charles Hardy of Iva received the Patrick Lee Davis Award, given annually in honor of the late Patrick Davis, Class of 1979, to a senior of the Rho Psi cast.

Erskine College and Seminary President Dr. Randall T. Ruble received SGA’s Distinguished Servant Leadership Award for 2009-10. This award recognizes a member of the Erskine College community who has exemplified the ideals of servant leadership.

Vice President for Student Services Dr. Robyn Agnew was named the Athenian Literary Society’s Woman of the Year for service, leadership and interest in the Erskine family.

SOURCE: http://www.erskine.edu/news/05.12.10/hd.05.12.10.htm