Catawba awards
Awards of special meritand achievement
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was given to Dr. Julie Chamberlain, associate professor of music, and Adam Ridenhour of Advance.
A committee of students and faculty choose both a student and a staff member annually to receive this award. It is given in recognition of fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living and with the belief that these persons will uphold the spiritual standards of Catawba by their noble characteristics. The award was established by the New York Southern Society as a permanent reminder of the noblest human qualities expressed and followed in the life of its first president Algernon Sydney Sullivan.
The 2010-2011 Staff Member of the Year is Sarah Rossini, Catawbaís director of housing and residence life. This award is presented annually and selection is made by a popular vote of the students.
Dr. Kenneth Clapp, who teaches in the religion and philosophy department and is the senior vice president and chaplain at Catawba, was selected as Teacher of the Year. The recipient, chosen by a popular vote of the students, demonstrates the best in classroom rapport, evidence of concern for students and intellectual stimulation.
Jane Young, who serves as coordinator of admissions records, was honored as the recipient of the Louise Tucker Staff Council Award. The award is given to a staff member who demonstrates outstanding work ethic and performance in their area, with nominations made by member of the Presidentís Council and the recipient selected by a vote of the Staff Council.
The Presidentís Award for Staff Excellence was presented to Jean Hall, administrative assistant to the Physical Education Department. The award is given annually to a member of the college staff who has distinguished him or herself in achieving excellence in job performance and who has contributed to strengthening of community spirit on campus. The recipient is selected through nominations from the entire faculty and staff, with a final selection from the nominations being made by the Staff Council.
Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, associate professor of political science, was the recipient of the Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teacher. The selection was made by the Faculty Senate to a member of the faculty judged to be an outstanding classroom teacher. The award was created by a gift from the late Hearn Swink, former Rowan County resident, official with Cannon Mills Company, and friend of the College.
Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science, was the recipient of the Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College. The award is given annually to the person or persons judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the institution. The recipient is selected by a vote of Catawbaís faculty senate. Dr. Silverburg has served Catawba College for 40 years and will retire from the College in May of this year.
Whitener Medal Recipients
The recipients of the Whitener Medals were announced at the awards convocation but will actually receive their awards during Catawbaís May 14 graduation exercise.
They are Kendra Joyner of Petersburg, Va., and Mark Ketterer of Hamilton, N.J. Named in honor of the late Dr. Edgar Whitener of High Point who served as president of the Catawba Board of Trustees from 1925-44, these awards are presented annually to the man and woman in the graduating class who combine in themselves, in the highest degree, the equalities of character, leadership and scholarship.
Selection is made by the faculty from the three men and three women who have received the highest number of votes in an election in which only members of the junior and senior class may vote.
Catawbaís Student NCAssoc. of Educators a Blue Ribbon chapter
In early April, the Catawba College Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE) became one of seven colleges and universities to be designated a blue ribbon chapter and was awarded a $150 prize for membership activities by the North Carolina Association of Educators.
Catawba College SNCAE officers submitted an application which detailed membership activities, community involvement and membership growth for the 2010-2011 school year.
Catawbaís Alpha ChiChapter a Star Chapter
Catawba senior Joe Manser of Mooresville and faculty sponsor Dr. Bethany Sinnott represented Catawba Collegeís North Carolina Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi at the national convention in San Diego March 31-April 2. The Catawba chapter received Star Chapter designation, as it has for 12 of the 14 years the awards have been offered.
Manser, the president of Catawbaís chapter and a chemistry major, gave a presentation on ěAnalysis of VOCS in Samples Used for Victim Recovery Canine Trials.î
The convention, attended by about 470 students and faculty sponsors, featured scholarly, creative and artistic presentations by more than 260 students and a national literacy service project of providing books to a local elementary school.
Alpha Chi has some 300 chapters in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Members are in the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors and graduate students in all academic fields.