Maryville College students receive 2021 Academic Awards
April 17, 2021
More than 60 students have been recognized with 61 academic awards for the 2020-21 school year.
The awards are typically given out during the Academic Awards Ceremony, held every April in the Clayton Center for the Arts; however, the College could not hold the in-person event this year, due to COVID-19 guidelines for indoor gatherings. Instead, award recipients, along with recipients of this year’s Leadership Awards, were honored virtually, through videos posted on Maryville College’s official social media channels during the week leading up to the April 17 announcement (see videos below). Awards are being mailed to the recipients.
“I’m so proud of these Maryville College students – they reflect our commitment to academic rigor, undergraduate research and breadth of learning,” said Dr. Daniel Klingensmith, vice president and dean of the College. “The only downside is that we can’t be holding this ceremony in person. Normally I get to call out the name of every award and its winner, and I’m disappointed that I can’t do that this year – it’s always fun. But we take a lot of satisfaction in the achievement of these students, in their self-discipline, intellectual growth, their willingness to use their growing wisdom for the common good.”
Recipients of Maryville College's 2021 Academic Awards and Leadership Awards were honored virtually this year, through a series of videos posted on Maryville College's official social media channels during the week leading up the April 17 announcement of the awards.
Below is a list of awards given and students recognized in all nine academic divisions, core curriculum and other departments.
CORE CURRICULUM
The Glenn Hewitt Award in Ethics is given to the student demonstrating the most outstanding work in Ethics 490. This year’s recipient is Sammy Zeino, a senior political science major from Knoxville, Tenn.
For earning the highest grade point average in all core courses taken at Maryville College, two seniors received the Liberal Arts Award: Anastasia Dunn, a biochemistry major from Winston, Ga.,and Kayla Zimmerman, a biochemistry and exercise science double major from Knoxville, Tenn.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
The David H. Briggs Award recognizes the senior psychology major with the best academic performance in psychology as judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship and grade point average. This year, Veronica Ross, a psychology and criminal justice double major from Kingston, Tenn., was honored.
The Psychology Counseling Award, which acknowledges a senior psychology counseling major with the best academic performance in counseling as judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship and grade point average, went to Danielle Bodey of Knoxville, Tenn.
Spencer Ann Mitchell, a neuroscience and exercise science double major from Columbia, S.C., received the Neuroscience Award, which acknowledges a senior neuroscience major with the best academic performance in neuroscience as judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship and grade point average.
The Child Development Award, which is awarded annually to a senior child development and learning major who has demonstrated competence with children and achieved outstanding performance in the major, as well as in overall scholarship as reflected in grade point average, went to Sarah Williams of Decatur, Tenn.
The American Sign Language (ASL) Outstanding Senior Award is awarded to a senior ASL major who has demonstrated high competence with ASL as indicated by ASL performance and scholarship. This year’s recipient is Carly Youngblood, a senior ASL-Deaf Studies major from Cookeville, Tenn.
The Irma Young Outstanding Senior Award in Interpreting, which is presented to the student who has shown exemplary potential for interpreting by performance and scholarship, went to Anna Heimer, a senior ASL-English Interpreting major from Maryville, Tenn.
EDUCATION
Bailey Mary, a senior history with teacher licensure major from Maryville, Tenn., received the Outstanding Student Teacher in the Secondary Grades Award.
The Outstanding Post-Baccalaureate Student Teacher is presented to the post-baccalaureate student who has completed student teaching this academic year, has exhibited superior competency in academic content knowledge and pedagogy, and has demonstrated the management skills necessary for the elementary or secondary classroom. This year’s recipient is Matthew Edwards of Knoxville, Tenn.
FINE ARTS
The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts scholarships are awarded annually to two junior or senior students majoring in art or design, and covers tuition, room and board, and art supplies for a weeklong intensive workshop at that prestigious school in Gatlinburg. This year’s recipients are Chloe Melton, a senior art major from Crossville, Tenn., and Christen Watson, a senior design major from Wartburg, Tenn.
Brianna Bakoledis, a vocal music education with teacher licensure major from Clarkesville, Ga., and Andrew Kosky, a music theory and composition major from Powell, Tenn., received the Barraclough Choir Award, which is given to a senior who has been a Maryville College Choir member for at least two years, who is judged to have been outstanding in service to the choir, and who has been a successful student.
The Robert Bonham Music Faculty Award for Superior Performance, which is presented to a music student with a high standard of performance, went to Summer Eells, a first-year music major from Friendsville, Tenn.
Hudson Perrine, a theatre studies major from Sugar Hill, Ga., received the Bates Forensics Drama Award, which is awarded to the most outstanding senior in drama.
The Clark Family Prize recognizes rising juniors or seniors in art who have demonstrated outstanding academic and artistic achievement. This year, the award went to two students: Robert Bryant, a senior art major from Maryville, Tenn., and Rebecca Branton, a junior design major from Maryville, Tenn.
Dagen Pointer, a senior theatre studies double major from Memphis, Tenn., received the Evelyn Seedorf Prize in Dramatic Arts, which goes annually to the most deserving student majoring in theatre.
For outstanding achievement in art history, Kier Hull, a junior art major from Arlington, Tenn., was recognized with the Sarah Hardrath Kramer Art History Award.
Riley Hamant, a theatre studies major from Liberty Township, Ohio, took home the Outstanding Senior Theatre Student Award, which is presented to the graduating senior theatre major who has demonstrated the most outstanding achievement in the major field.
The Outstanding Senior Design Student Award, which is awarded to the graduating senior design major who has demonstrated the most outstanding achievement in the major field, went to Christen Watson, a design major from Wartburg, Tenn., and Alyssa Kral, a design and marketing double major from Knoxville, Tenn.
HEALTH SCIENCES & OUTDOOR STUDIES
Tiara Kemp, a health and wellness promotion major from Alcoa, Tenn., was awarded the Phi Epsilon Rho Scholarship Award. The award goes to a rising senior in Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies who has at least a 3.0 GPA and has exhibited leadership in campus and departmental activities and in professional organizations.
Lindsey Lewallen, an exercise science major from Clarkesville, Ga., received the Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies Outstanding Senior Award. This award recognizes a graduating senior in Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies who has at least a 3.5 GPA, serves as role model in the classroom and community and is involved in professional organizations.
HUMANITIES
Cole Senn,a music major from Knoxville, Tenn., was the recipient of the Bates Bible Award, which is presented each year to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most ability in the study of religion or philosophy.
Eleanor Forester, a senior history major from Memphis, Tenn., received the Otto P. Pflanze Prize for Excellence in History.
The Verton M. Queener Award for History went to Danielle Abell, a history with teacher licensure major from Mokena, Ill. The award recognizes outstanding study of American and English history by a junior.
LANGUAGES & LITERATURE
For achieving the best four-year record in the study of English, two students were awarded the Alexander English Prize: Kacie Mitchell, a senior writing communication and mathematics double major from Winder, Ga., and Eliza Komisar, a senior literature in English major from Chattanooga, Tenn.
Komisar also received the division’s Edwin R. Hunter Award for Excellence in Research in English or American Literature, which goes annually to the senior judged to have produced the most outstanding Senior Study in English or American Literature.
Terry Daffron, a junior writing communication major from Ragland, Ala., received the Charlotta Cook Hensley Memorial Award for outstanding academic achievement and significant involvement on the staff of The Highland Echo campus newspaper.
The Ruth Lloyd Kramer Memorial Award is given to a junior English major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, exceptional service to the College and significant involvement in extracurricular activities. The 2021 recipient is Makayla Nance, a writing communication and theatre studies double major from Clinton, Tenn.
Impressions, MC’s campus literary magazine, presented awards to magazine contributors. The award for best art or photography went to Rain Larsen, a senior design and art double major from Knoxville, Tenn.; the award for best poetry went to Brandon Spurlock, a junior writing communication major from Maryville, Tenn.; and the award for best prose went to Jordan Stafford, a writing communication major from Kennesaw, Ga.
Six students were recognized for outstanding achievement in foreign language study.
Emily Bridges, a sophomore management major from Knoxville, Tenn., was honored for outstanding achievement in French.
Rebecca Raney, a junior English with teacher licensure major from Knoxville, Tenn., was recognized for outstanding achievement in German.
The award for outstanding achievement in Italian went to Kailey Johnson, a sophomore psychology (counseling) major from Knoxville, Tenn.
The award for outstanding achievement in Japanese went to Elaina Hudolin, a sophomore mathematics with teacher licensure major from Maryville, Tenn.
Recognition for outstanding achievement in Latin went to Riley Layton, a first-year health care (nursing) major from Johnson City, Tenn.
Molly Folger, a sophomore biology major from Maryville, Tenn.,was recognized for outstanding achievement in Spanish.
The Outstanding Spanish Major Award recognizes the Spanish major who demonstrates the best academic performance judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship, study abroad experience and grade point average. The award went to Gabriela Walker, a sophomore Spanish with teacher licensure major from Johnson City, Tenn.
Dayana Melgarejo, a junior child development and learning major from Knoxville, Tenn., was the recipient of the Outstanding Spanish Minor Award. This award is given to the Spanish minor demonstrating the best academic performance judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship, study abroad experience, and grade point average.
MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER SCIENCE
Donald Cooper, a junior business analytics major from Maryville, Tenn., is the recipient of the Russell N. and Frances Lane Edwards and Troy Bell Lane Waggoner Award. The award is presented to the most outstanding junior or senior in the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science.
The George A. Knapp Mathematics Award, which goes to the most outstanding and most promising junior or senior student majoring in mathematics, went to Kacie Mitchell, a senior mathematics and writing communication double major from Winder, Ga. Mitchell also received the Outstanding Achievement in Statistics Award.
The West Chevrolet Academic Award recognizes a student who scores in a top 10 on the mathematics competition conducted by Maryville College’s Division of Mathematics & Computer Science or to an outstanding first-year or sophomore from Blount, Loudon or Sevier County majoring in the division. Two students were recognized: Nathan Keough, a sophomore mathematics and computer science double major from Maryville, Tenn., and Lindsey Kizer, a junior mathematics with teacher licensure major from Maryville, Tenn.
Jonathan Meystrik, a junior mathematics and computer science double major from Knoxville, Tenn., received the William H. Dent Calculus Award for having the most outstanding performance in calculus.
The Jerry L. Pietenpol Computer Science Award, which recognizes the most outstanding and most promising junior or senior student majoring in computer science, went to senior computer science major David Rose-Franklin of Lenoir City, Tenn.
NATURAL SCIENCES
The A. Randolf Shields Award, which recognizes the graduating senior who has the most outstanding four-year record in biology, went to Kelsey Birchfield, a senior biology major from Knoxville, Tenn.
Justice Williams, a biology major from Antioch, Tenn., received the Robert K. Godfrey First-year Biology Award for demonstrated excellence in the study of biology in the first year.
Samantha Stacey, a biology major from Springfield, Tenn., received the Sophomore Biology Award for outstanding ability and promise in the biological sciences.
Recognized as a woman in the junior class who shows excellence in the study of chemistry, Nadia St. Thomas, a biochemistry and design double major from Pembroke Pines, Fla., was awarded the Elizabeth Hillman Award.
The award for Outstanding Performance in General Chemistry was given to Hailey Cartt, a sophomore biochemistry major from Louisville, Tenn.
The Outstanding Performance in Organic Chemistry Award, which recognizes outstanding ability in the study of organic chemistry and structural analysis, went to Mackenzie Lamb, a sophomore chemistry major from Knoxville, Tenn.
Recognized as the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most outstanding accomplishments in chemistry, Kayla Zimmerman,a biochemistry and exercise science double major from Knoxville, Tenn., was awarded the Distinguished Achievement in Chemistry Award.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Agnes Thornton Bird Award, which is given to a locally residing sophomore or junior woman interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession, was given to Ana Tisdale, a junior criminal justice major from Knoxville, Tenn.
The John W. Burgess Award for meritorious achievement in the field of political science went to two students: Abigail Coleman, a senior political science, psychology and criminal justice triple major from Knoxville, Tenn., and Sammy Zeino, a senior political science major from Knoxville.
The Judson B. Murphy Endowed Business Award, which is presented annually to a senior who demonstrates outstanding work in business and organization management with outstanding character and well-rounded achievement and career promise, went to two students: Matthew Malone, a finance/accounting major from Townsend, Tenn., and Hunter DeSena, a finance/accounting major from Durham, N.C.
The Kyle and Roberta Myers Petree Endowed Awards given to an outstanding local student majoring in business. The 2021 recipients are Kimberly McMahon-Weller, a junior finance/accounting major from Maryville, Tenn.
Alexis Smith, an economics major from Knoxville, Tenn., received the Outstanding Senior Award in Economics, which is awarded to the senior student demonstrating outstanding work in economics, outstanding character, well-rounded achievement and career promise.
The Hall “Ethical Thinking” Award recognizes a member of the junior class
whose creative or practical essay on ethical thinking on a particular theme from a variety of perspectives, including historical, literary, theological, psychological and sociological analyses, could be published in a journal or magazine. Two students received the award: Chloe Hamlett, a junior writing communication major from Athens, Ala.,and Ahmed Etman, a sophomore computer science major from Alexandria, Egypt.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Chloe Hamlett, a junior writing communication major from Athens, Ala.,received the Ryan Newhouse Award. The recognition goes to the junior or senior student who, in the judgment of the business, fine arts and humanities faculty, typifies the finest characteristics of the liberal arts by uniting the fields of business and the humanities or fine arts in his or her academic life, personal growth and values.
Anastasia Dunn, a biochemistry major from Winston, Ga.,received the prestigious LeQuire Award by Maryville College President Dr. Bryan F. Coker. Named for Granville Dexter LeQuire, a Maryville physician, and his wife, Ellen Brickey LeQuire, the award was created in 1987 to help defray the expenses of applying to medical school, so preference is shown to a student who has chosen medicine as a career goal.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
Eleanor Forester, a senior history major from Memphis, Tenn.,was named the 2021 Outstanding Senior. One of the most prestigious honors given a student, the Outstanding Senior Award recognizes a senior student who has been active in a broad range of activities, who most exemplifies the “ideal” Maryville College graduate and who has the potential to be an outstanding alumnus.
Finalists for the award included Anastasia Dunn, a biochemistry major from Winston, Ga.; Madison Gilliam, a biochemistry major from Sewanee, Tenn.; Jacorey Jackson, a biochemistry major from Spring Hill, Texas; and Joe Nelson Smith, Jr., an economics and finance/accounting double major from Goodlettsville, Tenn.
The finalists were introduced on social media during the week leading up to the award announcement. The social media announcements included brief videos of the nominating faculty members introducing the finalists (see videos below).