New Maryville College Celebration of Student Achievement ceremony recognizes academic success, campus leadership
April 5, 2024
Academic excellence, campus leadership, career potential and the Maryville College ideal of doing good on the largest possible scale: Those things and more were celebrated on Friday at the newly christened Celebration of Student Achievement, which honored almost 100 Scots with various honors and awards.
Held on Friday afternoon in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre of the Clayton Center for the Arts, the Celebration of Student Achievement combined two long-standing traditions, the annual Academic Awards night and Leadership Awards ceremony, into a single event to spotlight the best of the best, Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker told the assembly of students, faculty, staff and College supporters.
“It is with great pride and joy that I stand before you today to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the individuals who embody the spirit of excellence that defines Maryville College,” he said. “As we reflect on the journey that has brought us here, let us acknowledge the countless hours of study, the late nights of preparation and the unwavering support of friends and and mentors. Each student being celebrated tonight has embraced challenges with courage and determination, enriching our campus community through their innovative thinking and collaborative spirit.”
Numerous students, parents and family members were in the audience, and a procession of faculty members and administrators — led by macebearer Dr. Traci Haydu, professor of exercise science and chair of the Division of Health Sciences and Outdoor Studies, as well as one of the Outstanding Teachers recognized during last May’s Commencement ceremony — joined the honorees on stage.
Dr. Dan Klingensmith, vice president and dean of the College who will step down at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year to return to the classroom, noted that Scots lauded for their academic success also “embody the spirit of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking that defines our institution,” he said.
“All of us at the College take great satisfaction in the accomplishments of these students, as we recognize them for their special commitment to learning, their passion for understanding, their sensitivity to nuance, their appreciation for social and cultural diversity and their willingness to use their growing wisdom for the common good,” he added.
Below is a list of awards given and students recognized in all nine academic divisions, core curriculum and other departments. Additionally, the ceremony included the recognition of eight honor societies.
Core Curriculum
Five students received the Liberal Arts Award, given to the graduating seniors who have earned the highest grade point averages in all core courses taken at Maryville College. Winners included Hailey Cartt, a senior Biochemistry major from Louisville, Tennessee; Colton Gentry, a senior Business Analytics major from Philadelphia, Tennessee; Madelyn Harper, a senior International Business major from Powell, Tennessee; Calista Jones, a senior English (with licensure) major from Maryville; and Brianna White, a senior Art major from Knoxville, Tennessee. Jones also received the Alexander English Prize, awarded for the best four-year record in the study of English, and Harper was given the Outstanding Spanish Major Award, which recognizes the Spanish major who demonstrates the best academic performance judged by classroom performance, overall scholarship, study abroad experience and grade point average. In another instance of outstanding Scots winning multiple awards, Gentry was named winner of the William H. Dent Calculus Award for having the most outstanding performance in calculus, and winner of the George A. Knapp Mathematics Award, which goes to the most outstanding and most promising junior or senior student majoring in Mathematics.
Emily D, Miller, an Elementary Education senior from Greenback, Tennessee, was honored with the Glenn Hewitt Award in Ethics, given to a student demonstrating the most outstanding work in the class Ethics 490.
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, Savannah Mahery, a senior Psychology major from Sweetwater, Tennessee, was honored.
The Counseling Psychology 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, was given to Leah Gray from Knoxville.
Two students — junior Raegan Hooks of Knoxville and senior Caroline Johnson of Franklin, Tennessee — were presented the Developmental Psychology Award, which goes to senior Developmental Psychology majors who have achieved outstanding academic performance in the major and within their field.
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 Kara Warren of Bristol, Tennessee, an American Sign Language-English Interpreting senior.
Sierra Broome of Johnson City, Tennessee, received the Lori A. Schmied 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.
Education
Three students were recognized for exemplifying the knowledge, skills and contributions of professional educators: Emily Hill, a senior Elementary Education major from Pineville, North Carolina, was awarded the Outstanding Preservice Teacher in the Elementary Grades Award; Carder Sprous, a senior History (with licensure) major from Lenoir City, Tennessee, received the Outstanding Preservice Teacher in the Secondary Grades Award; and Gavin Lester, a senior Music Education (with licensure) major from Maryville, was honored with the Outstanding Preservice Teacher in P/K-12 Award.
Fine Arts
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 three students: Laura Reed, a senior Art major from Knoxville; Lauren Gaines, a senior Writing/Communication and Design double major from Knoxville; and Anna Price, a sophomore Art major from Walland, Tennessee.
For outstanding achievement in art history, Katelyn Compton, a senior History major from Maryville, was recognized with the Sarah Hardrath Kramer Art History Award. Compton also received the Otto P. Pflanze Prize for Excellence in History.
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 Emily Huffstetler of Maryville — whose other two majors include Writing/Communication and Spanish.
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 Zoe Zeller, a senior Design major from Hixson, Tennessee, and Isabella Carroll, a senior Design major from Corryton, Tennessee. Carroll was also awarded the Best Art or Photography Award for her contributions to Impressions, the College’s literary magazine.
Elaina Wilson, a Music Education (vocal) with teacher licensure senior from Seymour, and Ryne Simmerly, also a Music Education (vocal) with teacher licensure major from Winter Garden, Florida, received the Barraclough Choir Award, which is given to a senior who has been a Maryville College Concert 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 Claire Pinkston, a junior Music Education (vocal) with licensure major from Loudon, Tennessee.
Jacob Hudson, a junior Theatre Studies major from Lyles, Tennessee, received the Bates Forensics Drama Award, which is awarded to the most outstanding senior in drama.
Jenni Cate Rhodes, a senior Theatre Studies major from Hartselle, Alabama, received the Evelyn Seedorf Prize in Dramatic Arts, which goes annually to the most deserving student majoring in Theatre.
Connor Goins, a Theatre Studies major from Cleveland, Tennessee, 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.
Health Sciences & Outdoor Studies
Josh Lock, a Health and Wellness Promotion major from Knoxville, 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.
Alonso Angel, an Outdoor Studies and Tourism major from White House, Tennessee, 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
Caleb Tucker, a senior Philosophy major from Maryville, received the T.T. Alexander Award, which is given to a student with the best paper on a subject from one of the following areas: the relationship of philosophical or theological inquiry to social issues; the application of such inquiry to social issues; the consequences of social, theological or philosophical problems on religious doctrine; the consequences of religious doctrine upon social, political or economic thinking or social science method; or the consequence of religious doctrine upon social, political or economic issues and conflicts.
The Verton M. Queener Award for History went to Matthew Gaston, a junior Mathematics major from Lenoir City. The award recognizes outstanding study of American and English history by a junior.
Junior Wade Mathews, a Political Science and History double major from Lebanon, Tennessee was the recipient of the Frank A. Kramer Student Award, which is given to a History major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, exceptional service to the college and significant involvement in extracurricular activities. Mathews was also winner of the John W. Burgess Award for meritorious achievement in the field of Political Science.
Languages & Literature
Austin McKee, a sophomore English major from Sweetwater, 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 who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, exceptional service to the College and significant involvement in extracurricular activities. The 2024 recipient is Emma Henson of Maryville, majoring in Writing/Communication.
Impressions, MC’s campus literary magazine, presented awards to magazine contributors. The award for Best Poetry went to Lilli Bryan, a junior Writing/Communication major from Knoxville; and the award for Best Prose went to sophomore Katie Orillion, a junior Marketing major from Knoxville.
The Outstanding Spanish Minor Award, which also recognizes those minoring in Spanish who demonstrate the best academic performance in the minor field, was given to two students: Seth Green, a junior Psychology major from Alcoa, Tennessee, and Samanta Campoverde Moreno, a junior Management major from Loudon. Green was also winner of the Gina Benedict Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice Award, named in honor of Dr. Gina Benedict, the first coordinator of Maryville College’s major in Criminal Justice. The award is given to a senior student demonstrating superior work in the field of criminal justice and who possesses outstanding character, well-rounded achievement and career promise.
Six students were recognized for outstanding achievement in foreign language study:
- Maddux Morse, a first-year double major in Human Resources Management and Sociology from Knoxville, was honored for outstanding achievement in French.
- The award for outstanding achievement in Italian went to Emma Abbruzzetti, a sophomore Developmental Psychology (Childhood Trauma and Resilience track) from Spring Hill, Tennessee.
- Recognition for outstanding achievement in Latin went to Mackenzie Pope, a first-year student from Maryville.
- Meadow Van Skyhawk, a junior Biochemistry major from Maryville, was recognized for outstanding achievement in German.
- The award for outstanding achievement in Japanese went to Chase Wells, a sophomore Philosophy major from Morristown, Tennessee.
- Adisyn Smith, a first-year student from Powell, was recognized for outstanding achievement in Spanish.
Mathematics & Computer Science
Two students — junior Computer Science major Gustavo Hernandez of Maryville, and junior Mathematics major Chapel Shortt of Chattanooga, Tennessee — were the recipients 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.
Senior Computer Science and Mathematics double major Nathan Keough of Maryville was presented with the Jerry L. Pietenpol Computer Science Award, which recognizes the most outstanding and most promising junior or senior student majoring in Computer Science.
Hannah Phillips, a junior Biology major from Maryville, received the John Nichols Statistics Award, given to the most outstanding student in the advanced study of statistics. Phillips was also one of two recipients of the Susan Allen Green Award, presented to the most outstanding Biology major in the junior or senior class.
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 freshman or sophomore from Blount, Loudon or Sevier County majoring in the division. Two students were recognized: Chance Loveday and Kylind Reagan, both of whom are sophomore Computer Science majors from Sevierville, Tennessee.
Natural Sciences
Emily G. Miller of Niota, Tennessee, won the Sophomore Biology Award, given to the second-year Biology major who demonstrates outstanding ability and promise in the biological sciences.
Grace Rector, a first-year student from New Berlin, Illinois, received the Robert K. Godfrey Freshman Biology Award for demonstrated excellence in the study of biology in the first year.
Jordan Crain, a sophomore Biochemistry major from Louisville, Tennessee, received the Outstanding Performance in Organic Chemistry Award, which recognizes outstanding ability in the study of organic chemistry and structural analysis.
The Susan Allen Green Award is annually presented to the most outstanding Biology major in the junior or senior class. This year’s award was given to Hannah Phillips and to Grace McDonald, a junior from Athens, Tennessee.
The A. Randolf Shields Award, which recognizes the graduating senior who has the most outstanding four-year record in Biology, went to Carmela Lewis from Maryville.
Recognized as a woman in the junior class who shows excellence in the study of chemistry, Reese Bailey, a Biochemistry major from Brentwood, Tennessee, was awarded the Elizabeth Hillman Award.
The award for Outstanding Performance in General Chemistry was given to Laura Stewart, a first-year student from South Pittsburg, Tennessee.
Recognized as the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most outstanding accomplishments in chemistry, Alayna Myers of Maryville was awarded the Distinguished Achievement in Chemistry Award.
Social Sciences
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: Colby Vesser, a Finance/Accounting major from Alcoa; and Sara Koonce, a Marketing and Business Analytics double major from Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Abby Dowell, a junior Political Science major from Maryville, was presented the Agnes Thornton Bird Endowed Memorial Award, which is given to a locally residing sophomore or junior woman interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.
The Kyle and Roberta Myers Petree Endowed Award is given to an outstanding local student majoring in business. The 2024 recipients are Qwin Fleckenstein, a junior Business Management major from Knoxville, and Charles Kelley, a sophomore Finance/Accounting major from Sevierville.
Jewell West, a junior from Maryville, was awarded the Outstanding Student in Environmental Studies award, given to the student who demonstrates outstanding work in the Environmental Studies major, has strong character, and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
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. Three students were recognized with this award: First-place winner Annie Melhorn, a sophomore Psychology major from Ten Mile, Tennessee; second-place winner Chance Loveday; and third-place winner Niyereth Barrera, a sophomore Criminal Justice major from Walland.
Additional Awards
Emily Huffstetler and Kristen Hill, a junior Finance/Accounting major from Maryville, both 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.
Zineb Aarab, a senior International Studies major from Morocco, was presented the Jackson Outstanding International Student Award, which goes to a senior who has been a student at the College for one academic year, has a minimum GPA of 3.5 and has shown leadership inside and outside the classroom.
Hailey Cartt, one of five Liberal Arts Award winners, was presented 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.
Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior Award
Endowed in 2021 by Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald, the Outstanding Senior Award is one of the most prestigious honors given to a student and recognizes a senior 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.
Laura Reed, an Art major from Knoxville, was named the 2023-24 Carl ’63 and Jean McDonald Outstanding Senior.
Finalists for the award included Grace Brandl, a Music major from Collierville, Tennessee; as well as Savannah Mahery, Ryne Simmerly and Carmela Lewis, who were all honored with additional awards on Friday.
Leadership Awards
Dr. Ja’Wanda Grant, vice president and dean of students, then shifted the evening’s focus toward a celebration of student leadership beyond the classroom, as well as recognition of a handful of faculty members whose support to those organizations has been invaluable.
“From being Ambassadors to RAs to community volunteers and executive leadership in our student organizations, these students have put countless hours into our MC community and beyond,” she said.
Students, faculty and organizations recognized during the ceremony include:
Diversity Awards
Jean’Miracle Raymond, a junior Developmental Psychology (Childhood Trauma and Resilience track) major from Birmingham, Alabama, was honored with the Sojourner Truth Award, given to an outstanding female student who exemplifies the spirit and courage of Sojourner Truth, a former slave who became an outspoken leader in the American fight for human rights in the 19th century.
Chancellor Little, a junior Biology major from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, accepted the College’s W.E.B. DuBois Award, given to the male student who best captures the character and spirit of W.E.B. DuBois, the founder of the NAACP and a respected spokesperson for the rights of African Americans in the early 20th century.
The Nancy Smith Wright Unity Award, named for the first African-American to graduate from Maryville College following reintegration, recognizes an individual or organization that consistently demonstrates unity through diversity within the Maryville College community and beyond. The 2024 honor went to the MC Pride Club, the mission of which is to promote equality and tolerance in relation to LGBTQ+ issues, women’s issues and social issues.
Community and Admissions Awards
Michael Bailey, a junior Neuroscience major from Jamaica, received the International Student Leader of the Year Award, given to an international student or leader in the campus international community who exhibits leadership.
Emilia Fraser, a junior Psychology major from Knoxville, received the Student Volunteer of the Year award.
The College also recognized Jay Ramirez, a sophomore Design major from Knoxville, for being selected as a 2024 Newman Civic Fellow. The fellowship recognizes students committed to finding solutions for challenges that communities face locally, nationally and internationally.
From the MC Office of Admissions, two student Ambassadors were given the Closer Award for their service in helping the office meet enrollment goals: Connor Goins and Luke Johnson, a senior Physical Education/Health (for K-12 licensure) major from Parrish, Alabama. Outstanding Senior Reed was named Ambassador of the Year, given in recognition of “an individual who did an exceptional job of representing the College in a positive and professional manner and who goes above and beyond in their involvement as an Ambassador.”
Spirit of the Covenant
Seven members of the campus community were named recipients of the College’s Spirit of the Covenant Award, which recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of the principles of scholarship, respect and integrity as outlined in the College’s Covenant.
Student recipients were first-year student Ella Reyes from Knoxville, and Rukhshona Isomova, sophomore International Studies major from Uzbekistan. Faculty and staff members who received the honor included Dr. Karen Beale, professor of psychology; Dr. Jennifer Oody, associate professor of exercise science; Stacey Wilner, director of choral activities; Brittney Washington, senior associate athletics director for excellence and DEI; and Brett Longwith, manager of the STEM Success Center.
Residence Life and Student Involvement
The RA (resident assistant) of the Year Award was given to Sami Sasinouski, a sophomore Neuroscience major from Knoxville; and the Distinguished Service Award went to Luke Johnson.
The Outstanding First-Year Leader Award went to Ashton Hensley from Knoxville. The award is given annually to a rising sophomore who has “shown outstanding performance as a campus and community leader in their first year, and who shows excellent potential of continuing in leadership roles at Maryville College.”
Montina Jones, a Biology major from Knoxville, was awarded the Outstanding Sophomore Leader Award.
Izzy Wright, a Biochemistry major from Walland, received the Outstanding Junior Leader Award.
Colin Hood, a junior Theatre Studies major from Maryville, earned the Sharon A. Murphy Crane Award, which recognizes a rising junior or senior who is an active participant in the College theatre and/or student programming activities, and who deeply loves the College and is willing to raise issues intended to benefit the entire campus community.
MC’s Study Abroad Ambassadors were named Student Organization of the Year. The award is presented to the student organization that has extraordinarily served its student members, as well as positively impacted the entire college community with vibrant programming and service. The Study Abroad Ambassadors program, according to the Maryville College website, “builds a culture of travel on campus and promotes education abroad programs and international opportunities.”
As the ceremony came to a close, Coker pointed out that the event served as something of a kickoff of observations and activities leading up to the College’s May 4 Commencement, which takes place at 10 a.m. May 4 on Humphreys Court, located between Fayerweather and Anderson Halls.
“A special thank you to the families and friends whose encouragement has been instrumental in the success,” he said. “Although this academic year is drawing to a close, there are still many achievements to be celebrated. With your continued love, patience, and support, these exceptional students, along with many others, will continue to impress, surprise, and delight us.”
