2014-2015 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2014-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medals and Awards



Richard W. Riley Award for Promise and Achievement

The Riley Award was created in 2012 in honor of Richard W. Riley, a 1954 Furman graduate and chair of the Board of Trustees. Awarded to a member of the community who has been a strong and ardent Furman supporter. Won in 2014 by Carl Kohrt.

Meritorious Teaching Award

The Alester G. Furman, Jr., and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Teaching. Through the benefaction of the late Mr. Alester G. Furman, Jr., and Mrs. Furman, an annual cash award for meritorious teaching is made to the member or members of the faculty judged to have been most effective in undergraduate teaching during the current academic session. Any member of the faculty who has taught one or more courses during the session is eligible.

Recipients are selected by an unannounced selection committee, composed of faculty and students, appointed annually by the president. The selection is announced at spring commencement.

In considering prospective recipients, the selection committee places primary emphasis upon the following aspects of teaching: the inspiration of students toward an enthusiastic interest in an academic discipline and in learning in general, evidence of professional competence in the teacher’s field, and interest in the academic and personal welfare of students, both within and outside the classroom. Nominations for the award with supporting information may be submitted in writing in sealed envelopes by faculty or students to the Vice President for Academic Affairs by April 15 each year.

The Meritorious Teaching Award was won in 2014 by Nathaniel P.S. Cook and Savita Nair.

Meritorious Advising Award

The Alester G. Furman, Jr., and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Advising. This annual award, made possible by an additional gift from the Furman family, recognizes a member of the faculty who, in the opinion of students, other faculty, and alumni, is an exceptional academic advisor.

Recipients are selected by an unannounced selection committee on the basis of written nominations sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs by April 15 of each year. The factors considered by the selection committee are each nominee’s long-term commitment to advising, rapport with students, concern for advisees’ career goals and future plans, willingness to seek answers to advisees’ questions, knowledge of university regulations and curriculum, and effectiveness in directing students toward productive college experiences.

The Meritorious Advising Award was won in 2014 by Lesley Ann Quast and Laura Lee Wright.

Chiles-Harrill Award

The Chiles-Harrill Award, provided through the benefaction of Mr. Frank Keener ‘64, is an annual cash award to a member of the faculty or administrative staff considered to have made substantial contributions to the lives of students. The award honors Marguerite Moore Chiles, former vice president for student services, and Ernest E. Harrill, professor emeritus of political science and former dean of students. Recipients are selected by an unannounced committee composed of faculty, staff and students.

The Chiles-Harrill Award was won in 2014 by Si Pearman, Professor of Health Sciences.

Furman University Scholarship Cup

Donated by Hales Jewelers. Awarded to the senior with at least 64 semester hours at Furman who earns the highest grade point average. Won in 2014 by Charlotta Amelia Holt, Horace Rhodes Hambrick and Stella Coker Watson.

Bradshaw-Feaster Medal for General Excellence. Endowed by the late Dr. S. E. Bradshaw in continuation of the medal provided by the late W. L. Feaster ‘13. Awarded by the faculty to a senior man on the bases of scholarship, general culture, participation in college activities, high moral character. Won in 2014 by Horace Rhodes Hambrick.

Donaldson-Watkins Medal for General Excellence. Given by the late Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Donaldson and the late Mrs. Maude Wakefield Watkins, members of the class of 1889. Awarded by the faculty to a senior woman on the bases of scholarship, general culture, participation in college activities, high moral character. Won in 2014 by Charlotta Amelia Holt.

President’s Award. Awarded by a committee of faculty, administrators and students to seniors for qualities of scholarship, leadership, service, and participation in college and community activities. Won in 2014 by Christina Dorismond and Rhodes Hambrick.

American Legion Medal. Awarded by the American Legion, South Carolina, to a senior man and a senior woman for qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership and character. Won in 2014 by Charlotte Holt and Brian Boda.

Alfred S. Reid Award. Certificate awarded by the Furman chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa to the man in each class who has made the best allaround contribution to the improvement of the university and student life during the year. Won in 2014 by Sam McCoy, Michael Robinson, Warren Smith and James Perez.

Winston Babb Memorial Award. Plaque awarded by the Furman chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa to the woman in each class who has demonstrated the most outstanding qualities of leadership, scholarship and service to the university. Won in 2014 by Emma Zyriek, Sieara Bishop, Emily Vontsolos and Deanna Heine.

Faculty Award for Excellence and Service. Won in 2014 by Frank Kaleb Kramer.

Alumni Award for Academic Excellence. Won in 2014 by Claire Elizabeth Chipman and Charlotta Amelia Holt.

African American and African Diaspora Cultures

Award for Excellence in African American and African Diaspora Cultures. Won in 2014 by Mary Catherine Wilder.

Asian Studies

James B. Leavell Outstanding Work in South Asian Studies (2005). Won in 2014 by Charlotta Amelia Holt.

Faculty Award in Japanese. Won in 2014 by Paige Davis McCarter.

Outstanding Work in Asian Studies. Won in 2014 by Christine Elizabeth Gwinn.

Outstanding Work in Chinese Studies. Won in 2014 by Xiaoman Dong.

Outstanding Work in Japanese Studies. Won in 2014 by Amy Michelle Boyter.

Biology

Distinguished Research Award in Biology (1991). Won in 2014 by Anne Marie Kalinoski.

Elizabeth Thackston Taylor Botany Medal (1942). Established by the late R. K. Taylor, Jr., ‘31 in memory of his mother. Awarded by the biology faculty to the student with the greatest interest and aptitude in field study of plants of the Piedmont. No student is eligible a second time. Won in 2014 by Rachel Louise McAlister.

Beta Beta Beta General Excellence Award (1974). Annual monetary award to a junior or senior biology major for outstanding academic achievement and unselfish service. Won in 2014 by Jasmine Ariel Rethmeyer.

C. Leland Rodgers Biology Award (2000). Won in 2014 by Katrina Marie Morgan.

Business and Accounting

Fred and June Current Accounting Award (2003). Award presented each year to an outstanding graduating senior majoring in accounting who has shown high academic achievement, has demonstrated leadership in the Furman Accounting Society, and who has actively participated in other campus organizations that have a primary goal of serving others. Won in 2014 by William Albert Crooks.

General Excellence in Business Award (2003). Award presented each year to a graduating senior business major who has exceptionally strong academic achievement, a proven work ethic, leadership ability and well diversified extracurricular activities. Won in 2014 by Hunter Michael Burton and Hayley Shay Frost.

Chemistry

John Sampey Award in Chemistry (1968). Cash award to an exceptional graduating chemistry major, based on meritorious scholarship, strength of character and promise of a productive scientific career. Won in 2014 by Catherine Grace Burton, Michael Andre Evans and David Alexander Nicholson.

John Albert Southern Chemistry Award (1973). Won in 2014 by Christina Dorismond and Horace Rhodes Hambrick.

American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemistry Major Award (1954). A year’s membership in the American Chemical Society (ACS) by the Western Carolinas Section of ACS, awarded to the senior member of the student chapter with the best record in chemistry. Won in 2014 by Andrew Geoffrey Kantor.

The American Institute of Chemists Award in Biochemistry (1984). Won in 2014 by Andrew Douglas Kropilak.

The American Institute of Chemists Award in Chemistry (1984). Won in 2014 by Monika Hristova Milkovska.

Communication Studies

Endel Medal for Excellence in Communication Studies (1926). The department’s highest award honors the outstanding student or students in Communication Studies. Won in 2014 by Casey Nicole Lovegrove.

Endel Medal for Excellence in Rhetoric and Oratory (1926). The award honors a Communication Studies student or students whose work in rhetoric exemplifies the highest standards. In granting the award, the department’s committee considers excellence in scholarship but may also consider a student’s efforts to improve the quality of public discourse in, and service to, the department, the university, and the community. Won in 2014 by Jordan Marie Delk.

Endel Medal for Excellence in Mass Communication (1937). This award recognizes a Communication Studies student or students whose work in mass communication exemplifies the highest standards. In granting the award, the department’s committee considers excellence in scholarship, but may also consider a student’s service to the department, university, and community. Won in 2014 by Kathleen Lynn Smithgall.

Computer Science

Computer Science-Mathematics Award for Excellence (1996). Won in 2014 by Jonathan Henry Mellman.

Faculty Award for Excellence in Computer Science. Won in 2014 by Paul Rajarathnam Aluri, Seth Michael Greenstein and Douglas Joseph Warstler.

Earth and Environmental Science

Wallace C. Fallaw Outstanding Senior Award in Earth and Environmental Sciences (1996). Won in 2014 by Alison Smith Bressler.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Scholar Award (2007). Won in 2014 by Rebecca Elanor McDaniel.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Award (2007). Won in 2014 by Elisabeth Anne Schlaudt.

Economics

J. Carlyle Ellett Economics Prize (1990). Won in 2014 by Brittany Leigh Fulton.

Education

Outstanding Scholar and Leader in Education Award (2005). Won in 2014 by Mallory Meresko Becker, Whitney Yvonne Becker and Rachel Diane Sease.

Environmental Studies

Award for Excellence in Environmental Studies (2001). Won in 2014 by William Walker Stinnette.

Film Studies

Award for Excellence in Film Studies. Won in 2014 by Amy Michelle Boyter.

Health Sciences

Jerry R. Thomas Award in Health Sciences (1996). Awarded to the most outstanding senior major as selected by the Health Sciences faculty. Won in 2014 by Erika Renee Shaver.

Ruth Reid Award (2005). Award presented to a senior Health Sciences major who has demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to service and a dedication to physical activity. Won in 2014 by Thomas Hunter Lindsey.

History

Endel Memorial History Medal (1937). Founded by the late Mrs. H. Endel as a memorial to her husband and awarded to the man doing the best work in history. No student is eligible a second time. Won in 2014 by Nathan Joseph Koverman.

Gilpatrick History Prize (1937). A cash prize, given by Choice McCoin ‘57 as a memorial to Delbert H. Gilpatrick, professor of history emeritus, and Meta E. Gilpatrick, professor of English emeritus, and awarded to a woman for outstanding work in history. No student is eligible a second time. Won in 2014 by Rene Claire Travis.

Daughter of the American Revolution Prize in American History. Won in 2014 by Julia Elizabeth PAfford.

Latin American Studies

Award for Excellence in Latin American Studies. Won in 2014 by Kathleen Victoria Fearington.

Mathematics

DeLany Medal in Mathematics (1945). A gold medal given by William J. DeLany ‘42 to the graduating senior mathematics major earning the highest grade point average in upper-level mathematics courses. Won in 2014 by Douglas Joseph Warstler and Stella Coker Watson.

Mathematics Faculty Award for Excellence (2005). Presented to the graduating senior mathematics majors whose grade point average in upper-level mathematics is 3.80 or higher. Won in 2014 by Douglas Joseph Warstler and Stella Coker Watson.

Mathematics-Economics Award for Excellence. Won in 2014 by Gregory Lawrence Bunker.

Military Science

US Army Distinguished Military Graduate (2011). Won in 2014 by Kacie Marie Schoen.

Modern Languages and Literatures

Goethe Award in German (1969). Won in 2014 by Andrew Joseph Mueller.

Cervantes Award in Spanish (1969). Won in 2014 by Dylan Stewart Jarrett.

Daivd Wells Morgan Award in French. Won in 2014 by Zachary David Burnett.

Music

DuPre Rhame Award. Won in 2014 by Tierney Breedlove.

Dan A. Ellis Award. Presented to the outstanding freshman band member by the Furman Band and Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Order in honor of Dan A. Ellis. Won in 2014 by Paul Haarala.

Jake Rasor Award. Won in 2014 by David J. Stanley.

John Carmichael Award. Won in 2014 by Rhodes Hambrick and Kristina Pardo.

Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award. Won in 2014 by Alison Williams.

Sigma Alpha Iota College Honor Award. Won in 2014 by Christina Haarala.

Sigma Alpha Iota St. Cecilia Scholarship. Won in 2014 by Jodi Lea.

Phi Mu Alpha Lockhart Music Award. Won in 2014 by Hannah C. Cox.

Phi Mu Alpha Goldsmith Music Award. Won in 2014 by Madeline E. Schell.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Scholastic Award. Won in 2014 by Scott D. Strickland.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia College Honor Award. Won in 2014 by Corey Hart.

Vince Perone Outstanding Bandsman Award. Won in 2014 by Sam Burgess and Kenzie Rickman.

The Presser Scholar. Won in 2014 by Philip Reed.

The Mattie Hipp Cunningham Scholarship. Won in 2014 by Peter Dimery and Katy Wilson.

Philosophy

Philosophy Medal (1998). Won in 2014 by Matthew Browning Kearns and Jacob Cannon Zimmerman.

Physics

Senior Physics Award (2005). Based upon academic achievement, enthusiasm for learning physics and positive contributions to the physics program by their scholarly example and service, the Senior Physics Award is given annually to the best all around senior physics major. The recipient is selected by the Physics faculty, in conjunction with the donor, Dr. Paige Ouzts. Won in 2014 by Kristina Mariela Pardo.

Political Science

S. Sidney Ulmer Political Science Medal (1955). Founded by S. S. Ulmer and awarded to an outstanding student in political science. No student is eligible a second time. Won in 2014 by Charlotta Amelia Holt.

Henry P. Jones Political Science Medal (1986). Awarded to an outstanding political science major in memory of Henry P. Jones. Won in 2014 by Katie Elizabeth Lowery and Katherine Elizabeth Martin.

Political Science Faculty Award (1997). Won in 2014 by Alison Smith Bressler, Shane Edward Farmer and Maddison Leigh Hall.

Political Science Chair’s Award (2003). Award given to a senior major in recognition of superb academic achievement and distinguished service to the department. Won in 2014 by Brian Matthew Boda.

Poverty Studies

Award for Excellence in Poverty Studies (2011). Won in 2014 by Jordan Marie Delk, Kathleen Victoria Fearington, Sarah Margaret Harris, Charlotta Amelia Holt, Leila Phillips Oakley and Hayley Cathern Redmond.

Pre-Medical

Robert Emmett Allen Premedical Prize (1927). Established by Kat Macy Ladd. Awarded to a senior judged outstanding in character and accomplishment in premedical education. Won in 2014 by Horace Rhodes Hambrick.

Alpha Epsilon Delta Scholarship Award (1982). Presented annually to a premedical student on the bases of scholarship, financial need and contribution to Alpha Epsilon Delta, the honorary pre-medical fraternity. Won in 2014 by Mary Katherome Vam Wert.

Psychology

Allport Scholar in Psychology (1968). Given by Robert J. Maxwell, Jr., to the senior psychology major best representing the integration of psychology and other disciplines. Won in 2014 by Stephanie Christine Grah.

Brewer Scholar in Psychology. Won in 2014 by Jessica Jane Crumley.

Burts Scholar in Psychology (1973). Established by Charles W. Burts. Awarded to the outstanding psychology major. Won in 2014 by Richard Francis Davis III and Laura Ragmanauskaite.

Marshall Prevost Psychology Medal (1961). Awarded to an outstanding student in psychology. Endowed by Dr. Gerda P. McCahan, class of 1941, in memory of her father, Marshall Prevost. Won in 2014 by Kathryn Barry Davidson.

Religion

Baggott Ministerial Award (1970). Endowed by the Rev. and Mrs. James L. Baggott. Annual award in cash or books and medallion to the outstanding graduating ministerial student, based on Christian dedication, leadership, academic record and promise of outstanding service as minister and preacher. Won in 2014 by Christine Elizabeth Gwinn and Carolina Patterson Seigler.

Baggott Excellence Award (1978). Endowed by the Rev. and Mrs. James L. Baggott. Annual awards of a medallion and cash to a senior man and woman on the basis of academic achievement and Christian character and for being an outstanding volunteer in church-related vocations. Won in 2014 by Margaret Inglis Austin and Antonio Lamone Edwards, Jr.

Scholarly Achievement Award in Religion (1970). Won in 2014 by Jenna Caroline Barnett and James Thomas Griscom III.

David Anthony Smith Award in Religion (2001). Won in 2014 by Carolina Patterson Seigler and Melissa Caitlin Stewart.

John C. Shelley Award for Excellence in the Fields of Theology and Ethics. Won in 2014 by Ashley Rebekah Bell.

Sociology

Johnson-Webb Sociology Award (1984). Won in 2014 by Jenna Caroline Barnett.

David Redburn Award. Won in 2014 by Finley Simmons Trent.

Undergraduate Evening Studies

Frances Selby “Gig” Meredith Award (1999). Won in 2014 by Michael Jonathan Tyler.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Award for Excellence in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (2001). Won in 2014 by Mary Catherine Wilder.