2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
    Apr 20, 2024  
2017-2018 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. Last awarded to Carl Kohrt in 2014.

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 academic year is eligible.

Recipients are selected by an unannounced selection committee, composed of faculty and students, appointed annually by the president. 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.

The Meritorious Teaching Award was won in 2016 by Frances Willard Pate and Benjamin Whitton Storey.

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. 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 2016 by Carolyn Anne Day and Lourdes Manyé.

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 2016 by Timothy Wardle, Assistant Professor of Religion.

Notable Faculty or Staff External Awards

SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award. Won in 2016 by Kevin Hutson.

Student Awards

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 2016 by Erin Michelle Barnett and Julia Christine Roberts.

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 2016 by Jordan Alexander Brown.

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 2016 by Julia Christine Roberts.

Ancient Greek and Roman Studies

Award for Excellence in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (2001). Won in 2016 by Samantha Morgan Strickland.

Anthropology

Award for Excellence in Anthropology (2016). Won in 2016 by Amy Marie Holbrooks.

Art

Flowers Award (1990). Won in 2016 by John McLain McCall.

Asian Studies

James B. Leavell Outstanding Work in Asian Studies (2005). Won in 2016 by Sarah Dorothy Walsh.

Faculty Award in Chinese (1991). Won in 2016 by Kirby Aletha Funt.

Faculty Award in Japanese (1991). Won in 2016 by Fuk Yan Chow.

Outstanding Work in South Asian Studies (2005). Won in 2016 by Samantha Taylor Wrobel.

Outstanding Work in Chinese Studies (2004). Won in 2016 by Karlee Nicole Wroblewski.

Outstanding Work in Japanese Studies. Won in 2015 by Allison Taylor Shoemaker.

Biology

Distinguished Research Award in Biology (1991). Won in 2016 by Dainee Marie Gibson and Emery Roger Longan.

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 2016 by Kara Victoria DeGroote.

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 2016 by Kara Victoria DeGroote.

C. Leland Rodgers Biology Award (2000). Won in 2016 by Emery Roger Longan.

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 2016 by Ruowei Wang.

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 2016 by Andrew Grant MacLatchie, Anton Villars Schutz an Blake Allen Singer.

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 2016 by John James Cordoba.

John Albert Southern Chemistry Award (1973). Won in 2016 by Kiersten Nanette Rule.

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 2016 by Michael Davis Turlington.

American Institute of Chemists Award in Biochemistry (1984). Won in 2016 by Ryan George Alexander.

American Institute of Chemists Award in Chemistry (1984). Won in 2016 by Lindsay Elaine Eddy.

Classics

J.S. Murray Greek Prize (1928). Won in 2016 by Samantha Morgan Strickland.

J.S. Murray Latin Prize (1928). Won in 2016 by Elias Dorrin Eells.

Communication Studies

Charles A. Batson Award (2004). Won in 2016 by Foluke Hope Ogunsile.

Communication Studies Award for Excellence in Public Speaking and Debate (1937). Won in 2016 by Melissa Lee Temple.

Endel Medal for Excellence in Communication Studies (1926). The department’s highest award honors the outstanding student or students in Communication Studies. Won in 2016 by Kaitlin Quinn Shuell.

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 2016 by Alaina Murphy Meese and Carryl Richards Tinsley.

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 2016 by Holli Dai Wilkins.

Computer Science

Computer Science-Mathematics Award for Excellence (1996). Won in 2016 by Margaret Rose Grisell.

Kenneth C. Abernethy Award for Excellence in Computer Science. Won in 2016 by Samuel Jack Hill and Andrew James Safigan.

Earth and Environmental Science

Earth and Environmental Sciences Scholar Award (2007). Won in 2016 by Dainee Marie Gibson and Emily Anne Kern.

Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Award (2007). Won in 2016 by Kathryn Putnam Clark.

Sustainability Science Research Award (2013). Won in 2016 by Hannah Wright Wheeler.

Economics

J. Carlyle Ellett Economics Prize (1990). Won in 2016 by Erin Michelle Barnett.

Arther Magill Economics Prize (1999). Won in 2016 by Tien Thuy Hoang.

Mathematics Economics Award for Excellence (2007). Won in 2016 by Kelly Cain Jackson.

Education

Outstanding Scholar and Leader in Education Award (2005). Won in 2016 by Jordan Alexander Brown, Sara Chesley Cramer, Kristen Ayn Marakoff and Kelly Elizabeth Rae.

Environmental Studies

Award for Excellence in Environmental Studies (2001). Won in 2016 by Lindsey Elizabeth Moser.

Film Studies

Award for Excellence in Film Studies (2014). Won in 2016 by Leah Kristine Barngrover.

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 2016 by Christine Lucille Hess.

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 2016 by Karlee Suzanne Edwards.

History

Alumni Award for Academic Excellence in History (2003). Won in 2016 by Trevor Samuel Atkins and Regan Kathleen Cormak.

Endel Memorial History Medal (1937). Founded by the late Mrs. H. Endel as a memorial to her husband and awarded to the person doing the best work in history. No student is eligible a second time. Won in 2016 by Anna Grace Downs.

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 2016 by Samantha Morgan Strickland.

Daughter of the American Revolution Prize in American History (1937). Won in 2016 by Mary Eleanor Daniel.

Latin American Studies

Award for Excellence in Latin American Studies (2001). Won in 2016 by Remi Jacqueline Bagwell.

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 2016 by Jordan Alexander Brown and Yikai Chen.

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 2016 by Jordan Alexander Brown and Yikai Chen.

Neuroscience

William Blaker Award for Excellence in Neuroscience (2015). Won in 2016 by Kate Barakos Brokaw.

Modern Languages and Literatures

Goethe Award in German (1969). Won in 2016 by Anhang Ning.

Cervantes Award in Spanish (1969). Won in 2016 by John Hiers Rainwater.

Daivd Wells Morgan Award in French (1969). Won in 2016 by Daniel Simpson Sanders, III.

Music

Mattie Hipp Cunningham Scholarship (1972). Won in 2016 by Emily Margaret Lamb.

Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. Won in 2016 by Grace Kate Odell.

Philosophy

Philosophy Medal (1998). Won in 2016 by Judith Fleetwood Carlisle.

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 2016 by Perry Elizabeth Leigh.

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 2016 by Caroline Marie Lancaster.

Political Science Faculty Award (1997). Won in 2016 by Oryza Nadhifah Astari, Jonathan Kubakundimana and Rachel Nicole Whitted.

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 2016 by Julia Christine Roberts and Nathan Lewis Thompson.

Henry P. Jones Political Science Medal (1986). Won in 2016 by John McLain McCall.

Poverty Studies

Award for Excellence in Poverty Studies (2011). Won in 2016 by Laura Brown Bardin, Jennifer Kathryn Duer and Julia Christine Roberts.

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 2016 by Kiersten Nanette Rule.

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 2016 by Ryan George Alexander.

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 2016 by Hyeri Song and Martha Mallory Taylor.

Brewer Scholar in Psychology. Won in 2016 by Jennifer Kathryn Duer.

Burts Scholar in Psychology (1973). Established by Charles W. Burts. Awarded to the outstanding psychology major. Won in 2016 by Hayden Mensah Mbroh and Jing Zhang.

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 2016 by Katarina Elizabeth Walker and Alissa Nicole Wilmerdinger.

Religion

Baggott Ministerial 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 2016 by Mary Katherine Knight Buchanan and Mark Randolph Rector.

Baggott Excellence Award (1978). Endowed by the Rev. and Mrs. James L. Baggott. Won in 2016 by Carryl Richards Tinsley and Samantha Taylor Wrobel.

Scholarly Achievement Award in Religion (1970). Won in 2016 by Eliza Joyce Smith.

David Anthony Smith Award in Religion (2001). Won in 2016 by Elizabeth Wright Veilleux.

John C. Shelley Award for Excellence in the Fields of Theology and Ethics (2013). Won in 2016 by Laura Brown Bardin and Blake Allen Singer.

Sociology

Johnson-Webb Sociology Award (1984). Won in 2016 by Abigail Jean Arvanites and Oluwatobi Opeyemi Olaiya.

Theatre Arts

Furman Theatre Guild Award (1971). Won in 2016 by Erin Michelle Barnett.

Furman Theatre Most Valuable Player (1999). Won in 2016 by Elise Marie Etherton.

Undergraduate Evening Studies

Frances Selby “Gig” Meredith Award (1999). Won in 2016 by Ellen Martin Cohen.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Award for Excellence in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (2001). Won in 2016 by Dana Lynn Wagner and Jing Zhang.

Leadership, Service and Diversity

Leverette Sustainabilty Award. This award, named in honor of the late former Furman Professor of History, William “Bill” Leverette, is presented annually to the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting sustainability service and/or research and contributed to efforts to promote energy conservation and environmental stewardship on the Furman campus or within the greater Greenville community. Won in 2016 by Amanda Leigh Richey.

Lillian Brock-Fleming Award. This award is named for 1971 alumnus and former Furman trustee Lillian Brock-Flemming. Mrs. Brock-Flemming was one of the first African-American women to graduate from Furman. This award is presented to a Multicultural Senior who has displayed leadership in student organizations throughout their Furman career and has been effective in advancing the concerns of multicultural students. Won in 2016 by Bethlehem Mehari Belachew.

Joseph Vaughn Award. This award is named for Joseph Vaughn, the first African-American admitted to Furman. Mr. Vaughn entered Furman in 1965 and in 1968 received a B.A. in English. Mr. Vaughn passed away in 1991. This award is given to recognize the multicultural senior who has typified model citizenship, outstanding student leadership, and high academic achievement. Won in 2016 by Oryza Nadhifah Anindita Astari.

Willard A. Metcalf Personal Character Award. This award, established in 2002, is named in honor of the late Willard A. Metcalf. Mr. Metcalf was known for his unique contributions to the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Greenville community. His life has inspired many students to strive passionately toward the ideals to which he himself was committed. This award is presented to the student who exemplifies personal character through high ambitions and a congenial disposition, as well as a selfless commitment to the betterment of others in the community. Won in 2016 by Eliza Joyce Smith.

Rosa Mary Bodkin Award. This award is named in honor of the late Rosa Mary Bodkin. The award is presented to the student who has encouraged meaningful dialogue among diverse groups and provided leadership in activities and programs which promote understanding, awareness, and appreciation of the many dimensions of diversity. Won in 2016 by Elizabeth Wright Veilleux.

C. Dan Joyner Outstanding Athletic Leader Award. This award is named in honor of the late C. Dan Joyner, an exemplary Greenville community leader known affectionately to the Furman community as “Furman’s Biggest Fan” because of his unwavering support for Furman athletics. This award is presented annually to a senior female and male student athlete who has positively impacted their sports team as a role model, a resource, a motivator, and an encourager. The recipient will be a person who is respected by athletic
teammates and someone who has demonstrated effective leadership of the team. Won in 2016 by Kendrec Taylor Ferrara and Alexandra F. Sappington.

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 2016 by Bianca Alexandra Forte and William R. Lorenz, Jr.

Alfred S. Reid Memorial 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 2016 by Brock Edward Baker, S. Joe Fretwell, John William Gillespie and D. Craig Yount.

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 2016 by Erin Elizabeth Bailey, Laurin E. Bixby, Lexie Leigh Harvey and Laura E. Woodside.

Unsung Hero Award. This award is presented annually to students who, through their behind the scenes involvement with student life, have exemplified a commitment to enhancing Furman campus life. Won in 2016 by Laura Brown Bardin, John McLain McCall, Blake Harrison Reed and Claire Elizabeth Sullivan.

Hall of Leaders Award. This award is presented to a select group of seniors who have demonstrated outstanding involvement with campus life and extracurricular activities and who, through this service, have exemplified a four-year commitment to the positive enhancement of the Furman campus. Won in 2016 by Crystal Nicole Boyd, Laura Brannan, Karlee Edwards, Walter Clemens Godfrey, Jonathan Kubakundimana, Victoria Hope Levine, Bridget Lorenz, Matthew Thomas Powell, Nicholas Richardi, Alicia Russell, Courtney Ann Such and Jordan Tapp.

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation facilitates annual awards on 61 colleges and university campuses in the American South. Sullivan Awards have been given to students since 1890, recognizing individuals whose “nobility
of character” and service to others sets them apart as examples to all. Won in 2016 by Carryl Richards Tinsley.

Harry B. Shucker Outstanding Student Leader Award. The Harry B. Shucker Outstanding Student Leader Award was established in 1999 and is named for Furman’s former Vice President for Student Services. Dr. Shucker is well known among Furman students and alumni as a man of great compassion. He often went above and beyond his responsibilities to help a student in need. He made every effort to know students individually and he displayed a sincere desire to see each student succeed. This award is presented to one senior student who has been involved in multiple dimensions of Furman student life and who has exemplified a four-year commitment to effecting positive change on the Furman campus. The recipient of this award will be a person with compassion for others who, through their role as a student leader, has embodied the spirit of leadership as action, not just position. Won in 2016 by Jonathan Kubakundimana.

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 2016 by Nathan Lewis Thompson and Margaret Rose Grisell.