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A full academic procession is part of Wittenberg's annual Honors Convocation. |
During the ceremony, John D. Morris, class of 1983, presented the 2009 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching to Matthew J. Smith, associate professor of communication and department chair. The award was established in 1960, and it is the highest recognition Wittenberg bestows on its faculty. It is accompanied by a stipend of $2,000. Candidates must have taught at Wittenberg for more than five years and are nominated by students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Ester Mast was named Alma Mater, an honor bestowed upon a junior woman on the basis of character and integrity, service to the community, concern for others and high standards of scholarship. Paul Weber was named Alma Lux, an honor bestowed upon a junior male student who possesses qualities of leadership, scholarship and service.
Alyssa Armstrong received the Heimtraut Dietrich Award, which was established in 1981 to recognize the student who best emulates the spirit of the late associate dean of students' devotion to Wittenberg through faith and service. The M. Alice Geiger Award was presented to Allison Scaia. The award, named for Wittenberg's first woman graduate, recognizes a senior woman for outstanding contributions to the campus in the areas of performing or literary arts, athletics, co-curricular leadership, new programming, special academic pursuit or through special representation at any time during her college career.
The John F. Mitchell Award, honoring the senior man who best represents the liberal arts tradition at Wittenberg, was presented to Jonathan Duraj. The award goes to a top student who is a positive force in academic, cultural and social aspects of the campus.
The Alpha Delta Pi Scholarship Award, created in 1990 by the Springfield Alumnae Association and Chi Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, recognizes two junior women, one Greek and one non-Greek, who best exemplify the characteristics consistent with the ideals and goals of the sorority. This year's recipients are Sara Wheeler (non-Greek) and Betty Cheney (Greek).
The Global Awareness Award, instituted in 1992, recognizes seniors who contribute to greater global awareness within the Wittenberg University community. This year's recipient is Mai Trinh.
The Charles J. Ping Student Community Service Award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and ability to meet the needs of the community by working in partnership with members of the community. It recognizes the student's effort to create an organization to lead and to involve others. Ohio Campus Compact, a statewide membership organization that serves to promote community service initiatives at colleges and universities, sponsors this award. This year's recipient is Megan Hentges.
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Associate Professor of Communication Matthew J. Smith (left) receives the 2009 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching from John D. Morris, class of 1983. |
Rhea Price received the Broadwell Chinn Award, named for one of the first African American students to enroll at Wittenberg in the 1870s. The award honors the student holding the highest grade point average among African American juniors.
The Omicron Delta Kappa Award for outstanding teaching by a professor who has been on the faculty five years or less was presented to Ray Dudek, assistant professor of chemistry.
Presidential Scholars, named for former presidents of Wittenberg, are the junior students having the top 12 grade point averages of their class. Those students are Kristen Thomas, Sara Wheeler, Valerie O'Brien, Susan Duffield, Mandy Crosser, Alison Thompson, Jeffrey Boucher, Jordan Hardval, Lynsey Smith, Paul Weber, Kristin Hobson, Brandon Bock.
In addition, two new institutional awards were introduced at the 2009 Honors Convocation. The Lillian C. Franklin Diversity Award will be granted each year to honor a student and a faculty/staff member who have made outstanding contributions in promoting and furthering our goal of rich diversity in the Wittenberg community. Candidates must uphold the tradition of diversity embodied by the award's namesake, demonstrate high standards of personal integrity, commitment to the education of the whole person, global vision and leadership. The 2009 student recipient is Manoach Lamarre, and the 2009 faculty/staff member recipient is Lillian Franklin herself.
The Environmental Sustainability Award recognizes one student and one faculty/staff member for their effort and creativity devoted to cultivating a spirit of environmentalism on campus. The 2009 student recipient is Elise Willer, and the 2009 faculty/staff member recipient is Rick Incorvati.
Many more students and faculty members were honored at the convocation. A complete list can be found by clicking here. 
Written By: Phyllis Eberts
Photos By: Erin Pence
066-09
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