Bluefield University recognized the academic excellence of its students at its annual Honors Convocation held Wednesday, April 19 in Harman Chapel. Dr. Michael Salmeier, the institution’s Provost, welcomed members and friends of the campus community to the awards ceremony.
“The students we recognize this morning have been exemplary students in academics and service,” Dr. Salmeier said. “As part of a Christian community, we can celebrate with them. Our applause to these students is also an expression of praise to God for the gifts and abilities He has given them.”
Kevin Downer offered the invocational prayer. Members of the Variations choral ensemble, accompanied by pianist Alandra Blume and guitarist Cameron Justis, performed “The Gift of Love.” Dr. Kimberly Farmer, professor of criminal justice and the 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award honoree, shared reflections on her time teaching at Bluefield University and building its criminal justice program. Dr. Mark Milberger, assistant professor of music and worship arts, led the congregation in the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.”
Dr. Salmeier began the award presentations by honoring 195 students from Spring 2022 and 197 students from Fall 2022 who made the Dean’s List with a 3.5 to 3.89 semester GPA or the President’s List with a 3.9 to 4.0 semester GPA.
The 2023 Honors Convocation award recipients included:
- Freshmen Award for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Abigail Bradley, Landon Breeden, Edward Cochran, Marissa Copenhaver, Courtney Frame, Alexis McDuffie, Gary Pettrey, Lydia Pike, and Brent Wallace
- Freshmen Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Samantha Brewster, Dorian Crabtree, Cameron Justis, McKinley Mann, Philip Porter, and Eledy Torres Jimenez
- Sophomore Award for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Jonathan Collier, Madilyn Howington, and Brayden Surface
- Sophomore Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Mollie Bolton, Jessica Brown, Jonathan Davis, MacKenzie Franklin, Abigail Gasperson, Katherine Glover, Lauren Hay, Savannah Holmes, Jaala Maurer, Silas Miller, Adam Stafford, and Courtney Wright
- Junior Award for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Chloe Estoll, Christopher Keaveny, and Macy McBride
- Junior Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Julia Atkins, Megan Bowen, Alexander Bradford, Gage Chambers, Bert Combs, Jenna Crook, Hannah DeWick, Sydney Horton, Madison Janysek, April Kish, Charles Lowe, Antonio Martin, Charity Mitchell, Alyssa Murphy, Brendan Nunnally, Daniella Robinette, Cassidy Roscoe, Jocilyn Thompson, and Pedro Visacro
- Senior Award for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Laura Horton
- Senior Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Alison Blankenship, Emily Breeding, Lillian Comer, Timothy Gasperson, James Grayson, Madalyn Holdren, Macy Martin, Abigail McComas, Kimberly Puckett, Isaiah Rife, Paige Spade, and Hannah Thacker
- Marvin G. Williams Award for the Outstanding Biology Graduate: Adriana Soto Alvarez
- Frank S. Easley Award for the Outstanding Business Administration Graduate: Evan Matlick
- Outstanding Master of Business Administration Graduate: Corey Carr
- Outstanding Christian Studies Graduate: Hannah Thacker
- Outstanding Communication Graduate: Warren Lester
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Counseling | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate: Hannah Ingo
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Counseling | School Counseling Graduate: Rachel Gray
- Outstanding Criminal Justice Traditional Graduate: Brooklynn Whitaker
- Outstanding Criminal Justice Online Graduate: Kimberly Dye
- Outstanding Cybersecurity Graduate: Tavares Rabb
- Outstanding Early Childhood Education Graduate: Lawanda Harper
- Gerald E. Clay Award for the Outstanding Teacher Education Graduate: Carolyn Moss
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Education Graduate: Whitney Saunders
- Outstanding Exercise and Sport Science Graduate: Roger Haynes
- Outstanding Graphic Communication Graduate: Jessica Wells
- Outstanding Information Technology Graduate: Katherine Smith
- Outstanding Mathematics Graduate: Kaylei Newman
- Outstanding Ministry Leadership Graduate: Neisha Smith
- Outstanding Music Graduate: Meghan Woody
- Outstanding RN to BSN Graduate: Andrea Varney
- Outstanding Master of Science in Nursing Graduate: Stephanie Wismer
- Outstanding Organizational Leadership Graduate: Tyrese Wolfe
- Outstanding Psychology and Human Service Graduate: Andre Souza Avila Amaral
- Outstanding Theatre Graduate: General Smith
- Alpha Chi Honor Society Graduates: Kassidy Bingel, Megan Brown, Timothy Gasperson, Kaylei Newman, Brandon Shields, Neisha Smith, and Brooklynn Whitaker
- Honors Program Scholar Graduate: Grant Wright
- Kappa Pi International Art Society – Eta Zeta Chapter Graduate: Jessica Wells
- Rampage Editor’s Scholarship: Nathan LePere and Payton Smith
- Valena May Parsons Communication Award: Warren Lester
- John W. Tresch History Scholarship: Shawn Johnson
- Colonial Dames of Mercer County History Scholarship: Shawn Johnson and MacKenzie Franklin
- Excellence in Law Enforcement Studies Award: Jonathan Hurley
- Excellence in Legal Studies Award: Clarence Randall
- Walls-Farmer Criminal Justice Scholarship: Tiffany Bunton and Ciera Cline
- Gerald E. Clay Scholarship: James Grayson
- Heather M. Smith Scholarship: Madalyn Holdren
- Delta Kappa Gamma Education Award: Janet Deel
- Jason Elswick Student Teacher Award: Kaylei Newman
- Heather M. Smith Student Teacher Award: Kelly Hess
- Marsha A. Mead Scholarship: Charity Ann Mitchell
- Paul W. Beasley Service Award: Alysia Townsley
- Margaret N. Leonard Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Shawn White
Dr. Milberger led the congregation in singing the Alma Mater, and Professor Brandy Smith offered the benediction. The convocation was followed by a reception in the Jack Marcom Student Center for students who made the Dean’s List and the President’s List. Congratulations to all award recipients!
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