Transylvania celebrates students at annual awards ceremony Thursday

Transylvania University honored first-year students, sophomores and juniors at Thursday’s Student Awards ceremony.

President Brien Lewis and Dean Rebecca Thomas welcomed the students before faculty presented the recognitions, including scholarships and class awards for having the highest GPA. An awards ceremony for seniors is on tap for Friday, May 24, at 4 p.m. in Carrick Theater.

Class awards

Other awards

President’s Award for Community Service
Sean Gannon

J. Richard Thompson Leadership Award
Shelby Hamm

The Lumine Award for Theatrical Distinction
Sommer Abrahim, Taylor Dooley, Lucas Aguilar

Ira Richard Harris ’53 Political Science Department Award
Riley Vinson

Ira Richard Harris ’53 History Department Award
Nate Brother

Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship
Nicole Herman, Maddy Williams

Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award
Janiah Noel

Polymer Education Undergraduate Award
Lucas Orton

Dean’s Purchase Award
Sarah Ahmad

The Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship
Jenna Welch

Award descriptions

First-Year Class Award
The First-Year Class Award is conferred upon a first-year student who has completed at least four course units as a full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken at Transylvania.

Sophomore Class Award
The Sophomore Class Award is conferred upon a sophomore who has completed at least 12 course units as a full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken
at Transylvania.

Junior Class Award
The Junior Class Award is conferred upon a junior who has completed at least 12 course units as a
full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken at Transylvania.

President’s Award for Student Community Service is given to a Transylvania student for significant service to the local community beyond campus. The recipient is selected through nominations from the entire faculty, staff and student body, and the final selection is made by the president of the university.

J. Richard Thompson Leadership Award
J. Richard Thompson is a longtime educator, faculty member and former dean of students at Transylvania. This award was established in his honor and is given to one or more student leaders who have made a significant contribution to the living-learning community at Transylvania. Nominees must have served as a role model in an established student leadership position and have demonstrated a strong commitment to Transylvania’s mission and goals. Additionally, nominees must display charisma and genuine compassion for their peers and other members of the campus community.

The Lumine Award for Theatrical Distinction
The Lumine Award is conferred upon students who embody the spirit of Transylvania’s motto within the theater program, “In that light, we pass on the light.” They are a light in the darkness, displaying their passion and dedication to their art and the program.

Ira Richard Harris ’53 Political Science Department Award
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in political science for opportunities to further their education. The student selected must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate junior in good standing at the university, be enrolled as a political science major at the university and demonstrate the desire to further their educational opportunities outside of the university.

Ira Richard Harris ’53 History Department Award
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in history for opportunities to further their education. The student selected must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate junior in good standing at the university, be enrolled as a history major at the university and demonstrate the desire to further their educational opportunities outside of the university.

Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship
The Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2003 to assist deserving students from Kentucky. Recipients must be good students who are active participants and leaders in campus organizations and activities. This scholarship was funded with gifts made by former players, students, colleagues and family members. It pays tribute to the loving and much-loved teacher, coach, friend and father who devoted 30 years to Transylvania students.

Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award
The Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award is presented each year by the Chemical Rubber Company Press in recognition of outstanding achievement in general chemistry by a first-year student.

Polymer Education Undergraduate Award
The American Chemical Society and the Joint Polymer Education Committee present this award to a chemistry major whose future plans include a career in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering for outstanding performance in the first two semesters of organic chemistry.

Dean’s Purchase Award
Beginning in 2001, the dean has selected an artwork from Morlan Gallery’s Juried Student Art Exhibition to purchase and add to the university’s permanent collection. The work is chosen for its superior creative and technical accomplishment.

Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship
The Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship is awarded annually to rising seniors who have achieved outstanding academic records and have made significant contributions to Transylvania.