Emory & Henry Students Celebrate Academic Accomplishments at the 2024 Awards Day Convocation

The annual Emory & Henry College Awards Day Convocation recognizes students for what they accomplished in their academics and campus community. The 2024 convocation was at the Memorial Chapel on Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. with reflection by theatre department chair Dr. Kelly Bremner and a welcome by Emory & Henry provost Dr. Michael Puglisi. Associate provost Dr. Michael Lane introduced the speaker and opening remarks were given by English professor Matthew Kelley. Dean of students Fred George gave the closing remarks. Presentations of the awards were given by faculty and staff of Emory & Henry.

Collegiate Recognition

Paul Adrian Powell III Award

The Paul Adrian Powell III Award was established to recognize a supplemental instructor (SI) of outstanding service who has shown an exceptional commitment to student learning in his or her role as an SI. The junior or senior level student must have demonstrated availability and accessibility and provided outstanding assistance to students in the class in which he or she was working.

Stephanie Copolo

Bluefield, Va.

Global Citizen Award

The Global Citizen Award is given to the graduating senior who has best exemplified the global citizenship values of being informed, open-minded, and responsible; being attentive to diversity; understanding how their actions affect both local and global communities; and addressing the world’s most pressing and enduring issues intellectually, collaboratively and equitably.

Jackson Arnold

Linden, Va.

School of Business Awards

Business Administration and Accounting

Academic Excellence in Business

Chelsi Hodges

Vilas, NC

Academic Excellence in Accounting

Karrah James

Wytheville, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Business/Accounting

Mills Becouvarakis

Hampton, Va.

School of Arts and Sciences Awards

Visual & Performing Arts Division

Theatre

Academic Excellence in Theatre

Katie Bolling

Abingdon, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Theatre

Madison Harosky

Bristol, Va.

Art

Academic Excellence in Art

Tristan Miller

Wise, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Art

Emmett Donavan

Boones Mill, Va.

Music

Academic Excellence in Music

Miranda Howard

Jonesville, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Music

Alex Withers

Princeton, W. Va.

Education Division

Education

Academic Excellence in Undergraduate Education

Emma Allison

Saltville, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Undergraduate Education

Lorelai Thomas

Bristol, Va.

Academic Excellence in Graduate Education

Ryley Sawyer

Atkins, Va. 

Outstanding Senior in Graduate Education

Sam VanDyne

Max Meadows, Va.

Excellence in Graduate Education Research

Ryley Sawyer

Atkins, Va.

The Edgar H. Thompson Memorial Award for Exceptional Student Teaching at the PK-12 Level

Miranda Howard

Jonesville, Va.

The Edgar H. Thompson Memorial Award for Exceptional Student Teaching at the Elementary Level

Paige Woodworth

Davidson, NC.

The Edgar H. Thompson Memorial Award for Exceptional Student Teaching at the Secondary Level

Emma Allison

Saltville, Va.

Delta Kappa Gamma Virginia Scholar’s Award

Emma Allison

Saltville, Va.

W. Thomas Graybeal Mathematics Award

Jennings Woods

Abingdon, Va.

Health & Human Performance

Academic Excellence in Health & Hyman Performance

Patrick Antonelli

Mount Pleasant, SC

Exceptional Student Teaching in Physical Education

Colby Martin

Bremo Bluff, Va.

Humanities Division

English

Academic Excellence in English

Cade Mullins

Glade Spring, Va.

Outstanding Senior in English

Caitlin Barker

Collinsville, Va.

Marius Blesi Reading Awards

The Marius Blesi Reading Awards were established in 1987 by the English department in association with local bookstores and are awarded to first-year and sophomore students who have demonstrated an enthusiasm for reading challenging books and an unusual ability to interpret literature.

Sarah Sheeder

Ligonier, Pa.

Maria Cheki

Martinsville, Va.

Cas Allitt

Knoxville, Tenn.

Grace Reynen

Mission Viejo, Calif.

Marius Blesi Senior English Award

The Marius and Lucille Blesi Award is given to a graduating English major who shares the Blesis’ love of literature and language. The Blesis taught at Emory & Henry College for many years.

Lorelai Thomas

Bristol, Va.

Turner N. Clinard English Award

The Turner N. Clinard English Award was established in 1981 in memory of Dr. Turner N. Clinard, an English professor at Emory & Henry (1965-80) and a devoted observer of nature. The award is given to a rising senior English major for excellence in scholarship and exceptional writing ability.

Matt Rooks

Luray, Va.

Charles Collins Award in Writing

One of E&H’s oldest awards, the Charles Collins Award in Writing was established in 1872 by Charles Collins, the first President of the College.  It is awarded to a student demonstrating overall excellence in English composition, from creative writing to expository writing.

Camryn Witt

Axton, Va.

William A. Stuart Prize in English

This award was named for a notable E&H Alumnus, a Rhodes Scholar who served as President of the Virginia Bar.  It is given to a rising senior who has demonstrated a high level of proficiency and academic achievement in English and is a person of good character.

Tyx Hood

Auburndale, WI

Channah Davidson

Graysville, Tenn.

Lucille Webb English Award

The Lucille Webb English Award was originally established in 1978 by the Abingdon Chapter of American Association of University Women in honor of Miss Webb (E&H ’29), an AAUW member and Emory & Henry faculty member (active teaching 1946-68; named emeritus) marked by her love of the fine arts and commitment to students. In 1986 the fund grew through a bequest from Mrs. Webb. It is awarded to a graduating senior or a rising senior who is committed to literature and language and who shows some intention of sharing these gifts in the life of the community through career or community affairs.

Hannah Carter

Bedford, Va.

Cade Looney

Grundy, Va.

Philosophy

Academic Excellence in Philosophy

Isaac Combs

Marion, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Philosophy

Isaac Combs

Marion, Va.

Religion

Academic Excellence in Religion

Isaac Combs

Marion, Va.

Outstanding Student in Religion

Katherine Magette

Courtland, Va.

World Languages

Academic Excellence in World Languages

Carlee Sullins

Elizabethton, Tenn.

Outstanding Senior in World Languages

Cheyenne Osborne

Bluefield, Va.

Natural Science Division

Biology

Academic Excellence in Biology

Haleigh Cooper

Knoxville, Tenn.

Outstanding Senior in Biology

Sandra Coffee

Fredericksburg, Va.

Sarah Walters

Abingdon, Va.

The Buchanan Memorial Endowed Award for Biology

Rachel Turner

Elizabethton, Tenn.

Chemistry

The Buchanan Memorial Endowed Award for Chemistry

Juan Gomez Rios

Mount Airy, NC

Environmental Studies

Academic Excellence in Environmental Studies

Ryland Harrison

Damascus, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Environmental Studies

Rachel Turner

Elizabethton, Tenn.

The Nature Conservancy Award in Environmental Studies

Dylan Hale

Meadowview, Va.

Equine Studies

Academic Excellence in Equine Studies

Valerie Servideo

Coconut Creek, Fla.

Outstanding Senior in Equine Studies

Rachelle Stiens

Newport News, Va.

Exercise Science

Academic Excellence/Highest GPA in Exercise Science

Kiera Pugalee

North Tazewell, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Exercise Science

Emily Smelcer

Walland, Tenn.

Exercise Science Education Junior Achievement Award

Paige Gelenski

Boca Raton, Fla.

Mathematics

Outstanding Senior in Mathematics

Olivia Sexton

Abingdon, Va.

Outstanding First Year Mathematics Award

Hannah Hylton

Salem, Va.

Psychology

Academic Excellence in Psychology

Baylie Charles

Wytheville, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Psychology

Abigail Bowman

Bristol, Va.

Psychology Award for Excellence in Research

Abigail Bowman

Bristol, Va.

Bruce C. Carruth Citation for Departmental Service

This award is given to students who during their tenure at E&H have provided a service to the Department of Psychology. Their gift of quality time in assisting professors and working diligently for the betterment of the department is an invaluable asset to the college. Dr. Carruth was a member of the E&H Psychology Department faculty from 1962 to 1990.

Conner Pratt

Wytheville, Va.

Social Sciences Division

Civic Innovation

Academic Excellence in Civic Engagement

Erin Bunn

Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Civic Engagement

Brittan Justice

Abingdon, Va.

Economics

Academic Excellence in Economics

Emma Charlton

Consett, England

Outstanding Senior in Economics

Christian Yeates

New Kent, Va.

Geography

Academic Excellence in Geography

Grace Jonas

Maryville, Tenn.

Outstanding Senior in Geography

Grace Jonas

Maryville, Tenn.

History

Academic Excellence in History

Bethany Bare

Jefferson, NC

Outstanding Senior in History

Rachel Reimer

Enid, Okla.

Eugene L. Rasor Award in Global Studies

Mya Olivo

Abingdon, Va.

Media & Communication

Academic Excellence in Media & Communication

Katie Bolling

Abingdon, Va.

Outstanding Senior in Media & Communication

Anthony Smith, Jr.

Chesapeake, Va.

Politics, Law and International Relations

Outstanding Senior in Political Science

Tristin Dollmont

Dunlap, Tenn.

Carlee Sullins

Elizabethton, Tenn.

Sociology

Academic Excellence in Sociology

Amari Jones

Newport News, Va.

Leadership and Achievement Recognition

Honaker Achievement Award

Established in 1969 by M.H. Honaker, this award recognizes a female student who is outstanding in scholarship, citizenship, and contributions to residence hall living.

Haleigh Cooper

Knoxville, Tenn.

Student Body Awards

Excellence in Teaching Award 2024

Scott Sikes

Student Government Organization Award

Women in STEM

Dr. Jack Roper Senator of the Year

Collin Coerr

Falls Church, Va.

Student Government 2024-25 President

Meg Askew

Roanoke, Va.

Student Government 2024-25 Vice President

Collin Coerr

Falls Church, Va.

Senior Orator

Peyton Derrick

Church Hill, Tenn.

Outstanding Senior Award

Haleigh Cooper

Knoxville, Tenn.

Carlee Sullins

Elizabethton, Tenn.

Senior Service Award

Haleigh Cooper

Knoxville, Tenn.