Faculty, students recognized at year-end awards

With the closing of another academic year, the university has recognized some of its exemplary students, faculty and staff at the annual year-end awards on April 25.

Adjunct Faculty Teaching and Service Award
Keith Condon, Biology

The Adjunct Faculty Teaching and Service Award recognizes and encourages outstanding part-time faculty teaching and service to the university. The award is presented to the adjunct faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching and provided exemplary service to the university. The successful candidate for this award will have demonstrated support for the mission and values of Lenoir-Rhyne, especially commitment to the development of students as whole persons, and an emphasis through teaching and service on excellence, integrity, care and curiosity.

A nominator of Condon shared the following:

“Keith has been an adjunct in the Department of Natural Sciences for three years. He is one of the hardest working adjuncts I know. He has put 100s of hours into revamping the anatomy and physiology lab program to make it a better class for students. He spends countless hours preparing and implementing instruction for his students. He is a team player, always willing to help out where there is a need.”

Roediger Distinguished Professorship
Keith Leiting, Ph.D., Exercise Science

The professorship is designated annually by the president in recognition of distinguished service to the university. It is endowed through a bequest of Annie Glass Roediger, a member of Augsburg Lutheran Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A nominator of Leiting shared the following:

“Dr. Leiting is consistently willing to step in and assist where needed. He has shown a great desire to contribute to the institution’s success. During his time at Lenoir-Rhyne, he has graciously served in many capacities, such as coordinator of the master-level exercise science program. He is also the coordinator for the undergraduate honors program in the School of Health, Exercise Science and Sport Science, leading the Quality Matters initiative for the program. He uses his passion for athletic performance and injury prevention to provide athlete-monitoring programs to various LR sports teams.”

Faculty Scholar Award
Lesly James, Ph.D., Occupational Therapy

This award, which recognizes and encourages outstanding faculty scholarship, is presented to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution to his or her discipline in the spirit of academic inquiry during the academic year. Through writing, speaking, recording or publicly performing, the recipient of this award will have brought recognition to Lenoir-Rhyne as a community of the intellect.

A nominator of James shared the following:

“Dr. James’ work has added to the body of knowledge within our field of occupational therapy and has produced resources to support the value of occupational therapy on local, state and national levels. She has co-authored three book chapters, supported multiple collaborative projects and presented at a national conference. Her work has given broader state and national distinction to Lenoir-Rhyne University and our occupational therapy program. Dr. James has quietly and humbly collaborated with other distinguished scholars within the profession and has freely shared with students and faculty.”

Raymond Morris Bost Distinguished Professor Award
Jonathan Schwiebert, Ph.D., Religious Studies

Made possible through the generosity of Burlington Industries, Inc., and members of the Lenoir-Rhyne faculty, this annual award, honoring the university’s former president and academic dean, is designed to recognize and encourage outstanding teaching.

A nominator of Schwiebert shared the following:

“Dr. Schwiebert pushes his students to think about big questions. He challenges students to think deeply, formulate ideas and provide evidence to support one’s claims. One student wrote, ‘He forced me to think. A simple answer isn’t good enough for him; he pushed me to think and expand my ideas.’ Another commented ‘It wasn’t about the grade; it was about thinking.’”

Student Government Association Award

• Daniel Grimm, Ph.D., Biology
• Dale King, Ph.D., Business

The SGA Executive Cabinet gives this award to the person who has made a significant contribution to the well-being of the student body.

Student Government Association President’s Award
Thomas Alexander Boyles

The SGA President presents this award to the person who has provided considerable help in strengthening the university community. 

Student Government Association Leadership Award
Samuel Fisher

The SGA Leadership Award is made possible by an endowed scholarship fund established in 1987 by the SGA. The award, in the form of a scholarship, is given to the rising junior or senior who is the newly elected SGA president.

Recognition of SGA Officers
Samuel Fisher, president; Nolan Metcalf, vice president; Dylan Foster, secretary; Diego Sanjuan, treasurer; Micah McRea, chief justice

Recognition of Class Presidents
Ellis Horton, senior class; Bethany Perry, junior class; Hagan Suchocki, sophomore class

Outstanding Student Organization Advisor
Keith Leiting, Ph.D.

This award, presented annually, is given to the student organization advisor who unselfishly gives of his/her time and talents to develop, strengthen and maintain a recognized student organization. Leiting is presented the award for his work with the Outdoor Adventure Club.

The Dean’s Award
Esperanza Garcia

Presented by the Office of the Dean of Students, the award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication and selflessness in working toward the betterment of student life at the university. 

Michael F. Riley Emerging Leader Award
Lauren Witke

The Michael F. Riley Emerging Leader Award is presented annually to the sophomore student who has worked diligently without public recognition for the betterment of the campus community through service and involvement. The recipient must have displayed interest and worked in an extracurricular activity, shown leadership potential for service in the world and be judged as an all-around kind and giving person. This person has demonstrated strength of character, integrity, spirit and true leadership potential. Selected and presented by the Office of Student Life, this award honors Michael F. Riley, former associate dean of students and director of counseling services, who gave 20 years of service to the students at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Jerry Shaw Excellence in Programming Award
Maranda Wallace

The Jerry Shaw Programming Award is given to the person of the Lenoir-Rhyne community who has exemplified compassion and excellence in student programming.

Freshman Medal
Demmi Ramos

Given by the T. P. Pruitt family of Hickory, North Carolina, in memory of their parents, the medal is awarded each year to the freshman who is considered to be the most outstanding representative of the class in scholarship, participation in college activities, in strength of character and general conduct and attitude.

Distinguished Scholar Award
Maggie Lou Alice Carter and Angel Martin

The distinguished scholar is a member of the Honors Academy who has achieved academically while contributing meaningfully to both the campus and the community. The distinguished scholar is an excellent all-around student both in and out of the classroom.

Honors Thesis Award

An honors thesis competition, held in the spring, recognizes academic talent and research at the institution. The theses were judged on the following criteria: overall quality of scholarship, clarity of presentation and student’s depth of understanding of the work.

• First Place: Maggie Lou Alice Carter
• Second Place: Magdalene Keller
• Third Place: Alicia Sigmon

Engaged Scholars 2022 Graduating Seniors
Gabriel Baker, Cameron Baute, Jackson Corrigan, Melissa Craemer, Jordan Cruce, Tristan Dameron, Helen Hamilton, Jannah Hicks, Nealie Lawing, Angel Martin, Christian Sullivan, Emma Throneburg and Darah Watson

Teaching Scholars 2022 Graduating Seniors
Alli Costner, Neely Harvell, Cameron Howard, Geraldine Ledezma Garcia, Noah Rudisill, Sarah Simmons-Cavazos, Elijah Smith and Kyndal Propst

Lineberger Fellows 2022 Graduating Seniors
Thomas Alexander Boyles, Maggie Lou Alice Carter, Jordan Cruce, Erran Owenby, Eugenia (Genie) Parish and Christian Sullivan

Mortar Board 2022 Graduating Seniors
Jordan Amedio, Denisse Angeles-Valencia, Cameron Baute, Thomas Alexander Boyles, Melissa Craemer, Yanira Cristobal, Jordan Cruce, Sophie Gainey, Helen Hamilton, Greyson Herbert, Caroline Hilliard, Hailey Huffman, Magdalene Keller, Kaitlyn Lehman, Korbin Little, Nealie Lawing, Hanna McClung, Kiara Moore, Nora Nichols, Kendall Osborne, Erran Owenby, John Ryan, Alyssa Sronce, Kailey Travis, Lacey Triplett, Skylar Sweitzer and Madelyn Wilson