Honors Convocation on March 31 recognized the best in student academic achievement at Mary Baldwin, and the college celebrated student leaders and their hard work over the 2015–16 academic year at the SGA Installation and Leadership Awards ceremony on April 5.
Awards presented at Honors Convocation included:
Student Class Marshals
Class of 2016: Alana Rister and Alora Wogsland
Class of 2017: Carlyssa Lebeauf and Brooke Wiles; Sharanya Rao, alternate
Class of 2018: Jennifer Eibert, Annapurna Chitnavis; Nicole Keen, alternate, and Karlie Ethridge, alternate
Class of 2019: Sarah Sheehan and Taylor Povich; Corinne Weeks, alternate
Phi Beta Kappa
Membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, is an emblem of high achievement and exceptional potential conferred upon barely one percent of college seniors nationwide. The Society, founded in 1776, maintains high standards for individual members as well as for the colleges from which members are elected. Mary Baldwin University is one of only 280 institutions to shelter a chapter, Lambda of Virginia. To be elected to Phi Beta Kappa, a student must have demonstrated through her or his undergraduate record a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences that is both broad and deep. In addition to a high GPA, minimum eligibility requirements include foreign language, mathematics, and laboratory science. The ideal Phi Beta Kappan is a model of intellectual curiosity, academic integrity, tolerance for other views, and a broad range of academic interests.
Seniors: Virginia Banda-Garcia, Sarah Daughdrill, Tassany Forero, Shayna Jackson, Elizabeth Lozier, Ciara McLaren, Raven Showalter, and Amanda Terrill
Juniors (Standards for election as a junior are even more rigorous than for seniors): Sharanya Rao and Brooke Wiles
Global Honors Scholars 2015–16
Class of 2016: Ashleigh Aycock, Celine Brooks, Ciara Dacosta-Reyes, Sarah Daughdrill,
Tassany Forero, Aji Gaye, Sheridan Lawrence, Stephanie Mason, Aliyah McIntosh, Ciara McLaren, Katherine Narvaez, Brianne Perry, Sierra Short, Raven Showalter, Dejhanira Torrico
Rolonda Williams, Phoenix Wilson, and Alora Wogsland
Class of 2017: Jaysn Chase, Olivia Cronk, Megan Edwards, Christine Fenner, Farrah Fullerton, Tiffany Henson, Aaleyah Joe, Angela Johnson, Alicia Johnson, Giselle Olivera, Sharanya Rao,
Autumn Smith, Madeline Stout, Jessica Sullivan, Brooke Wiles, Lydia Wossum-Fisher, and
Yidan Wu
Class of 2018: Alayah Austin, Tia Bell, Annapurna Chitnavis, Carla Cisneros, Kate Dickinson,
Sarah Hager, Eliza Hong, Nicole Keen, Clara Liddick, Kidest Mitike, Fathia Mohammed, Shari Moody, Norah Moturi, Marianna Moynihan, Madison Payne, Jaya Payne-Watson, Taylor Radford, Abinaya Subramanian, Zindzi Thompson, Mary Ruth Wossum-Fisher, Maya White, and Haley Young
Class of 2019: Abby Black, Sarena Clifton, Alexa Hite, Faith Parker, Emma Parolisi, Desjourné Reid, Dalana Salyer, Sarah Sheehan, Lindsay Sopko, and Layla Williams
Baldwin Online and Adult Programs Loyalty Fund Scholarships
The Baldwin Online and Adult Programs (Baldwin Online and Adult Programs) Loyalty Fund Scholarships are funded through donations from Baldwin Online and Adult Programs faculty, staff, graduates, friends, family, and present students through donations to the college’s annual fund. To be eligible, applicants must be students in good standing in Baldwin Online and Adult Programs and be seeking their first bachelor’s degree; have completed 12 or more semester hours of Mary Baldwin-graded work, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5; and be planning to enroll in the following fall semester. Recipients are selected on the basis of their academic record; service to the program, college, and community; and commitment to learning and growth in Baldwin Online and Adult Programs.
Amy L. France, Gillian Henderson, Elizabeth Milleson, Yaphet Riggins, and Stephanie Snead
Anthropology
Carrie Douglass Award for Excellence in Anthropology
The Carrie Douglass Award for Excellence in Anthropology honors one student, an anthropology/sociology major or anthropology minor, for his or her work in and contribution to the anthropology program at Mary Baldwin University. The award is determined by major GPA, career GPA, and contributions to the anthropology program through campus organizations, civic and/or global engagement, and excellence in research. The award is named in honor of former Mary Baldwin University Professor of Anthropology Carrie Douglass.
Katie Sain
Art
Ulysse Desportes Award for Outstanding Achievement in Studio Art
This award acknowledges the outstanding work, accomplishments, and growth of a selected art history major and a studio art major. It also signifies the capacity of the recipients to carry forward a high level of quality within her studio practice and/or art history scholarship beyond Mary Baldwin University.
Studio Art: Betsey Suchanic and Eric Mowen
Asian Studies
Amy M. Rupe Award for Excellence in Asian Studies
Autumn Smith
Athletics
Scholar-Athlete Awards
Given to member(s) of Mary Baldwin sports teams who achieves high academic standing.
Johnna Bingham, Jessica Hickman, Chrissy Cromer, Katherine Narvaez, Farrah Fullerton, Kaylyn Lonergan, and Wendy Deptula
Mary Jane Donnally Award
Awarded to the student athlete with the highest cumulative GPA after three semesters of work.
Wendy Deptula
Team GPA Award
Awarded to the team with the highest cumulative GPA.
Cross Country: Kali Carr, Alejandra Cotoc-Cax, Wendy Deptula, Gillian Gloska, Alexis Harkins, Theresa Jones, Virginia King, Jochebed Koomson, Kaylyn Lonergan, Monique McGough, Katherine Narvaez, Campbell Scollo, Lindsay Sopko, and Bailey Willis
Biology
Alice McCaa Class of 1976 Biology Award
The Alice McCaa (pronounced “McCay”) Award honors a 1976 graduate of Mary Baldwin University who majored in biology and whose friends and classmates wanted to honor her memory by establishing an annual award for biology majors. The award is intended to “encourage and recognize excellence in the field of biology.” It is given to an undergraduate biology major based on academic standing and excellent performance in laboratory and research settings. The recipient is chosen by the biology faculty and includes a cash award.
Brooke Wiles
Biology Outstanding Student
The Outstanding Biology Student Awards are unique because winners are selected by their student colleagues, who define outstanding achievement from the valuable peer perspective.
Johnna Bingham
Business
Business — Baldwin Online and Adult Programs Outstanding Senior
This award is based on grade point average and faculty recommendation.
Beth Beal
Hammock Award
Professor Gordon Hammock was a deeply loved and well-respected member of the business faculty who passed away a number of years ago. One of his greatest gifts was his ability to mentor students. To honor him, the college created an endowed fund that carries a cash award for the recipient. The student who receives this award “exemplifies Gordon’s focus on teaching and mentoring students to be ethical leaders in business.”
Betsey Suchanic
Outstanding Residential College Business Student
The Outstanding Business Student award is given to the student that best exemplifies the effective practices in today’s world with special focus on “business for a sustainable future.” Mary Baldwin business students look at the triple bottom line — achieving benefits that are economic, social, and environmental. With a strong foundation that includes marketing, management, finance, and economics, students will learn first-hand how successful business practices are enhanced with responsible, ethical, and sustainable decisions. The award winners exhibit these practices in and out of the classroom.
Betsey Suchanic
Charlotte Forten Grimke Award
Charlotte Forten Grimke was born to a free African-American family of means in Philadelphia in 1837. She was a noted 19th century essayist, poet, and teacher who bent her considerable talents to the abolitionist cause. During the 1860s she became one of the most influential teachers in the Port Royal Experiment which sought to provide education to former slaves living on the Sea Islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.
Ciara Dacosta-Reyes
Chemistry/Physics
Chemistry Outstanding Student
The Chemistry Award is given annually to a chemistry major who has excelled academically in the field, shown promise in the research lab, and been involved in service to the department through the American Chemical Society student group.
Alana Rister
Peggy Pinkston Biochemistry Research Award
The Biochemistry Research Award is given in memory of Peggy Pinkston, a beloved Mary Baldwin faculty member from 1976 to 1989. This quote from former student Joi Phelps Walker ‘82, excerpted from The Mary Baldwin University Magazine, describes Pinkston’s spirit and her many contributions to Mary Baldwin: “Dr. Pinkston opened my mind to the range of possibilities that a woman could pursue. Here she was, a PhD in biochemistry and an accomplished violinist as well. She was a powerful role model to young women just breaking into science in the late 1970s.”
Celine Brooks
Physics
Physics Outstanding Student
Farrah-Amoy Fullerton and Aaleyah Joe
Criminal Justice
Award for Service to the Criminal Justice Program
Rachel Fowler
Criminal Justice Scholar Award
Bibianna Santana
Healthcare Administration Award
This award has been given out by the Healthcare Administration (HCA) program for more than 20 years. It is given to the top student in the HCA program — the person who exhibits the qualities of an effective, efficient, and humane professional in the making. Among the elements considered are GPA, classroom engagement, participation in HCA program activities, leadership, the quality of the required internship, a cooperative spirit matched with action, and a sense of humor.
Brianne Perry
Psychology
Donald D. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
The Donald D. Thompson Memorial Scholarship was established in 1985 by former students and friends of Professor Thompson to honor his service to the college, his excellence as an instructor, and his professional achievement in the field of psychology. The scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding student in psychology for her senior year of study.
Sharanya Rao
Mathematics
First Year Calculus Award
This award is given to a freshman with the highest grade in the Introduction to Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and II courses. The award is funded by the mathematics department to celebrate and encourage women into mathematics.
Corinne Weeks
Ashley DuLac Award
This award is funded by the DuLac family in honor of their daughter Ashley DuLac, class of 1989. Each year this award is given to an outstanding graduating senior in the mathematics department.
Alora Wogsland
Social Work
Jane Addams Social Work Award
Given to an outstanding student in the social work department. The award is named in honor of Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, founder of the Settlement House Movement, a mover and shaker in the areas of labor reform, and a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
LaShay Henderson
Mary Ellen Richmond Outstanding Field Award
Mary Ellen Richmond was instrumental in the professionalization of social work for her promotion of the value of the social work profession and its educational preparation.
Desirae Breeden and Amber Cooper
Sociology
Academic Excellence in Sociology
Given to a senior who has achieved academic distinction and has excelled in all her classes.
Tera Warf
Sociology Public Service Award
Given in recognition of exceptional service to Mary Baldwin and the greater community.
Tera Warf
Study Abroad Scholarships
Twelve scholarships totaling more than $10,000 were awarded this year through a rigorous application and selection process, which took into account financial need, academic excellence, academic and career goals, diversity, class year and prior experience abroad.
The C. Perry Nair Jr. Endowed Fund scholarship: Rolonda Williams for the Haiti May Term program
The Thelma T. McDowell Endowed Fund scholarship: Ciara Dacosta-Reyes for the Haiti May Term program
The Sarah Forrest Thompson Hunt Mission Award: Danielle Lare for the Murphy Deming Summer Program in Haiti
The Marion Barge Clark ’67 scholarship: Kelsey Allen for the Autism on the Seas program and MiAngel Hite for the Haiti May Term program
The Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement Endowed Fund scholarships: Joanna Bierlein for the Murphy Deming Summer Program in Haiti, Milagro Ventura for the Haiti May Term program, Taylor Frick for the Haiti May Term program, Sheila Smith for the Czech Republic May Term program, Ti’Zira Blake for the Czech Republic May Term program, and Christina Steele for the Czech Republic May Term program.
The Melissa Mitchell Award for May Term Abroad: Jazmine Brooks
2015–16 VFIC Ethics Bowl Participants
Reetu Sinha, Jazmine Brooks, and Virginia Daniel
Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership Advanced Leadership Certificates
This certificate requires cadets to earn 30 additional credits, a minor in leadership studies, excel for four years in co-curricular activities, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Jazmine Brooks, Joyce Campbell, Thien Doan, Mariah Efurd, Shanelle Espinal, Aaliyah Grays, Danielle Hunt, Kaliyah Locke, Kaylyn Lonergan, Dominique Munn, Katherine Narvaez, Maria Osborn, and Alana Rister
Student leadership awards recipients include:
President’s Award: Jazmine Brooks
Brenda Bryant Leadership Award: Tralen Neal
Global Citizenship Award: Bibiana Herrera-Paniagua
Honor and Integrity Award: Ciara McLaren
Unsung Hero Award: Sharanya Rao
Boldly Baldwin Award: Johnna Bingham
Organization of the Year: Student Senate
Organization Service Award: Ida B. Wells / Persist
2016–17 student leaders include:
Executive Committee
President: Megan Edwards
Vice President: Aaleyah Joe
Secretary: Sharanya Rao
Treasurer: Erica Haynes
Baldwin Program Board Chair: Samuel Irons
Inter-Club Council Chair: Madeleine Stout
Residence Hall Association Chair: Zorina Morton
Judicial Board Chair: Phoenix Wilson
Honor Council Chair: Mary Ruth Wossum-Fisher
Lead Advocate: Acacia Rodgers
Honor Council: Niranjana Menon, Asia Vizcaya, Cassandra Bragdon, Tajanei Pritchard, Madison Miller, and Alexis Ivy
Judicial Board: Alexandra Carther, Asyra Cunningham, Christine Fenner, Virginia King, Shari Moody, Qadira Muhammad, and Brooke Wiles
Residence Hall Association: Dorothy Hawkins and Maria Torres-Trujilo
Baldwin Program Board: Annapurna Chitnavis, Maame-Yaa Agyeman Asare, Binetou Niang, and Natiya Robinson
Student Advocates: Dianna Tran, Dylan Hitchcock, and Adele Cox
Resident Assistants
Kayla Allen, Alexia Lazo, Tia Bell, Carlyssa Lebeauf, Tatiana Bryant, Norah Moturi, Eshala Bunch, Binetou Niang, Alexis Burke, Kausha Parrish, Carla Cisneros, Alexis Perry, Tevanah Charlemagne, Taylor Povich, Kate Dickinson, Deja Slaughter, Daesha Hordge , Ayla Speck, Roniqua Jackson, and Ny’Erica Young
Area Directors: Katelyn Goodfellow, Julia Lucado, and LaShae Wade
| Class of 2017 | Class of 2018 | Class of 2019 |
| Rashadea Hale
Kelsey Allen Jasmine Davis |
Binetou Niang
Jamilet Cordon Dorothy Hawkins |
Sage Wyatt
Alexandra Carther Theresa Choi Niranjana Menon |
Inter-Club Council: Natiya Robinson and Ny’Erica Young
Senate Board: Tevanah Charlemagne and Madison Miller