2015 End-of-Year Awards Given to Outstanding Meadows Students and Faculty
Recipients selected for awards from the University and from the Meadows School
Every spring, individual divisions of the Meadows School of the Arts select outstanding students for special awards recognizing their scholarship, creative talent and community involvement. Students also may be honored by their divisions by being selected to serve as a Reader or Marshal for Commencement.
In addition, a number of Meadows students and faculty have been honored with special awards from the University for 2015.
Winners of the 51²è¹Ý and Meadows School of the Arts departmental awards for 2015 are as follows (all are graduating seniors unless otherwise noted):
UNIVERSITY HONORS
Michele Houston, senior lecturer in journalism and TV studio and newsroom manager, was one of three recipients of the Extra Mile Award, presented by Students for New Learning for graciousness and sensitivity to students with learning differences.
Seniors Katelyn Hall, journalism, and Geenah Krisht, film and media arts, were among the winners of this year’s “M” Award, 51²è¹Ý’s most prestigious honor, which recognizes contributions to the University “above and beyond the call of duty.”
Advertising senior Quang (Peter) Ngo was one of six recipients of the John L. Freehafer Memorial Award, given by the University to a select few students every year who have demonstrated an interest in student life, activities and government.
Journalism senior Alyssa Parrish was among the five winners of the Sheri Mooney Memorial Scholarship Award from the Office of the Chaplain. The award is presented to students whose Christian faith is evident as a recognizable priority in their day-to-day campus life.
Advertising senior Sydney Kamp was a winner of the A. Kenneth Pye Outstanding Greek Leader Award. The highest award for Greek life at 51²è¹Ý, it is presented each year to six graduating seniors across all four Greek councils (Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council).
MEADOWS SCHOOL HONORS
Temerlin Advertising Institute
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Advertising – Gina Haskins
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Creative – Mallory Ashcraft Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Undergraduate: Mallory Ashcraft, Gina Haskins (Top Scholar), Annabel Massey, Savannah Seifert; Graduate: Erin Hedrick (Top Scholar)- Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.
Marshal – Irisa Ona
Reader (graduate student) – Rachel Peng
Reader (undergraduate student) – Genevieve Edgell
Division of Art
Dan Wingren Award for Outstanding Senior – Katherine Habeck
Charley Aberg Travel Award – Nina Davis
Stephen D. Wilder Travel Award – Kaye Nickel
Frances B. Cowan Award in Printmaking – Olga Romanova
Standard Club Awards – Sally Kim (sophomore) and Ellen Smith (junior)
Marshal – Katherine Habeck
Reader (undergraduate student) – Caroline Wilcoxon
Department of Art History
Alessandra Comini Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Art History Major – Elisabeth Cremeens
Outstanding Senior Award – Christianne Teague
Marshal – Elisabeth Cremeens
Reader (undergraduate student) – Alexandra Damianos
Division of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship
(Note: These students are receiving graduate degrees.)
Lanham Deal Internship Award – Anne-Marie Gan
Marshal – James Jillson
Reader – Gerard Atkinson
Division of Communication Studies 2015
Outstanding Academic Achievement – Haley Flander
Outstanding Student in Corporate Communication – Marc Bullard
Outstanding Student in Nonprofit Management – Taylor Logan
Outstanding Student in Public Affairs – Mary Anna Billingsley
Outstanding Student in Public Relations – Emily Walsh
Outstanding Senior in Debate and Speech – Rahfin Faruk
Outstanding Senior in Honors Program – Katherine Davis
Outstanding Senior in Mock Trial – Colton Donica
Outstanding Senior in mustangconsulting – Katherine Davis and Irisa Ona
Outstanding Senior in PRSSA – Emily Walsh
Advisory Board Scholar Awards – Gabrielle Bear, Alexandra Douglass, Arian Hudson, Briana Monsalve, Meredith Murphy, Lindsay Ricker and Monica Rodriguez
Stan Levenson Honorary Scholar Award – Alexandra Douglass, Ariana Hudson, Briana Monsalve, Meredith Murphy and Monica Rodriguez
Douglas Bauer Incentive Scholar Awards – Gabrielle Bear, Alexandra Douglass, Haley Levitt, Briana Monsalve, Meredith Murphy, Lindsay Ricker and Monica Rodriguez
Stephen and Dawn Farrell Study Abroad Awards – Gabrielle Bear, Ariana Hudson, Briana Monsalve, Meredith Murphy, Monica Rodriguez and Austin Whittle
Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Marc Bullard, Haley Flander, Chelsea Grogan, Devin Kerns, Kelsey Ray, Emily Walsh and Natalie Yezbick
- Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.
Marshal – Vashtai Kekich
Reader – Jonathan Jessen
Division of Dance
Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Kelsey Rohr, Abby Marchesseault and Katie Schaible
Marshal – Dexter Green
Reader – Shauna Davis
Division of Film and Media Arts
Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award – Kathryn Binder and Hal Hoeppner
Outstanding Creative Achievement in Film/Media Production – Daniel Pappas
Outstanding Creative Achievement in Screenwriting – Ryan Reed
Nash Parsley Memorial Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement – Parker Smitherman
Marshal – Hal Hoeppner
Reader – Kathryn Binder
Division of Journalism
Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Journalism – Adriana Fernandez
Outstanding Achievement in Digital Journalism – Jehadu Abshiro
Outstanding Achievement in Print Journalism – Meredith Carey
Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Media Journalism – Ashley Wali
Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Addison Bolin, Adriana Fernandez, Katelyn Hall and Natalie Yezbick (journalism) and Caley Pavillard (fashion media)
- Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.
Marshal – Katelyn Hall
Reader – Natalie Yezbick
Division of Music
Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Music – Sarah Welch and Saraj Sulhan
Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winners – Sydney Frodsham, mezzo-soprano (first year), and Luke Baker, horn (junior)
General Concerto Competition Winners – Daniel Hawkins, horn; Jeawook Lee, voice (graduate student); Sharon Lee, violin (graduate student); and Yumi Palleschi, piano (graduate student)
Pi Kappa Lambda Initiates – Suraj Sulhan, Sarah Welch, Hannah Threlkeld, Paul Torrisi, Sami Eudy and Christopher Tran (all seniors), Aveline Chan, Zachary Sherburn, Nishi Tara Stewart, Matthew Anderson and Nathan Childress (all juniors)
- Pi Kappa Lambda is a national honorary music society; membership is based on artisticachievement, scholarly excellence and exemplary character.
Thomas Hayward Memorial Award – Kelly Silverthorne
Dr. Ben K. Howard Award for Excellence in Opera – Moretta Irchirl
- The Dr. Ben K. Howard Award for Excellence in Opera recognizes a young artist who as shown a dynamic commitment to excellence in the field of opera, in addition to making major contributions to the Meadows Opera Theatre program during a given year.
Norman L. Jacobs Memorial Award – Paul Torrisi
- The Norman L. Jacobs Memorial Award is given to a student or students selected by the brass faculty for outstanding contribution through performances, studio and master classes.
Roy and Sue Johnson Award – Dario Martin (performer’s diploma)
- The Roy and Sue Johnson Award is given to a graduating senior or graduate student in any music field selected by a vote of the entire music faculty for a combination of high standards in scholarship and artistry.
Roy and Sue Johnson Opera Theatre Award – Jordan Hammons (master’s student) and Alissa Roca (master’s student)
- The Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Opera Theatre is given to outstanding graduate members of the opera theatre class - with the preference that they go to one man and one woman.
Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Organ or Sacred Music in Honor of Robert Anderson – Alissa Davis (master’s student)
- The Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Organ or Sacred Music was established to honor distinguished Professor Emeritus of Organ and Sacred Music Dr. Robert T. Anderson, and recognizes outstanding achievement in this area.
Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Memory of Maurice Acers – Shannon Conboy (junior)
- This award is in memory of the Johnsons’ good friend and fellow musician, Maurice Acers. Because of Mr. Acers’ keen interest in sharing his love of music, they wanted this award to recognize outstanding contributions of a student active in teaching in the general education curriculum or community outreach activities involving music.
Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Honor of Dr. Herbert Turrentine – Benjamin Roberts (master’s student)
- This award is given to the student for excellence in the area of Music History, particularly in the area of thesis.
Lloyd Pfautsch Award – Chris Thrailkill (junior)
- Established by an endowment created by the friends and former students of Lloyd Pfautsch, former choral director of the Division of Music, the Lloyd Pfautsch Award is selected by all choir members for someone who demonstrates leadership, musicianship and scholarship.
Theodore Presser Scholarship – Eleanor Dunbar (junior)
- Being selected as a Presser Scholar is one of the most prestigious achievements in any undergraduate music school. The Presser Scholar receives a financial award at the beginning of the fall semester and their name is engraved on a plaque that hangs permanently in the Meadows Music Division office.
Sigma Alpha Iota Award – Sami Eudy
- This award is designated for the person chosen by the ensemble directors for scholarship and outstanding contribution to a performing ensemble. Sigma Alpha Iota is a national, professional music fraternity and the Division of Music is grateful for this award, which they present each year.
Paul Van Katwijk Award – Hannah Abercrombie (junior)
Paul Velucci Piano Award – Alessandro Mazzamuto (performer’s diploma)
Harold Von Mickwitz Prize in Piano – Yumi Palleschi (master’s student)
The prize, named after the first dean of the Meadows School of Music (1916-1918), is presented to the pianist who performs with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra as the winner of the annual Concerto Competition.
Marshal – Saraj Sulhan
Reader (graduate student) – Kristen Meyers
Reader (undergraduate student) – Hannah Threlkeld
Division of Theatre
Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence in the Division of Theatre – Andrea Flowers, Jenna Hannum, Ariana Howell, Kaysy Ostrom, Mei Mei Pollitt, Ian Stack and Ally Van Deuren.
The Golden Hammer Award – Katie Tye
- This award is given for extraordinary volunteer service to the scene shop.
Edyth Renshaw Award – Jenna Hannum and Ryan-Patrick McLaughlin
- This award is given to an outstanding senior student for contribution to the division, academic achievement, and outstanding promise as an actor, director or designer.
Lu Gene Singleton Award – Mei Mei Pollitt
- This award is given to a student for exceptional acts of service, either to individuals or to the department, and for a prevailing generosity of spirit, which marks this individual’s distinction.
Garland Wright Award for Directing – Jenna Hannum, Jacob Nice and Mei Mei Pollitt
- This award is given to an outstanding student in the field of directing.
Taubman Scholarship for Excellence in Graduate Stage Design – Mari Taylor
- This award is given to a first- or second-year graduate design student.
Bob Hope Award for Design – Amanda MacArthur
- This award is given to an outstanding second- or third-year design graduate student for scholarship, classroom leadership, academic achievement, self-development, progress as a designer in major studio and classroom performances, and production contribution.
Bill and Jean Eckart Award in Design – Janet Berka
Bob Hope Scholarship for Excellence in Graduate Acting – Tim Brown
- This award is given to a first- or second-year graduate acting student.
Bob Hope Scholarship for Excellence in Undergraduate Acting – Kolby Tuck
Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Graduate Acting – Sarah Rutan
- This award is given to an outstanding graduate acting student for scholarship, classroom leadership, academic achievement, self-development, progress as a performer in major studio and classroom performances, and production contribution.
Greer Garson Awards – Andrea Flowers, Jon Garrard, Jenna Hannum and Stephanie Machado
- These awards are given to junior or senior undergraduates who, in the opinion of the designated members of the Meadows faculty, have demonstrated excellence, aptitude and dedication in the art of acting. The awards are determined by vote of the dean of the Meadows School of the Arts, the chairman of the Theatre Division and the head of the professional acting curriculum.
Katie Featherston Awards for Acting – Dylan Bare, Caitlin Galloway and Kristen Lee
Rosenfield Playwriting Awards – Ariana Howell, Kristen Lee and Kaysy Ostrom
Marshal – Jenna Hannum
Reader (graduate student) – Luther Frank
Reader (undergraduate student) – Ryan-Patrick McLaughlin