The 41st annual Honors Assembly held at the Cartersville campus Student Center on April 4 shined the spotlight on the academic elite, as well as the most active and talented students GHC helped produce.

The ceremony was emceed by Megan Youngblood, student life coordinator of the Cartersville campus. While their family and friends looked on, students received awards based on a variety of subjects such as business, nursing and mathematics, to name a few.

Laura Musselwhite, interim vice president of academic and student affairs, said, “I think honors night is one of the best things we do. I even think that it’s more important to recognize our students as two-year college students than it would be at a four-year school because our students work tremendously hard and they may not get academic recognition all the time.”

Cheryse Carter, one of the 17 students to receive the Honors Certificate said, “It’s just validation that makes me feel like I’m doing all the right things. I’m taking all the right steps and that my hard work is paying off and being recognized and not just pushed under a rug somewhere.”

The award requires Honors coursework, community service and outside-of-class research projects.

Becky Crooks, Six Mile Post Sports Editor, and Sherina Johnson received the Warren Akin IV Excellence in English award. Crooks was also one of the winners of the Dr. Melvin Perry AAUP Outstanding Future Educator Award.

Awards for special recognition, leadership and achievement were given out towards the end of the night.

After a long evening of celebrating GHC’s best and brightest, there were but three awards left. The nominees for these were listed in the program, but the winners were yet to be announced.

The GHC Steve Burns Service Award went to Amelia Bagwell. The GHC Spirit Award went to Victor Williams. Of the eight nominees for the GHC Leadership Award, Andrew West was picked as the winner. West, who is editor-in-chief of the Six Mile Post, also received the Excellence in Journalism award.“I think the event went really well. This is the first time we’ve done it in this space. The turnout was magnificent. I can’t believe how many people were here, so I was really pleased,” Musselwhite concluded.

See below for a complete list of honorees.

Academic Awards

Educational Foundation of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Certificate of Academic Excellence Award in Accounting

For the highest combined grade point average in Accounting 2101 and 2102 achieved by a student planning on majoring in accounting.

Presented by Dr. Dudley Salley

Professor of Economics

Recipient –Steven Blume

Business Merit Award

Recognizes a student’s achievement in business by having the highest average in the required Area F business courses.  The student must have completed at least five of the six required classes and be performing well in the 6^th business class if taking it during the spring semester.

Presented by Dr. Dudley Salley

Professor of Economics

Recipient – Mimoza Aliu

Excellence in Journalism

For students who have served on the student newspaper staff for one year or more, who have held leadership positions on the staff, and who have demonstrated exceptional journalistic achievement.

Presented by John Kwist

Instructor of English and Six Mile Post Liaison for the Paulding Campus

Recipient – Andrew West

Outstanding Student for Political Science Majors

To recognize a Political Science major with the highest GPA, extraordinary service to the community and/or country, and embodies the mission of the college.

Presented by R. Shea Mize

Lecturer in Political Science

Recipient – Jonathan D. Collier-Porter

Excellence in Biological Sciences

To recognize an outstanding student who is pursing a career in an area of biology and demonstrates academic excellence in multiple biological science courses, including but not limited to Principles of Biology I and II, Foundations of Biology, General Zoology, and Principles of Nutrition. Recipients must also possess a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Presented by Lisa Branson

Assistant Professor of Biology

Recipient – Joshua Geer

Excellence in Health Sciences

For recognition of an outstanding student who is pursuing a career in the allied health field and demonstrates academic excellence in multiple biological science courses, including but not limited to Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Medical Microbiology, and Principles of Nutrition. Recipients must also possess a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Presented by C. Sharryse Henderson

Associate Professor of Biology

Recipients – Brent Peter Amelingmeier and Alison Leigh Steinmetz Carroll

Jim McKeel Human Service Achievement Award

For a student who has demonstrated commitment to the field of Human Services, is involved in volunteer experiences and demonstrates a genuine concern for the community.

Presented by Megan Youngblood

Student Life Coordinator – Cartersville Campus

Recipients – Melissa Dowda and Janet Beth Prater

Warren Akin IV Award for Excellence in English Studies

For demonstrated excellence in writing ability and personal interest in literature; must have a minimum 3.00 GPA and be selected by the English faculty.

Presented by Jesse Bishop and Jake Sullins

Assistant Professors of English

Recipients – Rebecca Crooks and Sherina Johnson

Dr. Melvin Perry AAUP Outstanding Future Educator Award

To honor an outstanding future educator who demonstrates an aptitude for and commitment to excellence in teaching; must have a minimum 3.00 GPA.

Presented by Dr. Laura Musselwhite

Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Recipients – Amelia Bagwell, Rebecca Crooks, and Heather Green

Outstanding Spanish Activities Club President

This award recognizes high academic achievement, strong leadership, and dedication to our institution.

Presented by Leslie Johnson

Associate Professor of Communication

Recipient – Robert G. Satterfield

Outstanding Spanish Student

This award recognizes outstanding work and achievement from an honor student in Spanish 2002.

Presented by Leslie Johnson

Associate Professor of Communication

Recipient – Christina R. Willard

Mathematics Award

For high achievement in Mathematics presented to the student with the highest class average in Math 2262 or 2263 as determined by mathematical reasoning.

Presented by Dr. Paul Kapitza

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Recipient – John Germany

Scholar Athlete Award

This award recognized the GHC student-athlete with the highest GPA.

Presented by Phil Gaffney

Athletic Director

Recipient – Matthew Catanzano

NURSING Awards

Excellence in Bedside Care

For excellence in bedside care as identified by the nursing faculty.

Presented byMarjorie Frazier, MN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Recipients – Kody L. Daniel Chumley, Dario Miranda, and Crystal Starr Sizemore

Outstanding Nursing Student in Geriatrics Award

For demonstrating the ability to work with aged patients and their families.

Presented by Marjorie Frazier, MN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Recipient – Katie Elizabeth Wacker

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Nursing Award

For the highest cumulative and graduating grade point average by a GHC nursing student.

Presented by Rebecca Maddox, MN, RN

Director of Nursing

Recipients – Rene Dawn Disser, Karen Danielle Martin, and Leah Stella Valvano

Special Recognition Awards

Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges

For service to college and community, as well as high academic achievement

Presented by Megan Youngblood

Student Life Coordinator – Cartersville Campus

Recipients –

Rob Adkerson

Christopher Dale Armer

Amelia L. Bagwell

Kyle Christian Blume

Steven Thomas Blume

John Ross Brown

Josh Brown

Crystal Chambers

Candace Baulding Collins

Emily Criswell

Rebecca Crooks

Akshar Desai

Jonathan A. Dozier

Branson Dulaney

J. P. Erickson

Patricia Gayle Golden

David Grabowski

Taylor Guillory

Harold Gene Harmon

Evan Hoggs

Kevin Horan

Denardi Joiseus

Ryan Jones

Sarah Lane

Emily Levine

Cole McElroy

Kacie Minter

Alphonsus Onyewuchi

Darice Parks

Leisha Ann Roberts

Darian Rogers

Alberto Romero

Darion Rucker

Michael Russo

Shandi DyAnne Shedd

Chelsea Signoret

Hannah Lorine Smith

Davina Snowball

Devon Strickland

Jesse Stroup

Donielle Sullivan

Kelly Taylor

Ryan Torres

Ervin Watkins, Jr.

Isaac Watters

Andrew West

Victor Williams

David Willis

Pedro R. Zavala

Dr. Philip Dillard Achievement Award

For a student or faculty member who enhance disability awareness in the GHC community by demonstrating a desire to educate and inform others about disability issues and is involved in campus organizations, activities and volunteer service.

Presented by Dr. Todd Jones

Interim Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Recipient – Jessie Stroup

GHAME Student Achievement Award

The GHAME Student Achievement Award recognizes two student in the Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) Program for demonstrating leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to the success of their fellow members. One student is an accomplished leader in the program and the other is a developing leader in the program who is a returning student.

Presented by Greg Wooten

100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia

Recipients – David Martinez and Victor Williams

Old Red Kimono Creative Writing Awards

For students whose original work, published in the Old Red Kimono, was judged to be of special merit.

Presented by Dr. Nancy Applegate

Professor of English and Faculty Advisor for the Old Red Kimono 

Recipients:

1^st Place: Robert Kean, “Weeping for the World as We Lay Our Stones”

2^nd Place: Neen Snowball, “The Life of a Pumpkin”

3^rd Place: J. P. Erickson, “Hide and Seek”

Old Red Kimono Creative Art Awards

For students whose original work, published in the Old Red Kimono, was judged to be of special merit.

Presented by Dr. Nancy Applegate

Professor of English and Faculty Advisor for the Old Red Kimono

Recipients:

1^st Place: Chris Spurbeck, “Rose Study”

2^nd Place: Amanda Brendel, “Defiant”

3^rd Place: John Carpenter, “Twisted Sista”

Honors Student of the Year

This award is designed to recognize the student who demonstrated the most commitment to furthering the goals of the Honors Program this year. 

Presented by Dr. Jayme Akers Feagin

Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program

Recipient – Amelia Bagwell

Honors Paper of the Year

This award is designed to recognize the student who wrote the best paper in the honors-designated or honors-option course.

Presented by Dr. Jayme Akers Feagin

Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program

Recipient – Brandy Riekert

Honors Certificate

This award is given to Honors Program students who have fulfilled the requirements of the Honors Program. This involves community service, taking Honors coursework, and completing outside-of-class research projects.

Presented by Dr. Jayme Akers Feagin

Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program

Recipients –

Maryium Ahmed

Amelia Bagwell

Cheryse Carter

Marlie Collini

Leah Craig

Bethany Evans

Hannah Harrell

Stacy Haynes

Jeremy Linville

Kimberly Norton

Julian Orjuela

Brandy Riekert

Robert Satterfield

Julie Stephens

Jessie Summers

Joseph Tripp

Marilyn Ashleigh Trudeau-Walls

Georgia General Assembly Board of Regents Academic Recognition Award

For a Georgia resident student attending a University System of Georgia institution who has demonstrated outstanding academic and scholastic achievement.

Presented by Dr. Renva Watterson

Interim President

Recipient – Galen Maret

All-USA Academic Team

Sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges, the All-USA Academic Team competition honors excellent students for academic achievement and campus involvement.

Presented by Dr. Laura Musselwhite

Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Recipients – Amelia Bagwell, Marie McCary, Meagan Williams, and Victor Williams

Diversity Student Leadership Award

For a student who demonstrates a significant contribution toward the advancement of diversity in higher education by serving as s mentor, role model, or a leader of an underrepresented student group.

Presented by Dr. Tom Harnden

Professor of Biology and Director of Diversity Initiatives

Recipient – Clint Richards

Diversity Team Award

For a group of individuals (e.g., a student club, a specific course or class, an educational unit of the college, etc.) who demonstrate a significant contribution toward the advancement of diversity in higher education by collectively raising social consciousness regarding diversity through various educational means.

Presented by Dr. Tom Harnden

Professor of Biology and Director Diversity Initiatives

Recipients – Brother to Brother

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

GHC Emerging Leaders 2013

For students completing the Emerging Leaders program during the spring semester.

Presented by Megan Youngblood and Alexis Carter

Student Life Coordinators – Cartersville Campus and Marietta Campus

Recipients –

Kirsten A. Abel

Jessy Acosta

Amelia Bagwell

Amanda Brendel

Randy Chastain

Linda Chuong

Maxine Clark

Shiryra Crabb

Bradley Cameron Culberson

Rosa Dobbs

Blake Eberhard

Jessica Fisher

Aaron Foster

Christina Garner

Elizabeth Gitau

Victor Gonzales

William Gourdine

Brandon Hardin

Stacy Haynes

Kursten Hedgis

Julie Honea

Kevin Horan

Greggory Karnes

Amanda Key

Jacob Knight

Alma Malasi

Reginald May

Ze’Nia Middlebrooks

Lisabett Munoz

Lindsay Parker

Jessica Phillips

Kristen Phillips

Cody Rathbone

Jasmine Rich

Ricardo Rodriguez

Alberto Romero

Jacob Sellers

Angelie Serrano

Chelsea Signoret

Tatiana Smithson

Candace Spann

Devon Strickland

Jessie Summers

Amy Taylor

Ryan Torres

Johnathan Warren

Branden Weaver

Edwin Whitworth

Meagan Williams

Robert Wilson

Austin Wolfschlag

Pedro Rodolfo G Zavala

Georgia
Highlands College Steve Burns Service Award

For the student who has demonstrated a
commitment and passion for serving others and contributing to the well-being of
the community.

Presented by Dr. Laura Musselwhite

Interim Vice President for Academic
and Student Affairs

2012-2013 Nominees –

Amelia Bagwell

Josh Brown

Kacie Minter

Recipient: Amelia Bagwell

Georgia
Highlands College Spirit Award

For the student who best demonstrates
dedication to campus life, activity in school and community projects and
promotes school spirit to fellow students, faculty and staff.

Presented by Dr. Laura Musselwhite

Interim Vice President for Academic
and Student Affairs

2012-2013 Nominees –

Josh Brown

Kacie Minter

Isaac Watters

Victor Williams

Recipient: Victor Williams

Georgia
Highlands College Leadership Award

For the student who best demonstrates
the qualities of a positive leader, shows exemplary leadership on campus and in
community activities while maintaining high academic standards.

Presented by Dr. Renva Watterson

Interim President

2012-2013 Nominees –

Amelia Bagwell

Amanda Brendel

Josh Brown

Crystal Chambers

Julie Stephens

Isaac Watters

Andrew West

Victor Williams

Recipient: Andrew West