Georgia Highlands College students were honored for their accomplishments at the college’s 40th annual honors night ceremony on April 4 at the Clarence Brown Conference Center in Cartersville.

Honors night is held every spring semester. Honorees and their families are invited to celebrate the students’ accomplishments. One hundred forty students were invited to attend this year’s ceremony.

John Spranza, student life coordinator on the Floyd campus, was the host for the evening of celebration.

Among the categories of awards given were academic, leadership, nursing and special recognition awards.

Three awards were presented at the end of the program to recipients who had been previously unannounced.

The 2012 recipient of the Steve Burns Service Award was Christie Hufstedler Boyd, nursing student at the Heritage Hall campus. “It made me cry when I found out that the faculty at the nursing school nominated me. It makes my heart full and is a great way to end my time in nursing school,” Boyd said after the award was announced.

The Spirit Award went to William Gourdine of the Paulding Campus. “I’m not the best academically here but I always strive to do my best, and just growing up, this is one thing that I can actually look back on and say I am proud to have this,” he said. Michelle Abbott, who advises the Gaming Club of which Gourdine is a member, said, “This man is the heart of this Paulding Campus. If there is an organization to be a part of, to start, to make it happen, he does it. Paulding will not be the same when he moves on next year.”

The Leadership Award was given to Abraham Ortiz of the Marietta Campus. Ortiz said, “This award means a lot to me, but it’s not just about me. It’s about all the members, everybody in my community where I came from. It’s an honor and a privilege to have received this award because I’ve come so far and I would never expect to be here. I am so grateful and honored to receive this.”

The rest of the honorees are as follows:

Academic Awards

Educational Foundation of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Certificate of Excellence in the Study of Principles of Accounting

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

Presented by Annette Maddox

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Recipient – Katie S. Jennings

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 5 of the 6 required classes and be performing well in the 6^th business class if taking it during the spring semester.

Presented by Annette Maddox

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Recipient – Jessica Rampley

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 Dr. Kristie Kemper and Cindy Wheeler

Faculty advisors for the Six Mile Post student newspaper

Recipient – Kaitlyn Hyde

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 Donna Daugherty

Dean of Natural Sciences and Physical Education

Recipient – David L. Jarrett

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 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 Jasmine Olander

Instructor of Biology

Recipient – Anna Lynne Harris

CRC Press Chemistry Achievement Awards

The Chemistry Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding student who demonstrates academic excellence in multiple chemical science courses, including but not limited to Principles of Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I and II. Recipients must also possess a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Presented by Dr. Harvey Moody

Professor of Chemistry

Recipient – Samuel Luke Thompson

Superior Achievement in Physics Award

Given to a student who is interested in learning about the details of how the fundamental principles of the universe work and trying to apply them to real life situations through the existing laws of physics.

Presented by Donna Daugherty

Dean of Natural Sciences and Physical Education

Recipient – Ronald Dustin Del Rosario

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 Dr. Susan Claxton

Associate Professor and Human Services Program Coordinator

Recipient – Megan Gafnea

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 Frank Minor

Associate Professor of English

Recipients — Christopher McAbee and John Ross Rogers

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 and be on track for a career in teaching.

Presented by Frank Minor

Associate Professor of English

Recipients – Hannah Smith and Madison White

Outstanding Spanish Student and Club President

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

Presented by Kathryn J. Garcia

Assistant Professor of Spanish

Recipient – Victoria A. Kikulis

Outstanding Spanish Honor Student

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

Presented by Kathryn J. Garcia

Assistant Professor of Spanish

Recipient – Kristen R. Bennett

Mathematics Award

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

Presented by Dr. Johnny Duke

Professor of Mathematics

Recipient – Kenneth Winston Kingery

NURSING Awards

Excellence in Bedside Care

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

Presented by Rebecca Maddox, MN, RN

Director of Nursing

Recipients – Barrie Shirley, Richard Eberhart, Robin House

Redmond Regional Medical Center Outstanding Nursing Student Award

For competent clinical performance and outstanding academic achievement.

Presented by Kathy Dowdy

Redmond Regional Medical Center

Recipient – Amanda Bohannon

Amedysis Home Health Care Agency Outstanding Nursing Student in Geriatrics Award

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

Presented by Jan King

Amedysis Home Health Care

Recipients – Trina Davidson

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

Recipient – Ashley Granger, Robin House

Floyd Medical Center Nancy Gunther Award for Outstanding Nursing Student

For outstanding clinical performance and dedication to the nursing profession.

Presented by Missy Ragland

Floyd Medical Center

Recipient – Christina Martin

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 John Spranza

Student Life Coordinator – Floyd Campus

Recipients –

Lina Alcaraz

Brandon Allen

Rachelle Allison Allen

Jessyca Arndt

Amelia Bagwell

Erin Baker

Christopher Bates

Jesse Beard

Kristen Bennett

Christie Boyd

Joshua Brown

Kanneya Brown

Courtney Self Carter

Maximus Ceaser

Linda Chuong

Donnetta Creamer

Jennifer Davenport

Ashley Dennard

Lauren Desilva

Anthony Donaldson

Ann Dorsainvil

Stephen Early

Mark Ewings

Andrea Fillmore

Danielle Fluck

Joshua Geer

Ginger Green

Kimberly Guyton

Scotty Hale

Cynthia Harrington

Anna Lynne Harris

Nevin Hillegass

Peter C. Holmes

Liv Hood

Alicia Houston

Dexter Hudson

Amber Hulsey

Kaitlyn Hyde

Chidozie Ikwuezunma

Robenson Joseph

Kirsten Kapustay

Shannon Keeler

Kylie Lee

Islam Leung

Jeremy Linville

Drusila Lomeli

Kristi McCarley

Daryl McCloud

Christopher McClure

Betsy McElhannon

Jordan McFather

Tara Menard

Elizabeth Merna

Anthony Minaya

Chukunyere Nlewedim

Rhett Norris

Chukwuemeka Nwokike

Patricia Ogle

Adebola Ojosipe

Abraham Ortiz

Caleb Parris

Annay Perez

Ashley Perry

Lora Perry

Megan Perry

Elisheva Ray

Heather Redding

Brandy Riekert

Wynema Rodgers

John Ross Rogers

Alberto Romero

Amera Samha

Barrie Shirley

Bradley Six

Joseph Slay

Tatiana Smithson

Davina Snowball

Abigail Sosebee

Alicia Speece

Keitravis Squire

Bryan Sunrich

Samuel Luke Thompson

Andrew Torres

Christopher Tranter

Brandon Treglown

Chukwuma Ugwu

Vincent Waithe

Ervin Watkins

Isaac Watters

Kendall Weatherman

Sarah Willingham

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 Wilma Maynard

Student Support Services

Recipient – Haley Mullen

Foundation Achievement Trophy

A special, one-time recognition of the Gaming Club’s founding member. Without this student’s love of gaming and leadership, the Gaming Club would not be one of the college’s largest student organizations with members on four campuses.

Presented by Michelle Abbott

Faculty Advisor for the Gaming Club

Recipient – Jesse Beard

Cornerstone Award

A solid foundation requires strong cornerstones. This award recognizes a student officer for his or her leadership skills and demonstration of the positive influence gamers can have in our community.

Presented by Michelle Abbott

Faculty Advisor for the Gaming Club

Recipient – William Gourdine

GHAME Student Achievement Award

The GHAME Student Achievement Award recognizes a returning student in the Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) Program for demonstrating leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to the success of his fellow members.

Presented by Greg Shropshire

100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia

Recipients – Joshua Brown and Isaac Watters

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 Jesse Bishop and Dr. Nancy Applegate

Faculty Advisors for the Old Red Kimono

Recipients —

3^rd Felicia Scott for “Jacket”

2^nd John Ross Rogers for “Man on the Edge of the Woods”

1^st Abigail Sosebee for “Shoe Box Diorama”

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 Jesse Bishop and Dr. Nancy Applegate

Faculty Advisors for the Old Red Kimono

Recipients –

3^rd Amera Samha for “Untitled”

2^nd Amanda Torres for “Rococo”

1^st Rebecca Layson for “Tied Up”

FLASH in the Highlands Student Playwriting Finalists

Finalists for the FLASH in the Highlands Ten-Minute Playwriting Competition are chosen by a reading panel of students and faculty to honor their exemplary original flash drama and contribution to the creative and cultural enrichment of the college.

Presented by Jeffrey Kozee and Dr. Richard Stafford

Faculty Advisors for the Playwriting Competition

Recipients – Nancy Coleman and Rachel C. Buckley

Honors Diploma

This award is given to Honors Program students who have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Honors Program. This involves community service, taking Honors coursework, and completing outside-of-class research projects. This year we are awarding the college’s first Honors Diploma.

Presented by Dr. Laura Beth Daws

Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of the Honors Program

Recipients- Abigail Sosebee

Honors Certificate

This award is given to Honors Program students who have fulfilled most of the requirements of the Honors Program. This involves community service, taking Honors coursework, and completing outside-of-class research projects. This year we are awarding the college’s first Honors Certificates.

Presented by Dr. Laura Beth Daws

Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of the Honors Program

Recipients- Liv Hood, Brandy Riekert

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 Robert Watts

Interim President

Recipient – Abraham Ortiz

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 Robert Watts

Interim President

Recipients – Matthew Kendall, Galen Maret, Samuel Luke Thompson, Robert Warden

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

GHC Emerging Leaders 2012

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

Presented by Megan Youngblood and Lyric Burnett

Student Life Coordinators

Recipients –

Lina Alcaraz

Jessyca Arndt

Amelia Bagwell

Kristen Bennett

Kiana Boyer

Kanneya Brown

Zachary Bulford

Erica Chineth

Sherida Clincy

Starsha Curry

Kayla Farabaugh

Demetria Gainor

Walter Galvan

Joshua Geer

William Gourdine

Kim Guyton

Anna Lynne Harris

Ariel Henderson

Cateria Hobbs

Evan Hoggs

Dexter Hudson

Rachel King

Dru Lomeli

Matthew Mason

Rhett Norris

Chelsea Orzechowski

Soletia Owens

Kishan Patel

Clint Richards

Bradley Six

Hannah Smith

Riley Solomon

Donnette Tennial

Juliet Thomas

Samuel Luke Thompson

Robert Warden

Isaac Watters

Edwin Whitworth

Chelsea Worthy

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. Renva Watterson

Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Recipient

Christie Hufstedler Boyd

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. Renva Watterson

Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Recipient

William Gourdine

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 Robert Watts

Interim President

Recipient

Abraham Ortiz