NGU honors students, faculty, staff for excellence
Posted on: March 10, 2021
Tigerville, SC (April 29, 2020) North Greenville University’s (NGU) 2020 Awards Day Chapel service planned for Monday, April 13, was canceled due to the observance of COVID-19 guidelines. The annual recognition honors students, faculty, and staff for excellence.
“We are blessed with some truly wonderful students at North Greenville. I couldn’t be prouder of these men and women for their accomplishments. They have worked hard in the classroom and lived well outside the classroom,” said NGU Provost and Dean of the University Faculty Dr. Nathan A. Finn. “While I regret we could not recognize them in person at our annual Awards Day Chapel, I appreciate how kindly they have responded in recent days as we’ve reached out to them to tell them about these rewards. I know these men and women will continue to represent NGU well for many years to come.”
The American Legion Citizenship Awards, presented to a female and male from the senior class, best exemplifies the qualities of good citizenship. The NGU faculty make selections based on Christian attitude, acceptable academic record, and loyalty to the American ideals, personal integrity, and exemplification of wholesome and helpful ideals. This year’s recipients are Sarah Childs and Kaleb Collom.
The Behethland Butler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Award, whose mission is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism, is an award given annually to an outstanding student of American History. This year’s recipient is Ariel Kate Norris.
The Zachary B. Bishop Ars Excellentia Award is given to an outstanding senior in the art department who displays the spiritual, artistic, and academic skills of an exemplary Christian artist. The award was named in memory of Zack Bishop, a former NGU art student who would have graduated in 2011. Bishop passed away in March 2011 from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS type IV) which is a genetic disorder that affects the collagen found in human connective tissue. The recipient of this award is Caleb Pepper.
The Wade H. Hale Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) Award is given to a student and a member of the NGU faculty and staff, honors recipients for their unsung service to BCM and the NGU community. This award is named in memory of Dr. Wade H. Hale, a former NGU Christian studies professor, and former BSU Director, who passed away in 2011. This year’s recipients are Ethan Hyatt, student, and Dr. Frankie Melton, assistant professor of Christian Studies.
The Shirley A. Hickson History Award, chosen by the History faculty in memory of a former professor of history, is based on the student’s academic record and achievements. This year’s recipient is Elizabeth Lee Williams.
The Veda B. Sprouse English Award, presented to a student based on academic performance and command of both the written and spoken English language, is awarded to Justin Oates.
The university offers the General Excellence Award to a member of the graduating senior class. It was initially known as the Baptist Student Union (BSU) award and awarded by the organization. The recipient of the recognition is now chosen by the NGU faculty on the basis of Christian character, personal integrity, leadership ability, outstanding academic record, and participation in college activities. This year’s recipient is Adam Kelly.
Other award recipients:
Bielecki-Willard Interdisciplinary Studies Student of the Year – Eddie Martin and Sarah Childs
Excellence in Elementary Education – Ashley Nabors
Excellence in Early Childhood Education – Keri Gibson
Excellence in Secondary Education ELA – Emily Steadman
Excellence in Social Studies Education – Kaitlyn Amber Coleman
Excellence in Spanish Education Award – Susan Plumblee
Excellence in Music Education – Lauren Duncan
Cline School of Music Outstanding Senior in Music – Chelsea LaCourse and Gretta Maguire
Excellence in Theatre Award – Tanner Dean
Theatre Student Leadership Award – Marlee Daniel
The Mountain Laurel Editorial Excellence Award – Justin Oates and Elizabeth Lee Williams
Excellence in Christian Studies – Katharina Gross
Excellence in Intercultural Studies – Elizabeth Smith and Jacob Hines
Excellence in Youth Ministry – Jordie Skinner
Excellence in Hebrew – Nicolas Garzone
Excellence in Greek – Nicolas Garzone
Spanish Academic Excellence – Isabella Wilbur
French Academic Excellence – Mikayla Kuckel
German Academic Excellence – Joshua Malinowski
American Sign Language Academic Excellence – Carleigh McConnell
Linguistics Academic Excellence – Davis Lisk
TESOL Academic Excellence – Abi Waters
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Leadership Award – Anne Zimmerman
Excellence in Political Science – Chase Borgman
Outstanding Broadcast Media Student of the Year – Connor Boulet
Outstanding Digital Media Student of the Year – Mary Mahan
Outstanding Media Ministry Student of the Year – Tiffany Foster
Excellence in Biology – Megan Brelynne Martin and Kirsten Lilly Pesayanavin
Excellence in Psychology – Carrie McWhorter
Health Science Exceptional Senior – Austin Dixon and Kailyn Horn
Outstanding Student BS Interdisciplinary Studies – Brenis Napoli
Excellence in Mathematics – Nicolas Garzone
Excellence in Mathematics Education – Parker Foster
Outdoor Education Excellence Award – Terra Danielle Adams
Accounting Department Professional of the Year – Blake Austin Thompson
Academic Excellence in Accounting – Shea Alexander Luttrell
Sport Management Professional Excellence Award – Paden Lipe
Outstanding Business Administration Student – Jacob Aaron
Outstanding International Business Student – Andrew Schaich
Outstanding Marketing Student – Jessica Rascio
Honor Scholar Awards – Cariss Black, Whitley Bras, Isaac Case, Elliot Corbin, Kailyn Horn,
Megan Martin, Hannah McCall, Ariel Norris, and Kirsten Pesayanavin.
Male Scholar-Athlete – Blake Thompson
Female Scholar-Athlete – Jadyn Slaughter
Outstanding Male Resident Assistant – Brayden Smith
Outstanding Male Resident – Samuel Lawson
Outstanding Female Resident Assistant – Lauren Hawthorne
Outstanding Female Resident – Shianne Parsons
Outstanding Freshman Award – Grace Myers
For information about NGU’s award winning academic programs, visit NGU.edu/academics.
