Gardner-Webb College of Arts and Sciences Recognizes Achievements of Students

Awards Presented for Excellence in 11 Departments

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Students in The College of Arts and Sciences recently received awards for their academic achievements in the 2024 Spring Semester. Dean Dr. Robert Prickett and Associate Dean Dr. Jennifer Buckner led the ceremony.

Prickett welcomed students and guests to the event. “We are excited to recognize our awardees from the College of Arts and Sciences today,” he stated. “Thank you to our faculty who have joined us to present these awards. We are all very proud of these students for their hard work and dedication at Gardner-Webb University.”

The Department of Communication, Art, and Design

• The Art History Research Award and the Professor James Rash Award — Sarah Bracken, of Mocksville, N.C., Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Art History Research Award is presented to the student whose research results in a well-written paper that clearly presents an original idea in the field of art history. The James Rash Award is presented to a student who exhibits outstanding creativity, productivity, craftsmanship and presentation in the areas of ceramics, art appreciation, drawing and painting.    

• The Elizabeth Carlisle Jones Art Award — Megan Addington, of Dallas, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Given in honor of Elizabeth Carlisle Jones, the award honors a student who exhibits exceptional creativity, productivity, craftmanship and presentation in the areas of painting, drawing and printmaking, or other two-dimensional work.  

• The Graphic Design Award — Phineas Garlock, of Shelby, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

Recognizes a student who displays characteristics that predict professional success in the graphic design and/or visual communication industry. 

• The Journalism Award — Sierra Talbert, of Monroe, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

The recipient has excelled in his or her studies and demonstrated superior writing and management skills in student publications or broadcast journalism. 

• The Photography Award — Shira Edwards, of Huntersville, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

Recognizes superior achievement in photography or photojournalism.

• The Public Relations Award — Emily White, of Apex, N.C., Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Given to a public relations major who excels in the classroom and in utilizing public relations principles to support campus and community programs and projects.

• The Video and Film Award — Aedyn Concepcion, of Anchorage, Alaska, Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies, and Colton Payne, of Asheville, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

Recognizes the student(s) who have excelled in videography by seeking opportunities both in class and on campus to cultivate their eye for cinematic productions. The student(s) displays an enthusiasm for storytelling and outstanding academic achievement in this field.

The Department of English Language and Literature

• J. Calvin Koonts Poetry Award — Jennifer Armstrong, of Mooresboro, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, English 

Given to a senior English major or minor who shows exceptional potential for writing poetry.

• Professional Writing Award — Ella Brown of Kernersville, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, English

Presented to an English major or minor who produces exceptional writing designed for the marketplace.

• The English Education Award — Lilly Hamilton, of Shelby, N.C., graduated in December 2023 

Given to a senior English Education major with excellence in grades, teaching potential, character, leadership ability, and creativity.

The Department of Health, Sport, and Physical Education

• The Physical and Health Education Award — Mackenzie Gallery, of Bel Air, Md., Master of Science, Sport Management

Honors a pre-service teacher who excels in physical and health education studies and classroom teaching.

• The Sport Education Award — Alexis Kapales, of Jonesboro, Ark., Bachelor of Science, Sport Education

Presented to the student who has excelled academically, professionally, and personally during their career at Gardner-Webb.

The Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

• The First-Year Mathematics Achievement Award — Timothy David Campbell, of Shelby, Bachelor of Science, Biology

Given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in a freshman level mathematics course, which is highly correlated to success in a wide range of studies.

The Department of Music  

• The First-Year Music Award — Corwin Stanley, of Mooresville, N.C., Bachelor of Music

Presented to a freshman music major who has demonstrated outstanding potential and significant achievement during the first year of study in academic and musical studies.

• The Music Achievement Award — Hailey Rodden, of Belmont, N.C., Bachelor of Music, Music Education

Given to the student who has demonstrated outstanding musical achievement during the current academic year.

• The Orchestra Award — Kofi “Junior” Boakye, of Kings Mountain, N.C., Bachelor of Music, and Connor Settlemyre, of Rutherfordton, N.C., Bachelor of Music, Music Education

Presented to the student(s) who exemplifies excellence in preparation and in superb performance, as well as devotion to music. 

• The Symphonic Band Award — Payton Huffman, of Bessemer City, N.C., Bachelor of Arts in Music

Recognizes the band member who has exhibited outstanding performance, participation, and attitude in the Symphonic Band.

• The Donald Sidney “Sid” Haton Jr. Marching Band Spirit Award — Charlie Hill, of Gastonia, N.C.

Established in 2008, students from the Gardner-Webb Marching Band have voted for a student to receive a spirit award named for Sid Haton Jr., the director of Athletic Bands from 2006–2008. The recipient demonstrates Haton’s spirit by giving encouragement to others and bringing a joyful energy to rehearsals and performances. 

The Department of Natural Sciences

• The Sherman Parrish First Year Chemistry Award — Taylor Grace Sollie, of Clyde, N.C., Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and Hannah Jean White, of Bluefield, Va., Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Named after Parrish, who taught chemistry at Gardner-Webb for more than 30 years. Given to the first-year student(s) in recognition of outstanding achievement in general chemistry, which as a discipline, is comprehensive, demanding and exact.

The Department of Public Service

• The Criminal Justice Administration Academic Leadership — Adam Protasewich, of Matthews, N.C., Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration

The recipient of this award displays leadership in the classroom, criminal justice-related activities and service to the Department of Public Service. 

• The Homeland Security Academic Award — Christabel Thompson, of Little Rock, Ark., bachelor of science in Homeland Security 

Presented to a Homeland Security Administration student who displayed leadership in homeland security-related activities.

• The Homeland Security Leadership Award – Madi Mamoone, of Canandaigua, N.Y., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs

Given to a student who has demonstrated considerable potential for success in the field of homeland security. 

• The Crime Scene Investigation CSI Award — Grant Stratman, of Spindale, N.C., Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration 

Presented to a student who excelled at crime scene investigation.

• The ROTC Academic Award — Camden Stratton, of Spartanburg, S.C., Bachelor of Science, Nursing.   

Given to a ROTC student cadet that displayed academic leadership in military science-related activities. 

• The ROTC Leadership Award — Paul McElearney, of New Bern, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs, and Silas Williams, of Huntersville, N.C., Bachelor of Science in Physical and Health Education    

Presented to ROTC student cadets who displayed leadership in military science-related activities. 

The Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy

• The Alice Cullinan Discipleship Studies Award — Mason Furches, of Salisbury, N.C., Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

Honors Cullinan, a long-time faculty member who impacted a generation of religious educators during her 30-year tenure at Gardner-Webb. Presented each year to a Christian studies student who has demonstrated excellence in and overall commitment to the field of discipleship studies. 

The Department of Social Sciences

• The J.O. Terrell History Award — Garrett T. Despres, of Winterville, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, History

Established in 1974 to honor the late Dr. J.O. Terrell, former dean of instruction and professor of history at Gardner-Webb. Awarded to an outstanding student of history.

• The International Affairs Award — Emily Cox, of Maiden, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs, and Madison Mamoone, of Canandaigua, N.Y., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs

Presented to a student who has shown academic excellence, service and leadership in the pursuit of global understanding, as examined through the multidisciplinary work of International Affairs.  

• Gil Blackburn Excellence in Western Civilization — Jacob R. White, of Bluefield, Va., Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry

Named for Blackburn, who served as professor of history and vice president and dean of academic affairs from 1968–2004, this award is given to an outstanding freshman or sophomore student in the Western Civilization courses.

• The Political Science Award — Tanner Horne, of Shelby, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs, and Sydney Hudson, of Maiden, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs

Presented annually to an outstanding senior.

• The Sociology Award — Ellisa Eckert, of Lynchburg, Va., Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

Recognizes an outstanding sociology major who has excelled academically and exhibits a passion for social justice.

• The Public Spiritedness and Service Award — Justin Matthews, of Lawndale, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and International Affairs

In the spirit of Gardner-Webb’s motto, For God and Humanity, each year the Political Science and International Affairs major recognizes one of its students who has made an exceptional commitment to public-spiritedness and serving others.

The Department of Theatre Arts

• Excellence in Acting and Performance — Emily Hopson of Fayetteville, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies

Recognizes excellence in stage performance.  

• Excellence in Technical Theatre — Jade Griffin of Huntersville, N.C., and Samantha Gallegos, of Matthews, N.C., Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Given for superior achievement in technical production in theatre arts and significant contribution to theatrical production.  

• Alpha Psi Omega Award for Excellence in Theatre — Elie Brinson, of Salisbury, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts

Alpha Psi Omega is the National Honor Society for students of Theatre. This award recognizes superior achievement in academic study in the theatre arts and superior contribution to theatrical production.  

The Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

• The French Award — Rama Keita, of Indianapolis, Ind., Bachelor of Arts, World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

The recipient is a student who has demonstrated dedication to the French program and has earned excellent grades in French courses, embodying the desire to promote French-language learning.  

• The Second Language Education Award — Yulia Putnam, of Apex, N.C., Bachelor of Arts, English as a Second Language Education

The student who earns this award has shown excellence in teaching a second language.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.