Ali Morrison ~ Assistant News Editor
This past Friday, the University of Lynchburg held their annual Academic Awards, bringing together students and faculty to celebrate their achievements over the year.
Awards like the Robert L. Hill Distinguished Senior Award and Edward A. Polloway Awards for Excellence in Graduate Teaching are annually given to students and faculty who excel in their respective fields.
In addition to this, student’s on the Provost’s list and honor society students are also recognized.
These awards are chosen annually for students and faculty who achieve or excel in their respective fields. Those on the Provost’s list and those involved in honor societies are also recognized.
Cara Petty, winner of the Linda L. Andrews Xi Upsilon Leadership Award for the School of Nursing said, “I thought it was awesome for us to be recognized and be honored with staff, family, students and faculty present. It just created an overwhelming feeling of love which makes me feel like I made a difference!”
Awards are chosen by faculty, and are based on different criteria. Overall, the purpose is to celebrate those that go the extra mile for both their department and the university.
Jesse Wood, winner of the Libbie Keeton LaPrade Award and the Laura Jeter Parker Award said, “It just feels so validating. There have been many times that I have questioned my ability, or whether I’m doing the right thing, but that level of recognition has shown me that those doubts are unwarranted.”
One of the most prestigious awards that the University gives was also announced on Friday. The Robert L. Hill Distinguished Senior Award is given to a graduating senior in the top 2% of the class. In the end, the winner was Alana Compton, a Westover student.
Alana Compton said, “I was totally not expecting to win because there were so many great finalists. I 100% owe everything I’ve been able to do to everyone who’s supported me, including my family, and my advisors in Westover, the Psychology department and the Criminology department. They believed in me from the start and I’m so thankful that they helped me through it all.”
Professor Jer Bryant was also a winner at the Academic Awards. Professor Bryant received the Elsie Ervin Bock Award for Excellence in Citizenship. He said, “All of my work, including my poetry, chaplaincy, mentoring, and teaching are attempts to honor the sacred within all people. I hope that I can inspire other members of our campus community to serve with an open heart and an open mind.”
A list of more awards and recognitions can be found here.
