Newberry College Honors Outstanding Achievements at Awards Convocation
NEWBERRY – Newberry College paid tribute to remarkable academic accomplishment, strong commitment to community service, and exceptional leadership potential at the Awards Convocation held on April 12. The most prestigious accolade of the ceremony was the induction into Bachman Honor Society, extended to 11 praiseworthy graduating seniors.
The Bachman Honor Society, brought into existence in 1962 by faculty members of Newberry College, honors the top 8% of senior students for their academic performance. The name honors the Rev. John Bachman, the principal founder of the college and first chair of the Board of Trustees.
Induction into the Bachman Honor Society Class of 2024
The esteemed group of inductees into the Bachman Honor Society’s class of 2024 comprised of 11 seniors from diverse fields of study. The honorees included Payton Cronen, Andrew Dominick, Bailey Gause, Caroline Getz, Hannah McGee, Amanda Morris, Kevin Raines Jr., Alexandrea Sullivan, Vanessa Wilson, and Jonathan Wright.
In addition to the recognition of the remarkable achievements of the seniors, various other special recognitions were handed out at the event, honoring scholastic accomplishment, contribution to campus ministry, student life, and the distinguished faculty and staff highlighted by the Student Government Association.
Acknowledgement of Scholarly Excellence
The Jerrol S. Oxner Business Merit Scholarship, awarding scholastic success, active participation in college activities, and potential for future accomplishments, was bestowed on Taya Matt. The Donald K. Melaas Business Merit Scholarship, in honor of Melaas’ time as a Navy V-12 cadet at Newberry College during the Second World War, was presented to Jonathan Wright.
Appreciation for Public Service
The Joe and Jeffrey McDonald Community Service Scholarship recognized the consistent commitment to public service by Stembile Chikoore. A junior from Harare, Zimbabwe, Chikoore is a member of the field hockey team and has served multiple community organizations, including the Newberry Arts Center, Newberry County Memorial Hospital, and the Living Hope Foundation.
Commendation for Leadership and Service
Kevin Raines was awarded the Outstanding Service and Leadership to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for his active participation in FCA’s Bible study during his time at Newberry. Jason Costlow, a freshman student known for his consistent volunteering at chapel and widespread involvement in campus ministry, was acknowledged with the Outstanding Service and Leadership award. Bobbie Sides, a veteran staff member since 1974, was the honored recipient of the Campus Pastor’s Special Service Award.
Special Recognitions by the Office of Student Affairs
Next, the Office of Student Affairs honored individual contributions to student life at the college with the allocation of three awards. The recipients of the Dr. Travis Ballenger First-Year Experience Award were Diamond Wright, Tatyanna Chapman, and Campus Pastor David Coffman. They also recognized Dayton Fields as the Student Ambassador of the Year, while Ella Allardice bagged the Student Ambassador Rookie of the Year award.
Awards by Student Government Association
The Student Government Association brought the eventful ceremony to a close by awarding their selected faculty and staff for their commitment to the college and its students. They selected Rev. Dr. Lerone Wilder for being the Professor of the Year and extended the Sadie Crooks Award to Dr. Michael Smith.
The Awards Convocation was indeed a celebration of the commitment, intellect, and potential of the Newberry College family, reflecting the noble values of the institution and its community.
