SMU economics professor Thomas Fomby, Ph.D. receives an award for Outstanding Professor from the Rotunda yearbook, presented by Editor-In-Chief Whitney Van Way during the annual SMU Awards Extravanganza Monday evening. (REBECCA HANNA/The Daily Campus)
Students and faculty who help promote SMU and its student body were honored Monday night during the 2011 Awards Extravaganza in the Hughes-Trigg Ballroom.
The first award was the Rotunda Outstanding Professor Award given to four professors who have a commitment to excellence: Charles DeBus, Dr. Thomas Fomby, Dr. Hedy Law and Dr. Alberto Pastor.
For the Extra Mile Award, Dr. Ellen Allen, Dr. Susan Harris and Dr. Elizabeth Wheaton were awarded for their dedication to teaching students with learning disabilities.
Dr. Harris, a member of the psychology department, said, “I was very pleased; it was quite an honor. It was very nice to hear what the students had to say.”
The new Leadership and Sustainability Award was given to Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen for her contributions to the environmental advocacy at SMU.
The Sheri Mooney Memorial Scholarship Award was given to Peter Dang for his commitment to reflecting his Christian faith through service.
In honor of the former Dean of Women and the founder of the Women’s Center, the Emmie V. Baine Legacy Award was given to Jessica Andrewartha for her contributions to gender equality on campus.
Alyssa Veteto won the James E. Caswell Award for her work with R.L.S.H.
Lauren Chase, Kristin Harrington, Linwood Fields, Miguel Esparza and Cathryn Kirkhuff received the A. Kenneth Pye Outstanding Greek Leader Award.
For community involvement, Sigma Lambda Beta won the SPARC Excellence in Service Award and Sheumona Miller received the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Volunteer award for her work with underprivileged youth.
The SMU’s Mothers’ Club and SMU’s Dads’ Club awarded one senior man and one senior woman for high achievement and leadership. Almorceen Hall accepted the Mothers’ Club award while Carson Linstead received the Dads’ Club award.
Nominated by SMU students, Dr. Lori White won Outstanding Administrator; Ray Hunt won Outstanding Trustee; and Professor Jasper Neel was given the Willis M. Tate Award.
For their work with campus life, Jenna Reekie received the Avella Winn Hay Award and Mercedes Ulibarri received the Umphrey Lee Award. The John L. Freehafer Award was given to Roza Essaw, Evan Taylor, Derek Hubbard, Courtney Kelly and Stephanie Chung.
Rounding out the awards were Audra Egenolf, who won the Scholar/Athlete Award; Jordan Johansen, who took the Scholar/Leader Award; and, Drew Konow, who received the Scholar/Volunteer Award.
Finally, the M Award, the most prestigious of awards, was given to five faculty members and ten students. Dr. Mike Adler, Susan Austin, Dr. Rita Kirk, Dr. Maria Dixon and Dean Geoffrey Orsak represented the faculty. Laura Baez, Kelvin Beachum, Andrew Conwell, Audrey Gab, Janet Leung, Sana Merchant, Rebecca Quinn, Haynes Strader, Jake Torres and Jeremy Wilkins rounded up the students.
“I was really elated. I feel blessed and humbled to be on that list,” Baez said.
