Recognition Highlights Leadership and Service
Students earned accolades for leadership and outstanding service in student life at Wilmington College's 43rd annual Student Honors Convocation Sunday (April 23).
"We are so very proud of the accomplishments of our students, and we honor them today," Interim President Corey Cockerill said, adding that these students are “among our best and brightest.”
PICTURED: Graduating senior Jordan Snarr receives awards for Excellence in Community and Civic Engagement and the Excellence in Quaker Leader Scholars Program from Interim President Corey Cockerill and Wynn Alexander, interim vice president for academic affairs.
Jaymirr Johnson garnered the College's greatest honor for leadership, the Robert E. Lucas Leadership Award, which is named after the 15th president of Wilmington College in recognition of his leadership of the College and in the community. The award was first given in 1982.
Johnson was described as a graduating senior who is respected by the entire College community, has a dynamic and optimistic personality, and who has made a significant contribution to the campus. Johnson's interests range from chemistry and business analytics to communication arts and glass-blowing. Also, he's known for giving his all — "there are no shortcuts with Jaymirr" — as well as for his "kind and generous spirit."
Courtney Luderman received recognition "In Appreciation for Service as Student Body President" while Samantha Riggan received the Student Government Distinguished Service Award, which goes to the student who best "embodies the SGA mission and has provided outstanding leadership for the SGA and the campus community."
Also, Jake Jubach earned the Karen Couch Residence Life Award, which, is named after the longtime, former administrative assistant in the Housing Office. The award is conferred upon the student who "exhibits outstanding leadership and role model skills to residential students while also helping to foster a strong educational and social learning environment in their residential community."
Jubach also received the Excellence in Honors Program recognition. This WC program is designed to enrich the academic experience of qualified students with honors sections of the core courses, interdisciplinary seminars, a senior project, and various non-credit enrichment activities.
Nico Swepston earned the Activities Programming Board's Distinguished Service Award as one who "goes above and beyond the normal duties of the position, providing outstanding leadership and enthusiasm to APB and the College while also maintaining good academic standing."
Jordan Snarr captured a pair of major student life awards, the Excellence in Community and Civic Engagement and the Excellence in Quaker Leader Scholars Program awards. The first one is presented to the student who demonstrates significant dedication to community service. Criteria for selecting the recipient include hours of service, number of different programs represented, significant contribution to campus-wide service events, positive role-modeling behavior, and efforts to encourage fellow classmates to embrace civic engagement. The second designation honors the outstanding student who has completed "with distinction" their participation in the Quaker Leader Scholars program.
Quaker Leadership Legacy Awards were shared by a student, junior Isaac Hackney, and Chip Murdock, director of the offices of Diversity + Inclusion and Service and Civic Engagement. Named in honor of WC's former WC president and first lady, Jim and Sue Reynolds, its recipients, a student and a faculty or staff member, exemplify the College’s Quaker-inspired core values of community, integrity, excellence, diversity, peace and social justice, respect for all persons, and service and civic engagement.
Dr. Jason Parrish, assistant professor of agriculture, garnered the Teaching Excellence Award given to a professor who professor whose involvement with teaching students to comprehend at a higher level of education goes above and beyond the job description. Murdock also won the Van Black Award for showing a strong involvement in Student Life, above and beyond the call of his job descriptions.