News Release

CHAPEL HILL – Sixty-four of the brightest and most dedicated students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were honored today (April 11) with the university’s top academic, service and leadership awards.

Chancellor James Moeser presided at the annual Chancellor’s Awards ceremony. Dr. Stephen Allred, executive associate provost, and Dr. Margaret Jablonski, vice chancellor for student affairs, presented the 2005 Chancellor’s Awards. Families, friends and faculty looked on as the high achievers collected medals, plaques and other prizes made possible by donors.

"The Chancellor’s Awards honor the best of the best here at Carolina," said Don Luse, director of the Carolina Union and today’s ceremony. "The students receiving academic awards have achieved outstanding proficiency in their subjects. Those receiving service and leadership awards have given selflessly to help others and enhance the university community."

Winning any one of these awards is a superlative achievement, Luse said. Yet two seniors won two awards apiece.

Christopher Jackson Childers of Memphis, Tenn., a classics major, accomplished a feat never before achieved at UNC. Not only did he win two awards, but he also won them both for the second year in a row: the Eben Alexander Prize in Greek and the Albert Suskin Prize in Latin.

In classics department competitions for the awards, students are given passages in Greek and in Latin – without knowing beforehand what the passages will be – and must write English translations.

Childers, the son of Jack and Jennifer Childers, also has won three prizes in the department for reading aloud before faculty judges, once in Greek and twice in Latin. Also from the department, he won two scholarships and another prize in Greek.

Rohit Prakash of Concord also won two awards: the Walter S. Spearman Award, to the senior man whose academic achievements, co-curricular activities, leadership qualities and strength of character are most outstanding; and the Edward McGowan Hedgpeth Award, to the undergraduate in Alpha Epsilon Delta voted most outstanding in service to the campus and community through the society.

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Award recipients are listed alphabetically below, with North Carolina winners first by hometown, then out-of-state and international winners. Students listed in more than one place are noted with asterisks.

Jennifer E. Bushman, daughter of Gary and Beth Ann Bushman: Boka W. Hadzija Graduate Award, to a graduate or professional student judged as outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership, won by two students this year.

*Walker Stuyvesant Rutherfurd, son of Eric Rutherfurd of Asheville and Jane Rutherfurd of Mobile, Ala: the Interfraternity Council Award, to the undergraduate who has made the most significant contributions in leadership, scholarship and service to his chapter and the Greek and university communities.

*David Michael Gray, son of Michael Gray of Beaufort and Martha Gray of Charlotte: the Worth Award, for sustained excellence in undergraduate study of philosophy, based on course performance and faculty recommendation.

Nicholas Kehoe Byrne, son of Cindy Byrne: the Robert B. House Distinguished Service Medal, to the undergraduate student who best exemplifies the spirit of unselfish commitment through service to the university and the surrounding community.

Heide Motaghi Iravani, daughter of Sheryl Iravani: the Class of 1938 Joseph F. Patterson Jr. and Alice M. Patterson International Leadership Award, to the undergraduate who has made the most significant contribution to increasing international awareness and understanding.

Jacqueline Carolina Chavez, daughter of Jacqueline Valdivia: the John Johnston Parker Jr. Medal for Unique Leadership in Student Government, to the senior who has demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in perpetuating the spirit and honor of student self-government.

*Elizabeth Clark Sonntag, daughter of Diane Flier of Cary and Jack Sonntag of Raleigh: the Frank Porter Graham Award, to the senior who has made the most outstanding contribution to realization of the human ideals of equality, dignity and community.

Tracy D. Walker, daughter of Linda and Jerry Patterson: the Wallace Ray Peppers Award in Performance of African and African-American Literature, to the junior or senior in that department who is judged by a faculty committee to be most outstanding in performance of African and African-American literature.

Joseph David Hoyle, son of David and Janice Hoyle: the J. Maryon Saunders Award, to the senior who has contributed most to the preservation and enhancement of loyalty and goodwill between the university and its students, alumni and friends.

Janaka Anand Lagoo, daughter of Anand and Sandhya Lagoo: the Jane Craige Gray Memorial Award, to the junior woman judged most outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership.

Charles Daniel Anderson, son of James and Janice Anderson: the Albert and Gladys Hall Coates Award, to the Student Congress member whose service there is judged most outstanding in statesmanship, commitment and constructive involvement in issues affecting the quality of the university community.

Elizabeth Adams Barrett, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Barrett: the Peter C. Baxter Memorial Prize in American Studies, to the undergraduate in that discipline who best exemplifies Baxter's intellectual excellence, personal warmth and creativity.

Josey Elizabeth Bridges, daughter of Tom and Carol Bridges: the Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize, to the senior majoring in religious studies who has been selected by a faculty committee as most outstanding in academic achievement.

*David Michael Gray, son of Martha Gray of Charlotte and Michael Gray of Beaufort: The Worth Award, for sustained excellence in undergraduate study of philosophy, based on course performance and faculty recommendation.

Erin Elizabeth Hickey, daughter of Kevin and Eileen Hickey: the Sterling A. Stoudemire Award for Excellence in Spanish.

Emily Catherine Mauney, daughter of William and Suzy Mauney: the Camoes Prize in Portuguese, to the outstanding undergraduate in Portuguese.

Colin Bradley Mutter, son of Dane and Joyce Mutter: the Roger A. Davis Memorial Award, to the undergraduate judged to have given outstanding service to the university, especially in residence hall programs.

Crystal Nicole Ellis, daughter of Alesia and Edwin Nichols: the Mary Turner Lane Award in Women’s Studies, to the senior judged to have made an outstanding contribution to research on women’s issues.

Rohit Prakash, son of Ravider and Hema Prakash: the Edward McGowan Hedgpeth Award, to the undergraduate in Alpha Epsilon Delta voted most outstanding in service to campus and community through the society; and the Walter S. Spearman Award, to the senior man judged most outstanding in academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership qualities and strength of character.

Hannah P. Davis, daughter of Robin Davis: the Howard W. Odum Undergraduate Sociology Award, to the senior judged by the department faculty as the most outstanding in academic performance.

Abby Claire Shoun, daughter of John and Carol Shoun: the Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award in Linguistics, to the senior judged most outstanding in academic achievement in linguistics.

Heather M. Jenkins, daughter of Carl and Linda Jenkins: the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, to one man and one woman in the graduating class who have best demonstrated unselfish interest in human welfare.

Tyler Nicole White, daughter of Lloyd and Jody White: the Chi Omega Award for Scholarship and Leadership, to the senior student in the School of Education chosen as most outstanding in scholastic achievement and exemplary leadership.

Stacy Jade Bennett, daughter of Edwin and Donna Bennett: the Ferebee Taylor Award, to the senior who has made the greatest contribution to the continued vitality and strength of the honor code.

Aaron Michael Strauch, son of Jamie and Judson Strauch: the James M. Johnston Distinguished Senior Award, to a senior in the Johnston Undergraduate Awards Program for outstanding academic achievement and leadership contributions to the university and the program.

Lauren Jean Moseley, daughter of Lynn and Phillip Moseley: the Robert B. House Memorial Prize in Poetry, to a senior for distinguished work in poetry.

*John Augustin Sankel, son of Elizabeth Cesarano of Greensboro and David Sankel of Spencerport, N.Y.: the Josephus Daniels Scholarship Medal, to the senior midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps with the highest average in academic courses.

Deirtra E. Crandol, daughter of Phyllis and Ronnie Crandol: the Harold D. Meyer Award in Recreation Administration, to the most outstanding undergraduate majoring in recreation administration.

Taylor A. McCay, son of Charles and George Ann McCay: the Op White Prize in Geology, to the outstanding senior in geology.

High Point

Branson H. Page, son of Diana and Guy Page: the Boka W. Hadzija Graduate Award, to a graduate or professional student judged as outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership, won by two students this year.

Lewisville

Jovian Zayne Irvin, daughter of Nathaniel and Chandra Irvin: the E. Eugene Jackson Award, to the senior whose leadership and selfless dedication have strengthened class pride and university loyalty, enriched the lives of seniors and made the most significant contribution to the university.

Keeley Lynne Wikle, daughter of James and Lynette Wikle: the Rob Park Memorial Award, to the senior judged by members of the local chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity to have made a significant contribution to undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in law.

Matthews

William Lietch Heaner IV, son of William (III) and Mary Louise Heaner: the Kenneth C. Royall Award, to the senior Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, leadership and officership.

Jennifer Marie Strong, daughter of Randy and Barbara Strong: the George Livas Award, to the most outstanding senior in the School of Nursing.

Olivia Angelyn Steele, daughter of John and Joyce Steele: the James M. Johnston Distinguished Senior Award in nursing, to a senior in the Johnston Nursing Awards Program for outstanding academic achievement and leadership contributions in the School of Nursing and the Johnston program.

Richard Christopher Waters, son of James Waters: the Archibald Henderson Prize in Mathematics, to the undergraduate judged by the mathematics department to have demonstrated a high degree of mathematical ability and the greatest promise of originality in the field.

Raleigh

Laura Anne Arpin, daughter of Edward and Leslie Arpin: the Hampton Shuping Prize, to a senior who excels in academics, integrity and leadership; shows concern for ethical management; and respects individual commitment to the success of free enterprise.

Elisabeth Clarice Daniel, daughter of Harold and Phyllis Daniel: The National Pan-Hellenic Council Award, to the undergraduate who has made the most significant contributions in leadership, scholarship and service to her individual chapter and the Greek and university communities.

Jonathan Westleigh Harmon, son of Russell and Karen Harmon: the Undergraduate Prize in Art History, to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of a faculty committee, has done the most outstanding work in art history.

*Elizabeth Clark Sonntag, daughter of Jack Sonntag of Raleigh and Diane Flier of Cary: the Frank Porter Graham Award, to the senior who has made the most outstanding contribution to realization of the human ideals of equality, dignity and community.

Robert Farris McConville, son of Robert H. and Anne McConville: the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, to one man and one woman of the graduating class who have best demonstrated unselfish interest in human welfare.

Carter Yates Spears, son of Philip and Beverly Spears: the McNally Award for Excellence in Geography, to a senior selected by the geography faculty for superior academic performance.

Estie E. Saunders, daughter of Bruce and Becky Saunders: the Alexander Julian Fellowship in Design, to an undergraduate exhibiting an outstanding sense of design that the faculty interprets as a mature integration of formal issues and content.

Leah Suddreth, daughter of Liles and Barbara Suddreth: the Panhellenic Council Award, to the undergraduate who has made the most significant contributions in leadership, scholarship, service to her chapter and the Greek and university communities.

Anup Ajay Dashputre, son of Ajay and Anjali Dashputre: the Cornelius O. Cathey Award, to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the quality of campus life through sustained, constructive participation in student programs, or through creative, persistent effort in development of new student programs.

Gabriella Ann Haddock, daughter of William and Jean Haddock: the Venable Medal, to the two most outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry.

Jeremy Miles Wilson, son of Kathleen A. and Stephen C. Wilson: The L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science, to a senior judged by a faculty committee to have established the most distinguished record of scholarship in political science and community service.

Matthew Lewis Liles, son of Lewis and Karen Liles: the Willie P. Mangum Medal in Oratory, to the senior who, in the opinion of judges, gives the best oration at an annual contest.

Charlotte Amanda Hagood, daughter of Carol Cook Hagood of Birmingham and Thomas Daniel Hagood of Birmingham: the Louis D. Rubin Jr. Prize in Creative Writing, to the outstanding fiction writer in the senior class.

Clarissa Holleben Pinheiro, daughter of Luiz and Zenia Pinheiro of Birmingham: the Jacques Hardre Undergraduate Award for Excellence in French, to an undergraduate whose work in French language and literature has been judged most outstanding by a faculty committee.

*Walker Stuyvesant Rutherfurd, son of Jane Rutherfurd of Mobile and Eric Rutherfurd of Asheville N.C.: the Interfraternity Council Award, to the undergraduate who has made the most significant contributions in leadership, scholarship and service to his chapter and the Greek and university communities.

Colin Russell Scott, son of Dick and Jane Scott of Eustis: the Robert White Linker Award, to the most outstanding undergraduate residence hall officer.

*Renée Chivon Smith, daughter of Freddie Smith of Tallahassee and Mable Smith of Virginia Beach, Va.: the Venable Medal, to the two most outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry.

Georgia

Marjorie Adams Curry, daughter of Al and Pam Adams of Dunwoody: the George H. Cocolas Pharmacy Student Body Award, to the senior who has demonstrated the highest qualities of character, deportment, scholarship, professionalism and participation in co-curricular activities.

Catherine Newcomb Wright, daughter of Cathy and Richard Wright of Dunwoody: the Jim Tatum Memorial Award, to the varsity intercollegiate athlete who has performed with distinction in his or her sport and contributed to the university community through constructive participation in extracurricular activities.

Artis Jarrod Jenkins, son of Artis Jenkins of Lithonia: the Ernest L. Mackie Award, to the junior man judged most outstanding in character, scholarship and leadership.

Conitras Mamieal Houston, daughter of Bonita Houston of Newnan: the George Moses Horton Award for Multicultural Leadership, to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, initiative and creativity in multicultural education programs.

Mary Elizabeth Joos, daughter of Robert and Bernadette Joos of Waconia: the Patrick F. Earey Award, to a senior who has exhibited outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and leadership.

Ashley Elizabeth Batten, daughter of F. Blaine and Betty Jane Batten of Waterloo: the Paul Debreczeny Prize in Slavic Languages and Literatures, to the senior whose work in Russian language and literature or Slavic linguistics is judged most outstanding by a faculty committee.

*John Augustin Sankel, son of David Sankel of Spencerport and Elizabeth Cesarano of Greensboro, N.C.: the Josephus Daniels Scholarship Medal, to the senior midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps with the highest average in academic courses.

Ashley Faith Wells, daughter of Peggy Cacalano of Irmo: the Ernest H. Abernethy Prize in Student Publication Work, to the student judged by a special committee to have done the most distinctive work in student publications during the current year.

Christopher Jackson Childers, son of Jack and Jennifer Childers of Memphis: the Eben Alexander Prize in Greek, to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of the classics faculty, presents the best rendering into English of selected passages of Greek not previously read, and the Albert Suskin Prize in Latin, to the undergraduate who shows the best ability to understand Latin poetry and translate selected passages at sight.

David Andrew Doll, son of Sheryl and Henry T. Doll of Fort Worth: the Paul E. Shearin Outstanding Senior Award in Physics, to the senior physics major judged most outstanding in scholarship, scientific insight and professional seriousness.

Heather Hyun Harrison, daughter of Merrick and Helen Harrison of San Antonio: the Earl Slocum Band Award, to the senior in the University Bands who has demonstrated meritorious achievement in musicianship, leadership and academic excellence, and who also has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the band program.

Justin Mannige Rao, son of Vik and Susan Rao of Houston: the Undergraduate Prize in Economics, to the economics major judged most outstanding, based on performance in major and related courses.

Alexa Nicole Kleysteuber, daughter of William and Patricia Kleysteuber of McLean: the Irene F. Lee Award, to the senior woman judged most outstanding in leadership, character and scholarship.

*Renée Chivon Smith, daughter of Mable Smith of Virginia Beach and Freddie Smith of Tallahassee, Fla.: the Venable Medal, to the two most outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry.

Sebastian Paul Gibbs, son of Mary and Paul Gibbs of London: the Sport Club Council Achievement Award, to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the vitality and strength of club sports.

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Chancellor's Awards contacts: Don Luse, 919-966-3120, lused@email.unc.edu; Kathy Sutton, 919-966-4045, ksutton@email.unc.edu

News Services contact: L.J. Toler, 919-962-8589