COOKEVILLE, TN - Tennessee Tech University recently honored several students, faculty and staff at the university’s annual Celebration of Excellence on April 25. This event paid tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated hard work and dedication to always putting students first this past year.
“Before we get started with awards, give yourselves a round of applause for a bold, fearless, confident, kind and excellent year,” said Tech President Phil Oldham.
Students recognized at the beginning of the awards ceremony included: Savannah Griffin, student member of the Tech Board of Trustees; 2022-2023 President’s Ambassadors, including Emerald Randolph, Colin Martin, Faith Judkins, Barrett Streeter, Brynn Hagar, Lindsey Taylor, Ellen Williamson and Sophia Foster; as well as the outgoing 2022-2023 Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Officers, including Addison Dorris, Jacob Cherry, Savannah Griffin and J.D. Rankin. Finally, the newly elected 2023-2024 SGA Executive Officers were recognized, including Chance Hale as president, Claire Myers as vice president, Jeb MacLennan as secretary and Lindsey Taylor as treasurer.
The Most Valuable Student Worker awards included the Most Valuable Federal Work Study Student of the Year August Pitcher from the School of Music, as well as the Most Valuable University Academic Scholarship Student of the Year Julia Martin from the Department of History.
Excellence in Advising Awards were given to Amanda Miller from the College of Engineering and Ashlee Kiser from the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as an honorable mention for Robin Eberle from the College of Engineering.
On the nomination for Miller, her supporter said, “Amanda works to create a welcoming and respectful environment making the student comfortable and fostering strong lines of communication and encouragement. It is important to Amanda that students are not just supported academically but holistically throughout their time at Tech.”
It was said on the nomination for Kiser, “Ashlee is a phenomenal advisor. She advises the athletes in the interdisciplinary studies major. She is heavily relied on by the academic athletic advisors for her expertise in not only degree programs at Tech but also her knowledge of NCAA rules. Students love her. She has a firm hand in keeping the students engaged in their program and caring about them personally.”
Another prestigious award given during the ceremony was the Outstanding Clerical and Support Awards. Recipients of that award this year included: Amy Foster from the department of History, Elizabeth Honeycutt from the Department of Counseling and Psychology and Peggy Medlin from the Department of Geology.
The Outstanding Professional Award was given to Ben Clark from the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing.
On Clark’s nomination form, it said, “Ben has always gone above and beyond his assigned job duties. Not to mention being a leader in the school of nursing. He has a positive attitude with students and treats his colleagues with the most respect. Working in a team setting, he listens to others’ ideas and helps with issues that impact the school academically and financially. He helps others think outside the box and is excellent at solving problems while still being flexible.”
The university’s highest student honor, the Derryberry Award, was given to graduating computer engineering student Kester Nucum from Paris, Tennessee. The award was established in honor of the late Everett Derryberry who retired in 1974 after 34 years as president of the university. The award recognizes scholastic attainment, moral and intellectual integrity, campus participation, good citizenship, leadership and physical vigor.
One of his letters of nomination noted, “Kester is unique among the nearly 4,000 students I have taught over the past 23 years. You could sense this young man was bright, positive, articulate, thoughtful, motivated and full of energy. The energy and can-do attitude he possesses and imparts to everyone around him is a sight to behold. But Kester is not just some starry-eyed dreamer. He has the discipline, endurance, initiative and talent to turn his vision into reality.”
During his time at Tech, Nucum has been active in the university honors program, university Catholic ministry, university orchestra playing the violin, Tau Beta Pi TN Gamma chapter and the Rural Reimagined Club. Kester will be furthering his education at Mississippi State University's Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Program.
Finally, the university recognized those individuals who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate kindness on campus with the annual Wings of Kindness Awards. Established in 2019 by Tech First Lady Kari Oldham, the Wings of Kindness initiative recognizes the university’s values, work ethic and culture of kindness. The winners this year included: Kandy Smith, Julia Gruber, Jonah Hall, John Lee, Amanda Ramsey, Kinsleah Shelton, Barry Ferrell, Andy Reinard and Victor Kline.
More information about the Celebration of Excellence and this year’s awards can be found at https://www.tntech.edu/president/celebration-of-excellence.php.
