| College Honors Its Stars in Classroom and Community at Spring
Convocation |
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May 02, 2008
With families, professors, staff, and supporters looking on proudly, Davidson presented dozens of awards of excellence to members of the college family at Spring Convocation on April 30. This annual rite brings together seniors and faculty members in academic regalia in what some consider a preview of Commencement, which will occur on Sunday, May 18. The ceremony in Duke Family Performance Hall featured presentation of leadership, service, athletic, and academic awards, as well as recognition of newly elected members of honor societies and students who have received graduate school fellowships and scholarships. President Tom Ross ’72 began the proceedings by recognizing donors of forty new need-based, merit, and athletic scholarship funds established during the past year. Many of the donors were on hand and stood to receive prolonged applause from the audience. They also enjoyed a dinner following the ceremony. Vice President for Academic Affairs Clark Ross announced that the physics department’s Laurence S. Cain has been named as the college’s new Richardson Professor for his fine and rigorous classroom teaching and professional work as a leader in the physics Advanced Placement program. The Omicron Delta Kappa honorary leadership fraternity presented its annual teaching award to David W. Martin, professor of economics, and its staff award to Wendy M. Roberts, assistant to the president. Martin was cited for “undeniable dedication to students as individuals, both in and out of the classroom,” and Roberts was praised for working against odds and late into the night handling the complex logistics that allowed about 500 students to enjoy a free trip to Detroit to attend Davidson’s NCAA Tournament games. ODK also presented its Community Award to Diane Means, director of the after-school tutoring and enrichment program at Ada Jenkins Community Center in Davidson. More than seventy volunteers, including many students, work with staff members to help at risk students in the program. Means was cited for her “unwavering commitment to children and consistent professionalism that set the tone for this exemplary program.” The Student Government Association also honored two professors. Associate Professor of Political Science Russell Crandall received the annual faculty award for initiating the new Davidson in Peru program, and for “demonstrating consistent support for the intellectual pursuits of his students.” The SGA also gave special recognition to first-year Assistant Professor of Education Hilton Kelly for his willingness to mentor students, and his demonstrated interest in supporting the work of the SGA. The ceremony concluded with presentation of an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree to Clifton Kirkpatrick ’66, a longtime leader in the Presbyterian Church USA. He was elected in 1996 as Stated Clerk, the church’s highest continuing office, and played a pivotal role in the reunion of the church’s northern and southern branches. In 2004, he was chosen by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches as its presiding officer, one of the most influential and visible positions in a family of more than 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. From that broad platform, he is working to strengthen mission, evangelism, and ecumenical commitments among Christians around the world. The full list of award winners is available at the links on the right side of this page.
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