The 2009 Awards Forum was held at Andrews University on Thursday, April 16. Held in a filled-to-capacity Howard Performing Arts Center, students and faculty were recognized for various academic, athletic and service achievements.
  
Following opening prayer from David Steen, professor of biology, and a musical selection by four students collectively known as Sigma 5, Provost Heather Knight offered some opening remarks. Then the recognition of scholarship and honors began.
  
The Southwest Michigan AIA award was presented to Justin Barker. This merit scholarship award recognizes overall excellence and leadership. The recipient is nominated by the school’s faculty. The School of Architecture also commended the Urban Design Studio students for recently receiving an award from the Congress for New Urbanism. The award recognized 12 professional and academic projects as the best of “The New Urbanism.”
  
Allen Stembridge, chair of the School of Business Administration, presented the Wall Street Journal Award to Ja–eon Hwang. This is the highest award a business student can obtain.
  
Keith Mattingly, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, recognized the 149 Andrews students who have been named in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. These students enhance the positive image of American youth. The program builds recognition of the connection between today’s collegiate youth and the future leadership of our country.
  
The Department of Physics Excellence Awards were presented by Margarita Mattingly, chair. A memorable book, currency for a bookmark and a certificate for the Head of the Class Award, recognizing the top-ranked students in the General Physics and Physics for Scientists and Engineers sequence, went to Kendra Anderson, a pre-med student, and Jonathan Ford, an electrical and computer engineering student.
  
The unusual Brent Bills “Pat on the Back” Awards, meant to reward special talent, service and enthusiasm at the physics table, went to Chris Greenley and Sinclair Johnston. Each received a cash award of $500 and a certificate.
  
The 2009 Bruce Lee Physics Excellence Award recognizing high academic achievement was awarded to Andrew Tidwell. He also received a $1,000 award.
  
Two individuals, Garret Catron and Daniel Moskala, received the Virginia and Virgil Kinkade Excellence Award. It acknowledges professional potential and academic achievement and comes with a $2,000 check.
  
The premier award, the Paul Pelley III Physics Excellence Award, identifies and encourages continuing excellence in exceptional physics students and has a cash award of $2,000. This year the award went to Andrew Hoff.
   
David Jardine, director of Social Recreation & Athletics, introduced the 2009 Intramural Sportsmanship Award recipients: Mindy Hudson and Kyle Kossick. These students were chosen not only because of their talents but also because of their character. 
  
Mary Cregan, a freshman on the Cardinal Women’s Soccer team, was chosen from over 160 players at the USCAA National Tournament to receive the National All Tournament Player Award. 

Terrance Millen, a senior on the men’s Cardinal basketball team, who also received a bid to the USCAA National Tournament, received the National All Tournament Player Award.
  
The last two awards Jardine presented represent excellence within the United Sates Collegiate Athletic Association. The National All American Award is given to 10 individuals nationally based on their individual skills as a player. In an organization with well over 1,000 male athletes it truly is an honor to be selected. Sean Thorne received this award.
  
The All Academic Team Award is given to 10 individuals nationally, based on their performance in the classroom. Out of over 800 female athletes involved within the USCAA, Julia Straub received the National All Academic Team Award. Jardine also noted the women’s basketball combined team GPA is was an outstanding 3.86.
  
Gunnar Lovehoiden, associate professor of engineering, was presented with the Advisor of the Year award. One student was quoted as saying, “He is a very good and encouraging person. He has the perfect personality to be an advisor.”
  
AUSA President Isaac Lee and Lena Caesar, 2008 Teacher of the Year, presented the 2009 AUSA Teacher of the Year award to David Steen, professor of biology. Caesar said of Steen, “He is a master teacher, well-respected by both faculty and students and the ultimate embodiment of mind, heart and soul.”
  
Sharon Prest, assistant professor of digital media & photography, along with Ron Whitehead, assistant to the president for Spiritual Life, presented an Ecology and Stewardship Award to the Village Green Preservation Society from the World Wildlife fund. They also acknowledged the $1,815 grant from the Berrien County Resource Recovery Office.
  
Dennis Woodland, professor of botany, who is responsible for establishing the campus arboretum, was also presented with an Ecology and Stewardship Award. One acre of rainforest was set aside in his name.
   
The Robert and Madeline Johnston Bible Memorization Award was presented to Susan Joshua. Every year, Joshua memorizes large portions of the Bible. To date, this mother of two has memorized over 2,500 verses.
  
Following a musical selection from Anointed Harmony, Frances Faehner, dean of Student Life, had all student leaders representing the 76 campus clubs, AUSA officers, resident assistants, family group leaders, ambassadors, campus ministry leaders and student missionaries stand. Addressing those students, she said, “You saw a need and you fulfilled it.”
  
Faehner then presented Isaac Lee and Reena Dollente with the Spirit of Andrews Award. Both were selected by their peers in the Student Association.
  
The program booklet for the Recognition & Awards Forum recognized recipients of the DeHaan Work Excellence Award. This work excellence scholarship, sponsored by Frank and Dolly DeHaan, is given to students who demonstrate outstanding performance at the workplace in the following areas: attendance, ability to take responsibility, initiative, team player skills, human relation skills and work excellence. This year’s recipients were: Terry-Ann Adjmul, Erica Baker, Leslie Baker, Brittany Blair, Kathryn Branley, Candace Brown, Christina Burden, Ben Chase, Trevor Dennis, Deanna Doran, Timothy Elliot, Mirlene Etienne, Xiang-Yu Guo, Kyle Hardesty, Andrew Helm, Mitchel Hobson, Keith Lashley, Michaela Lawrence, Clifford Lim, Krystal McKenzie, Rich Mendez, James Mutua, Brandi Myers, Raphael Nawrotzki, Stacey Ann Nicely, Nickolas Paniagua, Jason Perry, Christine Pierson, Sean Porras, Lavern Ramdatt, Michelle Roderick, Raquel Rodriguez, Anuj Saraf, Justin Seibold, Yoko Shinmyo, Lindsey Shotwell, Eric Shull, Sergio Silva, Jerome Skinner, Jessica Stotz, Christine Swanson, Andrew Tompkins, Jason Witzel and Katie Wolfer.

The following students received a Women’s Advisory Scholarship: Shanter Alexander, Amanda Arthur, Jeong-A Bae, Cindel Hollancid, Nadine Isaac, Ashleigh Jardine, Polina Kadatska, Chuen Lau, Rebekah Liu, Carolyn Macomber, Maria Martinez-Hernandez, Ehren McLarty, Nina Menezes, Jackie Spencer and Maria Zambrano.

The following students were also awarded scholarships:
Volga Sharapa, the Edwin & Elsie L. Buck Scholarship
Julia Symes, the Veda Lesher Scholarship
Carrie Chao, the Ed & Cora Lugenbeal Scholarship
Nadine Plummer, the Leona G. Running Scholarship

-Written by Keri Suarez, media relations specialist, Office of Integrated Marketing & Communication