BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College concluded its Honors Day tradition with a modern twist on Friday as President Tamara Nichols Rodenberg announced by video the institution’s most distinguished student awards.
The honors are typically announced in a formal ceremony in Commencement Hall. In March, however, Bethany transitioned to remote instruction in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the college moved Honors Day to a digital format.
Rodenberg on Friday recognized the achievements of Rachel Gantzer and Logan Mayhew, both of Morgantown, W.Va., Tatum Dyar of Brazil, Ind., and Torben Grether, of Rheinfelden, Germany.
“As we wrap up our virtual celebration of students receiving honors this spring, I want to personally congratulate all who have been recognized,” Rodenberg said. “At Bethany College, where teaching and learning are at the center of our mission, it is important that we stop each year to celebrate those who exemplify true spirit of Bethany.”
The video announcement concluded nearly two weeks of student recognition via Bethany’s social media accounts. Each academic department also recognized students with individual awards and honors society inductions.
Gantzer, a double major in chemistry and mathematics, and Mayhew, a psychology major, received the Francis O. Carfer Prize.
This prize is presented to the seniors, who in the judgment of the Honors Committee, have made the most outstanding contribution to the college. Recipients must exhibit sound academic accomplishments along with characteristics of loyalty, service, and devotion to Bethany.
Gantzer also received the Bethany 2000 Prize, which recognizes the senior who has best demonstrated loyalty and commitment to Bethany College in a wide range of activities over the course of his or her studies. The recipient must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate the characteristics of enthusiasm, dependability and dedication.
Mayhew also received the John R. Taylor Award. This award is presented to the student who demonstrates exceptional scholastic achievement; service to the college in terms of cross-disciplinary extracurricular activity; and a deep understanding of, and abiding commitment to, the core liberal arts values expressed in the Mission documents of Bethany College. The award is named in memory of John R. Taylor ’44, professor emeritus of English.
Tatum Dyar, a double major in international business and marketing, received the Pittsburgh Bethany College Club Award as Outstanding Junior Woman. The award is based on the qualities of leadership, character, conduct and scholarship. The club, comprised of Bethany alumni in the Pittsburgh area, has placed a plaque in Phillips Hall upon which the names of the winners are engraved.
Torben Grether, an international business major, received the W.F. Kennedy Prize as Outstanding Junior Man. The prize, established by Kennedy of Wheeling, W.Va., is awarded on the basis of the student’s contribution to the college community life though leadership in activities, personal character, and scholarship.
The departmental honorees are:
Thursday, April 23
Samantha K. Seymour received the Lester N. & Helen W. Frantz Award, which is presented to a senior who demonstrates outstanding achievement in Social Work by maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in the major, active participation in the Social Awareness Club, outstanding achievement in field placement, community involvement outside of the social work curriculum and maintaining a good member standing in National Association of Social Workers.
Olivia G. Archer received the Thomas Jefferson Prize in Political Science, which is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the field of political science through superior academic achievement and participation in the political life of the campus.
William J. Stock received the James Keegan Prize in International Communications, which is presented to a student whose academic achievement reflects an appreciation for the role communication plays in international affairs.
Rajhmano Vijayarajah received the Theodore R. Kimpton Prize for excellence in French studies.
Issiah Gossett received the David Judy Prize, which is presented to the senior who has achieved outstanding academic success as a major in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Kayla N. Dinsmore received the S. Elizabeth Reed Award, which is presented to the senior female Physical Education major who displays outstanding scholarship and athletic participation during her four years at Bethany.
Gabriella Kanters received the Thomas R. Burns Award in History and Political Science, which is given to an outstanding history student.
Wednesday, April 22
Anthony J. Cirri received the International Relations Award, which is presented to the senior who maintains a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrates excellence in the study of world politics through coursework, travel, and study abroad.
Katelyn R. Sparks received the Beta Beta Beta – B.R. Weimer Award, which recognizes a senior in Biology who attained the highest academic rank in this major.
Logan R. Mayhew received the Thomas R. Briggs Award, which is presented to the senior in Psychology who has maintained the highest academic average in the department.
Marissa M. Panfil received the E. E. Roberts Distinguished Prize in Campus Media, which is presented to an outstanding student who excels in work with one of the student media, in academic work in Communications and Media Arts, or both.
Celeste N. Marchbanks received the Shirley Morris Memorial Award, which is given to an outstanding student in the field of modern languages.
Rebecca A. Lee and Rachel E. Gantzer received the Jerry R. Allison Award, which is granted to the senior concentrating in Chemistry who has achieved the highest cumulative grade-point average in the department.
Tuesday, April 21
Rachel E. Gantzer received the W. H. Cramblet Prize, which recognizes outstanding achievement in mathematics.
Alyssa N. Rock received the Frank Roy Gay Award, which is given to the senior interdisciplinary major who maintains a grade-point average of 3.5 or above and displays outstanding leadership qualities in the Bethany community.
Tatum R. Dyar received The Eugene Miller Award for excellence in Economics and the Business Award in Marketing for excellence in Business Marketing.
Ryan S. Anselmino and Rebecca Schaehfer received the Pearl Mahaffey Prize, which is awarded to the outstanding senior majoring in World Languages and Cultures.
Tyra N. Bell, Charles W. Blango, and Amanda S. Gower received the R. Darryl Ponton Student Leadership Award, which is given to students who planned, developed, and implemented Bethany’s first peer mentor program.
Alexia R. Valenzuela received the Harold R. & Evelyn N. Watkins Pre-Ministerial Award, which recognizes a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding Christian leadership and service.
Monday, April 20
Amanda G. Casto received the Psychology Service Award, which is given annually to the senior psychology major, who in the judgment of the departmental faculty, has made the greatest contribution to advancing the mission of the department and supporting students of psychology at Bethany College.
Issiah M. Gossett received the Charles H. Manion Award, which is presented to the outstanding senior in Visual Arts who has an emphasis in one of that program’s areas.
Dejah Burke received the James W. Carty Award, which is presented to an outstanding student who excels in work with the campus print media.
Logan R. Mayhew received the MaryBeth Trout Horsemanship Award, which is awarded to an outstanding senior with an interest in Equine Studies who has demonstrated excellence in horsemanship, leadership, and coursework.
Jordan Coletti received the Business Award in Management, which is presented annually to an outstanding senior majoring in Management.
Torben Grether and Mercedez L. Hussak received the Business Award in International Business, which is presented annually to an outstanding senior majoring in International Business.
Ryan S. Anselmino received the Margaret R. Woods Prize, which is awarded to the outstanding Spanish majors.
Friday, April 17
Gamma Sigma Kappa is a scholastic society founded at Bethany in 1932. Degree-seeking students who have achieved a high cumulative scholarship index (over at least four consecutive semesters, provided that in no semester their scholastic index falls below a 3.00 and provided they have completed at least 12 graded credits in each of the semesters) may, upon recommendation of the Honors Committee, be considered for membership. No more than 10 percent of any class will be recommended.
New members: Kaylie Allen, Reese Bearfield, Hunter Bowman, Brandon Homrock, Mercedez Hussak, Nicholas Melita, Riley Meyers, and Breeanna Schuster.
Society for Distinguished Campus Leaders is a junior and senior society established in 1948 to give recognition to students of high character who have demonstrated competent and unselfish leadership in student activities and have been constructive citizens of the College community. Selection is made by members of the society with the advice and approval of the Honors Committee.
New members: Olivia Archer, Hunter Bowman, Mariah Chobany, Wesley Crockett, Tatum Dyar, Kerry Kerr, Abigail McDonald, Hannah McGaffick, Riley Meyers, Joshua Sanderlin, and Hunter Tenney.
Phi Kappa Tau received the Bourne Award, which is given each semester to the women’s social group maintaining the highest scholastic standing.
Phi Mu received the Woolery Award, which is given each semester to the men’s social group maintaining the highest scholastic standing.
Thursday, April 16
Celeste N. Marchbanks received the Ernest L. & Dorothy Miller Korb Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for excellence in Entrepreneurship.
David Tome Del Arco received the David Brown Prize for outstanding achievement in Computer Science.
Jennifer H. Oberthur received the Beta Beta Beta Prize, which recognizes the student who has received the highest grades in the initial courses in Biology.
Tatum R. Dyar received the Leonora Balla Cayard Prize, which is awarded to an outstanding German student.
Reilly D. Parker received the Caldwell Award for Leadership in the Art & Science of Teaching, which is awarded to the outstanding senior Elementary Education major who has demonstrated exceptional academic accomplishment.
Rebecca A. Lee received the Leonard Emory Yurko Award, which is presented to the senior pre-medical student exhibiting outstanding character and excellent scholarship as determined by the Health Professional Advisory Committee.
Wednesday, April 15
Amanda M. Reynolds received the Freshman Chemistry Award, which is presented each year to the student who attains the highest grade point average in a freshman-level Chemistry course.
Breeanna L. Schuster received the Lynn Frantz Adkins Award for Outstanding Involvement in Social Work.
Frederick Donatelli received the John J. Knight Award, which is presented to the senior man in Physical education who displays outstanding scholarship and athletic participation during his four years at Bethany.
Rachel E. Gantzer received the James E. Allison Award, which is presented to the senior mathematics major who has excelled in the field of mathematics and best exhibits outstanding character and a giving spirit in all phases of life.
Mershawn Smith received the John H. Hull Student Research Award, which is given annually to the senior psychology major, who in the judgment of the departmental faculty, shows the greatest promise for advancing knowledge in the field of psychology through independent research.
Riley M. Meyers received the John G. Chernenko Award, which is presented to the junior Political Science major with the highest overall grade-point average.
Trejen B. Franklin received the Sarah M. Cannon Award, which is presented to an outstanding student who excels in work with the campus broadcast media systems.
Tuesday, April 14
Gwyneth E. Loughran received the Osborne Booth Prize, which is given to the student who excels in the field of Religious Studies and in the overall academic program.
Jake B. Gerber received the Charlotte Manion Yurko Award, which is presented to the Communications senior with the highest scholastic average in the major.
Spencer N. Bowman received the Frank Alfred Chapman Memorial Award, which is presented to the outstanding History student.
Jordan R. Moore received the A. Kenneth Stevenson Theatre Award, which is presented each year to the outstanding Bethany junior or senior of any discipline who has contributed most significantly to the Bethany College Theatre activity.
Mercedez L. Hussak received the Wheeling-Nisshin Japanese Culture Award, which is presented to a student who has shown excellence in the study of Japanese language and cultures and has significantly promoted interest in Japanese cultures in the College community.
James Abbott received the Accountancy Award for excellence in Accounting.
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