Department Chairs Honor Students at Annual Convocation
Elaine Ezekiel News Editor
Sashae Mitchell ’13 receiving the Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award. Photo by Elanine Ezekiel
The Honors Day Convocation took place in Stetson Chapel last Friday at 11 a.m. The annual ceremony celebrates students’ achievements in academic, athletic and service leadership over the previous school year. As the event replaced the weekly community reflection, Chaplain Liz Candido ‘00 greeted the audience of over 200 professors in traditional robes, staff members, students and their families present for parents’ weekend.
Jenna Hunt ‘13 then sang “Love Went A-Riding” accompanied by piano before Provost Michael McDonald delivered the opening remarks usually reserved for President Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, who was unable to attend this year.
“These times of celebration are important to any community,” McDonald said. “It is a time to learn more about each other, to recognize the outstanding contributions being made by those in our community, and to honor those making these contributions.”
Accompanied by Sarah Westfall, vice president for student development and dean of students, and Zaide Pixley, dean of the first year and advising, McDonald proceeded to award about 60 students with honors across seven departmental divisions. He also announced non-departmental awards, and recognized students and athletes who received various honors in scholarship last year, such as the Posse Scholars of 2016 and Hornets who qualified for the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Department chairs and faculty committees select the honorees, often awarding several students the same accolade. Some awards include cash prizes up to $300, plaques, or presents chosen by faculty.
Cierra Gillard ’13 won the Henry and Inez Brown Prize, for outstanding participation in the College community. Last year, Gillard volunteered at Woodward Elementary School and worked in a psychology research lab.
“It feels good,” she said of receiving recognition for her work.
Click here for a full list of the Honors Day awards: http://www.kzoo.edu/news/senior-awards-2012/
