By Kayla Brown, Arts and Entertainment Editor
With the pandemic still going strong, everything is unpredictable, but Susquehanna didn’t let that stop them from recognizing student scholars, who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Senior Nicole Grace, who was recognized as a scholar and with the Nancy A. Cairns Award for excellence in modern language, said, “I think [the program] is important because it shows that the hard work these students are putting in is not going unseen and helps them recognize themselves that their work deserves recognition.”
Streamed via YouTube, students across all majors and departments were recognized for scholarly achievements. Additionally, awards and scholarships were given out to many students, all of whom not only achieve high academic success, but are very involved in the community.
After watching the program, Grace said, “I’m just really grateful for my French professor and I’m appreciative of everything that she has done for me. Her nominating me and recognizing my work is what means the most to me.”
While honoring the students is important, this event also highlights the faculty who have helped these students achieve academic success, by presenting two awards: the John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity and the Lawrence A. Lemons Distinguished Academic Advising Award.
The John C. Horn Award was given to professor of history, Edward Slavishak, and the Lawrence A. Lemons Distinguished Advisor award was presented to assistant professor of accounting, Michael Ozlanski.
Although the program was not held in person, the event still featured a guest speaker, Dr. Anna Andes. Andes is an associate professor of theatre, women and gender studies coordinator, and the most recent winner of The Donald D. Housley Teaching Award.
According to Senior Administrative Assistant Academic Assistant Supervisor Charity Ney, The Housley Teaching Award recognizes Donald D. Houseley, one of the founders of Susquehanna’s Center for Teaching and Learning.
In her speech, Andes reflected on her teaching career, saying, “I am not the same teacher I was when I began my career. Winning this award has also prompted me to reflect upon the many students that it has been my great privilege to teach, and most importantly to learn from.”
Her speech emphasized the importance of faculty-student relationships. As, without students, professors would have no one to teach, and without professors, students would have no one to learn from.
After all the students were recognized and the awards were announced, President Jonathan D. Green said, “You have developed new resiliency and you have learned to appreciate the importance of grace.”
Discussing the pillars that Susquehanna follows, Green added, “This is what you have done and what I know you will continue to do.”
For those who haven’t seen the program, or would like to watch it again, it is available on Susquehanna’s YouTube page.
