News
Tennessee Tech Recognizes Individuals with Celebration of Excellence
Tennessee Tech recently honored several students, faculty and staff at the university’s annual Celebration of Excellence on May 2. This event paid tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated hard work and dedication to always putting students first this past year.
“Today, we want to celebrate you,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “Before we get started with awards, give yourselves a round of applause for a bold, fearless, confident, kind and excellent year.”
Students recognized at the beginning of the awards ceremony included: Hannah Willis, student member of the Tech Board of Trustees; Brayden C. Copeland, recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship; 2021-2022 President’s Ambassadors, including Emerald Randolph, Colin Martin, Faith Judkins, Ethan Jenkins, Seth Jones, Barrett Streeter, Jadae Joseph, William Pursell, Addison Dorris, Lindsey Taylor, Dawson Davidson, Brynn Hagar, Madison Harris and Aaron Lay; as well as 2021-2022 Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Officers, including Aaron Lay, Cannon Johnson, Madison Harris and Savannah Griffin. Finally, the incoming 2022-2023 SGA Executive Officers were recognized, including Addison Dorris as president, Jacob Cherry as vice president, Savannah Griffin as secretary and J.D. Rankin as treasurer.
The Most Valuable Student Worker awards included the Most Valuable Federal Work Study Student of the Year Emma Breeding from the department of exercise science and physical wellness, as well as the Most Valuable University Academic Scholarship Student of the Year Caroline Norris from academic affairs.
Excellence in Advising Awards were given to assistant professor Hannah Upole in the School of Human Ecology and Mary Daniels in the College of Engineering.
On the nomination for Upole, her supporter said, “She is a caring advisor who seeks to provide current advice, mentoring, professional guidance and career ideas to each student. Her interpersonal skills of compassion, integrity and sincerity are often noted by students in her teaching evaluations.”
It was said on the nomination for Daniels, “She is always available and gives the best advice. No matter the problem, I know I can always call Mary to work through the possibilities. She has helped me accomplish so many things. Without Mary as my advisor, my college path would have been filled with significantly more bumps.”
Another prestigious award given during the ceremony was the Outstanding Clerical and Support Awards. Recipients of that award this year included: Shana Eads from facilities and business services, Jody Webb from capital projects and planning, Lisa Norsworthy from the department of chemistry and Katherine Mifflin from the scholarship office.
The Outstanding Professional Award was given to Amy Hill from the office of research and economic development.
On Hill’s nomination form, it said, “Amy is one of the most professional and positive people on campus. She is beyond helpful, understanding, pleasant and cheerful. Her job performance and attitude are outstanding. She is obviously committed to Tech with all she does. We know that if Amy is involved, it will be done right.”
The university’s highest student honor, the Derryberry Award, was given to graduating agriculture communications student Aaron Lay. The award was established in honor of the late Everett Derryberry who retired in 1974 after 34 years as president of the university. The award recognizes scholastic attainment, moral and intellectual integrity, campus participation, good citizenship, leadership and physical vigor.
Lay is a member of countless university groups and committees, most notably serving as the president for the SGA for the past two years. In his time at the university, he advocated to improve the student experience on campus and has been the student voice in many discussions. Lay strongly believes that student engagement is a critical component to helping students graduate and achieve success.
Finally, the university recognized those individuals who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate kindness on campus with the annual Wings of Kindness Awards. Established in 2019 by Tech First Lady Kari Oldham, the Wings of Kindness initiative recognizes the university’s values, work ethic and culture of kindness. The winners this year included: Mary Daniels, Rebecca Asher, Steven Lam, Patricia McKenzie, Ashley Akenson, Mark Creter, James Alder, Bob Cardana, Christina Turnbow, Sonya Haney, Paul and Peggy Semmes, Brandon Pierce, Cindy Gates, Jordyn Bouldin, George Ibezim, Justin Egwuatu and the facilities staff in grounds crew, carpentry and paint shop.
More information about the Celebration of Excellence and this year’s awards can be found at https://www.tntech.edu/president/celebration-of-excellence.php.
