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Joe Varner '11 |
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Frank E. "Pepper" Laughon Jr. '59, Joe Varner and Stuart Laughon |
Edward Joseph “Joe” Varner ’11 was presented the 2009-10 Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award on Friday, April 30, 2010. This prestigious award is given annually to a student who has made significant contributions to enrich the lives of others, in honor of R-MC board of trustee member Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon Jr. '59 and his wife Stuart’s dedicated service to Randolph-Macon College. The award was presented during a Student Affairs Committee meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Yellow Jacket Conference Room. Pepper and Stuart Laughon presented Varner with the award.
R-MC Board of Trustees member Anne D. McDougall, Esq. ’79 gave the opening remarks and welcomed attendees. Dean of Students Grant Azdell gave a brief history of the award and lauded Varner’s devotion to service. “In the six years that this award has been given, this is only the second time that this honor has been bestowed upon an individual,” said Azdell. “It is particularly difficult for an individual to achieve at the highest level according to this award’s criteria, but when it happens, it is truly because the individual is exceptional.”
Varner is an actively engaged R-MC student. He is an A. Purnell Bailey Scholar, a Habitat for Humanity participant and a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. In addition, he sings in the R-MC Concert Choir, preaches at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church and has provided team leadership in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In March 2010 Varner was one of two recipients to receive the second annual R-MC Man of Vision Award, which honors students who have worked to contribute to advancing healthy, respectful relationships between R-MC men and women on campus, and who demonstrate leadership, vitality and integrity in their lives on or off campus.
Pepper Laughon is a member of the R-MC Board of Trustees and also serves on the Randolph-Macon College Student Affairs Committee and the Athletic Committee. He also serves as chair of the Greek Alumni Advisory Board. Stuart Laughon’s steadfast support of innumerable activities further evidences the Laughons’ dedication to enriching the lives of Randolph-Macon College students.
Nominations for the Commitment to Community award came from faculty, staff and students and the selection process was highly competitive. The award includes a certificate of appreciation as well as the opportunity for Varner to select an on-campus registered student organization that will receive a monetary prize.