R-MC Celebrates Honors Convocation

(l. to r.) President Lindgren, Amy Armenia, William Franz, Patricia Reagan

Honors Convocation

(l. to r.) President Lindgren, Daniel McCaffrey, William Franz

Barclay DuPriest, President Lindgren

5/15/12

Randolph-Macon College graduating seniors, clad in caps and gowns, marched into Blackwell Auditorium on May 11, 2012 for the college’s annual Honors Convocation Ceremony.

More than 100 awards and scholarships were announced, along with recognition of students inducted into honor societies. Several faculty and staff were also honored.

The Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching Award, presented by Provost William Franz
Recipients: Amy Armenia and Patricia Reagan

In 1969, R-MC received a gift from the Cabell Foundation as a memorial to Thomas Branch, president of Merchant’s Bank, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1846-1883, and one of the principle figures responsible for the college’s relocation from Boydton, Virginia to Ashland. The gift established the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching. The awards are given annually, and the recipients are selected by the students of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Honors Program. One of the awardees must be an untenured member of the faculty.

Amy Armenia (sociology) joined the faculty in 2008. She earned her B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“Amy teaches a wide variety of courses, and she is a dynamic and passionate instructor,” said Franz. “She is quickly earning a place as an important scholar in the area of research on childcare providers. In addition to her expertise in this area, her knowledge of best practices in research methods places her not only on the R-MC Institutional Review Board, but the IRB of other institutions, and she was an invited speaker at last fall’s Virginia IRB conference.”

Patricia Reagan (Spanish) joined the faculty in 2008. She earned her B.A. from Hood College and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

“Patricia quickly developed a following among students as a professor with high standards and an approach that motivates her students to achieve,” said Franz. “On the ratings forms given at the end of classes, students write such things as, ‘She is really down to earth, intelligent and understanding. She really takes the time to get to know each student and we have enlightening conversations as a class because we all learn from her and each other.’ While this award is given for excellence in teaching, Patricia is also an accomplished scholar. Her book, The Postmodern Storyteller: Donoso, Garcia Marquez and Vargas Llosa, is forthcoming.”

The United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award, presented by President Robert R. Lindgren
Recipient: Daniel McCaffrey

The Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, jointly with R-MC, annually recognizes a professor who exemplifies teaching excellence, civility, concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value-centered education, and service to students, the institution, the community and church.

Daniel McCaffrey (classics) joined the faculty in 1975. He earned his B.A. from Fordham University and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

“Daniel’s body of work personifies the very best in the title ‘Professor,’” said Lindgren. “His professional world is the world of ancient history, and he has brought the teaching and learning of Latin and Greek into the 21st century with great gusto. He was an early pioneer in using computerized instruction for teaching classical languages, and his unique gift for resurrecting ancient texts by producing, directing and even translating them for live performances in English, has brought the classics alive for.”

The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award, presented by President Lindgren
Recipient: Chas. Gowan

The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award was established by Mrs. Virginia Clark Gray Backus in memory of her husband, an alumnus and former trustee of R-MC. Although called the Distinguished Professor Award, this prize was established to honor the faculty member or senior administrator selected by the president as the person who has made a distinguished contribution to the college.

Chas. Gowan (biology) joined the faculty in 1996. He earned his B.S. from State University of New York, his M.S. from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. from Colorado State University.

“Chas. has been an asset to Randolph-Macon College in so many ways during his tenure: master teacher, highly-regarded scholar, mentor and role model for students, and shepherd and advocate for the First-Year Experience program,” said Lindgren. “His teaching is legendary, so much so that he received the Thomas Branch Award in 2004, earned numerous Chenery, Craigie and other grants and was named the honored holder of the Paul H. Wornom Professorship in Biological Sciences in 2008. I am delighted to recognize Chas. for his dedication to students, his passion for bringing environmental issues to the forefront and applying their principles to real-world issues, and for his long and distinguished service to the college.”

The Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award, presented by John Conkright, executive assistant to the president
Recipient: Barclay DuPriest

This award, created by a generous gift from former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Steven Nape and his wife Diane, is given annually to a staff member for outstanding service to and support of the mission of the college. The award is named in honor of Marilyn J. Gibbs, whose 18 years of dedicated service to the college as assistant professor of sociology and then registrar exemplified the highest ideals embodied in the college’s mission.

Barclay DuPriest (bookstore) joined the R-MC staff in 1985.

“Barclay’s contributions go far beyond her departmental responsibilities,” said Conkright. “In so many ways she is the warm and welcoming face of Randolph-Macon College. She dispenses advice, lends support and encouragement, and offers a shoulder for students to lean on when homesick. For her colleagues, she is the queen of the bookstore, reliable friend and irrepressible cheerleader. There is no job description broad enough to cover the invaluable role she plays at R-MC. People who meet her never forget her, and that is a rare gift indeed.”

A reception outside of Blackwell Auditorium followed Honors Convocation.