The Randolph-Macon College Biology department held its annual initiation for its Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) students and departmental awards ceremony in Birdsong Hall on May 7, 2019. TriBeta is a national honor society dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study through scientific research.

RMC’s TriBeta chapter, chartered in 1945, is co-advised by Biology Professors Grace Lim-Fong, Traci Stevens and Stephanie Coster.

Excellence in and out of the Classroom
At the ceremony, 46 students were initiated into the TriBeta Society, and five students received special departmental awards.

Coster says, “We were thrilled to honor so many outstanding biology students. Many of the students not only excelled in the classroom but also conducted original research in conjunction with the Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program.”

The following biology majors were presented awards:

Matt Nickles ’20 was presented The Watts Scholarship in Biology. The award was established through an endowment from Dr. Stephen H. Watts, Class of 1896. Watts attended medical school at the University of Virginia and served as chair of the Department of Surgery. The Watts Scholarship in Biology is awarded to students who have distinguished themselves through personal achievement and who show great promise for future endeavors.

Megan Dillon ’20 was presented the Neal Cunningham Award, which was established in memory of William Neal Cunningham ’68 by his family, friends and classmates. Cunningham, an outstanding student and an outdoorsman, was killed in action in Vietnam. The award is given to a student who shares Cunningham’s goals of academic achievement and love of the outdoors.

Ellis Mumford ’20 was presented the Elsa Q. Falls Scholarship Award, which is given to a rising senior engaged in laboratory or field research in the Department of Biology. An endowment in the Virginia Academy of Science Trust funds this award. The endowment was established in 2018 with a gift by Arthur W. Burke Jr. to honor Elsa Q. Falls, RMC associate professor emerita and former president and long-time supporter of the Academy.

Emily Fitzwater ’19 and Maddie Purcell ’19 were each presented a Biology Research Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in and dedication to biological research.