Randolph-Macon College celebrated the accomplishments of faculty, students and staff at Honors Convocation on May 18, 2018. Marching with faculty, graduating seniors gathered in Blackwell Auditorium, RMC Center for the Performing Arts. President Robert R. Lindgren welcomed students, staff, faculty and friends to the event.

“It is a great honor for our faculty and staff and mentors to recognize the students, and also fellow faculty and staff members who have excelled in exceptional ways this year,” said Lindgren.

Among the student awards presented were the following:
Taylor Ann Schools ’18 received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award; William Schaub ’18 received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; and Farah Hatoum ’18 and Clark Lewis Jr. ’18 received the Janet Harvey Trivette & W. Proctor Harvey Jr. Endowed Student Award.

In addition, several faculty and staff members were honored. The Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching Award, The United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award, The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award, The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Administrator Award, and The Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award were presented.

The Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching, presented by Provost William T. Franz
Recipients: Professors Michael Fischbach (history), John McManus (computer science), and Deonna Woolard (physics)

 In 1969, RMC 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 principal figures responsible for the college’s relocation from Boydton, Virginia to Ashland. The gift established the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given annually, and the recipient is selected by the students of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Honors Program.

Michael Fischbach joined the faculty in 1992. He earned his B.A. from Northwestern University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Georgetown University.

“Professor Fischbach’s classes on the Sixties are among the most popular general education offerings in the department,” said Franz. “He also brings expertise on the modern Middle East, especially Israel and Palestine, but also modern Iraq. Students appreciate the multimedia approaches that flavor his classes and they comment that they have had their eyes opened to perspectives they may not have considered previously.”

The author of several books, articles, and encyclopedia entries on the middle east, Fischbach is frequently a conference participant and a contributor to the popular press. Recent contributions include the Lemon Project Spring Symposium at the College of William & Mary and conference work in Virginia, New Delhi, India, Morocco, Berlin, and Cyprus.

John McManus ’84 joined the faculty in 2014. He earned his B.A. from Randolph-Macon College and his M.S. and Ph.D. from The College of William & Mary.

McManus, who teaches courses in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics, “can be seen on our campus flying drones with his SURF students as well as in class and in his office mentoring his students one-on-one,” said Franz. “As of December, he had already supervised 15 computer science student capstone projects.”

McManus was one of the principal architects of the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan focusing on academic advising. He has assisted with research projects with colleagues in environmental science and business; and he has been a faculty marshal and a member of the Edge Advisory Committee.

“He is an active member of the Society of Alumni, loyal to his alma mater in every way,” said Franz. “Professor McManus is a most worthy recipient of the Thomas Branch Award for Teaching Excellence.”

Deonna Woolard joined the faculty in 1999. She earned her B.S. from Bethany College and her Ph.D. from The College of William & Mary.

An expert in non-destructive testing methods for identifying potential failure points in infrastructure, Woolard’s experience with materials science and engineering helped spark
RMC’s venture into offering an engineering physics major. Woolard has chaired the Engineering department as well as the faculty’s Scholarships and Executive Committees. She has also served on the Planning & Budget Committee, the Resources & Plans Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.

Franz said, “One of her nominators wrote, ‘She makes every effort to explain complex concepts in ways that are easy to understand. Her demonstrations, vibrant energy, and sense of humor enhance the learning experience and encourage student engagement.'”

The United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award, presented by President Lindgren
Recipient: Melanie Gubbels Bupp (biology)

The Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, jointly with RMC, 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.

Melanie Gubbels Bupp joined the faculty in 2009. She earned her B.S. from Creighton University and her Ph.D. from University of Colorado.

“The energy that Professor Gubbels Bupp brings to her classes is truly infectious, demonstrating her passion for teaching, her subject matter, and the success of her students,” said Lindgren.

Gubbels Bupp serves on the Strategic Planning Committee, the Nursing program Advisory Board, the Premedical Advisory Committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Brock Venture Fund Advisory Committee. She is the recipient of several research grants, both within the college and through national organizations, including the American Association of Immunologists and the National Science Foundation.

In 2016 Gubbels Bupp was presented the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2015 she received the Art Conway Award for Enthusiasm in Teaching and Learning.
“Dedicated to our students, passionate about her teaching and scholarship, and deeply respected by her colleagues and our students, Professor Gubbels Bupp is an invaluable member of the Randolph-Macon community,” said Lindgren.

The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award, presented by President Lindgren Recipient: Evie Terrono (art history)

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 RMC. 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.

Evie Terrono joined the faculty in 1990. She earned her B.A. from University of Crete, Greece and her M.A. and Ph.D. from City University of New York.

“Professor Terrono’s passionate enthusiasm for her subject matter is often noted by her students, and her students often remark that they wish all students were required to take one of her thought-provoking courses,” said Lindgren.

Terrono teaches 13 diverse courses across the art history curriculum. Her teaching has been recognized throughout her tenure: She was the 2016 recipient of the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award and a 2005 recipient of the Thomas Branch Excellence in Teaching Award.

Terrono is well-known as an expert in the ongoing discussion surrounding Confederate monuments. She has contributed articles to several journals and books and has been a lecturer in academic circles and for local audiences.

“Impressively, she has done all of this while also providing significant service to the college,” said Lindgren. “She currently serves on the Edge Advisory Committee, the Study and Travel Course Committee, the Women’s Studies Council and the Asian Studies Council. Professor Terrono is an invaluable member of our Randolph-Macon community, and we thank her for her enormous contributions to our students, our faculty and our world.”

The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Administrator Award, presented by President Lindgren
Recipient: Susan H. Donavant (advancement)

Susan Donavant joined the staff in 1974 and retired in 2017. She earned her B.A. at Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College) and her M.H. from University of Richmond.

“Susan’s impressive record of service is filled with great depth,” said Lindgren. “She has developed meaningful relationships with our alumni over the years. Alumni have shown their appreciation for her throughout her tenure, including a $75,000 gift made by Boydton Society members to have the executive director’s office in Dalton House named for her, and the over $100,000 that was raised to establish a fund in her and her husband’s honor to support the ongoing preservation of the Dalton House.”

Last fall, the Society of Alumni created an award in Donavant’s name, which will be presented annually to a dedicated alumnus or alumna.

The Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award, presented by Jen Thompson, Executive Assistant to the President
Recipient: Annie Keith ‘01 (New Student Orientation and Student Transition Programs)

This award was created by a generous gift from former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Steven Nape and his wife Diane. This award 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.

Annie Keith ’01 joined the staff in 2001. She earned her B.A. from Randolph-Macon College.

“Annie believes deeply in the power of mentorship and makes it a centerpiece of all she does,” said Thompson. “She works hard to inspire our students in the discovery of their own passions and strengths—boosting their skills, confidence, and compassion—to become the next generation of leaders.” In her role as director of New Student Orientation and Student Transition Programs, Keith re-designed the orientation experience for incoming freshmen students to make it full of meaningful connections.

“Her profound dedication to her alma mater and the deeply personal investment she has made in our students make her incredibly deserving of this award,” said Thompson.

At the conclusion of the event, Jacquelynn Duff ’18 led the singing of the alma mater and Chaplain Kendra Grimes followed with the Benediction.