Randolph-Macon College students were lauded at the Sociology and Anthropology Celebration of Student Achievement, which took place April 23, 2018 in Birdsong Hall on RMC’s campus.Forty students and many of their families attended. Joining them were Sociology/Anthropology Professors Denise Bissler, Sarah Cribbs, Scott London, Debra Rodman, and Heather Heckel.

Showcasing Accomplishments
The event honored 27 graduating seniors (including those who graduated in fall 2017), recognized the accomplishments of sociology/anthropology majors and minors, and announced four award recipients. In addition, eight new members were inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, a sociology honors society.

Benton Wislinski ’08 served as keynote speaker. Wislinski, an Alpha Kappa Delta member, shared how his sociology/anthropology major shaped his career as founder of BGW Solutions, a firm that lobbies for environmental justice and civil rights.

“It is always an inspiration to celebrate the successes of our majors and minors, and there were so many to celebrate this year,” says Bissler, chair of the sociology and anthropology department. “We also recognized two of our majors who are Phi Beta Kappa members and another who is a nominee for the college-wide Algernon-Sydney award. We applauded those who are entering graduate school or beginning a new career. It is humbling to see what our students accomplished in their time at RMC, and it will be an honor to see what this impressive group does post-graduation in their efforts to seek social justice.” 

Award Winners
The following students, all sociology/anthropology majors, were presented special awards.

Katie Terhune ’18 was presented the Charlotte Fitzgerald Award for Outstanding Sociology/Anthropology Major. The award, created by Professor Charlotte Fitzgerald in 1991, is presented to an outstanding senior whose academic efforts in the field of sociology and anthropology reflect excellence in scholarship, critical reflection and social and moral responsibility.

Jessica Hill ’18 won the Paige Perry Student Award, which is given to a student who inspires other students by being particularly engaged in the classroom or in extracurricular activities of sociological or anthropological importance.

Alexis Bailey ’19 was named the department’s nominee for the Fitzgerald Scholarship Award, which is presented to a student who demonstrates strong scholarship in a social science discipline and has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.

Novella Ogunshina ’18 won the Beth Gill Student Activist Award. Created in honor of Sociology/Anthropology Professor Beth Gill, who taught at RMC for many years, this award is given to the student who shows a deep dedication to social activism and the liberal arts.