80th Annual Recognition Day
Sigma Phi Omega Honor Society
Sunday, April 26, 2020 | 3 p.m. | Live via Zoom
Program
Welcome - Dr. Sheri Chisholm, Dr. Vicki Huffman
Welcome from the Campus President - Dr. Jennifer Orlikoff
Introduction of Whitmore Family Member - Dr. Jennifer Orlikoff
Remarks -
Laura Whitmore Holland
Recognition of Whitmore-Gates Student Honorees - Professor Amy Weaver, Professor Danielle Lessard
Recognition of Whitmore-Gates Faculty Honoree - Dr. Sheri Chisholm
Morris Organic Chemistry Award - Dr. Ganesh Ghimire
Powell General Chemistry Award - Dr. Jay Badenhoop
Dr. Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award - Dr. Jay Badenhoop
Mauzy-Harris History Award - Professor Cassandra Pritts
General Biology Award - Professor Erin Cunningham
W. E. Michael Biology Award - Dr. Gerry Wilcox
Human Anatomy & Physiology Award - Dr. Sheri Chisholm
Outstanding Forestry Sophomore Student Award - Professor Jeff Jones
Outstanding Agriculture Sophomore Student Award - Professor Jeff Jones
Don S. Starcher Outstanding Freshman Agriculture & Forestry Student Award - Professor Jeff Jones
Outstanding SAGE Student - Professor Jeff Jones
Outstanding Student of Spanish as a Foreign Language Award - Professor Natalia Garcia-Martinez
Outstanding Senior Criminal Justice Award - Dr. Heidi Samuels, Professor Danielle Lessard
Outstanding Education Award - Professor Andrea Schafer, Professor Ruth Upton
Outstanding Business Management Student Award (BAS) - Professor Kevin Arjel
Outstanding Business Technology Student Award (AAS) - Professor Amy Weaver, Professor JoAnn Burnett
Outstanding Student in Applied Calculus - Dr. Yelena Meadows
Outstanding Student in Classic Calculus Sequence - Dr. Yelena Meadows
Outstanding Student in Bachelor of Computer Information Systems - Professor Mary Beth Moore
Outstanding Student in Associates of Computer Information Systems - Professor Mary Beth Moore
The Willa Louise Cather Award for Best Noncreative Essay - Professor Rachel Del Signore
The Orval Anderson Award for Best Creative Essay - Professor Rachel Del Signore
Keyser Rotary Club’s Service Above Self Award - Dr. Greg Ochoa, Academic Dean
E. William Noland Outstanding Student Award - Dr. Jennifer Orlikoff, Campus President
Induction of Sigma Phi Omega New Members - Dr. Vicki Huffman, Co-Chair, Dr. Sheri Chisholm, Co-Chair
Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall
The wall was originally conceived to recognize the academic and scholarly activities of Potomac State College's students, alumni, and faculty.
During the early deliberations, the College planned to name the wall in honor of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ph.D., who attended Potomac State
and now serves as chair of Harvard's Department of African American Studies. He is recognized as one of the most powerful academic voices in America and in 1997 was voted one of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential Americans."
When Dr. Gates entered Potomac State, his intention was to become a physician. That ambition was short-lived; however, when he was introduced to the captivating world of language and literature by Professor Tony "Duke" Whitmore, Ph.D. Dr. Gates credits Dr. Whitmore with forever changing his life and consequently helping to redefine the meaning of America through the research of Dr. Gates and his colleagues.
Upon Dr. Whitmore's death during the planning stages of the wall, Dr. Gates requested that the name of the wall be changed to include the name of Dr. Tony "Duke" Whitmore, so that the student and his mentor may be honored together. Each year a faculty committee selects up to three students who exhibit exemplary scholarship and potential for continued achievement.
The committee may also select a former faculty member of the College who has produced a scholarly work, publication, or performance. An alumni committee selects former students of the College who meet the same criteria.
The first year's inductees also included students who had been recognized as the Outstanding Students of the Year from its inception in 1983.
History of Sigma Phi Omega at Potomac State
Sigma Phi Omega was founded in the spring of 1923 by the faculty of Potomac State College. Their desire was to create an organization which would serve as a medium for social contact between themselves and outstanding students. The name “Sigma Phi Omega” was chosen by using the initial letters of the Greek words which mean “student-faculty organization.”
Thirteen students, eight men and five women, were the first honored with membership. The speaker for that occasion was Thomas R. Carskadon, formerly of Keyser, and candidate for vice president of the United States.
Sigma Phi Omega also has a strong history of public service. During World War II, the society sold war bonds and defense stamps as its contributions to the war effort, raising over $15,000. The society has contributed through the years to the Nancy M. Miller, Ph.D. Scholarship Fund. Dr. Miller served as adviser to the society from 1949-1967.
The first faculty adviser was Claire Adler, who helped found the organization. Wilhelmine Deissle served from 1925-1949. Faculty Emeritus Kenneth Haines became advisor in 1967 and served until his retirement in 1996. Faculty Emerita Dinah
Courrier served from 1996 until her retirement in 2009. Prof. Andrea Bucklew, J.D. and Vicki Huffman, Ph.D. then served as co-advisors. Dr. Huffman and Sheri Chisholm Ph.D., are the current co-advisors.
The four-fold Sigma Phi Omega emblem represents fellowship, pure motives, trust in God, and clear thinking through education. These traits are reflected in the initiation obligation, a poem written by Henry van Dyke, an American author, educator and clergyman who was born in 1852 and died in 1933:
“Four things a man must learn to do if he would make his record true:
To think without confusion clearly;
To love his fellow-men sincerely;
To act from honest motive purely;
To trust in God and Heaven securely.”
The Sigma Phi Omega Honor Society recognizes both academic excellence and campus involvement
New Members
Madison Anderson
Jaclynn Carroll
Allyson Crowe
Grant Keller
Tyrin Musser
Natalie Phillips
Avery Shanholtz
Lauren WhiteActive Members
Derek Alt
YJ Arciaga
Leah Bittinger
Valerie Boggess
Madison Bohrer
Nikki Cannon
Maggie Canoy
Kista Crites
Adam Dunn
Marissa Earle
Natasha Henry
Jacie Imperio
Lindsey Knotts
Seth Leedom
Jason Littleton
Malakia May
Madison Manges
Harley Martin
Shawnee Michaels
Tanner Minney
Kaylee Montgomery
John Owens
Benjamin Ritz
Katrina Roxas
Erica See
Bradley Sisler
Madison Sites
Hanna SliderMorris Organic Chemistry Award
This award is named for former Chemistry Professor J. T. Morris, who taught at Potomac State College for many years. Professor Morris also taught physics, physical science, and astronomy. The award is given to the student who has the highest average in organic chemistry, lecture and laboratory.
Powell General Chemistry Award
Named for Maurice Powell, Ph.D., chairman of Chemistry for 12 years. Dr. Powell died in 1976 and the award was named for him in 1977.
This award is for the student with the highest average in chemistry 115 -116 sequence in both lecture and laboratory.
Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award
The Henry Falkowski Survey of Chemistry Award is given in honor and memory of Dr. Henry Falkowski, Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Falkowski served the college for over 40 years with his dedication and passion to educating students. This award is given to the student who has the cumulative highest grade for the Chemistry 111/112 sequence in both lecture and laboratory.
Mauzy-Harris History Award
Mr. Sydney Harris, a Pittsburgh businessman, founded the award to honor his history professor and former Dean of Potomac State College, Frank Mauzy.
W.E. Michael Biology Award
Don S. Starcher Outstanding Freshman Agriculture and Forestry Student Award
This award was named to honor Potomac State Horticulture Professor, Don S. Starcher after his death.
The Willa Louise Cather Award for Best Noncreative Essay
Named after Dr. Willa Louise Cather, a professor emerita of Potomac State College, this award is presented to a student whose essay represents the best noncreative work produced in all English classes at the college during the year.
The Orval Anderson Award for Best Creative Essay
Named after Professor Orval Anderson, a professor emeritus of Potomac State College, this award is presented to a student whose essay represents the best creative work produced in all English classes at the college during the year.
E. William Noland Outstanding Student Award
Potomac State College received funds from an anonymous donor in 1981 for the establishment of an Outstanding Student Award. Upon the death of the donor, the award became known as the E. William Noland Outstanding Student Award. The award is a cash award, the amount to be determined annually by the chief executive officer of Potomac State College. In addition, the recipient receives a certificate, and his or her name is inscribed on a permanent plaque located in the Administration Building.
Download the printable version of the 80th Recognition Day Program