University of Virginia Alumni Association Honors Top Students and Faculty

May 8, 2008 — The University of Virginia's Alumni Association handed out its annual awards and scholarships for students and faculty at an April 25 event, held at Alumni Hall.
   
The following awards were made:

• The Alumni Association Ernest H. Ern Distinguished Student Award, funded through the Jefferson Trust for Excellence, provides $2,500 in cash and life membership in the alumni association to a student who has won recognition in the academic community for leadership and other significant contributions to University life.

This year the award was presented to fourth-year nursing student Sarah M. Boschung. A Lawn resident, member of the University Guide Service and an orientation leader, Boschung served on class and Nursing School councils, was program director for Adopt a Grandparent, active in Pancakes for Parkinson's fundraising, volunteered with Madison House and is a member of the Raven Society.

"She's very selfless," said fellow fourth-year student Jessica White. "She's one of the busiest people I know, yet when you talk to her you would never think it because she takes the time to sit and listen to you."

• The Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, a $2,500 gift also funded through the Jefferson Trust, recognizes a member of the University community whose leadership qualities serve as an inspiring example.

Maria C. Salazar, assistant to the dean of the McIntire School of Commerce, received this year's award for her 24 years of service under three deans. She was praised for her support of faculty and for nurturing relationships with alumni.

Recognized also by the Z Society in 2003 for her service, Salazar has fostered an international presence in the school through her background in South America and by helping Spanish-speaking students.

• The Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award, which carries a $5,000 cash award and life membership in the association, also is funded by the Jefferson Trust. The award recognizes a longtime faculty member who has excelled as a classroom teacher, shown exceptional concern for students and made significant contributions to University life.

This year's award went to chemistry professor W. Dean Harman. Holder of the Cavaliers' Distinguished Teaching Professorship in 1997-99, Harman was lauded for his innovative teaching methods and for his role as a mentor to other faculty.

"He is one of those teachers who understands that learning is not something that is done to students, but is something students do," said fellow chemistry professor Michael Palmer.

Harman heads the Harman Research Group, which explores the interface of inorganic chemistry and modern organic synthesis. A graduate of Stanford University, Harman received a Young Investigator award in 1992-93 and has served as an adviser in the Echols Scholars Program.

• The Young Alumni Council Service Award recognizes the contributions of one or two outstanding alumni for their service and directs a $1,000 donation to be made to any part of the University.

Gordon F. Rainey Jr., a 1962 graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences and a 1967 graduate of the Law School, and James Fang, a 1995 graduate of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, are this year's recipients. Rainey, chairman emeritus of Hunton and Williams law firm, is a former chairman of the Alumni Association Board of Managers and a former rector of the University. He was selected to be chairman of the University's current $3 billion campaign and was the architect for AccessUVa, a program to make the University affordable to all qualified applicants.

Fang is president of the UVaClub of the Peninsula and served seven years on the board of the Engineering School.

• The Gray-Carrington Award was established in 1971 in memory of Arthur P. "Pete" Gray IV and in 1987 was expanded to honor Edward C. Carrington Jr. It honors students who excel in personal integrity, achievement, leadership and humility. Winners receive tuition, room, board and fees for one year.

This year's recipient is third-year commerce student Christina Polenta, a member of the Raven Society and an Echols Scholar. She served on class councils each of her first three years, has volunteered with Madison House, serves as an adviser to the Honor Committee and has been appointed to the University Seminar Advisory Board.

• The Kelly O'Hara Memorial Scholarship, a $12,000 award, honors rising fourth-year women who exhibit outstanding character, dedication to the service of others, leadership through example and scholastic merit.

This year's recipients are Veronica Rivera and Molly Crane Harrington. Rivera is active in the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and is a senior resident adviser. Harrington is on the board of the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund of U.Va. and is a Young Life leader.

• The Dana H. Rowe Scholarship recognizes a student from New England enrolled in the School of Law, College of Arts & Sciences or Graduate School of Architecture who possesses a great love of the University and has shown through contributions to student life that he or she will likely be an active participating alumnus or alumna. The award is for $4,000.

Second-year Arts & Sciences student Caitryn McCallum, recipient of this year's award, is founder and president of the University's chapter of Heifer International, a group addressing world hunger and agricultural sustainability. She also volunteers through Madison House and is a member of U.Va.'s Invisible Children Club.

• The Meikel Andrade Memorial Scholarship, awarded through the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship Fund, provides $1,000, renewable for four years, to African-American females entering their first year at the University who exhibit leadership, commitment, integrity, resourcefulness, creativity and an outstanding sense of humor.

This year's awards go to Jennifer Bristol and Amanda Oakes. Bristol, active in high school in Future Business Leaders of America and the Business Honor Society, intends to pursue studies in McIntire School of Commerce. Oaks, who plans to major in anthropology, has been a representative at the Carol F.S. Hardy National Black Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

• The Jeffrey L. Reider and Charles F. Otis Endowed Scholarship, established in 2006, provides a one-time gift of $5,000 to a gay or lesbian student or to a student who has demonstrated a willingness to advance the rights of the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community.

This year's recipient, Rachel Farr, is working toward a Ph.D. in psychology researching the concerns of same-sex couples who adopt children. A research fellow for the national Family Equality Council, Farr is a member of the LGBT Resource Center Operation Board.

• The Ravenell "Ricky" Keller III Memorial Scholarship, also through the Ridley Fund, is a one-time gift of $3,500 to African-American students to study abroad.

Third-year students C. André Grier Jr. and Jill Jefferson are this year's recipients. Grier, who is active in the Black Voices Gospel Choir, intends to study in China. Jefferson is a member of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and has been studying in France.

• The Gregory Raven Batipps Memorial Scholarship and Literary Prize, another Ridley Fund award, provides $5,000 scholarships to second- or third-year students who exemplify Batipps' high moral character, integrity and love for the written word. The literary award is worth $1,000.

This year's scholarship recipients are third-year students Bryan Myers and LaShawnda Brooks. Myers, a drum major in the Cavalier Marching Band, will be a Lawn resident and has been a tour guide for the University Guide Service. Brooks is a resident adviser in first-year dorms and a peer adviser in the Office of African-American Affairs.

The literary prize is awarded to second-year student Franklin Tennyson. A member of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and the Virginia Gentlemen a capella group, Tennyson has served as a delegate to The Hague International Model United Nations.

• The Sky Alland Scholarship honors a rising fourth-year student in the McIntire School of Commerce who exemplifies leadership, achievement, enterprising spirit, humility and devotion. Given annually, the award pays for tuition, room, board and fees for one year.

Third-year Alex Boyajian, this year's recipient, is a member of the U.Va. Mock Trial team, president of the student-run Oluponya Records and volunteers with Madison House.

• The Thomas Rodney Crowley Jr. Scholarship goes to a rising fourth-year student who is proficient in athletics and academics, and who demonstrates integrity, competitiveness and team leadership. The award covers full in-state tuition, room and board.

This year's recipient, commerce student Jeremy Ryan Mostrom, has served on the University Committee on Fraternities and Sororities and held offices on the Inter-Fraternity Council. He also is the No. 1 singles player on the U.Va. men's club tennis team and is ranked No. 2 in the nation.

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