William Carey University held its 2022 Honors Day Convocation on April 27. The annual event recognizes students for outstanding academic and leadership achievements.
WCU President Dr. Tommy King presented the Jenkins-Chastain Citizenship Award to Savannah Peden. Established in 1957, the Jenkins-Chastain Award goes to a student who exemplifies outstanding citizenship, scholarship, leadership, and Christian service. It is the university’s highest honor.
“During her time at William Carey, Savannah has been a President's List scholar and was inducted into both the business honor society, Sigma Beta Delta, and the Alpha Chi and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies,” King said.
“Savannah is a member of the Gamma Chi sorority and has also been involved at William Carey as a resident assistant, welcome and orientation guide, and pianist in the Restoration Band. She served for four years on the Student Government Association, this year as its president. Outside the classroom, Savannah operates her own business, Novella Photography, is a member at First Baptist Church Oloh, and volunteers with Hope Clinic.”
Peden is majoring in Cross-Cultural Business Management. After graduating in May, Peden will begin a new job as a recruiting specialist for the WCU School of Education. She and her husband, Wesley Peden, make their home in Sumrall.
More Honors Day awardsStudent Leadership:Student Leadership Award – Weslie Ann Blackledge
Baptist Student Union:BSU President – Rachel Moore
BSU Outstanding LeadTEAM Member – Grace Smith
BSU Outstanding Servant Leader – Abigail Johnson
Campus Activities:SGA President – Savannah Peden
Mr. William Carey University – Trent Gilbertson
Miss William Carey University – Savannah Peden
Faculty Member of the Year – Michelle Bradley
Staff Member of the Year – Landon Adams
Administrator of the Year – Valerie Bridgeforth
Cafeteria Worker of the Year – Gloria Moore
Security Worker of the Year – Lee Davis
Language and Literature:Smith-Holliman Outstanding Freshman Writer Award – Hope George
Rebecca M. Jordan Outstanding English Major Award – Samantha Burleson, Rachel Farnham
J.V. McCrory Creative Writing Award for Short Fiction – Rachel Farnham
J.V. McCrory Creative Writing Award for Poetry – Sierra McNairn
J.V. McCrory Creative Writing Award for Creative Non-fiction – Ana Paola Ospina Sapuy
Outstanding Spanish Student – Lance Hall
Art:Art Student of the Year – Bailey Adkins
Mathematics:Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Award – Hannah Sorto, Campbell Putnam
Criminal Justice:Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Award – Jesse Touchstone
Chemistry:Freshman Chemistry Award – Marilyn Tullos
Senior Chemistry Award – Nickolas Murray
Rose West Memorial Endowment – Madison Wiggins
Rose G. West Pre-Medical Award – Noah Cuevas
Biological Sciences:Freshman Biology Award – Seger Moore
Senior Biology Award – Reece Bowen
Psychology and Counseling:Outstanding Psychology Student – Kaylie Agostine, Allison Valencia
Biomedical Science:Outstanding Master of Biomedical Science Award – Jacklyn Cummins
Nursing, Class of February 2022:Nurse Crusader Award (Hattiesburg) – Crystal Matthew
Nurse Crusader Award (Baton Rouge) – Samuel Chasuk
Nightingale Scholar Award (Hattiesburg) – Lexey Breerwood
Nightingale Scholar Award (Baton Rouge) – Jacklyn Aiello
Nursing, Class of August 2022:Nurse Crusader Award (Hattiesburg) – Katlyn Proctor
Nurse Crusader Award (Baton Rouge) – Rachel King
Nightingale Scholar Award (Hattiesburg) – Anthony Barnes
Nightingale Scholar Award (Baton Rouge) – Kendall Hawkins
Education:Outstanding Elementary Education Major – Bailey Smith
Outstanding Secondary Education Major – Skylah Smith
Business Administration:Outstanding Management/Marketing Student – Camila Pescatore
Outstanding Computer Information Systems Student – Andrew Gillimt
Outstanding Finance Student – Ian turner
Outstanding Accounting Student – Cooper Grafe
Outstanding Cross-Cultural Business Management Student – Brianna Aultman
Music:James O. Allen Outstanding Music Major – Ryan Ethridge
Marilyn R. Swingle Outstanding Music Major – Josie Deaton
Mary Ann Johnston Griffith Undergraduate Elementary Music Award – Anna Dribus
Anne Folsom Excellence in Middle School Choral Music Award – Victoria Prestage
Phyllis J. Merritt Excellence in High School Choral Music Award – Morgan Burroughs
Outstanding Student Teacher in Instrumental Music – Johnathan Frelix
Senior Pin for Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity – Morgan Burroughs, Jenna Williams
Music Therapy Commitment and Dedication Award – Anna Grace Easley, Emilee Leake
Communication:Joe Roberts Memorial Forensics Society Award – Nathaniel Croft
Distinguished Speaker Award – Dayhath Marte-Herrera
Church and Missions:J. E. Byrd Memorial Award – Conner McLeod
The Ken Rhodes Award – Rachel Moore
Alumni Relations:Alumni Association School Spirit Award – Savannah Peden
In the photo:Savannah Peden, winner of the 2022 Jenkins-Chastain Citizenship Award, visits with William Carey University President Dr. Tommy King after Honors Day Convocation at the Hattiesburg campus.