Six graduating students received university awards at commencement on May 23. Brief profiles of the honorees follow:
Kevin Michael Jordan of Andover, Mass. Fred T. Kidder Medal: The award identifies a senior male ranking first on leadership, scholarship and character. Jordan, who majored in recreation management and minored in business administration, was active in the Catamount Trail community service organization, Trek, throughout his four years at UVM, serving as a Trek leader his junior and senior year. He was a mascot at hockey and basketball games for two years and was also a frequent trip leader for Alternative Weekends. He conducted research at several national parks for the Park Studies Lab and studied abroad in New Zealand. An Aiken Scholar, his honors include membership in the Boulder Honor Society, Mortar Board Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He has received the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Junior Book Award, R.H. Albee Award, University of Vermont Presidential Scholarship and was named the Nashoba Valley Ski Area Most Valuable Young Learners Instructor.
Shawna P. Wells of Feasterville, Penn. co-recipient of the Class of 67 Award: The award recognizes a senior student who has been an active member in three student activities, participated in a varsity athletic sport and/or held election to an office in a recognized student activity. Wells, who majored in English and secondary education and minored in special education, served as vice president of the Student Government Association and president of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was also a student representative on the Board of Trustees. As gift chair of the senior class council, she helped raise $10,000 for the senior class gift, the Senior Speakers Series. Her honors have included membership in the TOWERR Honor Society, Board of Trustees and Order of Omega, as well as a Fulbright Scholarship and NAACP award.
Joseph Thibault of Grantham, N.H. co-recipient of the Class of 67 Award: A major in political science and minor in business administration, Thibault was active in the Student Government Association, drafting several resolutions and serving as president of Spring Fest 04. He was also chair of the student trustee selection committee and chair of the new member education committee of Phi Gamma Delta. His honors include membership in the Boulder Society and a Community Leadership Award from the City of Burlingtons Neighborhood Night of Success.
Jennifer Marquis of North Branford, Conn. Mary Jean Simpson Award: The award identifies the senior woman who best exemplifies the qualities of character, leadership and scholarship. Marquis, who majored in political science and history, was active in the Student Government Association, UVM Volunteers in Action, College of Arts and Sciences Board of External Advisors and the John Dewey Honors Program, where she served as resident mentor during her senior year. During her time at UVM, she also worked for the State Attorneys Office of Vermont and in the College of Arts and Sciences deans office. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta, Mortar Board and Golden Key national honor societies. In 2002, she visited and performed service at sites in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga., as part of an Alternative Spring Break program on the civil rights movement.
Jason Landis of Souderton, Penn. Keith M. Miser Leadership Award: The award recognizes the student who has been successful in campus leadership endeavors. Landis, a major in environmental science with a concentration in ecological design, was director of Alternative Spring Break for two years, vice president of the field hockey club for two years and active in Habitat for Humanity. He logged more than 900 hours of community service in one year. His honors include the AmeriCorps Education Award, Presidents Scholarship and finalist status for the Vermont Student Citizen Award.
Ebony Meyers of Bronx, N.Y. Elmer Nicholson Achievement Prize: The award recognizes a student for whom emergence is an overriding characteristic and takes in account the greatness of the students total UVM experience. Meyers, who majored in education and history and minored in sociology, was active in the ALANA Talent Snow for her second and third years on campus and served as ALANA Program Director for two years. She was involved in the Peer Mentoring Program, Black Student Union, Advocat, and was a residential advisor and president of the Multicultural Interest Group. During her time at UVM, she also worked at the Bailey Howe Library, the Patrick Gymnasium and a local department store. She volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club locally and was a mentor for a youth-oriented Website in New York. Meyers earned the Rodney S. Patterson Award, Lufano Tshikororo Leadership and Vision Award, Jonathan Levin Scholarship, Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship, Con Ed/National Arts Club Scholarship and United Federation of Teachers Scholarship.
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