Students and faculty alike gathered on the evening of April 14 in the UCCU Center’s South Presidential Suite for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Recognition Banquet, designed to honor outstanding performance from those within the college.
Dean David P. Yells presided over the banquet, commending the award-winning students and faculty on their accomplishments and thanking everyone who contributed to making the school year an enjoyable one.
“We have students who would be excellent at any university and they choose to be here at Utah Valley,” he said.
Yells presented the Valedictorian Awards to Dawna Whiting, earning an associate’s degree in Behavioral Science and Jorgen Hansen, earning a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Humanities.
The department chairs were then brought up to introduce the winners of the Departmental Outstanding Student Awards, given to the best and the brightest students within each department.
Philosophy and Humanities chair Dr. Michael Minch presented his department’s award to Kristen Argyle, offering congratulations and expressed his enjoyment in teaching her.
“I’ve been delighted to have Kristen as a student…I continually learn new things from her, as I have tonight,” Minch said.
The other student awards were presented to Natalie Smith, Behavioral Science, Ashley Brown, Communications, Marie Knowiton, English & Literature, Michael Balser, History & Political Science, Loran Cook, Integrated Studies and Maricela Monterrosa, Languages.
Members of the faculty were also honored for their contributions to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. Minch presented the Dean’s Recognition Award in the creative category to Alex Caldiero, speaking glowingly on behalf of Caldiero and his accolades.
“It’s hard to be brief when speaking about Alex because he is a person with such tremendous talent…he’s an accomplished person who we have pride in calling our colleague,” Minch said.
Honored faculty members included Dr. Kate McPherson, Alumni Outstanding Educator of the Year, Dr. Pierre Lamarche, Faculty Excellence, Full Time, Jason King, Faculty Excellence, Adjunct, Dr. Christa Albrecht-Crane, Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly, Roger Wise, Dean’s Recognition Award for Humanitarian, Mark Olson, Excellence Award, Staff and Kristen Campbell, Excellence Award, Advisor.
The banquet closed with two more awards being handed out, honoring Susan Auten for winning the Marilyn Brown Unpublished Novel Competition and Janelle West for winning the Marie Clegg Jones Speech Competition.
