Back to News 
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 22, 2021) — Milligan University’s Awards Convocation occurred today, Thursday, April 22, and celebrated many of the university’s undergraduate students and their accomplishments during an extraordinary year. The faculty and administration announced over 70 awards and scholarships during the annual ceremony.
Mandy Lorch, of Johnson City, Tennessee, received Milligan’s most distinguished student honor, the Ivor Jones Outstanding Senior Award.
Milligan’s faculty nominate the Ivor Jones Outstanding Senior Award recipient each year. The award is presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates outstanding performance in service to the university, potential for continuing the objectives of Milligan, academic excellence and participation in college life.
The Sam Jack Hyder QED Award for faculty was presented to staff members, Tony Jones, Karen Maughon and Brent Nipper, as well as faculty members Dr. Shannon Hogan and Dr. Phil Kenneson. This award recognizes faculty and staff who go above and beyond to serve the university with their time and talent in sacrificial ways.
Other award recipients include:
Biblical Learning: Anna Konstantopoulos, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Elise Greene, Earl R. Stuckenbruck Award for Excellence in Greek; Mallory Fehl, Fred and Esther Meding Honorary Award for Biblical Studies; Zach Leslie, Outstanding Promise in Christian Education Award; Corbin Cross, W. Dennis Helsabeck/Stone-Campbell Journal Promising Scholar Award
Business: Abigail Haagen, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Jamin White, Bill Rhoades Outstanding Accounting Student Scholarship; Ethan Pfister, Richard Phillips Outstanding Legal Studies Student Scholarship; John Will Hutcheson, Eugene P. Price Excellence in Economics Award; Abigail Russell, Business Administration Award
Computer Science: Christopher Upham, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Gracie Crabtree and Ryan Kelly, Computer Science Award; Jarod Blazo, Information Systems Award; Mark Winning, Information Systems Award (mobile)
Education: Gabrielle Mardis, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Lindsey Grow, Paul Clark Teacher Education Award; Chloe Victoria Tipton, Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Teaching Award; Ben Ensor, Kappa Delta Pi Award
Engineering: Korynne Taylor, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Tim Thacker, Electrical Engineering Award; Ian Kelly, Mechanical Engineering Award
Exercise Science: Jenny Simonsen, Outstanding Student Scholarship; Shanteal Davis, Coaching for Performance Award; Dakota Taylor, Physical Education Award; Kacie Keefer, Pre-Professional Award
Humane Learning: Emily Messner, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Eliana Rangel, English Award; Lindsey Crossgrove, Humanities Award; Daniel Robinson, Spanish Award
Nursing: Elizabeth Dotson, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Amber Vecrumba, Nursing Award
Performing, Visual and Communicative Arts: Avery DeWolf, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award in Communications; Dakota Mohler, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award in Music; Lauren Petty, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award in Performing and Visual Arts; Sydney Rhoton, Communications Award; Callie Daniel, Concert Choir Award; Jordan Clark and Mandy Lorch, Fine Arts Award; Seth Hice and Sydney Rhoton, Graphic Design Award; Michael Nickens, Orchestra Award; Rebekah Saylor and Amber Mitchell, Women’s Chorale Award
Scientific Learning: Sam Kelly, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Dani Bryant, Dick Lura Honorary Pre-Med Award; Leah Jamerson, Lone L. Sisk Award; Shawn Allen, Biology Award; Drake Shull, Chemistry Award; Ryan Kelly, Mathematics Award
Social Learning: Holly Lay, Outstanding Student Scholarship Award; Manuela Escobar, International Studies Award and Political Science Award; Amber Mitchell, Psychology Award; Carlie McKeehan, Social Work Award
Scholarships awarded through Milligan’s Advancement Office were presented to Elizabeth Dotson, Gabrielle R. Jones Memorial Scholarship; Lindsey Crossgrove, Greer-Mahan Scholarship; Rachel Scheffer, Guy and Rhea Oakes Scholarship; Emily Harper, Jeremy S. Duncan Memorial Scholarship; and Breanna Coley, Wendy I. Walstrom Memorial Scholarship.
Receiving awards from Milligan’s Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors were Ryan Kelly and Ian Kelly, Outstanding Academic Student; Margaret Blazo, Outstanding Female Athlete; and Tim Thacker, Outstanding Male Athlete.
The Institute for Servant Leadership presented Abigail Russell the Servant Leadership Honor.
For research, the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Project Award was presented to Alexandria Thomas. The Outstanding Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor was awarded to Dr. Allysha Martin. The RISE Above Research Theme Awards were presented to Alyssa Elliott and Hannah Alford.
The SGA Student Distinguished Service Award was presented to Jan Kuepper. The SGA Faculty Appreciation Award was presented to Dr. Tara Cosco, and Burena Edens and Caleb Johnston received the SGA Staff Appreciation Award.
Shawn Allen received the Student Development Leadership Award.
Milligan employees, Mary Fabick and Nick Blosser, were recognized for their service to the university for 25 years and 30 years, respectively.
A recording of the service can be viewed on Milligan’s YouTube Channel or Facebook page.