Outstanding students, faculty & alumni honored during SPCS Night awards ceremony

May 4, 2022

SPCS Commencement

The School of Professional and Continuing Studies continued its tradition of honoring excellence among students, faculty and alumni during its annual SPCS Night celebration on May 4, 2022. The celebration was held in person at the Modlin Center for the Arts for the first time since 2019 as a result of the pandemic.

The School bestowed the following awards during the ceremony.

Commencement Awards

  • Richard W. Leatherman, Sr., and Ida Mae Leatherman Mace Bearer: Dan Thigpen
  • U.S. Flag Bearer: Brittany Woo
  • University of Richmond Flag Bearer: Tonya Woodson
  • SPCS Banner Bearer: Ariyan Bakhti-Suroosh
  • Student Speaker: Kelly Lawler
  • Gibb Family Distinguished Alumni: Duan Hobbs, C’13
  • Itzkowitz Family Distinguished Adjunct Faculty: Linda Fisher Thornton

Academic Book Awards

Education

  • James W. Lanham Award for Excellence in Curriculum and Instruction: Emily O’Laughlin
  • Catherine S. Fisher Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership: Eric Byers

Human Resource Management

  • Steve Neal Book Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement: Scott Harris
  • Steve Neal Book Award for Outstanding Graduate Achievement: Lindsey Stagner

Information Systems

  • George E. Christopher and George W. Swartz Memorial Book Award: Antonio Balducci

IT Management

  • McDonald Davis Jr. Book Award: Jessica Cano

Liberal Arts

  • Kuehl Book Award in Recognition of Excellence in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts Program: Lucas Ecker
  • Daniel McDonald Roberts and Frances Taylor Roberts Master of Liberal Arts Memorial Book Award: Brittney Wright

Nonprofit Studies

  • Louis J. Narduzzi Memorial Book Award: Julie Roller

Paralegal Studies

  • William R. Marshall Jr. Memorial Book Award: Zarea Hawkins

Master of Teaching

  • Samuel E. Perry, Jr. and Nancy B. Perry Book Award (grades K-6): Quinn DeBerry
  • Ann C. Taylor Book Award (grades 7-12): John Tivenan

Additional Awards and Honors

  • Jean H. Proffitt Student Service Award: Grant Golden
  • Elizabeth Spindler Scott Book Scholarship Award: Sharitka Giles
  • Taylor Kie Cousins Award for Service to the University Community: Marco Thomas
  • Colonel (U.S.A., Ret.) Porcher L. Taylor, Jr., Ph.D. Book Award for Community Leadership: Brooke Fazio
  • Joanita Bbaale Senoga Book Award in Recognition of Academic Excellence by a Student Whose Native Language is not English: Hani Assadi
  • Graduate Education Comprehensive Projects — Passed with Distinction: Eric Byers, Victoria Case, Alana Hayes, Charlotte Martin, Daniel McKinney and Matthew Murray 

25-Year Service Medallions

  • John Alley, Adjunct Professor, Liberal Arts
  • Jada Banks, Adjunct Professor, Liberal Arts & HR Management
  • Dick Leatherman, Adjunct Professor, HR Management
  • Gene Maurakis, Adjunct Professor, Liberal Arts