CHBS best and brightest are named Dean's Scholars

The 2014 Dean's Scholars from the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) were honored on Saturday, April 5, at a reception for the students, their professors, families and friends.

Each year, the college honors the most outstanding senior student from each of its academic departments. The honorees are selected based on their scholarly achievements as well as their contributions to the campus and local community.

In short biographies of each winner, faculty members outlined several qualities shared by each scholar: academic excellence, commitment to service, curiosity about the world and tireless effort.

Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle, speaking to the honored students and guests at the reception in the Hurlburt Student Center, said, "Our Dean's Scholars are an exceptional group of people who are linked by a belief in the critical importance of the education offered at Radford."

This year's CHBS Dean's Scholars and their fields of study are:

  • Katherine E. Okie, History
     
  • Hollyn Stephanie Lofton, Social Science
     
  • Kara Hogge, Interdisciplinary Studies
     
  • Shannon McGrath, Sociology
     
  • Matthew William Wheeler, Criminal Justice
     
  • Brianna Kirker, English
  • Kirsty Condon, Foreign Languages and Literatures
     
  • Glen Luke Flanagan, Media Studies
     
  • Lauren A. Martin, Communication
     
  • Marisa J. Fraley, Philosophy and Religious Studies
     
  • Mallory Taylor Brennan, Political Science
     
  • Jenna E. McChesney, Psychology

Kyle reminded attendees that students like the CHBS Dean's Scholars are some of the best representatives of their peers and their university with their accomplishments.

"This is one of my favorite events every year," she said. "This occasion and these students stand for everything we're about at Radford."

CHBS Dean Katherine Hawkins was on hand to welcome students and guest to the celebration. With pride, she praised the scholars and reminded them of the responsibilities and opportunities ahead for them.

"There are no limits to what you can now achieve as graduates of Radford University," she said.

The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences serves more than 2,000 students and has more than 125 faculty members. The mission of the college is to provide its students with the individualized attention of a liberal arts college coupled with the resources and opportunities of a comprehensive university.

To further that mission, RU will commence construction on a planned 143,600 square-foot academic facility that will serve as the new home to the college. The building will provide state-of-the-art academic space consisting of classrooms, offices, laboratories and student/faculty collaborative space. Among the departments of the college that will be accommodated in the new building are: the School of Communication, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, History, Philosophy & Religious Studies and the Office of the Dean.

Apr 8, 2014