Awards ceremony honors CHBS Dean’s Scholars

The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) celebrated its top scholars at the 2019 Dean’s Scholars Awards ceremony on April 19.

“This is a special day in the life of a college. We are recognizing 12 students of merit who have made a difference,” said Interim CHBS Dean Matthew J. Smith, Ph.D. “All of you have made great accomplishments. Some of you have overcome great obstacles.”

The 2019 Class of CHBS Dean’s Scholars was joined by more than 50 family, friends and faculty members for the ceremony. Each recipient was introduced by a CHBS faculty member and awarded a plaque. Their individual pictures and special designations as a Dean’s Scholar for their academic department will also be displayed in the CHBS Building’s foyer for the upcoming year.

The 2019 CHBS Dean’s Scholars and the departments they represent are:

• Greg Capps, philosophy and religious studies;
• Jennifer Cole, psychology;
• Sarah Derrick, communication;
• Shayna Gutcho, sociology;
• Cory Higgs, media studies;
• Julia Kell, English;
• Duane Knox, criminal justice;
• Evan Mason, interdisciplinary studies;
• Zane Mullins, political science;
• Kaitlyn Partanen, history;
• Nadia Parada Villeda, foreign languages and literature; and
  
• Autumn Woodson, social sciences.

Tamara Partanen watched her daughter, Kaitlyn, receive the Dean’s Scholar Award for the Department of History from Associate Professor of History Suzanne Ament, Ph.D.

“It is wonderful to see her hard work be recognized,” Partanen said. “She loves history and it warms my heart to know that she will soon be sharing that love with others as a teacher.”

As his parents looked on, Duane Knox was honored as the Department of Criminal Justice Dean’s Scholar by Professor Stephen Owen, Ph.D.

“Academically, I enjoyed this experience,” Knox said. “The professors shared such valuable professional and life experiences along with their knowledge. I am grateful.”