President Ellis Arnold '79 congratulates Charity Bratcher '23, this year's recipient of the President's Medal. / Photo by Nelson Chenault See more photos from Honors Day 2023
Hendrix
students recognized for academic achievement, campus leadership and service
CONWAY, Ark. (April 27, 2023) — Hendrix College students were
recognized for academic excellence and campus community service at the 2023 Honors
Day Convocation today in the Wellness and Athletics Center.
Charity Bratcher ’23, an economics and business major from
Old Hickory, Tennessee, was awarded the President’s Medal, which is presented
each year to the graduating student who best exemplifies the highest ideals of
the College. Criteria include excellence in scholarship, outstanding
citizenship, and service to the community. Each year’s recipient of the
President’s Medal is named by the President of the College upon the
recommendation of a nomination group.
Faculty members describe Bratcher as intelligent,
enthusiastic, organized, and communicative: “She is always attentive and fully
engaged during class. She begins class with a smile
and ends class with that same smile. But she
is much more than a cheerful and focused student – the
quality of her academic work is top-notch. She is also committed to applying
these abilities to activities and causes that enhance her positive impact on
any community that she is a part of or in contact with. Her work exemplifies
the positive benefit an engaged education has on the world around the
student. This level of achievement is especially impressive when
considering the amount of time she devotes to
extracurricular activities.”
Among her numerous activities, she served as secretary of Volunteer
Action Committee (VAC) and has worked with New Student Orientation in some
capacity for three years, serving as Orientation Coordinator last
year.
“She has a fantastic outlook and attitude,” said Jenny Kyle, director
of student activities. “She leads with kindness and rolls up her sleeves at
every opportunity. She has tremendous leadership ability and has an absolute
love for non-profit work. She dedicates her time (and every spare moment really)
to working to ensure all events are successful. She does it by making sure
opportunities are engaging and inclusive for all students. Campus Kitty has had
a variety of events this year, each with their own measure of success, which
have raised more than $25,000 for local nonprofits. And she managed Orientation
with nerves of steel and little to no oversight!”
In addition to the President’s Medal, Bratcher received the
Student Impact Award and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She will graduate
with Distinction in Economics and Business and Distinction in Odyssey.
See
the full list of Honors Day Convocation 2023 award recipients.
In addition to the student recognitions, Hendrix Provost Dr.
Terri Bonebright announced the winners of three Hendrix faculty awards.
Economics professor Dr. William Haden Chomphosy received the
Carole Herrick Award for Excellence in Academic Advising, which recognizes
high-quality academic advising, including contributions in advising that help
students formulate and achieve their intellectual, career, and personal goals.
Student nominations determine the recipient of this award each year.
Student nominators praised Dr. Haden Chomphosy, writing, “Dr.
Haden Chomphosy has helped me understand how to think rationally when there are
important decisions involved instead of using only my first impulse. He has
always been a great support to me throughout my time at Hendrix. He has
provided numerous resources to help me through classes, internships, etc. It is
clear above all that he wants his students and advisees to succeed. He is very
timely, responsive, and he always is available to meet when I reach out.”
History professor Dr. Allison Shutt received The United Methodist
Church’s Exemplary Teaching Award, which recognizes a faculty member who
demonstrates excellence in teaching; civility and concern for students and
colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; and service to students,
the institution, and community.
Dr. Shutt’s nominations emphasized her recent innovations in
teaching history through role playing games that serve as a model for how
veteran teachers can embrace significant changes in their pedagogy; her
commitment to teaching as a richly collaborative endeavor that has been evident
in her support of The Engaged Citizen since its early years; her enthusiasm for
interdisciplinary teaching; and her record of significant contributions to the
scholarly life of Hendrix. She has served her colleagues as Department Chair
and Area Chair, held two Odyssey Professorships, and been a leader in
interdisciplinary programs. Her own scholarly achievements are noteworthy, with
her most recent book being shortlisted for a prestigious prize. She steps
forward whenever she is asked to serve, whether that is on a search committee
or a standing committee. She promotes and supports her colleagues, nominating
her peers for awards and distinguished professorships.
Psychology professor Dr. Leslie Zorwick received the Dr.
Dionne Bennett Jackson Prize for Diversity and Inclusion, which recognizes and
rewards one faculty or staff member for their demonstrated contributions to
cultivating and nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming campus community.
By highlighting examples of consistent advocacy to diversity and inclusion, the
Jackson Prize identifies professional models and celebrates the College’s
commitment to and statement on diversity.
Her nominators write, “Professor Zorwick does an excellent
job facilitating respectful and thoughtful discussions around topics such as
prejudice in her classes and making sure everyone’s voice can be heard. Dr.
Zorwick led the Diversity and Dialogue Committee during a particularly
challenging time, and she has been a consistent voice for inclusivity on
campus. From her courses to her personal actions, she is a champion for minoritized students. Her research, teaching, and
presence in the larger community all speak to her commitment to diversity,
equity, and inclusion.”
About Hendrix College
A
private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently
earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal arts institutions and
is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change
the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and rigor,
innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous college
guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been affiliated with
the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.