LAKELAND, Fla. (May 17, 2006) — The annual Honors Convocation at Florida Southern College April 19 brought recognition to students in a variety of categories.  Recognitions included the following honors and awards:

Religion in Life Award, awarded by the college chaplain to a senior who has played a significant positive role in campus ministry during his/her time at the college – Aaron DeLoach, a senior communication major and the son of David and Sheryl Deloach of Fenton, Mo.

Leslie Harper Purcell Scholarships, established by the FSC Women’s Club in memory of Leslie Harper Purcell, a dedicated FSC English instructor, to support two junior women with high scholastic averages (2) – Jennifer Cullen, a senior psychology major and daughter of Harold and Margaret Culler of Gainesville, Fla.; and Cheryl Shaffer, a senior biology major and daughter of Philip and Janet Young of Lakeland, Fla.

The Pat McFadden Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, to recognize a female athlete with a high grade point average who has made a significant positive contribution to her team – Megan Brown, a senior physical education major and daughter of Marshall and Laura Brown of Carrollton, Ga.

The Pat McFadden Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, to recognize a male athlete with a high grade point average who has made a significant positive contribution to his team – John Milton, a senior business administration major and son of Terrance Milton of Warsaw, Ind. and Vickie Brewer of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Student Volunteer of the Year Award, to recognize a full-time student whose volunteer work at a local agency provides a service to the Lakeland or Polk County community – Kari Sizemore, a senior mathematics major and daughter of Hubert Sizemore and Debbie Fearon of Naples, Fla.

Alumni Association Outstanding Senior, awarded by the FSC Alumni Association to a graduating senior who has consistently proven to be outstanding in the areas of leadership, participation in student organizations and overall contributions to the FSC community – Melissa Cofta, a senior communication major and daughter of Gary Cofta of Winter Springs, Fla. and Gail Cofta of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Reuter Scholarships, established by Paul B. and E. Louise Reuter in honor of their son John R. Reuter, former FSC English professor, to reward students who maintain 3.5 grade point averages and have the potential to represent the best of the liberal arts tradition (4) – Courtney Baker, a senior biology major and daughter of Carol and Cherylann Baker of Clay, N.Y.; Justin Quinn, a junior political science major and son of Stephen and Mary Ann Quinn of Lecanto, Fla.; William Koeppel, a junior biology major and son of Markus Koeppel of Widnau, Switzerland and Deborah Koeppel of Lakeland, Fla.; and Amanda Sawyer, a senior psychology major and daughter of Trevor and Jennifer Sawyer of Abaco, Bahamas.

Robert Lee Zimmerman Award for Excellence, established by John Reuter in honor of Dr. Robert Lee Zimmerman, a long-time FSC English professor, to recognize excellence demonstrated by a FSC student – Kristina Haselier, a senior biology, religion and philosophy major and the daughter of Robert Haselier and Mary Haselier of Lakeland, Fla.

Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Award, awarded by Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman honor society, to a first year student with impressive academic accomplishments – Allison Isaac, a sophomore with an undeclared major and the daughter of Jerry and Mary Isaac of Lakeland, Fla.

Omicron Delta Kappa Frank Chandler Outstanding Sophomore Award, awarded by the Florida Southern Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity, to a sophomore with a 3.5 grade point average who has demonstrated leadership on campus – Patrick Voldness, a junior business administration major and the son of Jerome and Ann Voldness of Melbourne, Fla.

Omicron Delta Kappa Frank David Kalchbrenner Outstanding Junior Award, awarded by the Florida Southern Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity, to a junior with a 3.5 grade point average who has demonstrated leadership on campus  – Christine Franklin, a senior music major and the daughter of James and Pamela Franklin of Stephens City, Va.

Omicron Delta Kappa Salutes, awarded by the Florida Southern Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity, to students who are not members of ODK, for leadership on campus (2) – Natalie Rose, a senior business administration major and the daughter of the late Dominic Rose and Deborah Rose of Lititz, Pa.; and Aaron DeLoach, a senior communication major and the son of David and Sheryl Deloach of Fenton, Mo.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.