LAKELAND, Fla. (May 16, 2005) — The annual Honors Convocation at Florida Southern College brought recognition to numerous students in a variety of categories. Recognitions given included the following honors and awards:

Religion in Life Award – Jennifer Beckett, a senior Christian education major. She is the daughter of David and Kimberly Beckett of Anchorage, Alaska.

Leslie Harper Purcell Scholarships – Christine Franklin, a junior music major and daughter of James and Pamela Franklin of Stephens City, Virg.; Malena Frett, a junior mathematics major and daughter of Kenneth Frett of Oldsmar, Fla., and Barbara Frett of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and Leah Stephens, a senior music performance major and daughter of William and Willine Stephens of Jacksonville, Fla.

The Pat McFadden Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Mindy Dymon, a senior biology major and daughter of Christopher and Diane Dymon of Ware, Mass.

The Pat McFadden Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Joseph Ryan Cahalan, a senior business administration major and son of Joseph and Barbara Cahalan of Lakeland, Fla.

Student Volunteer of the Year Award – Shane McLaughlin, a sophomore business administration major. He is the son of David and Colletta McLaughlin of Lakeland, Fla.

John R. Reuter Art Award – Justin Ellis O’Daffer, a senior studio art major and son of Lynda Schaak of Lakeland, Fla.

Reuter Scholarships (4) – Christoph Barnett, a senior music performance major and son of Curtis and Christine Barnett of Grand Cayman; Sharon Elliott, a freshman athletic training major and daughter of Catherine Elliott of Cape Coral, Fla.; Byron Hogan, a senior music performance major and son of Ronnie and Peggy Hogan of Lakeland, Fla.; and Amanda Sawyer, a sophomore psychology major and daughter of Trevor and Jennifer Sawyer of Abaco, Bahamas.

Robert Lee Zimmerman Award for Excellence – Brittany Melson, a senior English major. She is the daughter of William and Susan Melson of Lakeland, Fla.

Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Award (2) – Kaitland Kopp, a freshman elementary education major and daughter of Kathryn Kopp of Winter Haven and William Kopp; and Jessica Steinke, a freshman criminology major and daughter of David Steinke of St. Mary’s, Ohio, and Teresa Harmon of Yorkshire, Ohio.

Omicron Delta Kappa Chandler Outstanding Sophomore Award – Ashley Gero, a psychology major and son of Graig and Sandra Gero of Lake Worth, Fla.

Omicron Delta Kappa Kalchbrenner Outstanding Junior Award – Malena Frett, a junior mathematics major and daughter of Kenneth Frett of Oldsmar, Fla., and Barbara Frett of Palm Harbor, Fla.

Omicron Delta Kappa Salutes (2) – Emma Depew, a senior political science major and daughter of Kathleen Carney of Gotha, Fla., and Michael Depew; and Luke Thompson, a senior business administration major and son of William Thompson and Ann Thompson of Jacksonville, Fla.

Agnes Johnson Rowe and The James C. Rogers Recognitions – Ching Man Wan, a senior from Hong Kong, has won the Agnes Johnson Rowe award. Brian Curry, a senior business administration major and son of Jay and Diane Curry of Lakeland, Fla., has won the James C. Rogers Recognition.


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 24 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. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.