Florida Southern College Announces Awards at 2023 Founders Day Convocation

Florida Southern College president Dr. Anne B. Kerr announced the recipients of two of the College’s most prestigious awards during Founders Day Convocation Exercises on Friday, March 17.

The Ben and Janice Wade Outstanding Teaching Award was awarded to Dr. Shameka Shelby, Ph.D, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry, while the 2023 Honor Walk recipient was bestowed upon Nathalie Vanessa Moreno ’23.

Each recipient will be feted during Spring Commencement, on Saturday, May 6.

Dr. Shelby received her B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan. She has received various academic awards and fellowships and has several publications to her credit. She has also co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles with undergraduate students.

“Being part of a faculty body that embraces excellence in teaching while prioritizing classroom engagement has been instrumental in my growth as a professor,” Dr. Shelby said. “I am honored and beyond grateful to be recognized for my teaching in an environment with so many outstanding educators.”

Dr. Shelby has received numerous awards during her career, including the National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award; the King Chavez Parks Initiative, the Future Faculty Fellowship; the Rackham Merit Fellowship; the Guidant Foundation Award; and the Hypercube Scholar Award.

Dr. Shelby joined the Florida Southern College Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the fall of 2015. She received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor in May of 2021. After being named the Wade Outstanding Teacher Award, Dr. Shelby was promoted to the Dr. John A. Leighty Endowed Chair in Chemistry.

Ms. Moreno was selected from a group of 12 finalists, who exemplify leadership and student involvement on campus. Each spring a graduating senior is selected for the Honor Walk, which is the College’s highest student award.

“I think this could’ve happened to anyone,” Moreno stated. “But it has happened to me. In a pool of so many talented students, that have worked so hard to be where they are, that I was given the honor … I’m just very grateful!”

Moreno is a President’s Scholar and is active in the College’s Honors Program.  She is the Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, The Southern, a founding vice president of the Hispanic/Latinx Coalition, and serves as Vice President of Membership Education for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. Additionally, she has served as the Secretary of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and is a member of the English and Communications honor societies.

Her academic achievements have been exceptional, as she is the second FSC student to earn a prestigious Gilman Scholarship, an award that will take her to Tokyo to study Japanese culture through courses hosted by Oberlin University.