Celebrating student and faculty achievement in the College of Liberal Arts.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 4 p.m.
Irons Recital Hall, UT Arlington

View the 2012 event program (PDF)

 

2012 Nominees

Allen, Abigail - English - has a GPA of 3.96 with 112 hours completed of her degree. She is one of the best undergraduates at the University of Texas, Arlington that I have taught in the six years that I have been here. As an honors student, Abby also travel to England with Dr. Gustafson to take part in the honors study abroad program. As a testament of Abby’s writing skills, she has been working for the writing center as a writing consultant for the past couple of years. Abby has been recently chosen as an Archer Fellow, which enables her to go to Washington D.C. this summer to participate in an internship of her own design and to take part in classes focusing on policy, economics, and persuasion. Her plan is to intern with an environmental agency, as she intends eventually to pursue a degree in environmental law.

Anderson, Jeshua – Criminology & Criminal Justice - is a highly intelligent student who when compared with his peers possesses a high level of academic skill particularly in the areas of analysis and response writing. He is exceptional in the undergraduate setting attaining a GPA of 3.922 and consistently pushes himself to attain excellence.

Arizmendi, Jesus – Criminology & Criminal Justice - Excellent student scholar

Ayers, Justin – History Pre Law (HIPL) - was commended by the History Department in 2012 as a recipient of the Laverne Prewitt History Pre-Law Award. This honor recognizes students for their outstanding grade point averages in all UTA course work, and in particular their performance in legal history and other law-related subjects. Justin has excelled not only in history, but also his minor field of Political Science.

Bastible, Matthew – Communication (Journalism) - Scholarships/Awards- Dean's List fall 2011, spring 2011, fall 2010; SPJ-Fort Worth Professional Chapter Gridiron Scholarship for 2011-2012; SPJ-Fort Worth Professional Chapter Lina Davis Scholarship for 2011-2012; Lloyd Clark Scholarship recipient for 2011-2012; Dona Darovich Scholarship recipient for 2011-2012; The Shorthorn Paul Swensson Award for copy editing fall 2010, spring 2011, fall 2011; The Shorthorn Outstanding Newsroom Rookie for fall 2008; First Place Headline Writing from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, (as a member of The Shorthorn spring 2010 staff); Organizations/Involvement- UTA Hosts mentor 2011-2012; Omicron; Delta Kappa Elite Leadership Honor Society, secretary 2011-2012; Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society, member spring 2012; Society of Professional Journalists UTA-Student Chapter president.

Becker, Jacob – Political Science - has served as a Supplemental Instructor for several semesters. He was recently chosen as an Archer Fellow, all the while earning very good grades. He has a 3.9 grade point average.

Bhopatka, Vidishar – Communication - Outstanding Graduate Student, M.A. Communication, spring 2012; Graduate Research Assistant, M.A. Communication, AY 2010-2012.

Boydston, Adam – History Pre Law (HIPL) - was a recipient of the Laverne Prewitt History Pre-Law Award in 2011, in recognition of his superior grade point average in legal history and other course work at UT-Arlington. In addition to his excellent academic performance, Adam is a member of the UTA varsity baseball team. He is earning a minor in Business Administration.

Britton, Ryan – Art & Art History (Film+Video) - EGTA Scholarship award- Granted a teaching position and management of the new sound studio space; GPA: Solid 4.0; Film Festivals-International film fest In LA and Chicago; Recent Projects: “Cowboy and India” Co-producer/stunt Coordinator/Art Director/ Carpenter; Wolf-Grip (Ya’Ke Smith).

Calderon, Jesse – Political Science - serves as the president for Pi Sigma Alpha and the Society for Political Affairs. He also is a member of the Moot Court team that competed in Vienna, Austria. He also has earned good grades, carrying a 3.5 grade point average.

Chow, Glady – Art & Art History (Visual Communications) - Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantship; Description: Fellowship. Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantship award includes full tuition coverage and stipend for the three year period of study. Participant in 2012 The Annual Celebration of Excellence of Students (ACES); Description: Selected as a participant in the ACES 2012 symposium. The ACES 2012 is a daylong event across the university that exhibits student research and creativity. Submitted abstract approved and presented poster on research "Inspiring Cultural Awareness in Canadian-Born Chinese".

Cohn, Alison - Communication (Advertising) - Dean’s List (5 of 6 semesters at UT Arlington); Graduating Magna Cum Laude (May 2012); Communication Honor Society inductee (Spring 2011)

Cornelius, Samantha – Linguistics - ACES participation; excellent contributions to discussions at department talks and colloquia; 4.0 GPA

Cross, Joe - English - has been an exemplary student during his undergraduate career in English at UT Arlington. He has a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to being a superb scholar, Mr. Cross is also an activist, with a long history of working in and on behalf of the LGBT community, most notably in training seminars designed to make public officials (police, firefighters) sensitive to the LGBT community and discrimination against it.

Denton, Tara - Music (Viola Performance) - Awarded University Scholar at President’s Convocation for Academic Excellence April 14, 2011; Outstanding Freshman Scholarship from UTA $6,000/year for her high ACT score-This scholarship was renewed in Sophomore year, because of her superior grade point average; Top 10 Percent Scholarship from UTA $2,000/year for graduating in top 10 percent of high school class (more than 800 students graduated from Lewisville High School in 2009); Top 10 Percent Scholarship was renewed in Sophomore year and Junior year, because of her continued strong academic performance; Music Major Scholarship from UTA Music Department $1,000/year for her music abilities; she received this scholarship both freshman and sophomore and junior years at UTA; Academic Enhancement Scholarship from UTA $2,000/year for her outstanding academic performance during the 2009/2010 freshman, 2010/2011 sophomore year and 2011/ 2012 junior year at UTA; $500 Vivian White Scholarship from Arlington Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alph Iota for the 2010/2011 school year; UTA Dean's List in both fall and spring semesters of her freshman year, sophomore year, and fall junior year for her high grade point average in all classes; Invited to join Alpha Lambda Delta, Honor Society for first year college students, in Feb., 2010; Invited to join the UTA chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in March, 2010; Named to the All "A" Honor Roll at UTA in June, 2010 for completed 30 or more hours at UTA, and maintaining a the highest grade point average possible (4.0 GPA); Principal Violist with the UTASO 2010, 2011; Selected from an international pool of over 200 students to participate in the CREDO chamber music festival at Oberlin Conservatory 2010.

Edd, Ian – Modern Languages (History) - he is an absolutely amazing student -- excellent thinking and research/scholarly skills. Already graduate level” Dr. Lana Rings; Overall GPA:  4.0; German: 1441 – A, 1442 – A, 2313 – A, 2314 – A, 3310 –A, 4321 – A; currently enrolled in GERM 4322

England, Jesse - Art & Art History (Glass) – Grant/ Regional: Dennis & Barbara Dubois Grant for Advanced Studies in Glass; Grant/ Regional: Ignacio & Lynda Nunez Grant for Graduate Research in Glass; Exhibition/ Regional: Tarrant County Community College

Farrell, Sean – English - has been one of the most consistently superior and over-achieving students in all of my classes, of which he has taken every single one. Sean has taken eleven courses with me, totaling 36 hours, and he has excelled in each one, often raising the level of discourse high above what I ever expected. Beyond his classes, Sean has also worked as an Honors College Undergraduate Research Assistant under my direction, making him the first URA for a humanities program in several years. As my assistant, he directly contributed to an important publication of mine that is forthcoming from one of the top journals in my field: the Journal of Medieval Latin. His dedication, positive attitude, and rare linguistic skills were integral to our successful working relationship and the rigorously-prepared material necessary for my article. Eleven classes and a summer of research in, I remain impressed by Sean’s intellect and attitude. As he readies himself for graduate school (having been accepted by such prestigious institutions as the University of Wisconsin-Madison), I think it is incumbent upon UT Arlington to honor him and recognize his academic excellence. It would, in my opinion, be a shame to pass him over.

Florido, Rina-Infini - Communication (Communication Technology)

Ford, Amy – Sociology - High academic achievement (GPA), participation in the Sociology Fast Track Program, which allows undergraduate students to complete graduate electives; also the 2011-2012 recipient of the Blaine T. and Jean W. Williams Endowed Scholarship in Sociology.

Gates, Ryan – Anthropology - Anthropology Program faculty first nominated students (N=15 nominated); he was one of the two vote winners out of five students who have G.P.A.s of more than 3.0 and hours in residence exceeding 50; has a 4.0 GPA

Hammerquist, Mark - Criminology & Criminal Justice - Excellent student scholar

Hoffner, Kristen - Music (Music Performance) - Dean’s List: Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011; Gene Patrick Scholarship, 2011-present; Music Department Scholarship, 2009-present; UT Arlington Outstanding Freshman Music Student, 2009-2010; Arlington Arts League Performing Scholarship, 2009-2010; These scholarships and awards are all competitive awards based on an audition or a faculty vote. They reflect the level and quality of Kristen’s work in her music classes; Concertmaster, UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra, 2011-present

Janes, Katelyn – English - has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA through her 114 hours of coursework; is an excellent student: a gifted researcher with sharp analytical skills, and a talented and imaginative writer; Several of her professors mention that she is among the best undergraduate students they have taught at UT Arlington; is very deserving of being recognized as a COLA Scholar Jenney, Kathleen, Art & Art History (Photography) - GPA 4.0, tremendous work ethic; Excellent student and leadership; President of FOCUS

Katy Kiger - Communication (Public Relations) - Dean’s List

Kogan, Nate – History (Transatlantic PhD Program) - has a perfect 4.0 in the PhD program and performed with distinction in his oral and written exams

Kozar, Paul – Communication

Lamar, Mario – Political Science - was a member of the delegation to the model NATO in Washington, D.C.; In addition, he has maintained very high grades, earning a 3.9 grade point average.

Lansford, Aaron - Modern Languages (Spanish) - it is with great pleasure that I nominate Mr. Aaron Lansford for the College of Liberal Arts Scholar Award. Aaron is a Masters of Arts graduate student in the Department of Modern Languages whose specialization is in Spanish. Aaron has been at UT-Arlington for the past three semesters. He is a model graduate student who is talented in both Hispanic Literature and Linguistics and will certainly go far in the discipline in short order. I am happy to report that Aaron was recently nominated for the Graduate Student Award in Excellence sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and was approved unanimously by the members of the Spanish section. Aaron is among a few select graduate students in Spanish who will be honored at this year's award ceremony; this past summer, Aaron Lansford, along with two other graduate students, accompanied me to Mexico to document the Triqui language, an Otomanguean tonal language that is not entirely understood by linguists. In order to prepare for this project, Aaron had to demonstrate a thorough understanding of linguistic theory in order to carry out morphological, phonological, syntactical and tonal analyses of this understudied and relatively undocumented language. The effort he and his fieldwork travel companions put into the preparation for this project was unprecedented in any other graduate course I had taught. I personally witnessed Aaron and his classmates spend on average 8 to 10 hours a day preparing to collect data on the Chicahuaxtla Triqui language. Not only were they required to learn about the Otomanguean language family and methods of language data collection, they also had to acquire cultural knowledge of the Triqui indigenous people as well. Aaron always came prepared and was ready to work. It was obvious to me that he had a love for learning languages and learning about foreign cultures. I could tell that Aaron had a deeper understanding of linguistic theory in comparison to others with his same level of preparation and background. As a result of his time spent in Mexico, Aaron presented his original research at this year's ACES conference in which he presented a thorough analysis of the Chicahuaxtla Triqui verbal system. Aaron's presentation was excellent. There were several faculty members from the Department of Modern Languages who attended his presentation and we all were very proud of his accomplishment; Aaron excelled in a graduate seminar he took with me on Second Language Acquisition. For this research, Aaron examined the acquisition of adjective agreement with irregular and multiple-noun sentences in Spanish by adult language acquirers of Spanish. His research paper was by far one of the best that I have ever seen a graduate student write for this course. (For a copy of his paper, go to: http://modl5307.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/final-paper-2.pdf). In fact, with a little bit of polishing, I believe that Aaron could eventually publish this research in a major academic journal; anyone who takes the time to know Aaron will find in short order that he is a delightful and intelligent man who takes his studies very seriously. I do hope you give his nomination your most serious consideration. I give him my unqualified endorsement for this award.

Le, Jaclyn - Art & Art History (Visual Communication) - Packaging design selected to be in 2012 AIGA Texas Show Traveling Exhibition (Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, NYC), April-August 2012; Silver ADDY Award for Happystitch Toy Company Campaign, 2012; Honorable mention for magazine cover design, TCCJA Convention, 2011; Participant in the Posters for Japan project, Spring 2011; Front cover of Duck Soup Literary Magazine, 2010; Show Winners’ Exhibition, Northlake College, 2009; Best Visual Communication Design award, Northlake College, 2009; Visual Arts Scholastic Event gold medalist, 2006

Luke, Jenny – History - In spring 2012, the History Department selected Jenny Luke as the winner of the George Wolfskill Award for Outstanding M.A. student; The award is given to students who earn high grades in pursuit of their master’s degree in history, and who show exceptional promise as researchers and writers; Jenny was nominated by several faculty who praised her sophisticated research and argumentation, and her facility for writing about women’s history and medical history

Macedo, Maria – Criminology & Criminal Justice - Academic excellence with 4.0 GPA

Mastromoro, Stephanie – Sociology - high academic achievement (GPA) and participation in the Sociology Fast Track Program, which allows eligible undergraduate students to complete graduate electives

McDonald, Freya – Anthropology - Anthropology Program faculty first nominated students (N=15 nominated); Ms. McDonald was one of the two vote winners out of five students who have G.P.A.s of more than 3.0 and hours in residence exceeding 50

McGinley, Jared – Criminology & Criminal Justice - 4.0 GPA

Patel, Neeralee - Philosophy - one of our best students; Dean’s list every semester since spring 2009; In 2008 received the Outstanding Freshman scholarship; a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society in Philosophy; has recently completed her Senior Thesis in Philosophy under the direction of Dr. Charles Hermes; and she has just been admitted into the UT Austin School of Law.

Ruiz, Carolyn – Political Science - serves as the Secretary of Pi Sigma Alpha and the Society for Political Affairs. As an officer and member she has been instrumental in the successful operation of the organization, which supports the mission of the Department of Political Science; In addition, she has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Schoonover, Ian - Art & Art History (Film/Video) - GPA 3.684;Dean's List 2012 Fall, Dean's List 2011, Spring, Dean's List 2010 Spring, Dean's List 2009 Fall; Honors Academy Scholarship; Freshman Hon Schol Rnw 27

Thornton, Sarah - History Pre-Law (HIPL) - The History Department named Sarah Thornton as a recipient of the Laverne Prewitt History Pre-Law Award in 2012, in recognition of her outstanding performance in both her major, history pre-law, as well as her minor of Women’s and Gender Studies; she has amassed an unusually high gpa, as well, in all of her course work at UT-Arlington: intends to pursue a graduate degree in Anglo-American legal history, with focus on human rights law.

Tinkler, Jacqueline – History – I would recommend her; she is now a history graduate student and TA. She is in History 5302 Sixties Activism class and is the liveliest and best prepared student there. I also had her for History 3300 and advised her to enter her 3300 research paper on Barbara Jordan in the Barksdale Competition. She chose not to since she was entering graduate School. The Barksdale prize for the best paper (on the history of Sundance Square) was won this year by another of my 3300 students, but I believe Ms. Tinkler’ s paper was even better. I believe she is clearly a student who deserves this honor.

Trotter, Logan – Criminology & Criminal Justice - Academic excellence; GPA 3.429; Military/ROTC experience

Tuttle, Amy – English - In my core English course last spring, Amy performed at the graduate level, boldly working through complex and sophisticated theoretical questions. The research paper she wrote for the course, which she has now presented at an academic conference, was a complex feminist analysis of the film The Black Swan. She analyzed the film from several different feminists’ perspectives, constructing a rather kaleidoscopic view of this already vertiginous film. She went above and beyond the expectations of the course, not only writing a paper much longer than was required but doing a great deal of extra research. The paper was compelling, insightful, and beautifully written. Amy is driven by a strong sense of intellectual curiosity. The degree to which she is taking her education into her own hands and pursuing independent lines of research is impressive. She is currently reading many challenging and dense theoretical texts for the independent study on new materialisms. Her papers on this topic have been superb. Each essay of her essays demonstrates a solid and nuanced understanding of these formidable theories. Moreover, her prose style is crystalline and engaging. She is already, as an undergraduate, performing at an academic level that is beyond what many doctoral students ever achieve. She is an extraordinarily talented thinker and writer.

Valdez-Rocha, Omar – Modern Languages (French) - Omar presented a paper, "Absence and its Avatars: The Search for Identity In the Representation of The Lost in Malika Mokeddem's The Forbidden Woman.” at the conference La Fracture: Disrupted Subjectivity at Rutgers University in March; Omar has also won several awards for his outstanding academic performance at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Varner, Amie – Sociology - High academic achievement (GPA)

Vose, Elizabeth – Linguistics - Dean’s list/Recommended by her professors for classroom performance

Waymel, Kristin – Music (Music Performance) - Dean’s List, Fall 2011; UT Arlington President’s Charter Scholarship, Fall 2010-present; UT Arlington Coordinating Board Scholarship, Fall 2010-present; UT Arlington Top Ten Percent Scholarship, Fall 2010-present; UT Arlington Music Scholarship, Fall 2010-present; Member of the UT Arlington Honors College; Maintains a 4.0 GPA at UT Arlington; Member of the Golden Key Honors Society, by invitation; UT Arlington Outstanding Music Freshman, 2010-2011 - This award is determined by a vote of the music department faculty based on Kristin’s academic and artistic quality and service.

Webb, Syd – Art & Art History (Intermedia) – 2011 - Graduate Student Representative, Southern Graphics Council International, Enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistantship, U T Arlington; 2010 - Nominated to be Fountain Square Gallery Representative, Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA), Heartland Printworks Scholarship, Private Donor Scholarship Kosciusko Community Foundation; 2007-2010 - Mary Milliken Award for Printmaking; Dean’s List, Herron School of Art and Design, Niccum Educational Scholarship, J & FM Swain Scholarship/IUPUIFrank O’Bannon Honors Grant, American Legion Post 253 Scholarship.

Whitfield, Allison – Music (music performance – oboe) - A Michigan resident, Allison Whitfield was selected for the Michigan All-State Orchestra and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival multiple times in high school. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Michigan State University in May 2010, Allison is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Performance at UT Arlington where she was awarded a two-year music assistantship. Allison recently won second place in the Mid-Texas Symphony’s Young Artist Concerto Competition and also won the UTA Band Alumni Scholarship Award, Sue and Art Mosby Scholarship Award, and the Arlington Arts League Rick Bateham Memorial Scholarship. Her leadership roles in the Department of Music include principal oboist in the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra and the UT Arlington Wind Symphony. Allison was chosen to perform on the Basically Beethoven Festival’s “Rising Star” Recital Series in Dallas during July, 2011. She also was featured as soloist in a movement of the Mozart Oboe Concerto with the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her contributions at UTA, she has provided free music classes to Arlington elementary schools as a community service. An outstanding musician and student with a 3.9 GPA, Allison serves as a role model for undergraduate music students who struggle to maintain excellent grades while devoting a major portion of their time to practicing their instruments. Allison’s cheerful demeanor and positive attitude coupled with her pursuit of excellence in academics and music make her a strong candidate for this award.