Student excellence in academics and service were recognized during Tusculum College's annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 24.

The two top student honors presented by the college are the President's Award and the Bruce G. Batts Award.

The President's Award was presented to Brody Wells, a senior majoring in mathematics education from New Tazewell.

At Tusculum College, Wells has made himself known largely through his faith-based activities in the college community. He has organized many events and programs for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and also is involved with the Disciple's Point church services on campus each Sunday.

He works weekly with a disadvantaged youth through a Big Brother program in Johnson City. Wells also works as a tutor on campus with the tutoring services program offered through Student Support Services.

A former member of the Pioneer football squad, he has been on both the South Atlantic Conference Honor Roll and the Tusculum College Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

The Bruce G. Batts Award was presented to Sarah Philipp, a senior majoring in athletic training education from Hendersonville, N.C. Philipp has earned academic honors each semester at Tusculum.

Philipp has been a member of the Athletic Training Students' Society throughout her time at Tusculum and has served in the highest leadership positions for the past two years.

She has been a lab assistant in the Athletic Training Program at Tusculum, a student representative on faculty position search teams, and a Red Cross first-aid and CPR instructor.

Philipp is an athletic training peer educator and currently mentors three freshman observation students. She is the first athletic training major at Tusculum College to be selected a Bonner Leader, for whom she co-chairs the Service on Saturday program.

Jane Sandusky of the Athletic Training department says of Philipp that she is "an excellent mentor and role model for our younger students" and "works well with all personality types. She strives to see the best in people."

Also presented were faculty, staff, and community awards whose recipients were selected by a student vote. Receiving the Outstanding Service to Students Award, a faculty honor, was Jeff Lokey of Johnson City, an assistant professor of management.

The Staff Award was presented to Jill Jones of Greeneville, director of academic advising.

Jones, as an alumnus of Tusculum who experienced the transition from a traditional calendar to the block system as a student, is well suited to advise students in regards to their academic requirements, said Student Government Association President Duane Randolph in presenting the award.

Jones returned to her alma mater as an admission representative before taking the position in academic advising. Randolph said Jones takes the time to make a difference in the lives of students.

The Community Award for exemplary service to students was presented to prominent Greeneville businessman and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger. At Tusculum, Niswonger has provided leading support in virtually every major project of recent years and is among the college's "Benefactors," meaning those whose lifetime giving has equaled or exceeded $1 million.

Niswonger, who holds an undergraduate degree and an honorary doctoral degree from Tusculum College, funded the Niswonger Sports Complex, giving Tusculum some of the best athletics facilities of any small college in the Southeast.

He was a key supporter of the recent expansion and renovation of the Library at Tusculum College, and his name is enshrined in the name of the Niswonger Commons, the biggest and most diverse campus building.

Niswonger earned a business degree from Tusculum in 1987. His second degree from Tusculum was an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters presented to him in 2006 in recognition for his outstanding support of Tusculum College through not only extraordinarily generous financial contributions, but also his personal service and expertise as a leading member of the College's Board of Trustees since 1994.

In Greeneville, he has given support to many worthy community projects, including building the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, which brings many artistic and educational resources into the community.

The David Behan Award for the outstanding Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management major was presented to John Craft of Greeneville.

Presenter Dr. Geir Bergvin, the director Tusculum's School of Business, noted that Craft had entered the program for personal fulfillment, but quickly discovered what he was learning could help him professionally as well.

Craft has balanced his academics with his career as a fireman in the Greeneville Fire Department, his family responsibilities, and his leadership role in the Greeneville Firemen's Association.

The Doug Ratledge Environmental Science Scholarship, which is presented to an outstanding Environmental Science or Field Guide/Naturalist major, was given to Lacey Coile of Greeneville.

The Warren Lynn Drain Award was presented to Joshua Hinkle of Mosheim. A graduating senior determined most outstanding in Business and Economics is presented the award, and grade-point average and achievement are the criteria for the choice of recipient.

Brian Ricker of Greeneville was presented a Theatre Arts Award. Ricker had lead roles in the two Theatre-at-Tusculum productions this year and has starred in productions staged at the college since high school.

The Pinnacle Award for the highest scores on annual comprehensive examinations taken by athletic training education majors was presented to Jason S. Seaton of Midway.

Senior Honor Key Awards were presented to students who have earned a 3.25 GPA or higher in their major, shown achievement and aptitude in the major, and possess strong character.

Receiving Senior Honor Key Awards were Aundrea Gunter of Greeneville in biology, Sarah Julia Jones of Greeneville in museum studies, and Valerie Mullins of Limestone in medical pre-professional.

Senior members of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society also were recognized. Upperclassmen who are ranked in the top 10 academically of their classes are invited to join the honor society.

Those recognized included Jenna Breckenridge of Greeneville, Rachel Collette of Chuckey, Stacy Landers of Afton, Ryan Lewis of Greeneville, Valerie Mullins of Limestone, Sonya Ramsey of Greeneville, and Kimberly Wilcox of Chuckey.