FSU Students Honored for Academics

Fairmont State University honored students for their academic achievement at the 30th annual Academic Awards Celebration on Friday, May 4.

Many of the awards presented at the event were made possible through gifts to the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.

Tina M. Arnold, a 1984 graduate of Morgantown High School, received the Dr. Martha Miller Award. A senior Associate of Nursing (ADN) student, she is the daughter of the late Richard and Maxine Chidester of Morgantown. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She and her husband, Barry, reside in Dellslow.

Karen M. Aschliman, a 1995 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School, received the Carolyn Coakley-Hicherson Memorial Scholarship. A senior English education major, Aschliman and her husband, Shawn, reside in Fairmont.

Amber D. Ball, a 2003 graduate of Upshur County Christian Academy, received the Robert L. Carroll Scholarship. A junior math major, Ball is the daughter of Patrick and Rebecca Ball of Buckhannon.

Amanda Barber, a 1998 graduate of Vineland High School, received the American Association of University Women Award. A junior math major, Barber is the daughter of Michael J. and Patricia L. Barber of Millville, N.J. She is the founder and president of AAUW at FSU and served as a Student Government senator.

Eric S. Bee, a 2003 graduate of Doddridge County High School, received the Outstanding Senior in Business Award. A senior information systems major, Bee is the son of Lowell P. and Sharon D. Bee of Salem. Bee is a member of ISSO and Delta Mu Delta and participated in West Virginia Undergraduate Research Day. Bee was named to the President's List and to the Dean's List.

Gina M. Binotto, a 2005 Hampshire County High School graduate, received the T.J. & Madge Herndon Pearse Memorial Endowed Scholarship. A sophomore education major, Binotto is the daughter of Paul and Karen Binotto of Slanesville. She is treasurer of Alpha Sigma Tau and its new member educator and is the recipient of the Highest GPA Award.

Tonya Perris Blackburn received the Harry J. Hadley Award for Teacher Excellence (Elementary). Since 1993, she has been a kindergarten teacher at Norwood Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Fairmont State College in 1985 and a Master of Arts degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from West Virginia University in 1990. She was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa in 1992 and was named Outstanding Elementary Education Student at FSC in 1985. She and her husband Steve and their two children reside in Clarksburg. She is the daughter of Carolyn Perris of Bridgeport.

Conni Bolen, a 1976 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan High School, received the Eddie and Betty Barrett Endowed Scholarship and the Women of Fairmont State Scholarship. A senior elementary education major, she is the daughter of Ronald and Ruth Mayhle of Knoxville, Tenn., and is the widow of the late Jack Bolen. A resident of Fairview, she has been a member of Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society for Social Science and is currently the assistant supervisor of the of America Reads for the FSU Community Service Learning office.

Stacey L. Bollinger, a 2003 Lincoln High School graduate, received the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Architecture. A senior architecture major, she is the daughter of Vickie Luchuck of Wallace. Bollinger has been a member of the Honors Program, member and treasurer of ALIAS, member of the Ladies Golf Team and recipient of the FCB WVIAC Female Senior Scholar Athlete Award and female winner of the Easton K. Feaster Athletic Award.

Leigh Anne Bolyard, a 2002 graduate of East Fairmont High School, received the Sigma Alpha Iota Collegiate Honor Award. A senior music education major, she is the daughter of Gary and Cathy Bolyard of Fairmont. She has been a member and president of the American Choral Directors Association, member and president of the Music Educators National Conference and SAI vice president of membership.

Meagan L. Bradfield, a 2004 graduate of Frankfort High School, received the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Electronics Engineering Technology. A senior electrical engineering major, Bradfield is the daughter of Bill and Kim Bradfield of Fort Ashby. She has been a member of the Honors Program, IEE and vice president of Delta Zeta Sorority.

Jonathan G. Brill, a 2000 Hampshire County High School graduate, is the recipient of the Ernest Frye Outstanding Student in Computer Science Award. A senior computer science major, he is the son of Alan L. and Ginger E. Brill of Yellow Spring. A computer science major, Brill is the son of Alan L. and Ginger E. Brill of Yellow Spring. He is a member of the Honors Program.

Heather A. Butcher is the recipient of the Mildred Mason Newcome Endowed Scholarship.

Ryan M. Canfield, a 2003 Elkins High School graduate, is the recipient of the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Civil Engineering Technology. A senior civil engineering major, Canfield is the son of Floyd and Becky Canfield of Montrose. He is a member of Baptist Campus Ministry and recording secretary for the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Club.

Ann K. Chaney is the recipient of the Outstanding Senior in Accounting Award.

Kaylan L. Chapman, a 2003 graduate of Elkins High School, is the recipient of the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Safety Engineering Technology and the Consol, Inc. Scholarship. A senior safety engineering technology graduate, Chapman is the daughter of William D. Chapman II and Cathy Browning Chapman of Fairmont. She has been a member of Increasing Our Faith (IOF), treasurer and vice president of the student chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and recipient of the Liberty Mutual ASSE Foundation Scholarship and the CONSOL, Inc. Scholarship.

Abby Rae Choquette, a 2000 graduate of East Fairmont High School, is the recipient of the Kappa Delta Pi Outstanding Secondary Education Award. A Master of Arts in Teaching graduate, Choquette is the daughter of Mark and Jamie Choquette of Fairmont. She was a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences Association and was on the Dean's List and President's List. Her undergraduate major was family and consumer sciences and her minor was psychology.

Catherine Clevenger, a 2003 graduate of Robert C. Byrd High School, is the recipient of the William and Doretha Clayton Barnes Prize in History. A senior history major, Clevenger is the daughter of Carol E. Clevenger and the late Wilmer B. Clevenger of Bridgeport. She has been a Student Government senator and Student Government House of Delegates member and a member of the Women's Swim Team.

Joyce A. Conrad, a teacher at East Fairmont High School, received the Harry J. Hadley Award for Teaching Excellence (Secondary). She is a 1975 graduate of Fairmont State College and a 1981 graduate of West Virginia University in special education. She became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2006. She and her husband Keith reside in Fairmont. Their two daughters both graduated from FSU and are both pursuing graduate studies. Conrad is the daughter of Opal Sims and the late Herman H. Sims.

Courtney Q. Cummins, a 1999 graduate of East Fairmont High School, received the Ruth Marie Skaggs Scholarship. A sophomore family and consumer sciences major, Cummins is the daughter of Roger Cummins of Jeanette, Pa., and Cheri Caruso of Morgantown. She has been a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences Honorary.

Michael Cunningham received the Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry Award.

Joshua D. Dace received the Outstanding Freshman Writing Award.

Megan A. Damm, a 2003 graduate of Preston High School, received the Coleman-Cobb-Postawa Award. A senior chemistry major, Damm is the daughter of John Damm and Sharon McMillen, both of Reedsville. She has received the NASA Scholarship, Falcon Scholarship and Health Science Technology Academy Scholarship and is a member of the Honors Program. She has been secretary and vice president of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates, developed the Home-Town Mentor Link Program for the FSU College of Science and Technology and conducted science demonstrations for Marion County home-schooled children.

Brianna J. Davis, a 2006 Liberty High School graduate, received the Helen Romano Viggiano Elementary Education Scholarship. An elementary education major, Davis is the daughter of Brian and Starla Davis of Salem.

Jamie L. Davis, a 1995 graduate of Preston High School, received the William C. Larew Sr. Award. A sophomore elementary education major, Davis is the daughter of Jeffrey and Debra Freeland of Terra Alta. She and her husband Rodney reside in Terra Alta.

Brandon F. Dodrill, a 2002 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School, received the Farley-Branham Award for Outstanding Student Teacher. A senior physical education and health education major, Dodrill is the son of Brent and Cheryl Dodrill. He has been a member of the football team and recipient of the Outstanding Freshman Recruit Award.

Mark J. Doty, a 2003 graduate of Paden City High School, received the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Technology Education. A senior technology education major, Doty is the son of Larry and Sandra Doty of Paden City. He has been a president of the Technology Education Collegiate Association and member of the football team.

Erin N. Duckworth, a 2002 graduate of Braxton County High School, received the Outstanding BSN Student Award. A senior nursing major, Duckworth is the daughter of Rick and Joyce Duckworth of Frametown and is engaged to James King. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau.

Ashley B. Finniss, a 2003 graduate of Grafton High School, received the Bachelor of Science Academic Achievement Award in Family and Consumer Sciences. A senior family and consumer sciences and child development major, Finniss is the daughter of Henry and Cathy Johnson of Grafton. She and her husband, Josh, reside in Grafton. She has been a member of the Early Childhood Advisory Committee and the Family and Consumer Sciences Honorary.

Laura J. Fridley, a 1978 graduate of Mannington High School, received the Political Science Achievement Award. A senior intelligence research and analysis major, was also the recipient of the PEO Sisterhood Scholarship.

Nancy A. Gall was the recipient of the Outstanding Sociology Student Award.

Gerod N. Green, a 2005 South Charleston High School graduate, received the Bachelor of Science Academic Achievement Award in Aviation Technology. A sophomore aviation administration major, Green is the son of Tony and Renee Green of South Charleston. He has been a member of the cross country team, vice president of Alpha Eta Rho and was the recipient of the Robert Mollohan Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Scholarship.

Ashley N. Hudimac, a Wheeling Park High School graduate, received the Outstanding Senior in Biology Award. A senior biology major, Hudimac is the daughter of Michael Hudimac and Tammy Hudimac, both of Wheeling. Hudimac has been treasurer of Tri-Beta, a West Virginia Academy of Science presenter, an FSU Open House student presenter and a member of the Habitat for Humanity Steering Committee.

Timothy A. Huffman received the Walter F. Phillips, Jr. Scholarship.

Jeffrey L. Jacobs, a 1988 graduate of Governor Mifflin High School, received the Outstanding Senior in Information Systems Award. He and his wife Lori reside in Barrackville. A senior information systems major, Jacobs and his wife Lori reside in Barrackville. He was named Outstanding Senior in Information Systems and has been a member of the Honors Program. He has also been a member of the Information Systems Student Organization and president of the Delta Mu Delta chapter.

Segee Kisner-Bachtel, a 2003 Preston High School graduate, received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award. A senior business administration major, Kisner-Bachtel is the daughter of Steve and Dorinda Kisner of Terra Alta. She and her husband Mark reside in Terra Alta. Kisner-Bachtel has been treasurer of Delta Mu Delta and placed second in the Sprint, Splash and Spin Triathalon. She is office manager for Lakeside Physical Therapy.

Sarah A. Lewis received the Dorothea Vieweg Education Scholarship. A junior family and consumer sciences education major, Lewis is the daughter of Curtis and Glenys Old of Wardensville. She has been president of the Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Society, a member of the national FACS organization, and served as vice president of the WV FACS Committee. She has also served as a peer tutor.

Jenna Maphis, a 2005 graduate of Hampshire High School, received the Nancy Marie Duling Memorial Teacher Education Endowed Scholarship. A sophomore elementary education major, Maphis is the daughter of Wayne and Penny Maphis of Romney. She has been a member of the Honors Program and is a math tutor.

Justine L. Mascella received the Outstanding Spanish Student Award.

Patrick D. Massey, a 2001 graduate of Centreville High School, received the Outstanding Health and Performance Student Award. A senior health education and physical education major Massey is the son of Philip and Margaret Massey of Centreville, Va. Massey has been Phi Epsilon Kappa historian and a member of Tobacco Free Falcons.

Sarah P. Mauller received the Outstanding Journalism Student Award.

Frank M. Muldoon, a 2003 graduate of Pike View High School, received the Eleanor M. Ford Outstanding Senior Award and the James A. LaRue Mathematics Award. A senior math and aviation technology major, Muldoon is the son of Elizabeth Muldoon of Princeton. He has been president of the Honors Association and president of Alpha Eta Rho and the recipient of the A. Joyce H. Coleman Memorial Scholarship and the Bachelor of Science Academic Achievement Award in Aviation Technology.

Tina M. Nichols, a 1999 graduate of Parkersburg South High School, received the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Graphics Technology. A senior graphics technology major, she is the daughter of Charles "Butch" and Susie Ford of Cairo. She and her husband Jerry reside in Cairo.

Celi M. Oliveto, a 2006 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School, received the Peluso Family Scholarship. A freshman oral communications, English and French major, Oliveto is the daughter of James and Ellen Andrew Oliveto. She has participated in the Masquers and received the Roads Through Appalachia to Italy Scholarship.

Craig Poland Jr., a 2003 Frankfort High School graduate, received the Baccalaureate Achievement Award in Mechanical Engineering Technology. A senior mechanical engineering major, Poland is the son of Craig and Maticia Poland of Fort Ashby. He has been a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, president of the Society of Automotive Engineers and captain of the Mini-Baja race car team.

Kristen Rausch, a 2005 graduate of William Mason High School, received the Eleanor M. Ford Outstanding Junior Scholarship. A junior math, math education and computer science major, Rausch is the daughter of Fred and Sharon Rausch of Mason, Ohio. She has played catcher for the softball team.

Adrienne L. Riggi, a 2005 Fairmont Senior High School graduate, received the Vincent and Catherine Sansalone Scholarship. A sophomore chemistry and biology major, Riggi is the daughter of James and Denise Riggi of Fairmont. She has been a member of the Honors Club and the Fishheads club and recipient of the Freshman Chemistry Award.

Mary F. Rogers received the Outstanding Student in Oral Communications Award.

Kimberly Rose, a 1988 graduate of Morgantown High School, received the Women of Fairmont State Scholarship. A junior psychology major, Rose is the daughter of James S. Rose of Massillon, Ohio, and Karen Kessler of Fairmont and is the mother of two sons. She has been a member of Psi Chi. She has been on the President's List and on the ENMU Honor Roll.

Amy Sampson, a 2004 graduate of Wheeling Park High School, received the Criminal Justice Achievement Award. A senior criminal justice major, Sampson is the daughter of Van and Brenda Sampson of Triadelphia. Sampson also received the PROMISE Scholarship and the Maroon and White Scholarship.

Kristin E. Scharnhorst, a 2002 graduate of South Harrison High School, received the John Teahan Memorial Endowed Scholarship. A senior English major, Scharnhorst is the daughter of James Lee Higginbotham, Jr. and Carla Kay Higginbotham of Jane Lew. She has been a member of the Whetstone staff.

Rachel C. Skubis, a 2002 graduate of East Fairmont High School, received the Outstanding Graduate in English Award. A senior English and journalism education major, Skubis is the daughter of Albert and Brenda Skubis of Fairmont. She has received the Mary Esther Jackson Award, the Outstanding Journalism Student Award, Writer of the Year Award for FSU Publications, second place at the 13th annual Literature Symposium at West Virginia University and has served as president of the Society of Collegiate Journalists. She has also been at member of Sigma Tau Delta and the Fairmont State Collegiate Singers. She has presented at the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention and the FSU Celebration of Honors.

Angie E. Smith, a 2002 graduate of Lewis County High School, received the Stark A. Wilmoth Outstanding Student Teacher Award. An elementary education and special education (multi-categorical) graduate, Smith is the daughter of John and Deborah Smith of Weston. She has also received the Praxis Award of Excellence and was on the President's List and Dean's List.

Michelle K. Sole, a senior fashion merchandising major, received the Melva Campbell Hess Award. She and her husband David L. Sole, Sr. reside in Fairmont. She has been vice president of the Family and Consumer Sciences Association and on the President's List and Dean's List.

Samuel A. Tenney, a 2003 graduate of Buckhannon-Upshur High School, received the William C. Ruoff Outstanding Senior Chemistry Award. A senior chemistry major, Tenney is the son of Samuel Wade and Dorene Tenney of Buckhannon. Tenney has been president of the FSU chapter of the American Chemical Society, a National Science Foundation Fellow, Pence Hall residence director, orientation counselor, a Copenhaver Scholar and recipient of the Peyton C. Teague Fellowship.

Todd A. Tichenor received the A. Joyce Coleman Memorial Scholarship.

Matej Tomas, a 2002 graduate of Birotehnika school, received the Outstanding International Student Award. A senior general business major, he is the son of Gordan and Klara Tomas of Croatia. He is a member of the tennis team and swim team and is a 12 time Athletic All-American and 3 time Academic All-American.

Elizabeth M. Urse, a 2000 graduate of East Fairmont High School, received the Bachelor of Arts Academic Achievement Award in Family and Consumer Sciences (Teacher Education). A senior family and consumer sciences and art major, Urse is the daughter of William and Barbara Haney of Fairmont. She has been a ceramics teacher for the Pierpont Community & Technical College of FSU Community Education program, guest speaker for Project AMPLE, recipient of the Role Model Recognition Award, member of the Family and Consumer Sciences honorary and has received awards in the FSU Fine Arts Show.

Amy N. Van Camp, a 2003 graduate of Tyler Consolidated High School, received the Wendell G. Hardway Distinguished Scholarship for Teacher Education. A senior elementary education major, Van Camp is the daughter of Ronnie and Charlene Van Camp of Sistersville. She has been secretary of Kappa Delta Pi and member of the Honors Program and Kappa Delta Pi Quiz Bowl Committee.

Jason D. Vanfosson, a 2005 graduate of North Marion High School, received the Mary Esther Jackson Scholarship. A sophomore English literature major, Vanfosson is the son of Lyndon and Carol Vanfosson of Morgantown. He has been a Student Government senator and director of public relations; president and secretary-treasurer of Honors Cafe; has participated in Masquers; and has been a New Student Orientation Counselor.

William A. Wiseman, a 1976 graduate of Tygart Valley High School, received the Robert L. Carroll Scholarship. A junior education major, Wiseman is the son of the late Arnold and Berdie Wiseman. He and his wife, Doris, live in West Union.

Jamal Womble, a 2004 graduate of Augusta Christian High School, received the Horace and Geraldine Belmear Academic Award. A sophomore physical education major, Womble is the son of Melvin and Pam Womble of Augusta, Ga. He has been a member of the men's basketball team, a resident director and member of Chi-Alpha and Baptist Campus Ministry.

Lauren N. Zirk, a 2003 graduate of Hedgeville High School, received the Outstanding French Student Award. A senior oral communications and French major, Zirk is the daughter of Toni Zirk of Martinsburg and the late Douglas Zirk. She has been a member of Kappa Delta Pi, president of Alpha Psi Omega and member of the Cafe French Club.