News from the Hilltop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009

Area residents receive math and science awards from Birmingham-Southern College

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Birmingham-Southern math and science students were presented awards by the college's departments of biology, chemistry and physics, and math and computer science during the 2009 Honors Day Convocation. Listed by hometown and award, they are:

ALEXANDER CITY: Mary George, a senior biology major – Beta Beta Beta, presented in recognition for outstanding accomplishment in the field of biology and for contributions to the Kappa Psi chapter of Beta Beta Beta.

BIRMINGHAM Area:
Hoover/Vestavia: Jared Ballinger of Hoover, a senior math major – Acton Award in Mathematics, established as a bequest from late alumnus Sam P. Acton as a memorial for several of his family members and given annually to a student who is deemed to have reached a level of excellence in the field of mathematics.
Hoover/Vestavia: Sarah Juliana, a senior biology major – Senior Biology Award, given to student members of the BSC chapter of the science honorary Beta Beta Beta who have acquired the highest overall grade-point averages during their college careers.
Hoover/Vestavia: Joanna Maya of North Shelby, a junior biology major – Paul Clinton Bailey Biology Award, named after the retired BSC biology professor and given to senior biology majors who have distinguished themselves in one or more areas of research, leadership, service, and academic achievement.
Hoover/Vestavia: David McConnell of Hoover, a junior math major – Lola Frances Kiser Scholarship in Mathematics, a tuition reimbursement award given in honor of Kiser, professor emeritus at Birmingham-Southern, to recognize a sophomore or junior math major who has shown significant improvement in academic studies.
South: Margaret Baggott, a senior math major – Kappa Mu Epsilon Award in Mathematics, based upon achievement in mathematics and service to the Kappa Mu Epsilon honorary.
South: Reed Milewicz of Mountain Brook, a sophomore computer science major – BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates.
South: William Skinner of Mountain Brook, a sophomore computer science major – BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates.

CORDOVA: David Watson, a junior computer science major – Associates for Computing Machinery Award.

ELKMONT: Melissa Revis, a sophomore undeclared major – Davis Scholarship in Mathematics, named in memory of Maude Braswell Davis by BSC alumna and daughter, Myrtle Davis, given to a math major planning to teach during his/her career.

FAIRHOPE: Mark Hutter, a senior computer science major – BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates.

GADSDEN: Natalie Ausborn, a senior biological chemistry major – Analytical Division of the American Chemical Society Award, presented to a senior chemistry major in recognition of outstanding ability and accomplishment in courses undertaken and to recognize demonstration of potential for achievement in graduate study in analytical chemistry.

HARTSELLE: Lisa Speake, a senior biology major – Beta Beta Beta, presented in recognition for outstanding accomplishment in the field of biology and for contributions to the Kappa Psi chapter of Beta Beta Beta.

HUNTSVILLE: Brian Perrin, a senior biological chemistry major – American Institute of Chemists Award, given to an outstanding senior chemistry major.

JASPER: Ryan Melvin, an interdisciplinary philosophy/religion major – Hoyt M. Kaylor Physics Award, named after Kaylor, the late BSC physics professor, to recognize a junior or senior physics major/minor who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the study of physics.

PRATTVILLE: Brandon Hernandez, a junior computer science major – BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates.

SHOREWOOD, Wis.: Michael Johnston, a senior math/computer science major – Associates for Computing Machinery Award; BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates;

Mathematics Faculty Outstanding Senior Award, to recognize senior math majors whose interest, curiosity, talent, and diligence lead to outstanding achievement in the study of mathematics; and Disciplinary Honors in Computer Science Award, recognizing the graduating senior who has successfully completed the requirements of disciplinary honors in computer science.

SLIDELL, La.: Rebecca Terry, a sophomore math major – Louise Hall and Robert W. Echols Mathematics Award, in honor of Louise Hall Echols who was a longtime professor of mathematics at BSC, presented to students who show potential for success in the field of mathematics.

TALLADEGA: Brian Davis, a senior biology major – Swarna P. Sarkar Award in Science, established as a bequest from BSC Masters in Public and Private Management program graduate Ranjit Sarkar as a memorial of his mother to recognize an outstanding senior in a pre-professional science area.

TUCSON, Ariz.: Christine Denning, a sophomore biology major – Chemical Rubber Company Chemistry Award, given to students who have shown high aptitude and achievement in introductory chemistry courses with strong promise of future success in the chemical sciences, and the Louise Hall and Robert W. Echols Mathematics Award, in honor of Louise Hall Echols who was a longtime professor of mathematics at BSC, presented to students who show potential for success in the field of mathematics.

WETUMPKA: Clark Weber, a senior computer science major – Associates for Computing Machinery Award; BACHE Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, presented by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Scholars in Computer Science and Mathematics, which serves as a research experience for undergraduates; and The Outstanding Senior Award for Achievement in Computer Science, recognized for achieving an overall grade-point average of 3.4 or higher and for achieving the highest grade-point average within related courses.