Posted by Mary L. Wimberley on 2006-04-27

Samford University's top student leaders were recognized at the school's annual leadership and service convocation Thursday, April 27.

Sarah Bell of Montgomery and Michelle Roark of Yazoo City, Miss., were named co-winners of the Gail Hyle Memorial Award given in recognition of Christian character, leadership, school spirit and service.

Stephen Andrew Sansom of Birmingham received the John R. Mott Award as the male in the senior class judged to represent the highest type of student service.

Jacob Simmons of Hendersonville, Tenn., received the James M. Sizemore Award as the senior who best demonstrates loyalty and service to the university.

Emily Morris of Memphis, Tenn., received the Service Award in recognition of special service to the University.

John Lucas of Birmingham and Sarah Bell received the Rufus Shelton Awards as the male and female students worthy of special recognition.

Adam Oliver of Brandon, Miss., and Kathryn Lamb of Conyers, Ga., received the Luke 2:52 Awards, given to two students who excel in all areas of student life, including academic, social, spiritual and physical.

Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society inducted 13 new student members: Emily Blythe of Paducah, Ky., Taylor Clement of Cleveland, Tenn., Daniel Crane of Mandeville, La., Candis Garner of Florence, Amy Gilbert of Birmingham, Amberleigh Kirk of Peachtree City, Ga., Kathryn Lamb of Conyers, Ga., Eden Richardson of Helena, Erin Stewart of Springfield, Tenn., Megan Voelkel of Madison, Miss., Lauren Welty of Carmel, Ind., Jennifer Wilmore of Hendersonville, Tenn. and Claire Woods of Birmingham. Samford theatre department chair Dr. Don Sandley was inducted as a faculty member.

Samford student government president Matt Harrison presented Samford president Thomas E. Corts a special resolution citing his 23 years of leadership and service to the university. Dr. Corts will retire the end of May.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.