Shepherd graduate studies students, faculty honored with awards

ISSUED: 12 June 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
(Shepherd graduate studies students, faculty honored with awards)

Shepherdstown, WV--Shepherd University's Division of Graduate Studies honored two graduate students and one faculty member with distinguished graduate studies awards.

The honorees were Lee Cheek, Berkeley Springs, Distinguished Graduate Student of Scholarship Award; Tracie Welch, Martinsburg, Distinguished Graduate Student of Professionalism Award; and Dr. David Gonzol, Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award.

Cheek, who earned a master of music, music education degree, and Welch, who earned a master of arts in teaching degree, were selected from more than 40 graduating graduate students who were potential nominees. Nominees were reviewed by an external peer-reviewed panel to determine five finalists for each award based on respective scholarship or professionalism during their respective graduate studies. Cheek and Welch each received $300 awards, plaques, and placement on a permanent plaque.

The five finalists for the Distinguished Graduate Student of Scholarship Award were Cheek, Kelly Anderson, Tracie Welch, Holly Frye, and Delores Lindsay.

The five finalists for the Distinguished Graduate Student in Professionalism Award were Welch, Craig Lee, Eric Goff, Courtney Kelsey, and Michelle Marshall.

Dr. Gonzol, associate professor of music, represented more than 90 graduate faculty members who were potential nominees. Nominees were reviewed by an external peer-reviewed panel to determine five finalists based on teaching, scholarship, and community service. Those five finalists were Dr. Gonzol, Dr. Sally Brasher, Dr. Richard Stevens, Dr. Dot Hively, and Dr. Mark Patton. Dr. Gonzol received a personal plaque, placement on a permanent plaque, and a $400 professional development award.

The First Annual Graduate Studies Banquet, organized by Dr. Russ Porter, dean of graduate studies and continuing education, and held May 15, was presided over by President Suzanne Shipley and Dr. Mark Stern, vice president for academic affairs. The keynote address given by Dr. Bruce Flack, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission's Vice Chancellor.

-30-OWENS

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Pictured above (l. to r.) are Dr. Mark Stern, vice president for academic affairs, and Lee Cheek.

Pictured above (l. to r.) are Tracie Welch and Dr. Mark Stern, vice president for academic affairs.

Pictured above (l. to r.) are Dr. Mark Stern, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Bruce Flack, HEPC vice chancellor; and Dr. David Gonzol.