Student, Faculty, and Staff Success Celebrated at RCHSS All College Award Ceremony

KENNESAW, Ga. (May 10, 2022) — Students, faculty and staff at the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences gathered in the Carmichael Student Center on April 29th to recognize the outstanding achievements of the 2021-2022 class. This was the first time the event was held to collectively honor all three groups of award recipients, and the first time the awards ceremony was held in person since COVID prohibited hosting a live event for the past two years.

“It was an incredible feeling to see everyone come together in person to recognize the outstanding successes achieved this year,” said Dean Kaukinen, who noted the College’s growth, successful grant awards, and outstanding scholarship that continues to propel RCHSS forward. “The Radow community has seen its students flourish through collaboration with peers, engagement with faculty, and unadulterated hard work. Our staff have made certain we operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to support our mission, and our faculty have demonstrated their commitment to student success by preparing them for life after KSU and to conducting relevant research that informs how we define our future,” she added.

Norman J. Radow was the guest speaker whose remarks underscored the importance of having KSU and the RCHSS as a place for scholarship for a diverse community. He reiterated how essential a liberal arts education and a focus on the humanities is to empowering students to meet twenty-first century challenges and apply their expertise to the betterment of a global society.

Seven students were recognized with the Outstanding Scholar award, including:

· Alexa Baker, Master of Arts, Integrated Global Communication, School of Communication and Media. Her faculty honoree was Dr. Josh Azriel

· Kevin Bingley, Master of Science, International Policy Management, School of Government and International Affairs. His faculty honoree was Dr. Tavishi Bhasin

· Aleksandar Dimov, Master of Public Administration, School of Government and International Affairs. His faculty honoree was Dr. Jerry Herbel

· Melinda Grant, Master of Arts in Professional Writing, Department of English. Her faculty honoree was Dr. Christopher Palmer

· Kara Ireland, Master of Arts in American Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Department. Her faculty honoree was Dr. Luciane Rocha

· Dlorah Jenkins, Doctor of Philosophy in International Conflict Management, School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development. Her faculty honoree was Dr. Marcus Martanner

· Jason Miller, Master of Science, Conflict Management, School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development. His faculty honoree was Dr. Susan Raines.

· Annalyssia Soonah, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Department of Sociology and Criminal

Justice. Her faculty honoree was Dr. Richard Stringer

Outstanding Senior award recipients included:

· Lindsay Ballard, Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, School of Government and International Affairs, faculty honoree, Dr. Jack Moran

· Destiny Cook, Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Emerging Media, School of Communication and Media, faculty honoree, Dr. Burton Speakman

· Sadie Dixon, Bachelor of Arts in English, Department of English, faculty honoree, Dr. Leah Benedict

· Macy Dykes, Bachelor of Science in Media and Entertainment, School of Communication and Media, faculty honoree, Dr. Laura Beth Daws

· Sam Fisher, Bachelor of Science in History Education, Department of History and Philosophy, faculty honoree, Angela DeAngelo

· Angelica Galue, Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication, Department of Technical Communication and Interactive Design, faculty honoree, Dr. Jack Labriola

· Raymond Goslow, Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Science, Department of Geography and Anthropology, faculty honoree, Uli Ingram

· Alaina Hoofnagle, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, faculty honoree, Dr. Gail Markle

· Amali Kahadune, Bachelor of Science in Interactive Design, Department Technical Communication and Interactive Design, faculty honoree, Dr. Michael Lahey

· Kiana Mata, Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Department, faculty honoree, Dr. Katarine Schaab

· Lauren Mitchell, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Department of Psychological Science, faculty honoree, Dr. Suma Mallavarapu

· Zach Pantin, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Department of History and Philosophy, faculty honoree, Dr. Gabriel Soldetenko

· Beth Pereira, Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, School of Communication and Media, faculty honoree, Dr. Amanda Weed

· Kelli Rivera, Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication, School of Communication and Media, faculty honoree, Dr. Phillip Aust

· Sarah Simpson, Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies Department, faculty honoree, Dr. Sha Huang

· Ellen Spiceland, Bachelor of Science in Geography, Department of Geography and Anthropology, faculty honoree, Dr. Garrett Smith

· Camilla Stegall, Bachelor of Arts in History, Department of History and Philosophy, faculty honoree, Dr. Albert Way

· Hailey Tegeder, Bachelor of Science in Political Science, School of Government and International Affairs, faculty honoree, Dr. Elizabeth Gordon

· John Tomko, Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, Department of Geography and Anthropology, faculty honoree, Dr. Terry Powis

· Emma Toor, Bachelor of Science in English Education, Department of English, faculty honoree, Dr. Robert Montgomery

· Alex Whittemore, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, faculty honoree, Dr. Rebecca Petersen

· Sergey Zinets, Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language and Culture, Department of World Languages and Culture, faculty honoree, Dr. Neysa Figueroa

Staff who were recognized included:

· Kayla Bartell, Department of World Languages and Cultures, who received the “Above the Call” award

· Jocelyn Lopex Escamilla, Interdisciplinary Studies Department, who was the “Outstanding Team Member” award recipient

· Amy Redd, School of Communication and Media, who was recognized with the “Excellence in Customer Service” award.

Award-winning faculty included:

· Dr. Jesse Benjamin, Distinguished Professor Award, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

· Emani Collins, Outstanding Part-Time Teaching Award, Department of English

· Dr. John Givens, Outstanding Early Career Award, School of Government and International Affairs

· Dr. Melanie Holland, Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

· Dr. Brandon Lundy, Outstanding Professional Service & Community Engagement Award, Department of Geography and Anthropology

· Dr. Jim McCafferty, Outstanding Online Teaching Award, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

· Dr. Evelina Sterling, Outstanding Research & Creative Activity Award, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

· Dr. Richard Stringer, Outstanding Early Career Award, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

· Dr. Seneca Vaught, Outstanding Professional Service & Community Engagement Award, Interdisciplinary Studies Department