Awards
Achievement in Nursing Award
This award is given to the senior nursing student who demonstrates growth, determination, and a positive professional example.
Albert Patterson Award
This award is given annually to the outstanding freshman criminal justice student. The award is named in honor of Albert Patterson, a 1927 graduate of the Cumberland School of Law. On June 18, 1954, Albert Patterson, the newly elected Attorney General for the State of Alabama, was shot to death as he left his law office to prevent him from fulfilling his campaign promise of ridding the state of the rampant corruption and vice that proliferated in the Phenix City, Alabama, area. The award is given to honor his memory and sacrifice.
Alice Hegan Rice Award
This award is given to the student who submits for evaluation a short story that is rated highest in originality, plot and characterization. Mrs. Rice was a noted author, famous for “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," and was the wife of Cale Young Rice and sister-in-law of Laban Lacy Rice, a former President of Cumberland University.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 in memory of Mr. Sullivan, a Southerner who became a prominent lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist in New York, in the late nineteenth century. The Society, and carefully selected colleges and universities, jointly arrange for the issuance of medallions and certificates which are to be perpetual reminders of Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the memory of whose life had been handed down with loving and grateful admiration as one that was a continuous expression of those high qualities which ennoble and beautify living and bind people in mutual love and helpfulness. Such lives must ever be encouraging and inspiring; they justify our highest ideals and hopes. These prestigious awards for excellence of character and service to humanity are presented annually at Commencement to a member of the community and to one graduating senior.
Anthropology Award
This award is given in years of merit by the anthropology faculty to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence, interest and a sense of purpose in anthropological studies.
Athletic Appreciation Award
Given annually by the Student Affairs Division, this award recognizes a staff or faculty member who works with Cumberland University Athletics and partners with Student Affairs regularly to encourage excellence inside and outside the classroom.
Athletic Training Student Award
Presented each semester by the Athletic Training Program to the student who has made significant contributions to the program, institution, and Athletic Training profession. This award is voted on by peers and staff each semester.
Award in English
An award is given to the graduating student who produces the most original and outstanding work in the field of English, American, or World Literature. This award is given only in years when a student’s work has shown exceptional merit.
The Organization Award for Programming & Participation
Given annually by the Office of Student Life to an organization for being the model organization, through programming and participation, as well as contribution to Student Life at Cumberland.
Best Community Event
Given annually by the Office of Student Life to recognize the student organization(s) that hosted the best overall program that involved both the campus as well as the Lebanon and/or Wilson County community.
Best Campus Activity Event
Given annually by the Office of Student Life to recognize the student organization(s) that hosted the best overall program that involved multiple segments of the campus.
C. Monty Pope Geography Award
This award is given to the student who best illustrates an understanding of the essential elements of Geography and the application of those elements to the past, present, and future.
Cale Young Rice Award
This award is given annually in honor of Cale Young Rice (A.B., Cumberland University, 1893, and A.M., Harvard University, 1896) to the student who submits a lyric or other short poem that is rated highest in originality, form, and use of figurative language. Mr. Rice was Professor of English Language and Literature from 1896 to 1898 and was a noted Southern writer and poet.
Carl Rogers Humanitarian Award in Psychology
The award given to the highest achieving psychology major. The person receiving this award has maintained a high GPA, especially in psychology courses, is active in advancement of the clinical aspects of the field whether that includes involvement in internship opportunities, community or campus volunteering, or any other person-centered helping roles, and is foundational in understanding the human experience as it relates to psychological principles.
Cavett World History Award
The Cavett World History Award, honoring Mr. and Mrs. Clark Bradford Cavett, is given annually to the student with the highest academic average in World History. Mrs. Cavett was a member of the Class of 1968 at Cumberland University.
Charlene M. Kozy Award in Criminal Justice
This award is given annually to the outstanding non-senior criminal justice major. Dr. Kozy’s inspiration, vision, and efforts resulted in the discipline being added to the curriculum in the early 1990’s. The selection is based on the student’s outstanding character and academic excellence.
Commitment to Multicultural Inclusion Award
Given annually by the Office of Student Services, this award is given to a student who promotes a campus climate where diversity is valued and champions social justice for all at Cumberland University.
Community Service Award
Given annually by the Office of Student Life to recognize a student or organization that made an exceptional contribution to the community through service. This student displays a commitment to working with and for others and successfully inspired and motivated others to act.
CU Spirit Award
This award is given annually by the Office of Student Life to a student who encompasses spirit throughout the year in many different areas of student life.
Cumberland University Service Award
The Cumberland University Service Award is presented by the faculty to the graduate who has made an outstanding contribution to the University and who has outstanding promise for the future.
Distinguished Student Award
This award is given by the Student Life Department to students that represent excellence in leadership to the student body, serve as a positive role model for their peers, and display amazing strides in personal growth to the Cumberland community as well as the outside community.
Fine Arts Performance Awards
These are awarded by members of the Fine Arts faculty to students who have demonstrated exceptional performance abilities in the areas of art, band, instrumental music, vocal music, and theatre.
Freshman Award in English
This award is presented to the student whose work in freshman English is deemed to be the most outstanding.
Freshman Biology Award
This award for excellence is presented to the most outstanding freshman biology student at the University.
Fundraising Award
Given annually by the Office of Student Life to a student or a student organization in order to recognize outstanding efforts towards raising money for a cause.
Future Educators Award
This award is presented to the most promising young woman or young man planning a profession in the field of teaching. It is based upon scholarship, participation, and observed abilities of the candidate in the courses of Education.
Future Leader Award
This award is presented to the most promising young woman or young man planning a profession in the field of leadership. It is based upon scholarship, participation, and observed abilities of the candidate in the courses of Education.
History Associates of Wilson County Award
This award is presented by the History Associates of Wilson County to the student who has shown the greatest insight and interest in history.
Holcomb Award
Given annually by the Student Affairs Division, this award recognizes a faculty member who offers a generous commitment of time, inspiration, and support to the students of Cumberland University and its Student Affairs endeavors. Given in memory of the outstanding commitment to Student Affairs shown by Cumberland Faculty member Mr. James Terry Holcomb, b. 1947 – d. 2011.
Horizon Nursing Award
This award is given to an outstanding junior nursing student who best demonstrates academic excellence, a positive attitude, and exemplifies positive professional behavior.
IMPACT Award
This award is given annually by the Office of Student Life to one or more organizations that had a significant positive IMPACT on the Cumberland University community by raising awareness about important issues and hosting events and campaigns towards this cause throughout the year.
International Student Organization Award
An award presented each year to the graduating international student with the highest cumulative grade point average.
James B. Dressler History Award
This award is named in honor of Dr. James B. Dressler, Professor of History at Cumberland University from 1970 to 2008. This award is granted to the student with the highest grade point average in History at the conclusion of their freshman year.
Jeanette Rudy Award in Nursing
This award is presented to an outstanding senior student majoring in nursing. The award is based on evidence of scholarship, leadership, and clinical competence as demonstrated throughout his/her program of studies.
J.O. Baird Chemistry Award
This award is given annually in memory of Professor James Oscar Baird to the student showing the most promise in the field of Chemistry. A member of the Class of 1900 and the Law Class of 1921, Dr. Baird was Professor of Chemistry from 1918 until his death in 1948, the University Registrar from 1939 to 1946 and the Dean of the Summer School for many years.
John W. Burgess Award in Political Science
This award is given annually in honor of John W. Burgess who is widely acclaimed as the “father of American Political Science” and was a student at Cumberland University when the hostilities of the War Between the States interrupted his education in 1862. Dr. Burgess later founded the first Ph.D. program in political science at Columbia University in New York. This award is based on scholarship, leadership, and observed abilities of the student as demonstrated through his/her studies at Cumberland University.
Leadership Awards in Nursing
This award is given annually to a student who demonstrated an active role in student campus organizations, exemplifies the principles of leadership in University and/or community activities and demonstrates the ability to organize and follow tasks through to completion.
Most Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards
One award is made each year to a faculty member and to a staff member who provided outstanding excellence in teaching, concern for student welfare, and participation in non-academic affairs. These awards are sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Most Outstanding Performance in General Business
This award is given to the graduating student who has shown outstanding ability in the study of General Business.
Most Outstanding Performance in Accounting
This award is given to the graduating student who has shown outstanding ability in the study of Accounting.
Most Outstanding Performance in CIS
This award is given to the graduating student who has shown outstanding ability in the study of Computer and Information Science.
Most Outstanding Performance and Excellence in Health Care Administration
This award is given to the graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding performance and excellence in the study of Health Care Administration at Cumberland University. The student who receives this award has demonstrated excellence in academics as well as practical learning through their administrative internships. The student has demonstrated support for the Health Care Administration program and faculty, leadership skills, high ethical standards, entrepreneurism and innovation, zeal for improving health and health care, compassion for the sick and infirm, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Most Outstanding Performance in Management
This award is given to the graduating student who has shown outstanding ability in the study of Management.
Most Outstanding Performance in Marketing
This award is given to the graduating student who has shown outstanding ability in the study of Marketing.
Most Outstanding Performance in Master of Business Administration
This award is given to a graduating MBA student who has demonstrated outstanding performance and excellence in the study of business administration at Cumberland University.
Wilbur "Pete" Peterson Most Promising Biologist Award
This award is presented to the most promising graduating student majoring in and planning a career in Biology. The award is based on scholarship, leadership, and observed abilities of the student as demonstrated throughout his/her program of study.
Mr. and Ms. Cumberland
This honor is awarded to the young man and young woman who best exemplify the ideals of Cumberland. The honor is not based entirely on academic achievement, but upon total personal, social, and academic contributions to Cumberland. Nominations for this honor are made by the student development staff with the final selection being made by the student body.
MSP Award of Excellence
This award is presented annually to a graduating student in the Master of Public Service Management program who excels academically and in leadership plus service to his/her fellow classmates. The recipient is voted on by the faculty members teaching in the program and by the graduating students.
Rising Phoenix Organization Award
For outstanding consistent efforts in establishing a new or reactivated organization at Cumberland University and adding unique and exciting programs to the calendar for the student body during the academic year. Awarded by the Office of Student Life.
Outstanding Achievement in Exercise & Sport Science
This award is presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student in Exercise and Sport Science during his or her final year in the program. To be eligible for this award, a student must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, community engagement or scholarly activity during the program of study, and exhibit extraordinary promise as an emerging professional.
Outstanding Calculus Student Award
This award is given to a Cumberland student who has completed Calculus I and II and has shown outstanding promise in the study of mathematics.
Outstanding General Physics Student Award
This award is given, when merited, to a student who exhibits outstanding mastery of general physics topics, a talent for experimentation, and curiosity regarding the mechanisms and models that provide us our present understanding of the physical universe and its impacts on our lives.
Outstanding Mathematics Student Award
This award is given to a junior or senior mathematics major that has shown outstanding ability in the study of Mathematics.
Outstanding Nursing Clinician Awards
This award is given to a senior Nursing student who best demonstrates the ability to prioritize responsibilities and time management skills in clinical practice, seeks new learning experiences, displays ethical behavior, and conducts himself/herself in a professional manner.
Outstanding Secondary Educator Award
This award is presented to the most promising young woman or young man planning profession in secondary education. It is based upon scholarship, participation, and observed abilities of the candidate in the courses of Education.
P. Henry Meadows Award
Presented by the Office of Greek Affairs, this award is given annually to the top male and female who have served as ambassadors for the Office of Greek Affairs. Selected by the Director of Greek Affairs, the winners are chosen based upon their academic, social, and philanthropic experiences and their representation of Cumberland University.
Pre-Professional Society Award
This award is given annually to the most promising student planning a profession in the field of medicine. It is based upon scholarship, participation, and observed abilities desirable in a medical career.
President Ambassador of the Year
President's Ambassadors represent Cumberland and the President of the University to numerous outside entities including prospective students, families, and community members, Board members, and guests of the University through giving tours and other campus events as well as bridging the transition to Cumberland University by serving as mentors to new students both through Orientation and in Foundations of Scholarship and Learning (FSL) classes. This prestigious leadership position comes with exceedingly high expectations and only the best and brightest leaders are accepted to represent the President of Cumberland University. To be selected from among these leaders as the President Ambassador of the Year is a very high honor.
Presidential Excellency Award
From the Office of Student Life this award recognizes one Student Organization President who displayed the highest level of excellence, commitment, and impact as a leader of a student organization.
President’s Award
The President’s Award is presented annually to the graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty and staff, most nearly embodies the ideals, principles, and spirit of the University. The candidates for this award are judged on the basis of their scholastic attainment, personal bearing and integrity, leadership development, moral and ethical conduct, and loyalty to the University.
Psychology Award
This award is presented annually to the graduating Psychology major who has shown the most insight and interest in Psychology.
Raymond Cleveland Award in Social Science
This award, which began in 1983, is presented annually in honor of Raymond Cleveland, who was a seaman, scholar, businessman and friend of Cumberland. It is awarded to the student who, by the determination of the Social Science faculty, has shown, through academic achievement and sense of purpose, the potential for future contributions in the field of Social Science.
Research Award in English
This award is presented to the student who submits the most outstanding research project in English.
Residence Life Distinguished Service Award
Given annually, this award is designed to recognize a graduating resident assistant who has shown meritorious service for no less than a three year period to the Office of Residence Life. Nominated by a residence life coordinator, the winner of this award is chosen by a select committee that reviews all nominations. Included in consideration for this award are the nominees actions as a resident assistant, their academic prowess, and their contributions to the Cumberland University community outside the Office of Residence Life.
Resident Assistant of the Year
Given annually, this award is designed to recognize the outstanding and continuous service of a Resident Assistant (RA) to the Office of Residence Life and its member halls and organizations, and the communities in which the nominee has lived over the course of the year. Nominated by a residence life staff member, the winner is chosen by a select committee who reviews each nomination packet submitted.
Residence Life Coordinator of the Year
This award is designed to recognize the outstanding and continuous service of a Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) to the Office of Residence Life, its member halls, organizations, and the communities in which the nominee has lived over the course of the year. Nominated by a resident assistant, the annual winner is chosen by a select committee who reviews each nomination packet submitted.
Sam Finch Special Education Award
The Sam Finch Award recognizes excellence and potential for outstanding service to Special Education students in recognition of all the wonderful teachers of the late son of Drs. Stephen and Kim Finch.
Student Development Appreciation Award
This award is given by the Student Affairs Division, and recognizes a staff or faculty member who works to support and encourage student excellence inside and outside the classroom by contributing to student programming throughout the year.
Student Leadership Academy Awards
Given annually to one undergraduate student and one graduate student who have completed Student Leadership Academy and have demonstrated excellence in achieving the five practices of exemplary student leadership: Modeling the Way, Inspiring a Shared Vision, Challenging the Process, Enabling Others to Act, and Encouraging the Heart.
The Career Services Award
Given to a student who shows outstanding efforts toward career preparation and takes an active role in Career Services by utilizing career exploration and job search resources.
The Chamber of Commerce Award in Business Administration
An inscribed plaque is awarded in years of merit by the Board of Directors of the Lebanon and Wilson County Chamber of Commerce in consultation with the professors of Business Administration. Judgment for the award is based on insight of the student into practical business affairs.
The Excellence in Peer Critique Award
Presented annually to deserving undergraduate student tutors, the recipients demonstrate the highest dedication to helping fellow students in the Office of Student Success' Writing Center and/or tutoring services. These are students who continuously provide support to students and preserve the University's commitment to providing one-on-one personalized attention to our students while maintaining their own academics.
The Excellence in Peer Critique Award for Nursing
Presented annually to a deserving undergraduate student nursing tutor, the recipients demonstrate the highest dedication to helping fellow nursing students in the Office of Student Success. This is a student who continuously provides support to students and preserves the University's commitment to providing one-on-one personalized attention to our nursing students while maintaining their own academics.
The Imogene Bradley Ahles Chair of Excellence in Business Administration and Economics
Established by the former Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Trust Rodney V. Ahles (LL.B 1958) in memory of his late wife. The Chair honors the relationship Mrs. Ahles had with Cumberland University over a nearly fifty-year period until her death in 1993. Mrs. Ahles earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Cumberland University in 1946 and served in many administrative and teaching roles in the University, including Secretary to the Business Executive, Registrar, member of the faculty, Executive Assistant to six Presidents, and Executive Assistant to the Board of Trust. The Chair supports faculty development in the University’s Master of Business Administration degree program.
The Irvin F. Bass Excellence in Education Award
This award is given annually to the senior Education major that has made significant contribution to the Education Program. This award is based on character, moral and ethical attitudes toward professional responsibilities, and the promise of future achievement in the field of Education. Mr. Bass was a former student and employee of Cumberland University.
The June Heydel Award for Playwriting
This award is given to the student who submits for evaluation the best 10 Minute, One Act, or Full Length play judged on originality, use of dialogue, form, and stagebility. June Heydel was a great supporter of theatre at Cumberland. She and her husband, Bill, donated the funds to build the Heydel Fine Arts Center.
The Mary Argo McKee Commitment to Improvement in Education Award
This award is presented annually by the Education faculty to the Education major who has significantly improved in his/her professional education studies. Mrs. McKee was a long-time educator in Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee.
The Mitchell Mielnik Award in Public History
The Mitchell Mielnik Award in Public History is named in memory of Mitchell Mielnik, a Hume-Fogg Academic High School student and the son of Dr. Tara Mitchell Mielnik. To honor Mitchell's love of history, museums, and historic places, this award recognizes the Cumberland student of junior or senior standing who demonstrates excellence and promise in the field of public history.
The Outstanding Intern Award
Given annually, this award goes to a student that demonstrates professionalism, initiative, dependability, integrity, and quality work during his or her internship.
The Phoenix Award for Sociology & Social Awareness
This annual award is given to an exceptional student who has demonstrated academic integrity, growth, and a positive professional example along with a commitment to sociology, the social sciences, and social awareness.
The President’s Cup
Given annually each April by the Office of Greek Affairs, this award recognizes one Greek social organization for outstanding leadership over the previous year. Selected by the Director of Greek Affairs, this award is based on an organizations ability to recruit and sustain membership, maintain excellent academic standing, and provide meaningful philanthropy to the Cumberland University and Lebanon communities.
The Richard and Virginia Lawlor Award for Creative Non-Fiction
This award is given to the student who submits for evaluation the best piece of creative non-fiction – either memoir, travel writing, food writing, or op-ed piece – judged on originality, use of language, form, imagery. Richard and Virginia Lawlor were benefactors of Cumberland University and donated the Phoenix Nest Cumberland University’s Centre for Creative Arts and Media.
Thomas H. Shriver Award in Criminal Justice
This award is given to a graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities of character, scholarship, effort, and attitude that are essential to a career in the field of criminal justice. The award is in memory of Thomas H. Shriver, Criminal Court Judge for Nashville-Davidson County, who was a member of the Cumberland University Board of Trust.
William A. McShain Memorial Award
This award is presented to the student in the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business who has demonstrated the high ideals of Business and Economics through their work for and with the Cumberland University chapter of Phi Beta Lambda. It is presented in memoriam of William A. McShain, MBA, an assistant professor at Cumberland University, 1998-2003.
William Bowen Campbell Award in American History
This award is given in memory of William Bowen Campbell, citizen of Wilson County, Judge, Member of Congress (four terms), Brigadier General U.S.A. and Governor of Tennessee. Awarded annually to the student who earns the highest grade point average throughout the year in the study of American History.
William James Psychological Science Award
The award given to the psychology student who delivers quality and potentially ground-breaking research within the field of psychology. The person receiving this award displays a recognition of psychology as a scientific field and highlights the importance of that aspect of the program through experimental advancement.