Graduating Seniors Recognized During Senior Convocation

May 3, 2018

Brandon Rice speaks at Senior Convocation

Mars Hill University acknowledged the achievements of its graduating seniors during Senior Convocation on May 1, 2018. The university holds Senior Convocation near the end of each semester to recognize graduating students for academic honors.

The invocation was given by Adrianna Enoch of Kernersville, North Carolina. Student speakers were Brandon Rice of Asheville, North Carolina, representing the traditional student population, and Nichole Wells of Weaverville, North Carolina, representing the Adult and Graduate Studies graduates. Sydney Bryant of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, presented special music, singing the world premiere of “Look Down Fair Moon” by Mars Hill music professor Alan Theisen, who accompanied her on piano. Kendall Ramsey of Crouse, North Carolina, also performed a musical selection on the baritone saxophone.

Graduating Alpha Chi members were recognized at Senior Convocation

Fourteen seniors who are members of Alpha Chi National Honor Society were recognized. They are:

• Avery Brewer of Jefferson, North Carolina
• Zachary Brown of Marshall, North Carolina
• Rebecca Butler of Bradenton, Florida
• Caitlin Deaver of Weaverville, North Carolina
• Danielle Dunn of Elkin, North Carolina
• Jordon Edwards of Ennice, North Carolina
• Sara Fahrenbrook of Golden, Colorado
• Lauren Hochstetler of Sarasota, Florida
• Cody Hylton of Colfax, North Carolina
• Kiley Prevatte of Lumberton, North Carolina
• Kendall Ramsey of Crouse, North Carolina
• Courtney Jo Simpkins of Hendersonville, North Carolina
• Vanessa Viscusi of Bryson City, North Carolina
• Kasey Whitson of Asheville, North Carolina

Alpha Chi is open to students in the top ten percent (based on grade point average) of the junior and senior classes.

The highest academic honor at Mars Hill University is selection as a University Marshal. To be selected as one of the university marshals, a student must have completed 3-5 full-time semesters at Mars Hill and have the highest grade point averages among the rising junior and senior classes. University marshals assist with commencement ceremonies, convocations, and other academic events. Marshals for the upcoming 2018-19 academic year were presented at Senior Convocation. They are:

• Casey Margaret Stanek, Chief Marshal, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Hannah Nicole Batten of Davie, Florida
• Michael Kenneth Benner of Gastonia, North Carolina
• Jacquelyn Elise Freeman of Greeneville, Tennessee
• Troy Stephen Hall of Greeneville, Tennessee
• Addison Taylor Harris of Asheville, North Carolina
• Sammantha Diane Hodges of Hendersonville, North Carolina
• Sarah Joy Ingalls of Lowesville,  North Carolina
• Katie Nichole Lanier of Albemarle, North Carolina
• Sarah Ashley Lorick of Knoxville, Tennessee
• Kourtney Brooke McCarthy of Hendersonville, North Carolina
• Hannah Lorraine McCormick of Spruce Pine, North Carolina
• Arabella Maria Medina of Raleigh, North Carolina
• River Andrew Medlin of Concord, North Carolina
• Jessica Lynn Minton of Harrisburg, North Carolina
• Leeanna Nicole Pope of Monroe, North Carolina
• Devin Ryan Thorpe of Matthews, North Carolina

Allison Jordan received the Joe Chris and Donna N. Robertson Award

Musical theatre major Allison Jordan of Crofton, Maryland, received the Joe Chris and Donna N. Robertson Award. The award recognizes a graduating senior in the fine arts with a strong commitment to his or her chosen field, promise in the fine arts, and demonstrated service to the arts, Mars Hill University, and the community. It is given in memory of Joe Chris Robertson, who taught at Mars Hill for four decades (1951-1991) and was chair of the music department, and in honor of Donna N. Robertson, former college organist and retired associate professor of music.

Special recognition also was given to two student athletes for their outstanding performance in the classroom. Lauren Hochstetler of Sarasota, Florida, is an Academic All-American athlete for NCAA Division II volleyball, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She is the first volleyball player in Mars Hill history to earn a First Team Academic All-America selection. She also was the South Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete for volleyball.

James “Gil” Gilreath of Kannapolis, North Carolina, earned All-Academic honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches of America.