LAKELAND, Fla. (May 7, 2007) — The annual Honors Convocation at Florida Southern College April 18 brought recognition to students in a variety of categories.  Recognitions included the following honors and awards:

Religion in Life Award, awarded by the college chaplain to a senior who has played a significant positive role in campus ministry during his/her time at the college – Casey Hickman, a senior religion major and the daughter of Paul and Peggy Hickman of Melbourne, Fla.

Leslie Harper Purcell Scholarship, established by the FSC Women’s Club in memory of Leslie Harper Purcell, a dedicated FSC English instructor, to support junior women with high scholastic averages – Olga Timirgalieva, a junior economics major originally from Uzbekistan. She currently resides in Lakeland, Fla.

The Pat McFadden Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, to recognize a female athlete with a high grade point average who has made a significant positive contribution to her team – Megan Brown, a senior physical education major and daughter of Marshall and Laura Brown of Carrollton, Ga.

The Pat McFadden Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, to recognize a male athlete with a high grade point average who has made a significant positive contribution to his team – Alex Thesleff, a sophomore with an undeclared major and son of Peter and Ragnhild Thesleff of Lund, Sweden.

Student Volunteer of the Year Award, to recognize a full-time student whose volunteer work at a local agency provides a service to the Lakeland or Polk County community – Kristina Heitman, a senior English major and daughter of Julie Urso of Lakeland, Fla., and John Heitman.

Alumni Association Outstanding Senior, awarded by the FSC Alumni Association to a graduating senior who has consistently proven to be outstanding in the areas of leadership, participation in student organizations and overall contributions to the FSC community – Malena Frett, a senior mathematics major and daughter of Kenneth Frett of Oldsmar, Fla., and Barbara Frett of Palm Harbor, Fla.

Reuter Scholarships, established by Paul B. and E. Louise Reuter in honor of their son John R. Reuter, former FSC English professor, to reward students who maintain 3.5 grade point averages and have the potential to represent the best of the liberal arts tradition (4) – Jessica Brunette, a senior biology major and daughter of Leonard and Karen Brunette of Sarasota, Fla.; William Koeppel, a senior biology major and son of Markus Koeppel of Widnau, Switzerland and Deborah Koeppel of Lakeland, Fla.; William Posey, a junior English major and son of Stanley and Gail Posey of Live Oak, Fla.; and Justin Quinn, a senior political science major and son of Stephen and Mary Ann Quinn of Lecanto, Fla.

Robert Lee Zimmerman Award for Excellence, established by John Reuter in honor of Dr. Robert Lee Zimmerman, a long-time FSC English professor, to recognize excellence demonstrated by an FSC student – Ivelisse de la Fe, a music performance major and the daughter of Luis de la Fe and Alicia Rodriguez of Habana, Cuba.

Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Award, awarded by Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman honor society, to a first year student with impressive academic accomplishments – Renee Powell, a freshman communication major and daughter of Troy and Louise Powell of Little Rock, Ark.

Omicron Delta Kappa Frank Chandler Outstanding Sophomore Award, awarded by the Florida Southern Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity, to a sophomore with a 3.5 grade point average who has demonstrated leadership on campus – Natalie Lang, a junior elementary education major and the daughter of Jeff and Darla Lang of Lakeland, Fla.

Omicron Delta Kappa David Kalchbrenner Outstanding Junior Award, awarded by the Florida Southern Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity, to a junior with a 3.5 grade point average who has demonstrated leadership on campus  –  Nathan Jordan, a senior recreational grass turf management major and the son of Thomas and Audrey Jordan of Canfield, Ohio.

Agnes Johnson Rowe and The James C. Rogers Recognitions, awarded by the Florida Southern Student Government Association to students with at least a 3.0 grade point average, who have participated in different phases of the college community and have held at least one executive office in a campus organization – Jennie Gordon, a senior history major, has won the Agnes Johnson Rowe award. She is the daughter of Charles and Winifred Gordon of Mt. Dora, Fla. Ryan Scully, a senior accounting major, has won the James C. Rogers Recognition. He is the son of Robert and Deborah Scully of Sarasota, Fla.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 39 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 13:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor’s institutions and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.