Berry Faculty and Staff Earn Awards

Release Date: May 19, 2014

ROME, Ga.— Berry College faculty and staff members were recently recognized for their hard work throughout this academic year.

Associate Professor of History Matthew Stanard was awarded the Mary S. and Samuel Poe Carden Award in recognition of having the highest standards of teaching, scholarship, helpfulness to students, and other contributions to the college community.  Associate Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry Alice Suroviec was awarded the Dave and Lu Garrett Award for Meritorious Teaching. Suroviec was chosen for inspiring students toward an enthusiastic interest in an academic discipline and in learning in general; evidence of professional competence in her field; and interest in the academic and personal welfare of students both within and outside of the classroom.

Associate Professor of Animal Science Judy Wilson received the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award and Associate Professor of Psychology Victor Bissonnette received the Eleana M. Garrett Award for Advising and Caring. Berry’s Student Government Association chose Associate Professor of Theatre Alice Bristow as outstanding faculty member and Laura Phillips, administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs, as outstanding staff member. Matt Forrester, a system engineer for network operations, was awarded the John R. Bertrand Superior Work Supervisor award.

The 2014 recipient of the Martindale Award for faculty was Religion and Philosophy Professor David McKenzie, often called a “walking example of Berry College’s ideals.”  Physical plant staff member Jonathan Bopp earned the Martindale for promoting continuous improvement, implementing innovative approaches to problem solving, and inspiring others to extraordinary achievement.

The Board of Trustees granted emeritus recognition to McKenzie who is retiring after 36 years. Also granted emeritus recognition; retired associate librarian Martha Reynolds,  Tom Carver who retired in 2004 as vice president of student affairs and dean of students but continues to serve as an adjunct psychology teacher and trustees Pete Roberts and Terry Graham.                            

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Berry College is an independent, coeducational college recognized nationally for the quality and value of its educational experience. College leaders from across the country chose Berry College as the nation's number one "Up-And-Coming" liberal arts college, according to the 2014 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. Located on a magnificent campus encompassing more than 27,000 acres near Rome, Ga., Berry challenges its student body, consisting of more than 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students, to embrace a firsthand education that unites strong academic programs with opportunities for meaningful work experience, spiritual and moral growth, and significant service to others.