Usually Thomas University would recognized its student award recipients during its annual Honors Ceremony held just before graduation. Since that was not possible this year, the presentations moved online.

During the event, which was livestreamed on TU’s Facebook account on Friday, May 8, Dr. John Meis, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Andy Sheppard, President, announced the award recipients.

The President’s Award, the top award presented to a student, went to Jose Salvador Marin Perna, who graduates Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Originally from Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Perna also received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award for the Division of Business.

During his time as a student at TU, Perna was also a member of the Men’s Soccer Team; a member the TU Honor Council, including serving as president since 2018; an assistant in the Office of Admission; a resident assistant in Housing; Vice President of Projects for Enactus; and a tutor in the Academic Resource Center. He was also a head coach with the Thomas Area Soccer Association (TASA), an assistant soccer coach with Brookwood High School, a leader with Goalline Ministries and chief summer camp coordinator with the Sherpas Club.

Other students who received awards were:

Madelyn Zorn of Thomasville, Georgia, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Humanities

Ayzia Bogan of Whigham, Georgia, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Education

Lindsey Luchansky of Cumming, Georgia, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Education

Aron Wimberly of Mayo, Florida, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Business

James Lamb of Monticello, Florida, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Counseling and Psychology

Kathryn Culverson of Bainbridge, Georgia, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Counseling and Psychology

Melissa Bourcier of Tallahassee, Florida, Outstanding Student for the Division of Social Work

Kimberly Holbrooks of Franklin, North Carolina, Outstanding Student for the Division of Science

Crystal Wood of Camilla, Georgia, Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the Division of Nursing

Linda Widener of Blakely, Georgia, Outstanding Graduate Student for the Division of Nursing

Charles Klingeman of Hahira, Georgia, Outstanding Student for the Division of Criminal Justice

Dr. Cristina Jones was named Thomas University’s 2020 Professor of the Year. Dr. Jones is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CMHCRC) Program.

A TU faculty member for 11 years, Dr. Jones is known for her highly interactive teaching in the completely online program. In the nomination letter, Jones is commended for her technology skills that she uses in the online classroom as well as her organization skills in coursework and delivery of content. The student evaluations of Dr. Jones’ classes express appreciation for her quality of instruction, her high level of interaction, her vast knowledge in the field of counseling and rehabilitation, and her problem-solving skills. Dr. Jones has taught every course in the CMHCRC program and specializes in the fieldwork courses.

Dr. Jones was instrumental in TU’s CMHCRC program earning dual CACREP accreditation. She has worked with Dr. Pauline Patrick, Chair of the Division of Counseling and Psychology, to obtain several federal grants to provide scholarships for CMHCRC students. Dr. Jones has also served as faculty adviser for the TU chapter of Chi Sigma Honor Society for the past six years.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Jones also makes presentations at national conferences and is currently serving a two-year term as secretary on the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association Board of Directors.

Richard Curtis, Thomas University’s Associate Professor of Art, received this year’s Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award during an online awards event held Friday, May 8.

For the past 25 years, Vulcan Materials, in conjunction with the Georgia Independent College Association, has been honoring an outstanding professor with the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award at select members of the Georgia Independent College Association. This award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates strong academic skills in the classroom and provides leadership and support in the other areas of campus life.  The recipients are faculty who assist the institution in nurturing an academic climate which fosters teaching and who provide leadership to enhance the campus community.

Curtis, who resides in Thomasville, was commended for his work both in the classroom and in the community. Some of those efforts include teaching his students the value in helping others by creating tactile artwork for students at the Georgia Academy for the Blind, running mindfulness sessions for the TU community both in person and later online, and hosting virtual drawing classes during the time of social distancing.

“At Thomas University, we believe that our role as academics is to use our knowledge and skill for the betterment of those around us and to help lift others up so that they can achieve what they are striving for,” said Dr. John Meis, Vice President for Academic Affairs, in presenting the award. “Rich Curtis consistently embodies the values of Thomas University, and it is my pleasure to present him with the Vulcan Teaching Award in recognition of his service.”