Opening Convocation features awards, new scholarship
September 8, 2009
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| Coach Bob Strock accepts the Martha Anne Green Service to Church and College award. |
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| Clinton Science Olympiad team teachers and students accept support. |
Two of Clinton’s most dedicated civic leaders were awarded honors during the program held on PC’s campus in Belk Auditorium.
Russ Emerson, the retired plant manager for the Torrington Company, was presented with an honorary doctorate of public service for his body of community work, including service as the former chair of the Laurens County Healthcare System and his present term as president of the Clinton Economic Development Corporation.
Retired assistant football coach Bob Strock was given the Martha Anne Green Service to Church and College Award presented jointly by PC and First Presbyterian Church of Clinton. An adult Sunday school teacher and at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Clinton and a frequent community volunteer, Strock evoked the memory of the award’s late namesake as he accepted the honor.
“It’s a special honor to receive the Martha Anne Green Service to Church and College Award,” he said. “I knew (longtime dean of students) Martha Anne; our career paths crosses for 18 years. I saw how dedicated she was to her church and to our college. If anyone exemplifies our motto of while we live, we serve, it has to be her.”
New scholarship
PC president Dr. John Griffith also recognized the 47 members of the Bell Street Middle School and Clinton High School Science Olympiad teams that both the South Carolina competition during the 2008-09 academic year. Griffith presented the group with $500 to support the teams in the future and also announced that the college is establishing a scholarship for CHS seniors who participate on a winning Science Olympiad team. Those students who apply to, are accepted, and who enroll at PC will receive a $5,000 award for four years for a total of $20,000 in scholarship aid, Griffith said.
Academic award winners
College provost Dr. Robert Holyer also recognized academic award winners.
The Freshman Academic Award for the freshman student who held the highest grade point average after completing a full year of academic work at PC was presented to Caroline Elizabeth McGill, a sophomore from Fort Mill, S.C.
The Fraser Bible Award, which is presented to a member of the freshman class who earns the highest average in Bible classes during their first year, was awarded to Caroline Lee Burch, a sophomore from Greenwood, S.C.
The Hay Religion Award is presented to a PC student who has the highest average in religion classes after four semesters of work. The award was presented this year to Anna Megan Pardew, a junior from Mooresville, N.C.
The Freshman Writing Award was presented to Allen Edwin Butt, a sophomore from Beaufort, S.C.
posted by Hal Milam
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