Johnston County Students Receive Awards at Mount Olive College

MOUNT OLIVE- Several Johnston County students were recognized for their achievements at University of Mount Olive’s Annual Awards Ceremony.  Among those receiving awards were:

Brenda May (right) of Princeton received the Outstanding Psychology Major Clinical Concentration Award.  May, a junior clinical psychology major.  May is married to Dan May.

Kerry Taylor (left) of Benson received the Reverend M. L. Johnson Award for Excellence in Science.  Taylor, a junior chemistry major, is the son of Randy and Vicky Allen.  The Reverend M. L. Johnson Award for Excellence in Science is a scholarship given to an outstanding returning science major who has demonstrated excellence in the physical sciences selected by the Department of Science and Mathematics. This award is given by Dr. Thomas R. Morris, retired optometrist of Wilmington, North Carolina, because of his desire to foster academic excellence in the physical sciences and in appreciation of his former pastor.

Lauren Dudley of Princeton received the Louis Edgerton Preparatory Senior Teacher Excellence in Science Award and the Braswell Award.  Dudley, a senior math/science education major, is the daughter of Ricky Dudley and Lisa Herring.  The Louise Edgerton Preparatory Senior Teacher Excellence Award is a $1000 scholarship given in memory of Louise Edgerton to honor her 18 years of service as a trustee of University of Mount Olive, her 40 years as a public school teacher, and her outstanding Christian life. The award, given by Ms. Edgerton’s cousin, Dr. Thomas R. Morris, is presented to an education major selected by the Teacher Education Committee for academic excellence and promise as a prospective teacher. The Braswell Award is a $100 cash award given to the teacher education major who has demonstrated academic excellence, professional service, and personal growth as determined by the teacher education faculty.

Shaunisha Freeman of Selma received the Most Promising Recreation/Leisure Studies Underclassman Award.  Freeman, a recreation and leisure studies recreation therapy major, is the daughter of Curtis and Merry Toodle.

University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville.  For more information, visit www.moc.edu.