Capps Receives Morris Award for Academic Excellence at UMO
Capps Receives Morris Award for Academic Excellence at UMO
MOUNT OLIVE- Holly Capps of Princeton received the distinguished Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award for Academic Excellence at the University of Mount Olive’s Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 7.
The $3,000 cash award is given to the baccalaureate graduate who best exemplifies serious academic pursuit and love and breadth of learning. The award requires a minimum 3.7 cumulative grade point average and exhibited leadership in extracurricular activities. The recipient must have been a full-time student and is selected by a committee of faculty members and Student Government Association representatives.
This year’s recipient, Holly Capps, graduated with a 3.995 grade point average at Saturday’s commencement with a bachelor of science degree in biology and a minor in chemistry.
While attending school Capps has also worked at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Cherry Research Farm and at Waylin Animal Clinic. She will attend North Carolina State University Veterinary School in the fall. Capps is the daughter of Julie Capps and Frank Bartlett.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Dommer taught many of Capps’ biology courses. “Holly has the rare mix of raw intelligence, personality, pragmatism, drive, and professionalism that I feel would make her a true standout in the field of veterinary medicine,” said Dommer. “Her academic drive and aptitude is unparalleled. Holly is simply that student that every professor prays will be under the tree come Christmas morning. While she is a phenomenally smart young woman, importantly she is a well-rounded and well-grounded individual with amazing potential.”
Benefactor of the Morris Award is retired Goldsboro optometrist, Dr. Thomas R. Morris. A native of Nahunta in Wayne County, Dr. Morris was raised in the Union Grove OFWB Church. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he now resides in Wilmington.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.