Sampson County Students Receive Awards at University of Mount Olive

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

Aaron Dale Underwood of Clinton received the Claude Hunter Moore History Award.  Underwood, a senior history major, is the son of Dale and Teresa Underwood.  The Claude Hunter Moore History Award is a scholarship in memory of Claude Hunter Moore (1916) – 1994) Professor Emeritus of History, who taught history at University of Mount Olive from 1969—1981.  The award is given to a returning history major selected by the history faculty as showing the most promise in the field.

Alisha Woodall of Newton Grove received the Human Resources Management Student of the Year Award.  Woodall, a senior management and human resources major, is the daughter of Gary and Gloria Woodall.  She is a member of the ethics bowl team and a member of Phi Beta Lambda.

Josh Barfield of Newton Grove received the W. Burkette Raper Ministerial Student of the Year Award.  Barfield, a senior religion major, is the son of Lisa Barfield and the late Spencer Barfield.  He is the captain of the Lacrosse team, a member of campus ministries, and the president of the Student Theological Fellowship.  This fall he will attend Duke Divinity School in pursuit of his MTS (Master of Theology), a degree that will position him to earn his PhD in theology.  Assistant Professor of Religion Dr. Chris Skinner said, “Over the past decade as a professor here and elsewhere, one of my goals has been to inspire students. I want to inspire my students to think critically, work diligently, and ultimately, to accomplish great things. It’s a rare situation when you run across a student who has the opposite effect and ends up inspiring you. There is no doubt that Josh Barfield has inspired me more than I have inspired him during my brief tenure here at University of Mount Olive. His consistency, his work ethic, his focus, his sense of purpose, and most importantly, his ability to persevere in the midst of adversity all speak volumes about his character. I consider it a tremendous privilege to have been involved, even in the smallest way, in his education here at Mount Olive. He is most deserving of this award.”  The W. Burkette Raper Ministerial Student Award is given to an outstanding graduating ministerial student on the basis of academic excellence and evidence of commitment to the Christian ministry.  This award is given in honor of the late Dr. W. Burkett Raper, president of University of Mount Olive from 1954—1995.

Richard Arlon Jones, Jr. of Newton Grove received the North Carolina Association of CPAs Scholarship.  Jones, a senior accounting major, is the son of Cindy and Richard Arlon Jones Sr.  The North Carolina Association of CPAs Scholarship is sponsored by the Coastal Plains Chapter of the North Carolina Association of CPAs and awarded to an outstanding rising senior accounting student selected by the University of Mount Olive accounting faculty.  The selection process culminates in selecting a student who demonstrates extraordinary achievement, leadership, and talent both inside and outside of the classroom.

Sarah Lewis of Newton Grove received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award in Science.  Lewis, a senior biology major, is the daughter of James and Ellen Lewis.  She is a member of the Henderson Science Club and Beta Beta Beta.  The Outstanding Science Student Award is given to upper-class student(s) who excels in Science as determined by the Science faculty.

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.