Several Wayne County students were recently recognized for their achievements at the University of Mount Olive. Among those receiving awards were:
Brooke Cottle of Mount Olive received the Healthcare Management Student of the Year Award. Cottle is a senior healthcare management major. This award is given to an outstanding healthcare management senior having a minimumof 92 semester hours and a GPA of 3.0 or better with resume capturing leadership qualities, community contributions and other interests.
Cottle has a passion to help others, which is the reason she has chosen to major in healthcare management. She is known to be inquisitive, insightful, and full of compassion. According to her professors, this award not only signifies her accomplishments in her current studies, but is also foretelling of her future professional accomplishments
James Sullivan of Pikeville received the Human Resource Management Student of the Year Award. Sullivan is a senior HRM major. This award is given to an outstanding human resources management senior having a minimumof 92 semester hours and a GPA of 3.0 or better with resume capturing leadership qualities, community contributions and other interests.
Sullivan is an outstanding student. He demonstrates a strong academic prowess and has been an avid supporter of all things TSB- an advocate, mentor, and activity participant. Sullivan will graduate as a Tillman Professional recipient, and according to one professor, “He is the epitome of a true HR professional.” Sullivan is a leader in the UMO Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, serves as a volunteer firefighter, and is a retired U.S. Army veteran.
Maddie Walton of Goldsboro received the Psychology Student of the Year Award. Walton is a senior psychology major and recreation and leisure studies mnior. This award is given to a senior with a 3.5 GPA or higher. The student should demonstrate quality independent research project or clinical proficiency as demonstrated by internship site supervisor’s and university supervisor’s evaluations. The student should also display a commitment to the department/major by participating in clubs, seminars, panels and events.
Walton has maintained a perfect 4.0 throughout her time at UMO and has balanced a life of faith, fitness, community service, and academics. “We are so proud of her as she will start a Ph.D. program in the fall at Methodist University for Occupational Therapy,” said one of her professors.
Rosa Isela Castanenda Avila of Seven Springs received the Accounting Student of the Year Award. Isela Castanenda Avila is a senior accounting major. This award is given to an outstanding accounting senior having a minimumof 92 semester hours and a GPA of 3.0 or better with resume capturing leadership qualities, community contributions and other interests.
Avila is a strong student that has been on the President’s list or Dean’s list each semester while at UMO. She is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society. She is very active outside of the classroom as well having served as the 2019-20 President of the UMO Accounting Club, a UMO VITA volunteer, 2018-19 Secretary of Phi Beta Lambda, and 2017 member of the UMO Ethics Bowl team.
Tyler Parrish of Goldsboro received the W. Burkette Raper Religion Student of the Year Award. Parrish is a senior religion major. This 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 by Dr. Thomas R. Morris because of his desire to advance the educational and spiritual quality of persons entering the Christian ministry. He has chosen to name this award in honor and memory of Dr. W. Burkett Raper for his lifelong commitment to the Univeristy of Mount Olive. Selection criteria include: 3.5 GPA or better, academic excellence, professional service, and personal growth.
Accoring to his professors, Parrish’s inquisitive nature and hunger for academic exploration has led him into deep areas of religious studies. He mastered Greek so well that he was able to tutor his peers in the ancient Biblical language. Parrish also enjoys theological conversations with his professors. He was the first religion major to explore the Jewish mystical text, The Zohor, for his senior research project. In addition to his religious studies, Parrish is a black belt in Shotokan karate, plays the bass guitar and trumpet, and enjoys wood working as a hobby.
