Apr 30, 2015 - The history department held its annual awards banquet on April 30, 2015, at which it recognized the accomplishments of history students, a history alumna, and Union University’s president. The evening program also included the initiation of incoming Rutledge Honorary History Club officers, and a talk by history graduate Dr. Jared Myracle. Thirty-one people attended the event, which the Rutledge Honorary History Club sponsored.
There were a number of student awards presented. The academic achievement awards and the students who received them included: the Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship Pin and Academic Excellence Certificate to Faith Bagley; the History Major Award to Sarah Carroll; and the History Minor Award to Bree McCuin. The History Student Teacher Award went to Shelby Pace for her demonstration of excellence in classroom teaching. Kenan Keller was the recipient of the second place prize in the Dr. James Alex Baggett History Research Paper Competition for his paper “Maoist Persecution of Christian Missionaries from 1949 to 1953.” The department gave Faith Bagley a book and certificate of recognition for her paper presentation at the Tennessee Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference in February. Club officers received certificates of appreciation for their service in 2014-2015: Bree McCuin as president of the Rutledge Honorary History Club; Faith Bagley as president of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta; and Hannah Jones as the Delta-Psi chapter’s vice president.
Chancellor Carma Dennis McGee was the recipient of the Seventh Annual History Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award for her career of excellence in the field of law. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Union in 1993 with a major in the history department, and in 1998 she earned her juris doctorate from the Cecil Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. Initially a secondary social studies teacher, she became a practicing attorney in 1999 and remained in that role for 15 years. In March 2014, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam appointed her as Chancellor of the 24th Judicial District that encompasses Carroll, Decatur, Hardin, and Henry Counties. Her judgeship was confirmed by the people of the 24th judicial district in the November elections of 2014. Just two weeks prior to receiving the history department’s award, McGee was the winner of a 2015 Sterling Award for being one of the 20 most influential women in West Tennessee. The Sterling Awards are an annual joint project of The Jackson Sun and the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women.
In a special ceremony, Dr. Stephen Carls, acting in his capacity as national president of Phi Alpha Theta, presented Union University President Dr. Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver with a membership in Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society. Oliver received the award based on his extensive coursework in history as an undergraduate student at Baylor University and his participation in the redevelopment of the historic town of Independence, Texas.
Rutledge Honorary History Club President Bree McCuin led the induction of the club’s 2015-2016 officers. They included: Kathryn Mitchell, president; Gideon Ragland, vice president; Ali Renckens, secretary; and Hannah Conway, senator.
The banquet speaker was Dr. Jared Myracle, who currently serves as Supervisor of Instruction for grades 9-12 in the Gibson County Special School District. He emphasized three responsibilities incumbent upon students to others when they obtain a college education. The first is to the student’s family by reaching his/her educational goal, the second is to the community by forthrightly expressing one’s views on important issues, and the third is to other people by helping them achieve their lifetime goals.
Attendees enjoy dinner and conversation together at the Department of History Awards Banquet in Union's Coburn Dining Room on April 30, 2015.
Rutledge Honorary History Club officers for 2015-2016 prepare to take their oaths of office at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. They are (left to right) Gideon Ragland, Kathryn Mitchell, Ali Renckens, and Hannah Conway. Photo by Emily Stookey
Awards fill a department table at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015.
Bree McCuin joins with Dr. David Thomas for a photo during the presentation of the History Minor Award at the annual history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Dr. Terry Lindley presents a certificate of appreciation to Bree McCuin at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015, for her service as the Rutledge Honorary History Club president in 2014-2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Shelby Pace accepts the History Student Teacher Award from Dr. Terry Lindley at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Dr. Jared Myracle speaks on the topic of responsibility at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Faith Bagley accepts the Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship Pin and Certificate of Academic Excellence from Dr. Stephen Carls at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Sarah Carroll accepts the History Major Award from Dr. Keith Bates at the History Department Awards Banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Dr. Henry Allen presents a certificate of recognition and a book to Faith Bagley at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015, for her paper presentation at the Tennessee Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference in February. Photo by Emily Stookey
Dr. Keith Bates (left) presents the second place prize in the Dr. James Alex Baggett History Research Paper Competition to Kenan Keller during the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Faith Bagley accepts a certificate of appreciation from Dr. Stephen Carls at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015, for her work as president of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta in 2014-2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Dr. Stephen Carls presents a certificate of appreciation to Hannah Jones at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015, for her work as the 2014-2015 vice president of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. Photo by Emily Stookey
Chancellor Carma Dennis McGee accepts the Seventh Annual History Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award from Dr. Stephen Carls at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Chancellor Carma Dennis McGee expresses gratitude to the history department after receiving the History Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award at the department's awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Union University President Dr. Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver (left) and Dr. Stephen Carls enjoy a light moment during the presentation of a Phi Alpha Theta membership certificate to Dr. Oliver on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Union University President Dr. Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver (left) and Dr. Stephen Carls display Dr. Oliver's Phi Alpha Theta membership certificate at the history awards banquet on April 30, 2015. Photo by Emily Stookey
Delta-Psi chapter members join together for a photo following the presentation of a Phi Alpha Theta membership to Union University President Dr. Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver (holding certificate) at the History Department Awards Banquet on April 30, 2015. They are: (sitting, left to right) Faith Bagley, Hannah Jones, Dr. Alice-Catherine Carls, Hannah Conway, Sarah Carroll, and Carma Dennis McGee; (standing, left to right) Devin Dean, Nick Hancock, Dr. Jared Myracle, Dr. Keith Bates, Dr. Stephen Carls, Dr. "Dub" Oliver, Dr. David Thomas, Dr. Henry Allen, Dr. Terry Lindley, Stephen Lewoczko, and Ashton Hostetler. Photo by Emily Stookey