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USM Staff, Students, Organizations Honored with 2020 Eagle Awards

Thu, 02/20/2020 - 02:08pm | By: David Tisdale

Jewel Adams, recipient of the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Eagle AwardThe achievements of University of Southern Mississippi (USM) minority students, student athletes, organizations and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community were recognized Feb. 9 at the USM Eagle Awards ceremony, as part of the school’s Black History Month programming. The event was held in the Joe Paul Theater on the USM Hattiesburg campus.

Nominations were made through the USM community and voted on by a panel of judges. The event’s top award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to longtime USM employee Jewel Adams. The lifetime achievement award recognizes an individual who has dedicated their life to making an impact in the lives of others.

Adams has been with USM 24 years, having worked in its National Food Management Institute, School of Human Performance and Recreation, and now as administrative specialist in the School of Finance.

“Words cannot express how humbled and honored I am to be recognized with this award,” Adams said. “I never take anything lightly. Everything I do or have done is for the glory of God. If I can help somebody as I pass along the way, then my living shall not be in vain.”

Other Eagle Awards and their recipients include the following:

Student Eagle Award

This award recognizes one female and one male undergraduate for outstanding contributions through academics, leadership and involvement.

*Rodarius Washington

*Elizabeth Winder

 

Graduate Student

This award recognizes one female and one male graduate student for outstanding contributions through academics, leadership and involvement.

*Carl Thomas

*Michaela Andrews

 

Student Organization of the Year

This award is given to the student organization that displays outstanding effort in all areas related to its purpose, based on contributions to the campus community and development of its members.

*The Men of Excellence

 

Civility of the Southern Miss Creed

The word civility is the foundation of what it means to be civilized; creating and fostering behavior that promotes a caring and kindness for the well-being of others. The Creed at Southern Miss is used to promote civility on our campus. This award recognizes one student who personifies this creed.

*Marquan Lewis

 

The Fraternity Man and Sorority Woman of the Year

The Fraternity Man and Sorority Woman of the Year awards seek to highlight the outstanding contributions of one NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) man and one NPHC woman in the Southern Miss community. These students exemplify the mission, values and purpose of their own organization, and have made a significant impact in the fraternity and sorority community.

*Ryan Johnson- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

*Taylor McDonald- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc


Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year

This award honors one female and male athlete who exemplifies the true essence of being a student athlete.

*DeMichael Harris- Southern Miss Football

*Callie Jones- Southern Miss Track and Field

 

Langston Hughes Artistic Excellence Award

The Langston Hughes Artistic Excellence Awards celebrates two individuals, one in the area of theatre and one in dance, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their art form.

*Tony Reimonenq III-Theatre

*A’Miracle Fagan-Dance

 

Humanitarian Award

The Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual whose works and deeds have served to improve the quality of our lives and inspired us to greater heights.

*Rosie Sims