USM Staff, Students, Organizations Honored with 2020 Eagle Awards
Thu, 02/20/2020 - 02:08pm | By: David Tisdale
The 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