Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SITE OF THE DAY use Homepage nii/inn i This spring, join TOUF d6 one of the biggest didh fundraising events in hi: Ride and raise money to this deadly disease, 4 a cycling event of American Diabetes A* m Will Sign up today, ca 1-800-T0UR-! ^ (1-800-868-7888) WVIIig ' DIONNE GLEATON Staff Writer If you feel that youVe made a big difference ii of freshmen, you may have what it takes Outstanding Freshman Advocate. "The Outstanding Freshman Advocate Av established in 1991 to recognize a member of the \ family who has made significant contributions tc the academic, professional and personal lives of on our campus," said Denise Wellman, chairm selection committee. Honorees of the award are not limited to stuc can include faculty and staff members. "One of the unique things about this award i selection committee is comprised equally of s faculty and staff," said Dan Berman, Co-Dii Instruction and Faculty Development. This is o where the person chosen can be from anywher from student to president can nominate someoi bwotH " Once nominated, a person goes through an i process, and one winner is selected along with tw finalist honorees. "We are at the point this year that we do have member that's the actual winner, and then v student, a staff member and another faculty mei are the finalist honorees," Wellman said. "S< actually 4 people on campus that have been dish as making a significant difference in the lives of fi Anyone can be a freshman advocate, but to i] be outstanding, you have to go "the extra mile," said. "We look for people who have really gone bej normal job description, (those) who have broad c breadth of the programs that they work with." Jim Burns, a teacher in the Provisional Year and the English Department, is this year's facult He serves on university committees that, to \ HHIBWBBI ETC. ON MONDAY The El credit wh "touch every aspect of student life on campus." According to WeDman, i the lives Burns still considers to be an working at the university fun, and that attitude is a _ __ . . Kit. _ J _ - f yard was among me Kinas 01 iniversity things you truly want to > enhance reward." freshmen The last two student tan of the winners were Julie Johns, who has since graduated, lents, but and Clifton Chestnut, a v junior print journalism is that its major. Both students students, were honored for their ector for numerous efforts to help fPSr ne award first-year students. /Jglal e~, anyone "The purpose of the ae for the ^ award is to recognize someone who has directly - Ipf 'M interview contributed to the success 0 to three and assistance of firstyear students," Berman " 1 a faculty said. "We do not j^pr re have a discriminate, all kinds of #0^ nber who people are making a o, there's difference in the lives of inguished students." neshmen." It is very important aorderto for true freshman ^\m Wellman advocates to make differences in the way ?m ondtheir first-year students Cl^pc/ll 11^3 lepth and progress on campus. Of Km 8 lG ^Ps> I Lq I WUSC 900 In, Baby. ur i LeBt WUSC Listen and^eam Julie was recognized y# Program as being a true role model y winner, and mentor to her iVellman, students on campus, and pV| n p mj mS ninnn| K1AI?! ssociation HTK|B| atre USC rocks the house. ere credi Clifton, our most recent (winner), is just exceptional in every way," Wellman said; "He's a very warm and genuine person that's well-respected fay students ijk as well as faculty and stall B students, and it was a Kpjp^wBp great honor to be HT recognized for something Melanie Miller of the pf Office of Housing, and Provost,Don Greiner, are Parrish, who serves as a University 101 Peer Leader as well as a Journalism Peer Advisor, provides freshman with advice on which to a _ 1'f enhance their academic tanaing ? M _ Miller has also in Advocate r^zdinthelivea -^Jl "(Melanie) is most MrCff'U distinguished for her role in bringing academic centers into such places fSQwSt^^ T ?"'^r fPHls: II - ^ ' ^ 1iifji% ^ ?li i-'0. ' , t^i?r '^Plm . Wrenf/ J# J fl SB* , jjife I -1^?$:',, "^IMiiiin '' ' '' * U We look for people who have really gone beyond their normal job description, (those) who have broad depth and breadth of die programs that they work with. Denise Wellman chairman of the selection committee for the Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award ) ) it is due. as the Towers and providing a tremendous support system through a peer leader program," Wellman said. Don Greiner, who now teaches in the College of Liberal Arts, has headed such initiatives as the Preston residential college and the Carolina Scholars and Mentoring program. Award winners receive a plaque and a financial honorarium, and most of them are both shocked and complimented by the fact that they have been awarded for their work with freshmen, which doesn't get much ^ other recognition on campus. W "Most of the people are totally complimented that they have been nominated, (an award is) totally unexpected because they think that what they do for freshman is just what they do because they love doing it," said Wellman, a past recipient of the award. 1 Tin i. i. L. 4.1 vvneu yuu get, lu catur me cuuuuiitee uiai mwoco leaders from among a group that you used to belong to, it makes the job real meaningful, Wellman said. There is a thread of commonality among all who aspire to become outstanding freshman advocates. According to Wellman, each year's winners have had a "genuine ; humbleness," a good connection with faculty and staff, and an ability to empathize. ? "I think the person that truly distinguishes themselves as being an advocate for freshmen, whether they receive the award or not, is someone who can empathize with what it's like to be a freshman and to provide the kind of support (needed) to empower them to be successful as i freshmen," Wellman said. "You must care about making USC the very best place it can be for students to learn." * With the Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award, ! activities geared toward helping freshmen and students ^ in transition will not go unnoticed and, according to Berman, w the entire process is not just about who wins. ! "The selection process is really a lesson in democracy, . equality and unity for the campus, anyone can be a nominator ; i or nominee." ,4' HHK jHfx \ fy'v'A ''' ^1^BK 4---tZ '^ ^fe^/i joKi jj^H^flti^^HK . Jjfc ^BP;