Xavier Bervine, a special education major with a minor in human services, won the Kaufman Award, the highest honor given to a graduating Old Dominion University student, at the Student Honors and Awards Dinner on May 2.
Civil engineering major Chloe Barrett was named the Outstanding University Scholar and four students received Provost’s Awards for Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher at the dinner, held in the North Cafeteria at Webb University Center.
The Kaufman Award, which comes with a $10,000 prize, was established by Landmark Communications. It recognizes graduating seniors who have had an exceptional and constructive influence on the University, its students or the community by demonstrating the highest qualities of leadership and service.
The award is named in memory of Charles Kaufman, a community leader, philanthropist and friend to ODU. Following Kaufman's example, the award winner must show sustained participation in leadership of campus or community groups, an outstanding record of volunteer activities and academic excellence or a major achievement affecting the campus or community.
In his opening remarks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Austin Agho said, “Students, tonight we acknowledge you and your accomplishments and share in the excitement with your family and friends. You have set yourself apart in both academic achievements and co-curricular involvement. You have seen firsthand the experience and excellence in teaching we strive to achieve at Old Dominion University. We are also pleased to recognize the faculty who have mentored and supported you in your academic journey and left an indelible mark on your time here at Old Dominion University.”
He and President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., bestowed the awards to all the winners throughout the event.
Bervine, a special education teacher at Dominion Care, is the president of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and vice president of the Student Council of Exceptional Children. After graduation, he plans to work full-time at Bellwood Elementary School as a special education teacher while pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Virginia. He selected Cecelia Tucker as his most inspirational faculty member because of her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion at ODU. He said, “Her willingness to share her story and advocate for equality and justice makes her a role model for inspiring leaders like me.”
Bervine was one of 10 finalists for the award. Nursing major Helena Benschoten was the runner-up. She is the vice president of the Student Nurses Association and a Campus Ambassador. Her most inspirational faculty member is Leslie Sharpe.
The other finalists, listed with their most inspirational faculty members, are:
- Marina Ciriesi, management major, art history minor. Most inspirational faculty member: Ryan Klinger.
- Kaetlyn (Niki) Ellis, nursing major, psychology minor. Most inspirational faculty member: Sangita Seaburg.
- Vu Giang, applied mathematics major. Most inspirational faculty member: Richard Noren.
- LuzMia Lopez Genoves, speech pathology and audiology major, community health minor. Most inspirational faculty member: Ann Kumm.
- Danielle “Dani” McChesney, nursing major. Most inspirational faculty member: Janice Hawkins.
- Brent Pizzamiglio, cybersecurity major, military leadership minor. Most inspirational faculty member: Jeremy Dollar.
- Tyler Robertson, history major, political science minor. Most inspirational faculty member: Brett Bebber.
- La’Tisa Ward, astrophysics and computer engineering double major. Most inspirational faculty member: Velvet Grant.
Barrett’s Outstanding University Scholar award recognizes the undergraduate in each college with the highest academic average who completed at least 60 credit hours at the University. She will enter the workforce as an engineer with Hazen and Sawyer and plans to return to ODU to obtain a master's degree. She praised her most inspirational faculty member, Kathy Boone.
“Dr. Boone is the definition of a professor who cares. She challenges you while giving you the resources necessary to succeed, and she is not afraid to be human with you. Not a day goes by without me being sure Dr. Boone has my back. One of my life goals is to live up to the standard that she set.”
The Alumni Association also named the following Outstanding College Scholars.
College of Arts and Letters: Caroline Matthew, strategic communication major. Most inspirational faculty member: Michelle Carpenter.
College of Health Sciences: Sophia Janeiro Martinez, speech pathology and audiology, major. Most inspirational faculty member: Anne Perrotti.
College of Sciences: Ramond Tahhan, biomedical sciences major. Most inspirational faculty members: Douglas Mills and Lisa Shollenberger.
Darden College of Education and Professional Studies: Patricia Hodges, parks, recreation and tourism studies. Most inspirational faculty member: Shelly Beaver.
School of Cybersecurity: Elizabeth Gildea, cybersecurity major. Most inspirational faculty members: Mitch Brindley and Xianrong Zheng.
School of Nursing: Amanda Allen, nursing major. Most inspirational faculty member: Luis Becerra.
Strome College of Business: Daniel Tekleab, finance major. Most inspirational faculty member: Professor Max Siangchokyoo.
The recipients of the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research include:
- Mary LePere, ocean and earth sciences major. She was inspired by Victoria Hill.
- Isabel Martinez, psychology major, human services minor. She was inspired by Cathy Lau-Barraco.
- Sophia Janeiro Martiniz, speech pathology and audiology major; special education minor. She was inspired by Anne Marie Perrotti
- Dejaune Thompson, psychology major, human services minor. She was inspired by Sheriyse Williams.
The Student Honors and Awards Dinner is held twice a year before the Spring and Fall Commencement Exercises.
The event, emceed by Cathy Lewis, ODU’s community engagement liaison, also featured performances by The F. Ludwig Diehn Chorale. Nancy Klein, professor and chair of the F. Ludwig School of Music, handed the conductor’s baton over to ODU graduate Christine Loyola for a performance of Frank Tuchel’s “Earth Song.” Later, the chorale men sang the sea shanty “Drunken Sailor” conducted by ODU graduate Carter Campbell. To conclude the event, all rose to join the chorale to sing ODU’s alma mater.