Student Winners Named for Kaufman Prize, Evon-Broderick Award

May 08, 2015

Saige Hill receives the Kaufman Prize from President John R. Broderick

Saige Hill, a psychology and communications major who spoke last fall at the White House about Old Dominion's efforts to prevent sexual assault, received the Kaufman Prize, the highest honor given to a graduating student, during the University's annual Student Honors and Awards Dinner on May 7.

Hill, from Norfolk, whose service at Old Dominion includes dozens of organizations that span the campus, received a $10,000 cash award. First runner-up for the award, Benjamin Ipson, of Tappahanock, also received a cash prize.

At the dinner, human services graduates Sarah Brown and Catherene Harris were named winners of the Evon-Broderick Award for Community Engagement and Service

The Broderick-Evon Award was created by Old Dominion University President John R. Broderick and his wife, Kate, to recognize students who have given their time, knowledge and hearts to make the ODU community a better place. Brown, of Portsmouth, and Harris, of Martinsville, participated in a long list of service projects during their time at ODU.

The Kaufman Prize was established by Landmark Communications Inc. to recognize graduating seniors who had an exceptional and constructive influence on the university, its students or the community by demonstrating the highest qualities of leadership and service.

Following Kaufman's example, all of the nominees demonstrated sustained participation in leadership of campus or community groups, an outstanding record of volunteer activities or academic achievement or the achievement of a major task affecting the campus or community.

The Kaufman Prize Selection Committee interviews nominees and recommends to President Broderick those to be chosen for the Kaufman Honors and the one person who is to receive the Kaufman Prize.

As an expression of pride in the thousands of Old Dominion students who have passionately given their time, knowledge and hearts to helping build the University community, the Broderick-Evon Award for Community Engagement and Service is of special significance to ODU's first family. It is named in honor of the mothers of John and Kate Broderick.

Creating the Broderick-Evon Award builds on the foundation for student success that has been a chief goal of Broderick's since he became ODU's eighth president in 2009. Through family donations, it guarantees a minimum $3,000 award each year to an ODU student, or students, who embody the community spirit of Ellen Broderick and Joan Evon.