Sociology Major Named Winner of Kaufman Prize
Chantal Matthews, a sociology major from Portsmouth who aspires to work as a university student health services director, is the winner of Old Dominion University's 2011 Kaufman Prize.
Matthews, who has a 3.1 grade point average and participated in a host of extracurricular activities during her college career, received the honor at the ODU Student Awards dinner on Thursday, May 5. She was one of seven finalists for the award.
The Kaufman Prize, regarded as one of the highest student honors at ODU, was established by Landmark Communications Inc. to recognize 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.
For winning the Kaufman Prize, Matthews received a $10,000 cash award and a plaque.
Matthews, who minored in community health, served as programmer for ODU's gospel choir, Ebony Impact. In addition, she was chapter president of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the Student Health Advisory Committee, for two consecutive years. Matthews also served on various campus committees for the Student Government Association, including the Alcohol and Drug Taskforce and the Residence Life Safety Committee.
Runner-up for the Kaufman Prize was Joseph Dunne, a Naval ROTC student graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. Dunne ranked ninth in the country, out of 307 officer candidates and midshipmen, on the National Surface Warfare Officer Ship Selection Order of Merit list.
The other Kaufman Prize finalists were Chanel Evans and Sharne Cherry from the Darden College of Education, Alyssa Pietrobono from the College of Business and Public Administration, Eliott Clark from the College of Sciences and Danielle Bivens from the College of Arts and Letters.
The Kaufman Prize is named for the late Charles Kaufman, noted community leader, philanthropist and friend to ODU. Following his example, the award winner must have shown 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 John Broderick those to be chosen for the Kaufman Honors and the person who is to receive the Kaufman Prize.