Columbus State University handed out its highest annual academic awards this afternoon during the 2017 Scholastic Honors Convocation held in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Edward O’Donnell, associate professor of marketing in CSU’s Turner College of Business, was named CSU’s 2016-2017 Educator of the Year, a recognition awarded by the Student Government Association based on student body nominations. The Faculty Cup, the highest award granted to a CSU student, went to Amber Terrell, a senior mathematics and secondary education major.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR: Dr. Edward O’Donnell

Edward O’Donnell is an associate professor of marketing in CSU’s Turner College of Business. O’Donnell was CSU’s representative for the 2014 University System of Georgia Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award and the 2013 Scholarship of Teaching Award. In 2011, he received CSU’s Faculty Research and Scholarship Award. O’Donnell earned his master’s in accounting from the University of Akron and his doctorate in marketing from Kent State University. He recently directed an honors thesis which resulted in a peer-reviewed publication.

FACULTY CUP: Amber Terrell

Amber Terrell is a senior mathematics and secondary education major. Amber is the recipient of multiple awards, honors and scholarships, including CSU’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, the Hallmark Cards/Hall Family Foundation Scholarship, and the TSYS Future Scholars Scholarship. Amber has served as member, vice president and president of WeTeach (the student organization of CSU’s UTeach program), and she regularly serves as a mentor for Live United Youth Council and as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, and local elementary schools. Amber graduates this May with honors. She is interested in teaching in high-needs school districts and serving as an advocate for active, hands-on learning in mathematics.

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION: Amy Melton

Amy Melton is a senior music education major. She was selected as one of 28 students in the University System of Georgia to be honored by the Georgia General Assembly during Academic Recognition Day 2017.

STUDENTS OF EXCELLENCE

The following individuals were selected as the most deserving students to represent each department and were recognized verbally during the Scholastic Honors Convocation.

·  Department of Biology - Rachel Pearson

·  Department of Chemistry - Nicole Sikes

·  Department of Mathematics - Amber Terrell

·  Department of Modern & Classical Languages - Armando Fernandez

·  Department of Earth & Space Science - Nicholas Garcia

·  Department of Psychology - Amelia Barton

·  Department of History & Geography - Jane Mader

·  Department of English - Cailee Davis

·  Department of Politics, Philosophy and Public Administration - Hugrun Elvarsdottir

·  Department of Theatre - Constance Tolbert

·  Department of Communication - Madison Ullman

·  Schwob School of Music - John Rogler

·  Department of Art - Julianna Wells

·  Graduate Business Program - Richard Navratil

·  Department of Accounting & Finance - Kaitlyn Moye

·  Department of Marketing & Management - Kayla Forsythe

·  TSYS School of Computer Science - Marko Maksimovic

·  School of Nursing - Levie Jones

·  Department of Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science - April Jowers

·  Department of Teacher Education - Savannah Talley

·  Department of Counseling, Foundations and Leadership: Karen Hancock