UWF Psychology Department professor Lisa VanWormer received the Outstanding Professional Paper Award at this year’s Southeastern Psychological Association’s National Conference. Each paper selected for this category is peer-reviewed and selected from all research paper submissions to the conference.  This is an extremely tough competition but VanWormer’s paper was viewed and chosen as the best. Also psychology professor Susan Walch received the Mentor Award at the conference. Walch was recognized for her outstanding education and mentoring of students. This is an extremely tough competition but the committee's decision was unanimous on selecting her for this award. And congratulations to Spencer Fix, a psychology general specialization graduate student, for being one of the top four finalists for the Graduate Student Research Award at the Conference. The field of submissions was large and the competition included students from research-focused institutions. His presentation was outstanding. For more information, contact Diana Robinson at drobinso@uwf.edu.

Angela McCorvey, associate vice president for Diversity and International Education and Programs at the UWF, was honored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Commission  Feb. 17 for her many contributions to the group’s efforts. The organization plans all MLK-related events in the area each year including the annual MLK Day parade. Proceeds from the parade are turned into scholarships for area high school students. Since becoming active with the group almost five years ago, McCorvey has continued to take on more responsibility, according to Bill Caplinger, vice chair of the commission and UWF physics lab manager. Her various contributions range from public relations and marketing to scheduling dignitaries and drafting bylaws. “She never gives up, her calm, collected and entirely competent personality and knowledge are as valuable to the celebration commission as she is valued by UWF and all who know and work with her,” said Caplinger. She received a plaque from Caplinger in the office of UWF President Judy Bense, who offered her own congratulations, as well.

The Voyager is among the top 10 college newspapers named at the 2010 Southeast Journalism Conference held Feb. 11 to 13 at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. In the “Best of the South” competition The Voyager  placed ninth out of the more than 60 SEJC-member newspapers and won three awards for best newspaper design, best feature writing and best arts and entertainment story. By winning or placing in 10 on-site competitions, the staff also won the conference’s journalism championship. Individual awards: feature writing, first place, Ashley Faulkner; public relations, first place, Travis Currie, Tiffany Elise McWilliams, Amanda Taft; journalism essay, first place, Georgia Adams; copy editing, first place, Jessica Harris; multimedia package, first place, Kaycee Lagarde, Miriam Longsworth, Hana Frenette; media ethics, first place, Brie Redfield and Valerie Thornewell; photography, second place, Joslyn Rosado; broadcast news anchoring, second place, Kristen Dressel; health reporting, third place, Rebecca Barnhart; editorial writing, third place, Michael Greear.

Robert Price, a 2004 UWF graduate, is now a student at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.  He is also a member of Cumberland’s trial team which won the regional competition of the National Trial Competition held in February in Jackson, Miss. The team defeated teams from the law schools at Barry University, Florida State University, Stetson University, the University of Alabama and Mississippi College. The Cumberland team will compete in the National Finals in Dallas March 24-27.

UWF President Judy Bense was recognized with The Society for Historical Archaeology J.C. Harrington Medal. The award was established in 1981 to recognize a lifetime of contributions to the discipline of historical archaeology focused on scholarship. It remains the highest honor bestowed by the society.  “In reviewing the career of Judy Bense, it is clear that while her scholarship alone is sufficient to qualify her for this honor, her contribution to the discipline extends well beyond the confines of her research,” said William Lees, director Florida Public Archaeology Network.