2004 Distinguished Leadership Awards

GRANVILLE -- In a ceremony held on April 7 in the Welsh Hills Room of Denison's new Burton D. Morgan Center, Dean of Students Samuel J. Thios presented the University's 2004 Dean's Distinguished Leadership Award to 38 deserving seniors.

The honor is awarded annually to graduating seniors recognizing their "extraordinary commitment to excellence, leadership and dedication to Denison and surrounding communities."

This year's honorees, who represent a remarkably broad and diverse range of interests and contributions, were recognized again at the University's annual Academic Awards Convocation held April 16 in Swasey Chapel.

Thios opened the ceremony by welcoming the audience which also included faculty, staff, family and friends. He noted, "Each spring, the Dean's Distinguished Leadership Awards recognize and honor seniors whose contributions over four years have made Denison a better place for all of us. It is a special time for us to pause and express our gratitude for all they have done."

Thios continued, "Leadership shows up in many ways. Sometimes it is apparent through those who hold very visible leadership positions in organizations that we all recognize and value. There is a great deal of this kind of leadership recognized here today. Exceptional leadership also occurs often among individuals who are not necessarily in the limelight. But we know we can always count on them to get things done. Denison is fortunate to have many of these leaders as well and their behind the scenes efforts help all of us. We are recognizing a great deal of this kind of leadership among our recipients.

"But leadership, by itself, is not sufficient. It is leadership with integrity that matters. It is not surprising that references to 'integrity' come up so often in letters written by faculty and staff in describing our senior recipients. Leadership, with integrity, is what our students have demonstrated."

Each awardee was introduced by Thios who read descriptive and heartfelt comments taken from letters of nomination submitted by faculty and staff as testimony to the worthiness of the individual for this unique recognition. Below is a list of this year's honorees, with links to a personal profile for each.

Thios concluded by commending and thanking the students again for their contributions to the University and the greater community over the past four years, telling them they will be dearly missed following graduation in May.

President Dale Knobel also attended the event and expressed his congratulations and appreciation to the students for the lasting effects their presence will have on the campus and community.

A reception followed the ceremony where faculty, administrators, families and fellow students were afforded the opportunity to greet and congratulate the honorees individually.

Denison University, located in Granville, Ohio, was founded in 1831 and is a privately supported, coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences, offering three different bachelor's degrees (B.A., B.S. and B.F.A.) among 45 majors. Some 2,000 full-time undergraduate students represent 47 states and 34 foreign countries. Denison is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) and a founding member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Denison's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1910. Dale T. Knobel is Denison's 19th president.