Three honored with Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

By Edward Bailey

Troy University has honored two students and a member of Troy University's faculty with the 2009 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards.

Seniors Cody Ash and Kristina Vise, and Barbara Patterson, director of student involvement and leadership, were the honorees.

They were presented with the awards during a luncheon on the Troy Campus on April 13, and were honored during the University's annual Honors Convocation later that night.

The Sullivan award recognizes recipients for their excellence of character, humanitarian service and spiritual qualities.

The award has been presented annually to a male student, female student and one nonstudent since 1981.

The candidates are nominated by fellow students, faculty members and staff.

Ash, a native of Troy, is a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), Farmhouse Fraternity and Trojan Ambassadors.

Ash has served as SGA vice president of campus activities, a Troy University IMPACT orientation leader, was a member of Freshman Forum and was named Freshman Forum's Man of the Year.

Ash has volunteered his services to the Special Olympics, Relay for Life, the Adopt-A-Mile program and the YMCA Youth Legislature Program.

Despite such honors, Ash said that he was humbled to receive the Sullivan Award.

'To even be considered for the award is very humbling and I'm also very thankful. If it wasn't for my family, friends and my brothers, I wouldn't be who I am,' the English major with a minor in leadership studies, said.

'I was just bewildered when I heard I was nominated, and I was definitely excited to have found out that I won, but it's also bittersweet...the award is given to seniors and it's very hard for me to believe that I am about to graduate and leave TroyÉ It's just a surreal feeling,' Ash added.

Vise, an English major from Trussville, is the president of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society and Students for Life, the latter of which she founded in 2007 and currently serves as pregnancy center coordinator.

Vise is also a Millennium Scholar and served as copy editor for the Tropolitan.

Vise also received the Sigma Tau Delta award and has volunteered for the Women's Life Center.

Vise expressed extreme gratitude toward her friends and family, and said that this most recent honor wasn't hers alone.

'I am so flattered to win the Sullivan Award. I am thankful for my family, friends and teachers that have helped me to become the person I am,' Vise said.

'Although my name is on the award, it really belongs to everyone who has impacted my life,' Vise added.

Patterson is a familiar face on Troy University's campus as she serves as adviser to numerous student-dominated campus organizations including the SGA, Pan-Hellenic Council, the Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Patterson also served on the board of the Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity.

Patterson said that she was pleased to have been selected along with Vise and Ash.

'I am so grateful to have been nominated and considered for this awardÉI feel blessed to have been recognized with the two wonderful students who were selected- Kristina Vise and Cody Ash. I have worked with both of them and know how much they have given to this campus,' Patterson said.