Alma College Nominates Top Three Students for Barlow Trophy
Erin Bernethy
Melissa Hanson
Marcus Hong
Established in 1949 by Dr. Joel Barlow, a 1929 honors graduate of Alma College, the award will be presented at Alma’s annual Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 5.
The award recognizes academic achievement for students in the top 10 percent of their class as well as contributions to campus and community. The Barlow winner is determined by a vote of Alma’s Student Congress and faculty.
Bernethy, who is pursuing a degree in biology, has been an active participant and group leader in several alternative break service trips, including delivering meals to HIV/AIDS patients in New York City, gutting homes in Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and building wheelchair ramps in Tennessee.
She also was active in furthering the academic achievements of other students through general tutoring, working with first-year students as an organic chemistry workshop leader, and sharing study abroad experiences.
During her sophomore year, Bernethy spent a semester in Kerala, India, where she taught elementary English, chemistry, biology, mathematics and other subjects and volunteered in a clinic for terminally ill cancer patients at Pushpagiri Medical School Hospital.
Bernethy also has stayed active in her senior year. She is class president, social chair of her sorority, alumni relations vice president of the Alma Leadership Alliance, clinical volunteer on Gratiot Medical Center’s rehabilitation floor through the Gratiot Area Physicians Society, advocacy chair of the Alma College Relay for Life committee, and campus chapel participant.A graduate of Pinconning Area High School, she is the daughter of William and Kathleen Bernethy.
Hanson, who is pursuing a degree in French and economics, has participated in many community volunteer projects through Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity. She has served meals to needy families at the Community Cafe in Alma and has been involved in Adopt-A-Highway, AIDS walk, Relay for Life and Special Olympics.
During her junior year, Hanson spent a semester in Paris to perfect her French language skills, experience French culture, and give English lessons to a local Parisian. Since her return to Alma, she has been an advocate to other students for participation in study abroad experiences.
She also joined the Alma College Climbing Club as a freshman and has promoted the activity to others for four years. She has been a climbing wall monitor and worked with local children during kids’ climbing classes.
Her other campus activities include serving as a tutor in economics and
French and participating in Students in Free Enterprise, Relay for Life
and an alternative break service trip to New York City. She also was
inducted in 2006 to Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary
and the Phi Beta Kappa Honorary.
A graduate of Manistee High School, she is the daughter of Diane Hanson of Manistee and Alan Hanson of Traverse City.
Hong, who is pursing a degree in English and religious studies, has
served as a student ministry coordinator and chapel band leader at the
Alma College Chapel. The SMCs plan and lead weekly chapel services
under the supervision of the chaplain. In addition to campus services,
the chapel band assists with Presbyterian youth mixes and performs at
Michigan churches.
He also has been a resident assistant, which includes creating a
working and living community for students who live in the residence
halls. Activities are varied, including providing educational
programming and being a friend and counselor to hall residents.
Hong also is head English editor for the Pine River Anthology, Alma College’s annual published literature and arts magazine.
His other campus activities have included serving as a Student Congress
representative, member of the Alma College Choir and “Scots on the
Rocks” vocal group, campus president of Omicron Delta Kappa National
Leadership Honorary, student member of the president’s Strategy and
Planning Committee, founding member of the Barnabas Society, member of
the Sigma Tau Delta National English Honorary, promotions manager for
WQAC radio station, and participant in alternative break mission trips
to rural Appalachia and Washington, D.C.
A graduate of Skyline High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hong is the son of Young and Marjan Hong of Charlotte, N.C.
Posted: Mon, February 26th, 2007 at 1:28PM
