Awards

TOM DEATON ADVISOR HALL OF FAME

The Advisor Hall of Fame award is named in honor of Tom Deaton’s support for extracurricular activities on campus and longevity in his role as the Quiz Bowl advisor – an extremely successful student organization for many years. This award will be presented to a faculty or staff advisor of an official student group (RSO’s, Club Sports, any other official student group) to recognize the longevity, continuous contributions, and support provided to a student group. Recipients must have served in an advisory role for at least three years and can only receive this award once.

ADVISOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Advisor of the Year award will recognize the outstanding service and leadership of a faculty or staff advisor of an official student group (RSO’s, Club Sports, any other official student group) who has made a significant contribution to both the student members and organization as a whole. The nominee should demonstrate strong advising skills, be readily available to students, and take great strides to help the organization’s leadership development. Past recipients are eligible for this award again three years after recognition.

SPENCE HIGGINS HALL OF LEADERS AWARD

This award is named in honor of the first elected Student Body President of Dalton State College, Spence Higgins. The Spence Higgins Hall of Leaders Award is given to a select group of graduating seniors earning a baccalaureate degree who have demonstrated excellence in campus involvement and who, through this service, have exemplified a commitment to the positive enhancement of Dalton State College. Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERS AWARD

The Outstanding Student Leaders award is given to student leaders with two or more years of leadership experience who have shown dedication to involvement in campus life and who have exemplified a commitment to enhancing Dalton State College. Students must have a 2.75 or higher GPA. Students may only receive this award once.

EMERGING LEADERS AWARD

The Emerging Leaders Award is given to students with two or less years of leadership experience who have shown dedication to involvement in campus life and who have demonstrated initiative, motivation, and potential for student leadership at Dalton State College. Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Students may only receive this award once.

TRUETT LOMAX UNSUNG HERO AWARD

This award is named in honor of Melvin Truett Lomax who was instrumental in the founding of Dalton State College and spearheaded a public relations campaign to raise awareness of a college’s value to Dalton. His innovation, determination, and ability to pull together a community-led to the donation of four adjoining parcels of land making way for Dalton State College as we know it today. Melvin Truett Lomax is the unsung hero of Dalton State College.

The Unsung Hero Award is presented to one Dalton State faculty or staff member and one student who puts his or her heart and soul into everything he or she does, but often goes unrecognized. These individuals work “behind the scenes” demonstrating determination and hard work going above and beyond as a member of the Dalton State Community. Nominees must be faculty/staff members at Dalton State College.

MELVYN OTTINGER ROADRUNNER PRIDE AWARD

This award is named in honor of the longtime Dalton State College basketball coach Melvyn Ottinger who built the foundation and framework for the birth of Roadrunner Nation. His hard work and dedication to Dalton State set the standard for Roadrunner pride, camaraderie, and community. This award will be presented to one student who embodies and exemplifies the true qualities of a Roadrunner – confidence, success, fearlessness, and boldness. Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Students may only receive this award once.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD

This award is granted annually to a person or group at Dalton State who actively serves as an advocate for the interests of underrepresented student populations through advocacy, diversity programming, or other diversity and intercultural engagement efforts.

JASON RAMOS SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award is presented in honor of Jason Ramos and his contributions towards establishing the Birdfeeder Food Pantry to ensure that no student went hungry.  The recipient(s) should be a person or group within the Dalton State community who has completed a project exemplifying the courage and vision to actively advocate for positive change on campus and/or in the world. The project completed should leave a lasting impact and successfully empowers others to act.

PROGRAM OF DISTINCTION AWARD

This award is presented to a new or ongoing event, project, or program at Dalton State College exemplifying innovation and creativity while benefiting the Dalton State community and contributing to the on-campus experience. The program should have originated, been planned, or been implemented by a student or group of students. An event, project, or program may only be recognized once for this award.

REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

This award is presented to an outstanding registered student organization that has made significant contributions to the Dalton State Community. The organization has set goals and furthers its mission through its work demonstrating the initiative to further advance the collegiate experience of Dalton State students beyond the classroom. The recipient of this award has gone above and beyond through programming, service, and leadership.  The recognized organization has raised the bar for other student groups and strives for excellence in all of its endeavors. Nominated organizations must be active registered student organizations.

2018-2019: Amber Lesicko, Student Government Association
2019-2020: Dr. Barbara Tucker, Baptist Collegiate Ministry
2020-2021: Dr. David Williams, Alpha Sigma Tau
2021-2022:  Dr. Tricia Scott, Chemist Honors Society

This award was named in honor of Tom Deaton for the spring 2018 ceremony. 

2010-2011: Dr. John Lugthart, Environmental Club
2011-2012: Dr. Thomas Gonzalez, Club Cycling
2012-2013: Dr. Marina Smitherman, Beta Chi Nu
2013-2014: Dr. Sarah Mergel, History Club
2014-2015: Dr. Jonathan Gulledge, Psi Chi
2015-2016: Elizabeth Lucht, Beta Chi Nu
2016-2017: Michael Hoff, Alpha Omicron Pi
2017-2018: Katelyn Humphrey, Orientation
2018-2019: Dr. David Williams, Alpha Sigma Tau
2019-2020: Dr. Jennifer Randall, Sigma Tau Delta
2020-2021: Dr. Tricia Scott, Chemist Society
2021-2022: Courtnee Bunch
William Mast, Alpha Kappa Lambda