Recipients of the 2005 UA Premier Awards recently recognized by UA President Robert E. Witt (third from left) included (L-R) Jon David Conolley, William "Zac" Riddle, Dr. Kathryn Oths, Grace Shelby, Jessica Lee Gillilan, and Taylor Nichols.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama has announced the top individual award recipients for scholarship, leadership and service to the University for 2005.

UA President Robert E. Witt announced the honors at the Presentation Dinner held Saturday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the NorthRiver Yacht Club. The recipients will also be recognized during UA Honors Week in an awards ceremony this spring.

The John Fraser Ramsey Award, named in honor of the late University history professor emeritus, recognizes in a junior the versatility of gifts and attainments, as well as the breadth of excellence in mind and character that have traditionally been the goals of a liberal education.

The recipient of the Ramsey Award is Jon David Conolley of Moody. Conolley has maintained a 3.54 grade point average in majors in international finance and Spanish, and with a minor in the economics. He serves as executive vice president of the Model United Nations, president of the Mock Trial Association and a member of the Capstone Men and Women. His academic achievements have included participation in the Blackburn Institute, University and International Honors Colleges. He also took part in an International Terrorism Conference in Washington, D.C., an International Relations Conference at the University of Virginia and an International Student Symposium in Prague. Conolley volunteers as a Big Brother and as a tutor for the English Language Institute.

The William P. Bloom Scholarship Award honors a junior who has improved intergroup relations within the University community; this year’s winner is Taylor Nichols of Northport.

A member of the UA Honors College, Nichols has earned a 3.70 grade point average majoring in economics with a minor in the Computer-Based Honors Program. He has served as the president of Alabama Students for Constitutional Reform, founding executive director of The VOTES Coalition and member of the Honors Programs Student Association. He is also a member of the Blackburn Institute and serves as communications director for the UA College Republicans. Nichols volunteers with the Alabama Collegiate Summit and First Focus and serves as ACCR petition captain.

The Morris Lehman Mayer Award is named in honor of Morris Lehman Mayer, business professor emeritus. For three decades, Mayer was a beloved UA teacher and a guiding force in student life. The award recognizes one faculty member and one member of the graduating class who exemplify integrity, selfless service and leadership at UA and in the community while making significant contributions to student life.

Grace Shelby of Huntsville received the Mayer Award as the student recipient. Shelby has earned a 3.76 grade point average in her majors in psychology and pre-medicine and minor in the Blount Liberal Arts Program. She has served as president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Coordinating Council for Student Organizations, executive vice president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and tutoring program director for Volunteer Services. Shelby is a UA Presidential Scholar and a member of the McNair Scholars Program. She has also been involved in extensive volunteer work with the Student Success and Achievement Day, University Place Montessori School and the AARP Tax-Aide Project.

Dr. Kathryn Oths has been selected as the faculty recipient of the Mayer Award. An anthropology professor at UA since 1990, Oths has served as coordinator for the department of anthropology undergraduate program, and as a member of the department of anthropology graduate committee and UA’s Institutional Review Board. She was instrumental in establishing UA’s new doctoral program in anthropology, and is widely published in academic and professional journals. She also serves as Sexual Harassment Officer for the College of Arts and Sciences. Oths is described by a nominator as not “just doing her job, she pours her soul into every worthy project she takes on, and makes a difference far outside the boundaries of her Department and her University while contributing mightily to both.”

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented to one man and one woman of the graduating class and one non-student who has been helpful to, and associated with, the University. The Sullivan Award recognizes excellence of character and service to humanity.

Student winners of this year’s Sullivan Award are William Zachary Riddle of Trussville and Jessica Gillilan of Boaz.

William “Zac” Riddle has maintained a 3.76 grade point average as an accounting major with a minor in the Computer-Based Honors Program. A member of all three University honors programs, Riddle has served as president of Freshman Forum, Student Leaders Council, Sigma Alpha Lambda and the Interfaith Council. He has served as a student chairman for the Blackburn Institute, member of the Capstone Men and Women and vice president of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He is a Faculty Scholar in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration and received the 2004 William P. Bloom Award and the 2003 Outstanding Sophomore Award. He is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Anderson Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Cardinal Key, Phi Eta Sigma, Lambda Sigma and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies.

Dr. Edward H. Cleino was recognized as a 2005 UA Premier Award recipient; Cleino was the non-student honoree to receive the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Jessica Lee Gillilan has earned a 3.92 grade point average as a nursing major. Gillilan has served as executive board president and director of Student Volunteer Leaders and Programs for the Office of Volunteerism, head residential assistant and counselor for the Howard Hughes Rural Science Scholars Program and committee chairperson and coordinator for Hunger and Homelessness Week. She is the top national winner of the Inspired Comfort Award for nursing students, a USA Today Academic All-American nominee, and recipient of the UA Student Affairs Intermediate Honors Award. She has also been involved in volunteer work as student director and pharmacy technician for the Good Samaritan Clinic and participated as a triage nurse on a medical mission trip to Brazil.

Dr. Edward H. Cleino received the Sullivan Award as a non-student honoree. Cleino is a professor emeritus of music and music education in the UA School of Music. He joined the UA faculty in 1948 and later became chairman of music education. His work in music education is recognized nationally through his ongoing dedication to the Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC). Cleino served as president of the Southern Division of MENC and worked as the state journal editor following his retirement from UA in 1979. His musical career began early when he joined the St. Louis Symphony as its youngest member. He is also a founding member of the Nashville Symphony. Cleino was recognized last summer by the Tuscaloosa Arts Council, which named him music educator of the year.