Plemmons Medallion

Outstanding campus leaders at Appalachian State University have received the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion in recognition of their contributions to the betterment of students lives outside the classroom. The award is named for the universitys second president and will be presented during Convocation September 6, 2007 on campus.

This years honorees are Sarah Buchanan from Cary, who will graduate this summer with a degree in communication/public relations; Jamarl Clark, a senior public relations major from Charlotte who graduates in December; Dr. Holly Hirst, Professor of Mathematics and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies; Dawn Sheppard, Administrative Assistant in the Walker College of Business; and Brad Vest, Associate Director of Student Programs in Plemmons Student Union.

Sarah Buchanan has been involved in a variety of campus activities and organizations that focus on student life and learning. She has been a peer leader for Freshman Seminar, a resident assistant for the Office of Housing and Residence Life, President of the Appalachian Student Ambassadors, and a Member of Alpha Delta Phi.

As a Resident Assistant, Buchanan mentors 32 residence hall students, and helps create a safe and family-oriented environment. As President of Appalachian Ambassadors, she leads 40 peers who are among the first people prospective students and their parents meet when visiting campus.

She exemplifies what it means to be a student leader through her extensive involvement in all aspects of student life and learning, one nominator wrote. Through her leadership positions at Appalachian, she has been a resource and role model for her peers, and an outstanding representative for the university.

Jamarl Clark also is involved in a variety of campus organizations. He is a member of the Black Student Association, National PanHellenic Council, APPS Council for Cultural Awareness and Chair of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He is a W.H. Plemmons Leader Fellow, and has been a leader for GEAR Up summer camps and a peer counselor with the ACT Community Outreach Center.

He also was instrumental in organizing an Alpha Phi Alpha project raising more than $3,000 to enhance Belk Library and Information Commons collection of books, DVDs and other materials related to African Americans.

Jamarl has been a dynamic, contributing member of the Plemmons Leadership Program, wrote a nominator. More important, he has taken to heart and lived the challenge of the program, which is to immerse oneself in leadership and service opportunities to enhance the quality of life for the individuals that you serve.

Holly Hirst has been a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics since 1990 and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies since August 2005.

She is the faculty advisor for the Social Order of Graduate Students and the Graduate Student Association Senate. She began a series of workshops to help graduate students with the thesis and dissertation process. She also attends orientation sessions for graduate students in the universitys off-campus programs.

She has mentored hundreds of students, teaching them to work together towards a common goal and preparing them for their lives after graduate school, wrote one nominator.

Another person wrote, In all of her dealings during her time in the graduate school, she puts students first. Knowing Holly, I know she would say that she is just doing her job but I have rarely seen anyone else who defines her job so comprehensively, while always putting students at the center of everything.

Dawn Sheppard has worked in the Walker College of Business for 11 years. In addition to service as Administrative Assistant to the Dean, she assists with the colleges Holland Fellows Program, an international studies program in China; the Boyles CEO Lecture Series; Alumni Day; and other special programs.

Through her work with the Holland Fellows Program, Sheppard assists with the student selection process, helps coordinate travel, and works with Chinese representatives and students from Fudan University.

Mrs. Sheppard is a great ambassador for Appalachian, wrote a nominator. She has a way of thinking of and acting on small things that make a big difference. And the American and Chinese students and administrators admire her for the difference she is making.

Sheppard also was praised for her concern, advice and gentle correction when interacting with students. She always treats students with respect but is not afraid to provide some motherly advice, according to a nominator.

Brad Vest is Associate Director of Student Programs in the Plemmons Student Union. He has worked at Appalachian since 1995.

As a Student Development Educator, Freshman Seminar instructor and employee of Appalachian, Brad has truly enriched the lives of many students, both inside and outside the classroom and embodies what this award represents, wrote one nominator.

Vest helps organize student programs and activities such as the University Jazz Festival, Homecomings, Annual Winter Wonderland Gala, and Welcome Week activities for incoming freshmen. He also helps schedule and negotiates contracts for performers appearing at the campus nightclub Legends. Vest also has led Alternative Spring Break trips and mentored students in the Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS).

Vest has been called a source of information and inspiration by those who have worked with him. His compassion as a mentor, boss, and friend are evident when you talk to his students and co-workers, a nominator wrote. He has had an incredible impact on the thousands of students who have come through the APPS office, Office of Student Programs, Freshman Seminar and many other organizations over the past 10 years.