2005-2006 Recipients
Two Appalachian State University students and a university administrator received the universitys W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion for their outstanding campus leadership on September 7, 2006 during Convocation. Recipients are senior Adrianna N. DiBernardi from Hudson, senior Kendrick C. Tillman from Wadesboro and Dr. Robert L. Johnson of Boone.
Adrianna DiBernardi will graduate in May with a degree in psychology and health promotion. She is the daughter of Dino and Robin DiBernardi of Hudson.
DiBernardi has been active in student life during her career at Appalachian. As a member of Appol Corp, she helped freshmen with the transition from high school to university life. She developed the Senior Outreach Weekend and the Middle School Leadership Day to expose middle and high school students to leadership experiences while visiting campus.
In addition, DiBernardi has mentored new Plemmons Fellows students. She has been a research and instructional assistant in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science.
She also has balanced the responsibilities of student and athlete, lettering in track and field, and regularly making the Chancellors List, an honor awarded to students who receive a grade-point average of 3.85 or higher for the current semester.
DiBernardi also has served as President of Gama Beta Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa, both national leadership organizations. She is a member of the W.H. Plemmons Fellows Program, a four-year, in-depth experience aimed at creating successful leaders.
Her nominators wrote that, Adrianna has quietly gone about serving the university in a variety of ways and achieved leadership roles through the acknowledgement of her peers, rather than actively seeking traditional leadership roles.
Kendrick Tillman is a senior accounting major. He is the son of Kenneth and Vanessa Tillman of Monroe, and Doris Smith-Tillman of Wadesboro.
Through his membership in the Plemmons Fellows Program, and as a member and officer in social and leadership fraternities, Tillman has provided guidance, motivation and support for the university.
As an Appalachian Ambassador, he has served the alumni office, admissions office and chancellors office at university functions, including Homecoming and open houses.
Tillman was selected to be a Holland Fellow in the Walker College of Business, and will be spending three weeks studying business in China. He is a deans list student, and was a student employee in the Office of Admissions and the Office of General Studies.
One nominator wrote, I am a better person for knowing Kendrick Tillman. I can say this because Kendrick has a way of challenging every person he meets to better themselves. He doesnt do it on purpose, or even knowingly. He does this through his selfless acts to help others.
Dr. Robert Johnson is Senior Associate Dean for the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School at Appalachian, a post he has held since 1999.
Johnson came to Appalachian in 1980 as a member of the faculty in the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science. He was acting Assistant Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts from 1987-89, and Director of the HLES departments Exercise Science area from 1990-96.
Throughout his career, Johnson has worked extensively with students in every leadership capacity within Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He has identified, encouraged and supported students in their quest for scholarship support, and assisted students with statistical designs for their research theses. He also has worked with undergraduate students across campus regarding their research and opportunities to present their work on campus and at professional conferences.
A nominator wrote, Dr. Bob Johnson always puts the students first and has demonstrated unique leadership qualities while working behind the scenes with little recognition to ensure that students can receive more complete educational experiences.
Johnson earned his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, a M.A. from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. from Lenoir-Rhyne College.
