Students awarded golden ‘beasties’ for academic excellence

Thirteen seniors and a graduate student were awarded “golden beasties” April 19 at the College of Fine Arts and Communication’s third annual Spring Celebration and Awards ceremony.
“We are celebrating and honoring the outstanding students selected by faculty committees,” CFAC Dean Rollin Potter said. “They consider the student’s GPA, scholastic standing and contributions to the department. It’s a rigorous process.”
Each department in the college, which includes art, communication, mass communication and theatre, music and writing, gave out three awards.
Art Chair Jeff Young described winner senior Kaleb Jewell as an “exceptionally bright student who never says ‘no’ or ‘I Can’t.’”
Jewell said he was honored to win and that his award reflected the work of his teachers.
“This award shows a good example of students’ and faculty’s hard work,” he said. “The faculty makes sure students have a good future in the art world.”
Young presented senior Mark Monroe with two awards; Outstanding Senior Exhibition and Outstanding Art Student.
“Mark is an excellent spokesperson for the art department,” Young said.
Communication Chair Jim Hikins presented awards to seniors Stephen Cunningham, Emily Bradley and Callie Collison.
John Gale, chair of mass communications and theatre, presented awards to seniors Han Zhao, Eriko Terao and Kim Risi.
Gale said Zhao, who has been active with News6 for two years, “has a nose for news.”
Senior Casey Carroll, who is also with News6, said Zhao was an integral part of the process.
“She’s amazing,” he said. “We’re lucky to have her.”
Music Chair Jeff Jarvis presented awards to seniors Leanne Hampton and Cassandra Hernandez and graduate student Carol Sikes.
“It’s amazing,” Hernandez said. “There are so many students in this college that are so talented and so hardworking; I wish everyone could get a beastie. I love UCA. It’s great to be recognized. The faculty is so supportive.”
Jarvis said he chose to give the chair’s award to Sikes because she “impacts the life of the music department.”
Sikes said she was grateful to be chosen.
“It’s incredibly humbling,” she said. “I do what I do for the benefit of music. This is a symbol that what I’m doing matters. It’s an encouragement to keep doing it.”
Writing Chair Scott Payne said he wanted to make a statement before presenting his awards.
“Linguistics is not honored, but it should be,” he said.
Payne then presented awards to seniors McKenzie Hobbs, Doug Knight and Spencer Seastrom.
Potter gave out the awards for second runner up, first runner up and winner of overall outstanding student in the college.
However, Potter pointed out that he would be presenting four awards instead of three because, for the first time ever, there was a tie for highest honors.
Risi was named second runner up.
“I want to thank UCA for being so awesome,” she said. “I also want to thank my parents. When I told them I wanted to be a film major, they didn’t roll their eyes.”
Collison was named first runner up.
“I’d like to thank my 5-year-old son,” she said, as she began choking up, “for taking so many rain checks on play dates.”
Monroe and Hampton were announced as the co-winners.
“It’s really humbling,” Monroe said after the ceremony. “It’s so rewarding to see hard work and dedication be recognized by people I look up to.”
Hampton said she was impressed by the level of performances she has seen at UCA.
She said, “I want to thank Jerry Biebesheimer [director of Public Appearances] for brining amazing, world renowned performers right to my backyard.”
The UCA Band, directed by Ricky Brooks, provided the music for the event. Pizza, brownies and soft drinks were provided for attendees.
Eddie Fugatt, office manager for the CFAC dean, said he ordered food for 200 people. He said he wants to see the event grow each year.
“I’d like to see it become an institution,” he said. “It’s an important event. It promotes camaraderie and gives the younger students something to strive for.”
Senior Ariel McField said this was her second year to attend the ceremony.
“It allows us to acknowledge people who work hard throughout the year,” she said. “It’s different than any other award ceremony; it’s personal and fun. The arts are being appreciated.”
The “golden beasties” were created by UCA art students. They are called “beasties” because they are each shaped like an animal.