04/15/12 — Mount Olive College gives out five alumni awards

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Mount Olive College gives out five alumni awards

By From staff reports
Published in News on April 15, 2012 1:50 AM

During its annual Alumni Awards event Saturday night, Mount Olive College recognized five people.

* Brenda Edwards, former administrative assistant for the Office of Alumni Relations, was recognized as an "Honorary Alumnus" of the College. Edwards began working at Mount Olive College in August of 1999 as administrative assistant to the VPIA.

* Julie Beck of Mount Olive received the 2012 Mount Olive College Alumni Hall of Fame Award during Alumni Weekend. The award was given to Beck in recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and for her involvement in numerous civic and professional activities. A native of Ohio, Beck joined Mount Olive College in 1989 as student activities director.

* The Mount Olive College Alumni Association recognized Irene Patten with the Excellence in Teaching Award during Alumni Weekend. The award recognizes a professor or former professor of Mount Olive College for exhibiting dedication and achievement on a professional level, leadership in community and church, and who brings honor and respect by commitment and support to Mount Olive College.

Patten joined the faculty at Mount Olive College during the 1973-74 academic year. She was the only person on the music faculty. She retired in 2002.

* Dianne B. Riley, former director of Alumni Relations at Mount Olive College, received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award at Mount Olive College during Alumni Weekend. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an alumnus for dedicated service and achievement as a leader in the community. During the award presentation it was noted the official name of the award would be called the Dianne B. Riley Distinguished Service Award as recommended by the Alumni Board.

* The Mount Olive College Alumni Association named Mike Davis Alumni Business Associate of the Year during homecoming weekend. The award, presented by Howard F. Scott, a 1974 graduate of the College and member of the College's Board of Trustees, presented the award. Davis is the general manager of Tri County Electric Membership Cooperation. Under his leadership, the company has committed support of the communities through many programs.

Bright Ideas, which are grants for teachers in our local schools; Operation Round-Up, where members round up their bills to the next highest dollar amount and grants are given to needy individuals and organizations in the service area, and an employee-funded scholarship program for seniors in high school