University celebrates 64 years
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 18, 2015 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The University of Mount Olive celebrated 64 years of providing Christian higher education at it annual Founders Day Worship Service on Tuesday.
The event featured a conversation between Rose M. Raper, former first lady of Mount Olive College from 1954 to 1995, and Jean F. Ackiss, director of church relations, an employee of the university for the past 50 years.
The conversation about their recollections of the university through the past several decades was moderated by Gary F. Barefoot, curator of the Free Will Baptist Historical Collection/University Archives.
Each year during the Founders Day celebration, the university awards one student with the Founders Leadership Award, a scholarship awarded in memory of the late Dr. W. Burkette Raper, president of Mount Olive College 1954-1995.
This year's Founders Leadership Award was presented to Emily Shaw, a senior English major from Arizona.
Payable on future educational expenses at the university, the scholarship is presented to a senior in the traditional program who has distinguished him/herself as an individual of character and initiative and who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities toward making UMO the institution of Christian higher education envisioned by its founders.
The recipient is selected by a committee of faculty, student and staff representatives.
Ms. Shaw is involved in numerous ways around campus.
She is a writing coach, supplemental instruction leader for online and seated sessions, and the public relations student intern.
She is also the co-president for Sigma Tau Delta and the vice president for the Honors leadership council.
She has made a great impact athletically representing the university on the cross country and track and field teams. Shaw is the team captain for the women's cross country team and distance squad during the track season.
After graduation in May of 2016, Ms. Shaw hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a master's degree in communication.
For the final portion of the Founder's Day service, President Philip P. Kerstetter recognized 32 faculty and staff members for their continued dedicated efforts.
He presented each service award recipient with a gift and a certificate.