Gil and Sharpe awarded 2016 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

^{During its annual Honors Convocation on Thursday, Carson-Newman University named Augusto Gil and Lauren Sharpe the 2016 recipients of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Pictured left to right are Carson-Newman President J. Randall O’Brien, Gil, Sharpe and University Provost Paul Percy.}

(April 7, 2016) – Carson-Newman University honored two students with its highest student award during its April 7 Honors Convocation. Augusto Gil and Lauren Sharpe were both presented the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award before friends, family and the greater campus community.

The New York Southern Society established the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1890 to honor an Indiana native and Manhattan attorney who was considered a living example of genteel spirit and Christian compassion. The awards, which are donated by the foundation that bears his name, are granted at 68 colleges and universities to graduating seniors, one female and one male, who “excel in high ideals of living, in fine spiritual qualities, and in generous and unselfish service to others.”

Gil is a music education major with a vocal emphasis. The Blountville resident is a member of several ensembles at the University including Men’s Chorus, Redemption and A Cappella Choir. He has also been in Lyric Theatre’s “Into the Woods,” “Children of Eden,” and “Guys and Dolls.”

He is the first male student to be elected president of Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity. A resident assistant for three years, Gil earned the University’s Second Mile Service Award, which exemplifies servant hood. He also is credited with being instrumental in Carson-Newman’s Step UP! Bystander Intervention Program.

A Mt. Juliet resident, Sharpe is a double major in Accounting and Social Entrepreneurship. A member of Alpha Chi Honors Society, she also is an Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society member.

She has been the Bonner Center for Civic and Social Engagement’s technology intern since 2014, also having worked as a Community Connections partner liaison and as a Service Corps Member.

Seeing that many local organizations struggle with recruiting and tracking volunteers, along with trying to communicate easily with other nonprofits and agencies, Sharpe innovated technological solutions that serve the Bonner Center and its partners. Her innovation revolutionized and streamlined the Center’s workflow.