Twin Pillars Banquet celebrates service and scholarship

^{Carson-Newman senior Amanda West, left, Michelle Nix, director of the Journey Program, center, and Associate Professor Julie Rabun accept the Twin Pillars Community Engagement Award for their work on a new design strategy for the Journey Program, which helps at risk youth in Jefferson County.}

(April 17, 2014) — Carson-Newman University presented the Twin Pillars Community Engagement Award to “The Journey Program Identity Project” on April 10.

“The second annual Twin Pillars Banquet was a resounding success,” said Chad Williams, director of the University’s Bonner Center. “Through the banquet tonight, we were able to bring together and honor those faculty, students, and community members whose excellence epitomizes Carson-Newman’s pillars of service and academics. More importantly, their efforts lay the groundwork for future generations of students to come.”

Carson-Newman Associate Professor of art Julie Rabun, senior Amanda West and Michelle Nix, director of the Journey Program, were all recognized for their work developing a logo for the nonprofit, The Journey Program.

The Journey Program serves at-risk youth in Jefferson County through peer mentoring and career guidance. Carson-Newman University students have served as mentors for youth in the program.

Rabun created a class assignment for her graphic design students to design a logo for the program, working closely with program director Nix. Each student submitted a design, and West’s logo was chosen.

“Partnering with Julie Rabun’s graphic design service learning class was such a pleasure,” said Nix. “Her students were so engaging and really expressed an interest in our program. They took the time to understand The Journey Program and designed logo choices that embraced our mission.”

Other honors were also presented during the evening. Professor of Spanish, Dr. Maria Clark, was awarded the Twin Pillars Award of Excellence in Service-Learning Instruction.

Several students were recognized for their Excellence in Scholarship and Service with Twin Pillar Awards: Jenny Bridges, Trion, Ga.; Kristen Carter, Cincinnati, Ohio; Kirby Ellis, Bakersfield, Calif.; Luke Fekete, Maryville; Rachel Gillespie, Louisville; Kacie Hoyle, Johnson City; Randall Nored, Homewood, Ala.; and SarahBeth Walker, Mount Juliet.

The Twin Pillars Banquet celebrates those on campus who make significant contributions towards Carson-Newman’s ‘twin pillars’ of academic excellence and Christian service.

The banquet brings together faculty, community partners, and outstanding students from the Honors program, Bonner program, and various other honor societies such as Alpha Chi and Mortar Board.