Beth Wright, left, is congratulated for her “Student of the Block” award by David Frazier, assistant professor of computer science, who nominated her for the honor.
Beth Wright, a senior from Powell, has been recognized for her academic excellence and leadership on the Tusculum College campus as a recipient of the “Student of the Block Award.”
Wright was named “Student of the Block” for Block One of the fall 2013 semester. The “Student of the Block Award” is presented by the Tusculum Office of Student Affairs and was established to recognize individuals who excel in their academic endeavors, campus involvement and/or athletic performance. The award is selected from nominations made by faculty and staff members and plaques telling about the honorees are displayed in the Niswonger Commons and other campus buildings.
A mathematics major with a concentration in computer science, Wright was nominated by David Frazier, assistant professor of computer science. During the ceremony to present her with the award on Tuesday, Frazier noted that Wright has mastered difficult and challenging subject matter, and he praised her generous spirit as she is always willing to help tutor others in learning the material.
An excellent student, Wright has expanded her academic success beyond the classroom. She has presented her research in such venues as the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Conference and notes that these activities have enabled to delve deeper into her field and also develop her presentation and public speaking skills.
A participant in the college’s Honors Program, she was recognized for her academic achievements with induction last year into the Tusculum chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. This year she is serving as president of Alpha Chi and of Pi-oneer Union, the math club on campus she helped found. As a sophomore, she helped found a chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority on campus and was an officer in that organization for two years. She remains involved in the sorority and also serves as a member of the college’s Judicial Board.
“My involvement on campus has helped me meet new people and create new friendships,” Wright said.
Serving in leadership positions has also been an area of personal growth for her as well. “As president of two organizations during an extremely busy last semester, I have learned more about leadership and what it takes to make an organization work,” she said.
Her family and college professors such as Frazier are among those Wright counts as role models and influences. She is the daughter of Felicia Nunley and granddaughter of Janet Nunley. Wright described Frazier as her favorite professor “because he has pushed me to do more with my time at Tusculum and go above and beyond my class work.”
Wright will be graduating this month and plans to find a position in the computer science field. She intends to enter graduate school in the near future to increase her knowledge and marketability.
“Tusculum College has been a blessing for me,” she said of her time at the college. “I have come to know some great people, with whom I hope to continue to be friends with for years to come, and I have grown as a person. I have more knowledge about both myself and the subjects I have studied, and I feel prepared for the work force. Tusculum College, with its block system has taught me that I can learn anything in three weeks, which is a valuable skill to have.”
Her advice to other students is to keep pushing themselves to do more. “Don’t just go to class and let that be it,” she said. “Do research projects on your own and present them somewhere. Get involved in the campus life! Tusculum has provided me with some of the best experiences of my life. Let it do the same for you!”