PEL people recognized for academic excellence and service

Left: (l-r) Jasmine Rothgeb and Kristine McAdams were two of the three senior Honors Scholars recognized at the PEL Celebration by Professor Catherine Griggs, Honors Program Director, and retired Dean of Eckerd College, Lloyd Chapin. Not pictured is senior Noel Lake.

Several PEL people were recognized for academic excellence and for community service at a reception in Cobb Gallery on Saturday, May 21. Family and friends joined PEL seniors, faculty, and staff members in celebrating the many accomplishments of graduating seniors and those who supported them along their journey.

Because an academic class includes all graduates from June of one year through May of the following year, the Class of 2016 award winners includes students who graduated in August or December 2015 and in January or May 2016. Academic awards presented at the PEL Celebration included the following:

Kristen Marie Wright, who graduated in December 2015, was awarded the Excellence in American Studies Award.

Matt Stonehouse

Matthew Jacob Stonehouse, who graduated in August 2015, was awarded the Excellence in Business Management Award. Professor Tom Krzesinski spoke on behalf of himself and Professor Naveen Malhotra in announcing the award. Although unable to attend the reception, Matthew expressed his appreciation in an email:

Shortly after graduating in August, I approached my VP and I told him I was ready for a new challenge. His response was, “I knew once you graduated this conversation would take place.” After waiting a few months for corporate approval, I was appointed as MMSEA Business Analyst. In my new role, I am working as Project Manager for a new reporting platform that was launched in 2015. And I have the luxury of telecommuting in this new role.

Obtaining my degree from Eckerd has already provided great benefits. I live on the beach, I surf when there are waves, I work from my new home office, and I received a promotion as well. Life is pretty good. Tom, the knowledge I picked up in your business and finance courses, as well as other business related Eckerd curriculum, has already been a huge help in my career advancement. I am truly honored that you and Naveen nominated me for an award.

Professor Catherine Griggs with Tami Toms and Academic Advisor Alaina Tackitt.

Kathleen Ann Nix, who graduated in December 2015, was awarded the Excellence in Creative Writing Award. 

Rachel Ruth Wolff, who graduated in December 2015, was awarded the Excellence in Human Development Award.

Tami Lee Toms, who graduated in December 2015, was awarded the Excellence in Humanities Award. Tami also was selected to be one of the PEL readers at the Baccalaureate Service, which  followed the PEL Reception on May 21.

Christine Jackson with Dr. Margret Skaftadottir.

Christine A. Jackson, graduating in May 2016, was awarded the Excellence in Organizational Studies Award. Chrissy also was selected to be one of the PEL readers at the Baccalaureate Service, which followed the PEL Reception on May 21.


Noel Duane Lake, Kristine Lynn McAdams, and Jasmine R. Rothgeb were recognized as PEL Honors Scholars by Professor Catherine Griggs and retired Dean Lloyd Chapin.

Noel Duane Lake also was awarded the Clifford E. Griggs Award for Excellence in Pre-Law Studies.


Read about the Writing Excellence Awards presented in a separate article.


Receiving the 2016 Dana Cozad Community Service Award was Director of Writing Services and Academic Advisor Alaina Tackitt '08. In presenting the award, which was named after the second Director of the Program for Experienced Learners, current PEL Executive Director Amanda Hagood commented:

Alaina Tackitt and Amanda Hagood.

This year's Dana Cozad Award goes to a PEL staff member who has shown great wisdom, humor, resourcefulness, and dedication in advocating for our students. Alaina Tackitt has counseled countless students through their courses of study, writing exhibits, and life's many "teaching  moments." She has a near encyclopedic knowledge of the program, having experienced it as a student, a writing tutor, an admission counselor, and an academic advisor, contributing much in every stage along the way.

Perhaps even more impressive, Alaina has channeled this experience, and particularly her love of writing, into doctoral-level research. She has the grit, patience, and acuity needed in a successful educator, but she also has the warmth, humor, and empathy needed in an advisor who can truly make a positive impact in student's lives -- provided she has been fueled with enough chocolate and/or sweet tea!

Professor Tom Krzesinski congratulates Alaina Tackitt.

Why does she do it? I think it's because she believes that education can be a transformative experience, a thing that makes not only individual lives better but builds better citizens, better opportunities, and fundamentally a better world. This passion and conviction shows in every conversation she has and in every service she provides, and that's why it gives me great pleasure to present this year's Dana Cozad Community Service Award to Alaina Tackitt.

Article and photos by Anne W. Anderson, PEL's director of blended and online learning and co-editor of The PEL Connector.