Music Students Receive Awards, Scholarships

May 29, 2012

OBU's Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts recently recognized outstanding students in music studies and awarded numerous scholarships during a spring music awards banquet in April and the 2012 Awards Convocation in May.

Ashlynn Streck, a rising senior from Hennessey, Okla., received the Division of Music's esteemed Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, awarded to an outstanding music major, recognizing the student's excellence at the end of his or her junior year. The prestigious award is given by several schools across the nation and is funded by the Presser Foundation.

Ashlynn Streck (right), is recognized as OBU's esteemed Presser Undergraduate Scholar by Dr. Kristen Stauffer Todd, chair of the Division of Music.

Dr. Ken Gabrielse, dean of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, recognized outstanding seniors in fine arts during the awards convocation. Sean Muzljakovich, a musical arts: worship arts major from Bartlesville, Okla., received the Music award. The honor recognizes the student who has excelled as a performer, who has consistently exhibited the highest standards of scholarship and who best represents the ideals of the University.

Dr. Kristen Stauffer Todd, chair of OBU's Division of Music and professor of music and humanities, presented nearly 70 scholarships during the music banquet. In addition to the Music Award, Muzljakovich also received the John R. Harris Church Music Award, presented to the student in the Church Music Department deemed to be outstanding during the academic year.

Tabitha Gordon, a junior from Crowley, Texas, received the James D. Woodward Musicianship Award Scholarship, given to a rising music major senior who shows outstanding potential, seriousness of purpose and above average classroom and performance ability. Gordon also received the Nancy Montgomery Memorial Scholarship, awarded to worthy junior and senior music education majors who have successfully completed their basic core and degree core unified studies.

The Clarence E. and H. Helen Sawyer Stith Memorial Music Scholar award, given to two juniors and two seniors who plan on music as a career and have an outstanding academic record, was presented to Gordon, a rising senior; Morganne Garcia, a rising junior from Rogers, Ark.; Graham Jones, a rising junior from Arlington, Texas; and Sarah Stephens, a rising senior from Tulsa, Okla. Garcia also received the Tim Hodges Memorial Scholarship, which provides support for music students who are string majors, string minors or piano majors. Jones also received the Susan D. Grant Scholarship, given to a top music major based on talent and academic achievement.

The Hall-Rice Memorial Scholarship, given to a music education major, was presented to Garcia and Jessica Stone, a sophomore from Catoosa, Okla. Stone also received the Burk Family Music Scholarship, given to a music education major with at least a 3.0 grade point average. The Betty Ruth Davis Memorial Scholarship, given to a voice major, was presented to Melanie Clanton, a freshman from Fort Smith, Ark. Sadie Elliott, a freshman from Oklahoma City, received the Floris and Elbert Patterson Music Scholarship, given to the most promising piano student, and the John E. Woods Memorial Piano Performance Scholarship for piano performance majors. Joy Knight, a junior from North Richland Hills, Texas, received the Ford Family Music Scholarship, given to an outstanding music major.

Chelsea McQuigg, a junior from Miami, Okla., received the Warren M. and Evalyn Wells Angell Scholarship, given to an exemplary music student with good academic standing. McQuigg also received the Music History Research and Writing Award. The Warren M. Angell Tribute Scholarship, given to exemplary music students with good academic standing, was presented to Seth Wright and Robert Vaughn, both freshmen from Oklahoma City. Kari Peercy, a freshman from Duncan, Okla., received the Dr. Paul Hammond Music Scholarship, given to a worthy music major based upon academic merit.

The Lois Moore Hall Scholarship, given to a female music student as recommended by the dean of Fine Arts, was presented to Peercy; Tamara Snow, a freshman from Stigler, Okla.; Elizabeth Youngblood, a sophomore from Midwest City, Okla.; and Haylee Dowler, a sophomore from Bixby, Okla. Youngblood also received the Rhetta Hudson/Norma Partridge Music Scholarship, presented annually to a music major who has declared voice as their primary instrument, has been judged as outstanding by the Chair of the Division of Music in conjunction with the voice faculty, and has exhibited great potential for a career in vocal music. The William James Brown Music Scholarship was presented to Lauren Cooper, a sophomore from Chandler, Okla., and Lyndsy Perkins, a senior from Mazeppa, Minn. Cooper also received the Reverend and Mrs. L.C. Robbins Memorial Scholarship, given to a student majoring in piano or organ.

Kayla Curtsinger, a sophomore from Pryor, Okla., received the David W. Bardwell Sr. and Catherine Mae Bardwell Scholarship, given to a music major as chosen by the dean of Fine Arts. The Catherine Mae Bardwell Memorial Scholarship, given to worthy music students, was presented to Evan Blackburn, a freshman from Choctaw, Okla.; Breana White, a sophomore from Broken Arrow, Okla.; Benjamin Hopkins, a freshman from Pawhuska, Okla.; and Sarah Gore, a freshman from Bartlesville. Blackburn also received the Clair and Ruth McGavern Piano Scholarship, given to a student who shows exceptional ability and promise as a pianist, and the Horton Fine Arts Scholarship, given to a music student with academic merit and performance potential. Hopkins also received the Mrs. Cora White Memorial Scholarship, given to a voice student. Gore also received the Velau-Willis Music Scholarship, given to a freshman music major from Bartlesville.

Joylynn Strobel, a junior from Brownstown, Ill., and Sarah Thompson, a junior from Oklahoma City, received the Charles A. Hudson Memorial Scholarship, given to rising junior or senior church music majors who exhibit a strong personal Christian commitment. Strobel also received the Pattie Boothe Arnold Handbell Scholarship, given to a member of the University Ringers. Thompson also received the Georgia M. Winton Scholarship, given to a music major, and the Alice Baw Memorial Scholarship, given to a music major recognized for outstanding achievement.

Dana Clark, a junior from Shawnee, received the Wiley Public School Music Scholarship, presented to a rising senior music student who shows the greatest promise and dedication in the teaching of music through his or her classroom achievement and participation in music groups. She also received the B. B. McKinney Scholarship, given to a worthy music student as chosen by the dean of Fine Arts. Sammy Andrews, a freshman from Checotah, Okla., received the Smith-Whitaker Music Memorial Scholarship, given to worthy students in the Division of Music. Paisley Eberle, a freshman from Collinsville, Okla., received the Guy L. Carr Memorial Scholarship. Josh Michael, a junior from Piedmont, Okla., received the Tommy Lane Minister of Music Scholarship, given to a student who exhibits a commitment to the Lord.

The Billy Appling Church Music Scholarship, given to students committed to local church ministry who plan to be full-time church music ministers, was presented to Josh Ferguson, a junior from Carrollton, Texas, and Nathan Sanders, a freshman from Nicoma Park, Okla. Ferguson also received the Michael T. Cox Bison Glee Club Scholarship, given to a member of the Bison Glee Club who majors in music, and the A. Joseph and Sue B. King Scholarship, given to a deserving music student chosen by the music faculty. Samantha Hedrick, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, received the Helen Gaskin Church Music Scholarship, given to students majoring in church music.

The Outstanding Music Major Award was presented to Sanders; Emily Eubanks, a freshman from Harrah, Okla.; and Holly Lackey, a freshman from Decatur, Texas. Lackey also received the Ron Lews/Sandra Meyer Piano Scholarship, given to a piano major, and the Digby and Carol Ann Bell Scholarship, given to a deserving student majoring in piano performance with a strong interest in chamber music and accompanying. Sara Martin, a sophomore from Faxon, Okla., received the William Rowlett King Memorial Scholarship, presented to deserving music students as designated by the faculty.

Brittni Bilyeu, a rising junior from Blanchard, Okla., received the Fred W. and Rhoda L. Hankey Scholarship, given to a junior vocal education major, and the Jacob E. and Maye Young Kirk and Dorothy Kirk Hamilton Scholarship, given to a junior or senior music major in good academic standing with good character. Sarah Turner, a junior from Newalla, Okla., received the Hilton Music Scholarship, given to a worthy music student selected by the dean of Fine Arts. Emma Gookin, a freshman from Jonesboro, Ark., received the Charlotte Martin Music Scholarship, given to a music major chosen by the dean of Fine Arts.

Bryan Shuler, a freshman from Red Oak, Texas, received the Kathryne O'Bryan Timberlake Scholarship in Honors Music Theory, given to the highest-ranking freshman music major in a freshman honors theory course. Kaitlyn Jennings, a junior from Duncan, received the P.J. and Vivian Higginbotham Scholarship in Music, presented to music students with outstanding talent. Laurel Page, from McKinney, Texas, received the Marilyn Jones Rogers Scholarship, presented to an incoming freshman intending to major in a music-related field.

The Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts provides opportunities for all students to experience the fine arts as an integral part of a liberal arts education. The curricula of the college offer strong professional programs in art, drama, music, communication and theatre. The college's diverse courses and print and electronic media performance opportunities enable students to acquire a comprehensive background of artistic experiences.