ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio University College of Education will recognize more than 25 students and staff members with 19 awards and scholarships at its annual recognition luncheon at noon on Friday, May 23, in the Elizabeth Baker Room of the Baker University Center.

One of the top awards to be presented is the Graduate Studies Fellowship, which will be given to Tiece Ruffin. The Graduate Studies Fellowship is one of five fellowships awarded through the Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies at Ohio University. Ruffin is a doctoral student in the College of Education majoring in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in special education. She is also the university's recruitment coordinator for special education.

"These award recipients represent the best of the College of Education, and I am proud to host this event to give recognition to such fine people," says Dean of the College of Education James L. Heap.

Other awards and their recipients are:

• Outstanding Graduate Students in Special Education: Tiece Ruffin (doctoral) and Hope Tilley (master's)
  
  
• Outstanding Senior, Intervention Specialist: Molly O'Brien
  
  
• Outstanding Junior, Intervention Specialist: Jennifer Downey
  
  
• Outstanding Senior, Early Childhood Education: Robin Balaj
  
  
• Outstanding Senior, Middle Childhood Education: Kerry Hines
  
  
• Outstanding Senior, Adolescent to Young Adult Education: Ian Riddlebarger
  
  
• Clara Deland Award (presented to an outstanding undergraduate in special education who has demonstrated high scholastic achievement and who has a strong interest in exceptional children): Jennifer Kersey
  
  
• Amy Allen Special Education Scholarship (provides for funding for a full-time undergraduate student majoring in Special Education who demonstrates high academic standards): Kathleen Laino
  
  
• Irene Bandy-Hedden Student Award (provides financial aid to a graduating senior to help meet the costs of transition from college to a professional career): Emily Meister and Kathryn Meister
  
  
• Mabel Olsen Bell Award for Cooperating Teachers (recognizes outstanding professional work of cooperating teachers under the jurisdiction of the College of Education): Lois Harkins and Susan Sanders
  
  
• The Lester D. Crow Awards (given to students with high scholastic averages, who possess high moral and ethical values and show exceptional promise as teachers, as demonstrated throughout their field experiences): Karen Mears, Kathryn Peletz, Mark Rice and Chase Tom
  
  
• Allen and Jeanette Myers Kappa Delta Pi Awards (recognizes outstanding service and leadership to the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society): Colleen Skirtich, Stephanie Eckert and Shannon Leonino
  
  
• Innovations in Teaching and Partnerships Awards (recognizes educational endeavors that exemplify cooperation and innovations in teacher preparation): Kathy Elasky and Robert Maher
  
  
• James E. Rogers Memorial Award (presented to a student in Educational Administration on the basis of academic achievement and commitment to a career in public schools administration): Stephanie Gum Starcher
  
  
• J. Melvin Witmer Creative Altruism Award (given to a student in Counselor Education who demonstrates a commitment to the philosophy and values of Professor Emeritus J. Melvin Witmer, who sought to promote wellness, optimism, health and service to others); Charles V. Lindsey
  
  
• Donald A. Green Memorial Award (presented to a student in Counselor Education who has a high scholastic average and an interest and achievement in the areas of counseling, life planning and career development): Terry McVannel Erwin
  
  
• Margaret Thompson Memorial Award (given to a classified secretary for dedication and service to the College of Education): Joan Waggoner

A special memorial award also will be given to the family of Betty Green, a former administrative associate in the College of Education who died in a car accident in December.