Clemson presents awards at Commencement ceremonies

Published: May 7, 2010

CLEMSON — Outstanding students and a faculty member were recognized Friday during commencement exercises at Clemson University.

The Norris Medal was awarded to Rahul Loungani of Columbia, who received a degree in biochemistry. Loungani was a Clemson National Scholar, a Dixon Fellow and a member of the Calhoun Honors College. He was named to the President’s List all four years and was named the Outstanding Senior in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.

Loungani served in the Undergraduate Student Senate and as president of Blue Key Honor Society. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, which recognized him with the President’s Leadership Award. He was a member of Clemson’s Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Team, which won the national championship in 2008. Loungani also was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta National Health Honor Society, Collegiate Sertoma Club and the Clemson Indian Cultural Exchange.

The Norris Medal was established under the terms of the will of D.K. Norris, a life trustee of Clemson. The medal is given each year to the graduating student who is judged to be the best all-around by the university scholarships and awards committee.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award went to Gerren McHam of Spartanburg, who received a degree in political science, and Lauren English of Knoxville, Tenn., who received a degree in chemistry.

The award is given annually “in recognition of the recipient's influence for good, excellence in maintaining high ideals of living and genuine and disinterested service to others.” The award, named in honor of the first president of the New York Southern Society, was established by an agreement between the society and Clemson University.

As president of Clemson’s Philanthropy and Service Council, McHam coordinated Clemson’s first-ever Unity Project, a day of community service that brought together 500 student volunteers. McHam was president pro-tempore of Undergraduate Student Senate and served on the Student Affairs Diversity Task Force Committee. He was a member of Blue Key honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization.

English has traveled abroad to both Peru and India on service trips. She volunteered with Helping Hands in Central and the Clemson Free Clinic and worked as a tutor at Code Elementary School in Seneca. On campus, she served as a study-abroad ambassador and as a tutor at the Academic Success Center. She also was a member of the Clemson ONE Campaign and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

John R. Cummings, senior lecturer in biological sciences, received the Alumni Master Teacher Award during the ceremony. The Clemson Alumni Association presents the award for distinguished achievements in classroom teaching. The recipient is selected by the Student Alumni Council from nominations submitted by students.

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