Student Awards, Honors and Scholarships
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Honors Day

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies held its Tenth Annual Honors Day Ceremony on April 27, 2006, in the Georgia State University Student Center Ballroom, to recognize the academic excellence and service achievements of its students. Over 280 honorees and their guests attended the event, which was coordinated by the Office of Academic Assistance.

The following students were recognized this year:

Scholarships and fellowships:

Raul A. Ponce (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Jack Blicksilver Scholarship in Economics. Established in honor of Dr. Jack Blicksilver, late professor of economics emeritus, this scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate or undergraduate student who excels in economics.

Asmaa E. El-Ganainy (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Carole Keels Scholarship in Economics, established in honor of the late Carole Y. Keels, a Georgia State alumna. This scholarship recognizes a student with significant career experience who is pursuing a degree in economics. At the age of 38, Dr. Keels returned to college to complete both a master's and Ph.D. degree in economics at Georgia State.

Angelino C. Viceisza (Ph.D. in Economics) received the George Malanos Scholarship in Economics, which is given in honor of Dr. George Malanos, late professor of economics and first chair of the department, to the Ph.D. student selected by the faculty as best exemplifying a commitment to the exchange of ideas and the creation of a community of scholars.

Mike T. Tasto (Ph.D. in Economics) received the E.D. (Jack) Dunn Fellowship, established to honor the late Banking Commissioner E.D. Dunn, a Georgia State alumnus. This fellowship is awarded annually to a deserving graduate student in the Andrew Young School with academic and research interest in public finance, financial regulatory policy impact on national, regional and local economics, or public management.

Laurie M. Ellington (B.S.-UPS, undergraduate award) and Jeffrey H. Goran (M.P.A., graduate award) received the Governor Joe Frank Harris Award, which is given annually to a student or students in the school based on academic merit. The scholarship honors Georgia’s former governor, whose administration was noted for improvements in education. Governor Harris has also served as a Distinguished Executive Fellow in the Andrew Young School.

Moreblessing Dzivakwe (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) and Solomon T. Tesfu (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Carolyn McClain Young Leadership Fund Award. The award was established to provide training opportunities for government officials, junior executives in national finance ministries, and for young people who may be the leaders of tomorrow in countries with emerging economies, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. Recipients of leadership fund awards are chosen by a committee appointed by the Dean.

Benjamin A. Chupp (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Andrew Young Fellowship. Established in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young through the generosity of many supporters, fellowships are awarded annually to outstanding students pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or Public Policy. Each fellowship provides support for a period of three years of doctoral study.

Forrest E. Bankston (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy), Sandeep Bhattacharya (Ph.D. in Economics) and Thomas J. Christian (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Dean's Fellowship. Established through the generosity of the Coca-Cola Foundation in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young, the Dean's Fellowship is awarded annually to an outstanding student or students pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or Public Policy. Each fellowship provides support for a period of three years of doctoral study.

Charles E. Ford (M.S.-UPS) received the Amanda G. Hyatt Fellowship. The award was established in honor of the late Amanda Hyatt and her legacy of commitment to public service and education. This award recognizes a graduate student in Urban Policy Studies who has demonstrated leadership and a proven commitment to compassionate public service.

Barbara J. Williams (M.P.A.) received the Dan Sweat Award. Established to honor the late Dan E. Sweat, a Georgia State alumnus and long time Atlanta civic leader, this assistantship is awarded annually to one or more deserving graduate students with career interests in public service.

Awards in Economics:

Zackary B. Hawley (B.S. in Economics) and Marcella A. Motta (B.S. in Economics) received the Economics Award, presented to the undergraduate students who achieve the highest grade point average in economics courses above the 2000 level.

Zackary B. Hawley (B.S. in Economics) received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, which is presented to the outstanding graduating senior majoring in economics, selected by a committee of the faculty in the department.

Eric R. Morrisey (B.A. in Economics) received the Excellence in Microeconomics Award. The award is given by the faculty to the best economics major in Intermediate Microeconomics during the previous calendar year. The student earning this award has shown a deep interest in the subject, demonstrated a thorough understanding of the material and its applications, and attained a high level of academic achievement in the course.

Peter F. Lewman and Karen R. Morris (M.A. in Economics) received the Master of Arts in Economics Award, which is given annually in recognition of outstanding academic achievement to the student with the highest grade point average in the Master of Arts in Economics program.

Monica P. Ospina (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Harold Ball Economics Award. Established by Dr. Harold Ball, a Ph.D. in Economics alumnus, this award is given annually to recognize distinguished performance in quantitative economics by a graduate student.

Edward B. Sennoga (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Theodore C. Boyden Excellence in Teaching Economics Award, which is given annually to the graduate student in economics who best displays excellence in teaching economics and in improving economic understanding, primarily in the Economics 2105 and 2106 courses.

Paul Kagundu (Ph.D. in Economics) received the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Excellence in Teaching Economics Award. This award recognizes a graduate student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in the classroom as a graduate teaching assistant.

Awards in Public Administration and Urban Studies:

Lara A. Scatamacchia (B.S.-UPS) received the United Airlines-Eddie Carlson Award in Aviation Administration, which is presented to the Aviation and Transportation student who has the highest grade point average for the calendar year.

Tammy M. Conaway (undergraduate B.S.-UPS award) and Rebecca C. Serna (graduate M.S.-UPS award) received the William R. Gable Award. Given in honor of the Dean of the College of Urban Life from 1973 to 1975, this award is presented to an undergraduate student and a graduate student or students majoring in urban policy studies who have demonstrated high academic standing and professional promise.

Katherine M. Morris (M.S.-UPS) received the Best Term Paper Award. Presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student in the Public Administration and Urban Studies program, awardees are selected by a faculty committee after reviews of term papers submitted by students or recommended by professors. The topic of Ms. Morris' paper was "Do Sachs' Ideas Represent a Practical Solution or a Utopian Dream?"

James T. Beck, Rebecca D. Kaye, Joy L. Hinkle, Erin K. Horeni, Alisha S. Keehn, Stacy J. Lambert, Robert Rutland-Brown, and Alvaro J. Solares Munoz (M.P.A.) received the Public Administration Academic Achievement Award, which is presented to the student or students who have the highest grade point average for the calendar year in the Master of Public Administration program.

Bryce E. Farbstein (M.P.A./J.D.) received the Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor Academic Achievement Award, which is presented to the student who has the highest grade point average for the academic year in the joint M.P.A./J.D. program.

Zeynep Esra Tanyildiz (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Excellence in Teaching Policy Award. This award recognizes a graduate student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has performed exceptionally well in the classroom as a graduate teaching assistant.

Shena R. Ashley and Nevbahar Ertas (Joint Ph.D. in Public Policy) received the Outstanding Doctoral Student in Public Policy Award. This award is given by the faculty to the joint Ph.D. in Public Policy student or students who best exemplify academic excellence and an ongoing commitment to scholarship in the field of public policy.

Other 2006 recognitions:

Zackary B. Hawley, Binh Dang Le, Dana M. Render, Anthony F. Rendon, James C. Sorbet and Sterling C. Thomas received the Faculty Scholarship Award, awarded for outstanding academic achievement to students who maintain a 4.0 grade point average while earning a prescribed number of credit hours at Georgia State.

Tyler J. Anderson, Chidima E. Anusiem, Mark G. Arkanum, Mary G. Barfield, Beannetta Keaney Black, Yamilette Y. Bonilla, Jill A. Curtis, Joi E. Faison, Zackary B. Hawley, Huubinh B. Le, Marcella A. Motta, Kristi N. Murren, Shimiko N. Nott, Andrew J. Rast, Anthony F. Rendon and Lara A. Scatamacchia received the Dean's Scholarship Key, awarded for outstanding academic achievement at Georgia State. The award is determined by either a 4.0 grade point average for 30 hours in residence, a 3.8 for 60 hours, a 3.65 for 90 hours, or a 3.5 grade point average for 120 hours in residence.

Service Awards are given to recognize special service to the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and Georgia State University: Sylvia Q. Akuchie, for service as a 1913 Ambassador for Georgia State University; Rhonda L. Belser-Davis, for service as a staff writer for The Signal; Erin N. Glynn, for service as President of Students for Progressive Transit; Dominque R. Huff, for service as Managing Editor of The Signal and The Urbanite, and as Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association; Huubinh B. Le, for service as President of the Economics Club and as a 1913 Ambassador for Georgia State University; Nara F. Monkam, for service as President of the Graduate Student Association; and Rebecca H. Peed, for service as President of the PAUS Network.

The Georgia State University Torch of Peace Award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and have made a significant contribution to Georgia State University and the Atlanta community. Recipients in the Andrew Young School were Alethea R. Bonello (M.P.A.) and Bryce E. Farbstein (M.P.A./J.D.). This year, Ms. Bonello and Mr. Farbstein were selected in the graduate student category.

Tonya D. Cook (M.S.-UPS) was awarded the NAACP Meritorious Service Award, presented by the Georgia State University chapter of the NAACP to recognize outstanding service to the university and the community.

Jerome Jordan (M.P.A.) earned the ICMA Fellowship, presented by the International City Council Management Association (ICMA). The Local Government Management Fellowship program is a highly competitive career-development opportunity that places fellows in management-track positions.

Mary Elizabeth Davis (M.P.A.) and Rebecca D. Kaye were honored as Presidential Management Fellows recipients. The Presidential Management Fellows program was established to attract to federal service outstanding individuals with a commitment to excellence in leadership and management of public policies and programs.

AYSPS International Scholars. This year, the Andrew Young School was pleased to host international scholars supported by the Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Fellowship Program of American Councils for International Education; the Leadership Fellows for Public Service Program of the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX); the Fulbright program of the Institute of International Education (IIE); the LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas; and the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Program. In 2006, the AYSPS had more sponsored students than any other college at the university. The honorees included: Evgeny Bondar, Chiara Franzoni, S.M. Zahid Iqbal, Mohammad Islam, Tamar Kakulia, Jeyhun Karamov, Nasiba D. Kasymova, Samphors Khieu, Estrella Merlos Castaneda, Isaac Michel, Angye Rincon Castillos, Leonid V. Shabad, Alvaro J. Solares Munoz and Saruulkhangai Zorigt.

Georgia State Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon inductees: Neda J. Abdi-Tabari, Adem Ahmed, Mark G. Arkanum, Jemakai N. Blyden, Yamilette Y. Bonilla, Wan-Yu Chen, Marquita S. Coleman, Zakiya D. Daniel, Mark L. Docterman, Zackary B. Hawley, Scott E. Hercules, Geneka L. Holyfield, Cyril M. Homerding, Edward T. Howden, Christopher G. Jackson, Tara M. Johnson, Rebecca K. Katzman, Binh Dang Le, Huubinh B. Le, Toloan Ngoc Le, Mario J. Martinez, Jack R. Mason, Eric R. Morrisey, James D. Murphy-Blount, Kristi N. Murren, Lucinda D. Nellums, Nguma-Bih Ngu, David S. Orme, Lauren A. Pugh, Tyler J. Rasmussen, Steven E. Reif, Anthony F. Rendon and Joshua A. Wood. ODE is the national honor society for students of economics. Selection is based on academic merit and requires a minimum number of economics credit hours.

Pi Alpha Alpha inductees: Corey D. Babb, Forrest E. Bankston, Samantha P. Clay, Amanda J. Easoz, Bryce E. Farbstein, Gary P. Garrett, Jeffrey H. Goran, Audrey D. Holliday, Erin K. Horeni, Danielle S. Johnson, Rosa C. Jupiter, Tamar Kakulia, Rebecca Daugherty Kaye, Alisha S. Keehn, Stacy J. Lambert, Ashley E. Mastin, Julia D. Mehelic, Kristian Muench, Robert Rutland-Brown, Rebecca C. Serna, Ann Ruth Smith, Alvaro J. Solares Munoz, Jamilah R. Stephens, Susan H. Walker and Brian M. Westlake. PAA is the national honor society for the field of public affairs and public administration. Membership recognizes those students with the highest performance levels in academic programs preparing them for public service careers.