Darlington School honored outstanding faculty and staff members at the annual Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner, hosted by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, May 8.
James Douglas Brown Jr. Faculty Awards were presented to Rebekah Kinney, kindergarten teacher; Kim Tunnell, Lower and Middle School music teacher; and Libbie Zimmer, director of the Learning Center. Nominated by colleagues and selected by the president, headmaster and principals of the Lower and Middle Schools, a Brown Award recipient is one who has served the School well, in a competent and skillful manner, and one who has an interest in and a dedication to his or her work with the School and with the students. Brown Awards are endowed by Mr. And Mrs. James Douglas Brown of Ozark, Ala., in memory of their son, James Douglas Brown Jr.
This year’s Beachum Master Teaching Award was presented to Upper School science teacher Owen Kinney, who was nominated by faculty and selected by the president, headmaster and principals of the Lower and Middle Schools. The Beachum Award honors a member of the faculty who has accomplished something exceptional in his or her teaching, devoting time beyond the call of duty to students and to the teaching profession. This accomplishment may be in the form of extraordinary efforts to build student character or in the form of innovative programs. Established in 2004 by Mary McCamy Beachum (’63T), Robert A. Beachum (’94) and Julia Beachum, the Edward N. Beachum ’63 Master Teacher Award honors the Darlington alumnus and faculty member (1972-1989).
The George W. Awsumb Faculty Award was presented to Debra Myrick, Upper School math teacher. Established anonymously in June 1999 by a Darlington alumnus, the Awsumb Award is presented to a faculty member who exemplifies a personal commitment to the education and well being of the superior and average student alike. This commitment is demonstrated by the unselfish desire of the faculty member to instruct and challenge students in both a professional and enthusiastic manner and by the ability of the faculty member to raise the overall level of education and quality of life at Darlington. The commitment is further demonstrated by the unselfish giving of time and energy to many diverse extracurricular activities and by the ability of the faculty member to empower his or her students with self-confidence and instill in them the desire to learn while not only at Darlington, but also for a lifetime. The award is given in the spirit of George W. Awsumb, Darlington faculty member since 1962, and the recipient is selected by the president and headmaster.
A Hanks Faculty Recognition Plaque was presented in honor of the following former and current Lower School faculty and staff members: LaVance Atkins, Lucy Babcock (’71T), Marsha Black, Teresa Huffman Watters (’72T), Janiece Braden, Alyce Bradley (’74), Lola Bradshaw, Barbara Cordle, Reatha Carroll Dempsey, Meg Eberhart, Herb Jones, Cheryl Matthews, Sharon Monroe, Larry Muschamp, Millie Sirmans, Marion Solomon, Hariette Starnes, Anne Somerville, Mary Ruth Sumner, Marcus Tayloe and Carol Tharp. Made possible each year by Dr. Daniel J. Hanks Jr. (’61), his wife, Adeline (’62) and their son, J. Daniel Hanks III (’99), this award was established to remind current students of the legacy they enjoy on a day-to-day basis. To date, recognition plaques have been awarded to the departments of language, English, history, math and science.
The following faculty and staff members were recognized for their five-year anniversaries: Audra Babb, Eva Marie Burns, Hillary Cagle, Madge Crawford, Bailey Duncan, Joan Lynch, five years; Shari Cannon, Julia Dodd, Jenni Glover, 10 years; Tommy Atha, 15 years; Fran Buice, 20 years; Bob Rogers, 35 years; Jim Van Es, 40 years. Retiree Jerry Sharp was also acknowledged.
