First Annual CAS Awards CeremonyCollege of Arts and Sciences Recognitions By Kristina Rowley As a very refreshing end of the 2008-2009 academic year, Dean George Acquaah and the college of arts and sciences at Bowie State University held its first annual awards extravaganza. The ceremony themed, "Together We Can" was held on April 17th at 6 p.m. in the Wiseman Student Center room 102. The purpose of the ceremony was to gather professors, staff, and students of the college of arts and sciences together to reflect on and celebrate the success of the past year. Master of Ceremony, Department of Communications Chair Dr. Otis Thomas welcomed everyone to the program and introduced the BSU ROTC who performed the posting of the colors. Following ROTC was BSU's own Professor Gilbert Pryor playing the National Anthem on the trumpet, and the University Gospel Choir members singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Roosevelt Newson, also welcomed everyone to the event by saying that he was happy to be in attendance and be able to share in the celebration of the accomplishments we had this year. Next a dancer, vocalists, and musicians from the Fine and Performing Arts Department joined Professor Pryor in singing "Together We Can," theme song composed by Professor Pryor. After dinner was served Dr. Renee Shea, a professor from the Department of English and Modern Languages, gave the occasion. Shea said that we are glad to do work that does not always bring financial gain because we are still rewarded. Although individual success will be rewarded, said Shea, we are here to celebrate the Bowie team and the beginning of a new BSU tradition. Thomas unveiled the Year in Review Video, produced by Thomas and created by members of BSU TV. The video showcased the departments of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students, staff, professors from each department, along with Acquaah talked about services, experiences, and accomplishments. The video excellently captures the hard work, desire for success, and excellence that the College of Arts and Sciences is all about. The Year in Review video can now be viewed on the BSU TV channels. Acquaah expressed his joy to able to represent the College of Arts and Sciences at BSU and put together a program that celebrated the excellence the school exhibits. Acquaah talked about how we all desire to be linked with up with excellence and in the effort to do so we should strive to build programs of excellence and students that go on to do well in their careers. If we are not happy with the way our institution is we should not just complain but strive to make it better by making a positive contribution for change, said Acquaah. Excellence is a value and a lifestyle, Acquaah added, we need to make it a habit to maintain the core values of BSU and ask ourselves did we get the job done and was it excellent. Excellence is not accidental, it is important the we set our own standards for our own excellence and because we are our own competition we need to set our standards high and must invest a great deal of time and work to achieve them. Acquaah stated that we do not need permission to be excellent and to exude a quiet confidence that shows that we can do what others can do only better. Lastly Acquaah stated that we should not let injustices distract us but that we should keep on trying to excel by working together as a team because "Together We Can." Dr. Pamela O'Brien, a professor from the Department of Communications and chair of the awards committee then began the presentation of the awards. There were plenty of awards that recognized almost every aspect of excellence and accomplishment of the students, staff, and faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences. Some awards presented that night were: teacher of the year, given to Dr. Anisha Campbell professor of natural sciences; outstanding department, awarding the department of communications; outstanding staff, given to Temperance Ali from the dean's office. From each department a student with the highest achievement was chosen to receive the departmental scholar award. The Outstanding College of Arts and Sciences Student award was given to Cynthia Gross from the Department of English and Modern Languages for being distinguished in academics, leadership, and service. The College of Arts and Sciences Scholar award was given to Tanisha Carmichael from the Department of Communications for being the student with the highest academic achievement. After the awards were presented there were more vocal and musical performances from students and staff from the College of Arts and Sciences. In closing President Mickey Burnim congratulated everyone recognized that evening for excellence. Burnim said that he was very proud of the talents that entertained and represented the College of Arts and Sciences very well. Burnim also said that he recognized the leadership that has brought about the evening through Acquaah in just a year, and the College of Arts and Sciences is taking its place and standing out in the university community. It had truly been a special evening, said Burnim, and we look forward to next year. | 
In October 2008, Nikki E. Owens, a junior at Bowie State University, received a Milton Pericles Darden III Memorial Scholarship from the Scott Lee Foundation during its First Annual Nicole Lynette Scott Lee Memorial Scholarship Awards Reception. 
Dr. Marion Harris currently serves as Chair of Management, Marketing and Public Administration in the School of Business at Bowie State University. She was Acting Vice President for Administration and Finance Division the University for nearly two years. 
Kendra Simmons, who graduated with honors and a bachelor of science degree in computer technology from Bowie State University in 2004, has joined the prestigious consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.
