2012 Barnard Scholars Chosen

Thu., May 17

Southern's quartet of 2012 Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award recipients are pursuing careers with the intent of helping others develop a keen intellect and/or healthy body. Each of this year's award winners at Southern plans to seek a career in the education or health-related field.

A total of 12 students are chosen for the award each year from the four Connecticut State University campuses, including four from Southern. It is considered among the university's most prestigious awards. Criteria include a 3.7 GPA or better and having demonstrated significant participation in university and/or community life.

Christopher Buter (right), a public health major, has a 3.79 GPA. He plans to pursue a master's degree program in public health at Southern, and eventually hopes to become a college professor.

Buter has served as a member of Zeta Delta Epsilon, a national honor society focusing on service, and Eta Sigma Gamma, a public health honor society. He also has been an environmental health intern at the New Haven Health Department and a volunteer with Faithcare International, Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael. He currently works in the adult daycare center of the Mary Wade Home in New Haven, where he assists senior citizens with physical and psychological disabilities. He is a registered nurse trained in his native Nigeria.

William Faraclas, chairman of the university's Public Health Department, says that Buter won the Public Health Award for Excellence in 2011, an award that recognizes both high academic achievement and exceptional community service.

"Christopher is a remarkable young man with an indomitable spirit, who has grown tremendously while a student at Southern," Faraclas says. "He represents (the university) so well, as a scholar and humanitarian."

Melanie Guillerault (left), an elementary education and psychology major, has a 3.82 GPA. She plans to pursue a master's degree in reading at Southern.

Guillerault has been a member of three honor societies - Kappa Delta Pi (education); Psi Chi International (psychology) and Zeta Delta Epsilon, a national honor society focusing on service. She has earned the Barbara G. Mastroianni Memorial Endowed Scholarship for her excellence as an education student. She has been a student teacher at various elementary schools in Hamden and has worked at Oakwood Child Care Center in Hamden as an infant and toddler teacher.

Laura Bower-Phipps, assistant professor of elementary education, says Guillerault worked extensively with her and distinguished herself as an outstanding scholar with a diligent application of college coursework to the profession. She notes that Guillerault has completed more than 80 hours of fieldwork in curriculum courses, as well as having spent between seven and 10 hours a day in the classroom as a student teacher and an additional two to three hours daily preparing for the next day.
"Throughout my work with her, I have been impressed by Ms. Guillerault's intelligence, commitment to the teaching professions, communications skills and work ethic," she says.

Christopher Knickerbocker (right), an exercise science major, has a 3.95 GPA. He plans to pursue a master's degree in exercise science/human performance at the California University of Pennsylvania starting this summer.

Knickerbocker is this year's recipient of Southern's Physical Education Outstanding Future Professional (OFP) Award. He has served as co-president of the Physical Education Club and as a community adviser for the Office of Residence Life. He also has been a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He has been selected to "Who's Who Among American College and University Students." He is a non-traditional student, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications/public relations in 2001 from Susquehanna University.

Daniel Swartz, chairman of the Exercise Science Department, says that Knickerbocker also has been very active in his professional development. He points to various conferences and competitions in which Knickerbocker has participated as examples as to how he seeks to bolster his ability.
"When it comes to academics, there are few who equal Chris' achievements," Swartz says.

Jonathan Uhl (left), a chemistry major, has a 3.98 GPA. He plans to attend medical school this fall.
Uhl has earned the Dr. Harry O. Haakonsen Memorial Award in Chemistry (2011) and has been the vice president of the Chemistry Club. He has served as assistant medical director for Camp Abilities CT, a summer camp for blind and visually impaired youth. He has served as a certified nursing aide for Benchmark Assisted Living and is a self-employed math and science tutor, as well as a self-employed private piano teacher. He also is a youth basketball coach in Beacon Falls. He was home schooled until ninth grade.

Gerald Lesley, chairman of the Chemistry Department, says that Uhl has earned grades of "A" or "A-plus" in each of his courses, except for a lone "A-minus." "This is a rare feat in a program that should be recognized as one of the most difficult disciplines at SCSU," Lesley says. "I nominated Jonathan for the Barnard Award without hesitation knowing that he has performed at a level beyond that of almost every student I have observed graduating from our program in the past 12 years," Lesley adds.