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Suzy Lawrence, a registered nurse from Chapel Hill who works for UNC Hospitals, recently attended the 2007 Institute for Nursing Excellence and was recognized for the outstanding direct care provided to patients. The institute is a one-week professional development program that encourages retention in the profession of nursing, increases capacity for leadership and enhances role-modeling and recruitment abilities. Registered nurses throughout the state with five or more years of nursing experience and who spend at least 50 percent of their time providing direct nursing care were eligible for this award.

Evin Everett Wick of Carrboro received a bachelor's degree in economics from Skidmore College during commencement ceremonies May 19.

Anne Rutherford, a rising senior at Salem College, received the Sarah Covington Fulcher Leadership Award at the school's year-end Leadership Banquet. She is the daughter of Edmund Rutherford of Chapel Hill and Eloise Rutherford of Hillsborough.

Latoya Williams-Clark, Barbara Putney, Rose Wignall, Lynne Bresler and Cindy Leverette received the Silver Pine Cone, the highest award in Orange County Girl Scouting, at the annual Orange County Girl Scout recognition banquet on May 9.

Bob and Cindy Leverette also picked up the very last of the his and hers Royal Order of the Loyal Supporter awards.

Katherine Hilgenberg, the daughter of Deborah and Jerold Hilgenberg of Chapel Hill, received a bachelor's degree from Earlham College during commencement ceremonies on May 5. Hilgenberg majored in politics at Earlham and received College Honors.

Will Stanley, the son of Faye and Chris Stanley of Chapel Hill, received a bachelor's degree from Earlham College during commencement ceremonies on May 5. Stanley majored in geosciences at Earlham.

Joseph William Tynan Jr. of Chapel Hill received a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Skidmore College during commencement ceremonies May 19.

Laurel Dreher, daughter of Caroline and Kevin Dreher of Chapel Hill, was one of 10 graduating seniors at Ithaca College to receive a 2006-07 Campus Life Award. Given each year, the award recognizes students who make outstanding contributions to the college community through participation and involvement in campus life.
To be nominated for the award, a student must have been extensively involved in a number of areas of campus life and have demonstrated significant leadership abilities and accomplishments.
Laurel graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the college's Roy H. Park School of Communications.

Sophia Lapidus of Chapel Hill has been selected for the Honors Women's Leadership Program at George Washington University. She will be an incoming freshman this fall. After attending East Chapel Hill High School, Sophia completed her high school degree at Northfield Mount Hermon School, where she was on the varsity field hockey team.

Nicole Spooner of Chapel Hill received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Cornell University during commencement ceremonies May 27.

Max Bushman, a sophomore at Chapel Hill High, has been named a member of The National Society of High School Scholars for meritorious scholastic achievement. He is the son of Susan Lindholm and Robert Bushman of Chapel Hill.

Shen Chen, a student at East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, has received the Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award for superior citizenship and achievement in national competition. Hamilton Awards are given annually by the Alexander Hamilton Friends Association of Seattle, Wash. It includes a cash award, copy of the biography, "Alexander Hamilton," autographed by its author, Ron Chernow, a celebratory proclamation signed by Doug Hamilton, the fifth great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton and the opportunity to quality for an all-expense-paid week of leadership education in Seattle in June 2008.
Shen organized and implemented a food drive for AIDS patients living in his region with the cooperation of local food stores such as Whole Foods. He has served as a Special Olympics soccer coach, YMCA basketball coach and has received the Hard Corps Volunteer Award and Rotary International Youth Leadership Award.

The Society of Business Editors and Writers has elected Chris Roush to a two-year term on its board. Roush is the James H. Shumaker term assistant professor at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Roush is the founding director of the Carolina Business News Initiative, which provides training for professional journalists and UNC students. He is also the author of "Show Me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Profits and Losses: Business Journalism and its Role in Society."

Nathaniel Beach-Westmoreland of Chapel Hill received a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University during commencement ceremonies May 27.

Sarah C. Michalak, university librarian and associate provost for university libraries at UNC, has been appointed to the PubMed Central National Advisory Committee of the National Institutes of Health.
PubMed Central is a free digital archive of journal articles in the biomedical and life sciences. Launched by NIH in February 2000, the archive provides unrestricted access to the full text of critical, peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Michalak's appointment is through Jan. 31, 2011.