Sandra Newkirk, assistant professor of health and human performance, was presented with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award recognizes individuals for scholarship, university involvement and community service. 

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were established in 1925 by the New York Southern Society in memory of Sullivan, a southerner and prominent New York lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist. Recipients must demonstrate a spirit of love and support for fellow their men and women.

Newkirk was instrumental in creating the women's athletic program as it is today and she served as the first women's volleyball coach. She also directed the program for the first 10 years. She was a volunteer in the first Alabama Sports Festival and served on the board for 10 years.

Newkirk has also been a volunteer rape counselor since 1980 and served as director for the Rape Counselors of East Alabama, a United Way agency, for 20 years. She still serves this agency as a member of the Board of Directors. Her community service also includes being in the first cohort in the state of Alabama trained to mediate court cases for the Lee County Judicial Volunteer Program.

As to what inspired Newkirk to be so giving of her time and energy, she said it was just the way she was raised.

"My parents were both serving people and gave without asking for anything in return. I guess that just rubbed off on me," she said. "I truly think everyone should give back to their community in some way—whether it's with their time, talents, money or in whatever way they can contribute. We are so blessed and thus, we should be a blessing to others."

Elizabeth Davis Kramer, a senior in secondary history education, was honored with the President's Award for outstanding graduate of the college who has completed at least three semesters at Auburn with a minimum scholastic average of 3.4.  The recipients of the award are recognized for exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, character and promise of professional ability.

Kramer served as 2003-2004 student council president and has been very involved with other student organizations across campus, including the Student Government Association. She was also a recipient of the Lillian Cross Davis Endowed Scholarship in 2004-2005.