Congratulations to Mr. Masood Raja, recipient of the English Department's 2003 "Bryan Hall Award," recognizing excellence in teaching among first-year writing TA's -- and now a 2004 recipient of a campus-wide Outstanding TA Award.

2001-2002 resident, Justin Cox (who could ask for a better webmeister?), who combines technological expertise with imagination and a sense of humor; he’s also patient and has a well developed sense of stick-to-it-iveness. He’s been crucial in getting the word out about what Bryan Hall is.

2000-2001 resident, Melissa Madsen, who has come back twice as a presenter, on evenings when Gina Kittel was describing the range of activities in which FSU students can get involved; she was, literally, a role model. On that note, she is not only a member of O.D.K. but took on the extremely time-consuming task of being the officer to whom everyone is to send nominations, recommendations, and so on describing potential members of this prestigious organization.

2001-2002 resident, Ryan Arthur, whose contribution to the steering committee confirms the impression that he was, and is, someone who embodies those abstract expressions “Curiosity” and “the Desire to Learn.”

2002-2003 resident, Vinny Bocchino. Take a moment to walk around to the front of Westcott, where we have our cluster of “Bryan bricks.” The first one that students paid for proudly declares that Bryan’s ‘002-‘003 residents Rock(!); Vinny deserves a great deal of credit for the energy he put into successfully encouraging his fellow residents to contribute. Dr. Moore nominated him not because he was an elected officer of hall government; rather, his contribution shows that he’s a leader.

2001-2002 resident, Marisa Finnegan. During the years she was a resident, Marisa stood out someone who would have a great deal to contribute to our steering committee; her service on this committee demonstrates what a thoughtful, conscientious person she is, and she will be an especially strong role model for students who join the committee next year.

2002-2003 resident and steering committee member, April Gibbs, who gave a presentation and created a website guiding residents to “what to do in Tallahassee” for our first-ever Welcome Weekend. April has already been making multiple contributions to Bryan Hall, and her work toward having a campuswide FSU Book Club available for FSU students shows that she relishes the idea of sharing her own Curiosity and Desire to Learn.

2000-2001 resident and steering committee member, Marisa Gonzales. For academic excellence, consider her having recently received a full scholarship to Stetson Law School. She has stood out since her freshman year as someone we can be proud to count among our alums.

2000-2001 resident and now retired steering committee member, Kim Jaeger, who was one of the most conscientious members of our Steering Committee. When fellow members of the committee planning the President’s Retreat for Fall ‘001 asked Dr. Moore to recommend an undergraduate to invite, he immediately named Kim (who had been a Bryan resident the preceding year); her participation in that Retreat set a very high standard for students, including upperclassmen who had participated in the past.

2001-2002 resident and steering committee member, Melissa Martinez. Dr. Moore nominated Melissa not because she’s a member of the steering committee; rather, he asked her to be on the committee because of the same qualities we’re recognizing with this “Bryan’s Best” award.

2000-2001 resident and steering committee member, Evan Peterson. Evan has been tireless in helping out with steering committee work, and he has also stood out among our alums as an especially successful creative writing student, given that one way to measure such success is by awards.

2002-2003 resident and steering committee member, Caitlin McGuire. Caitlin stood out, among last year’s residents, as especially bright and conscientious, and her contributions to the Steering Committee have been consistently valuable. She has done an admirable job of working with Ms. Hoffman to make the Bryan Book Club a reality.

2001-2002 resident and steering committee member, Kristianna Rodriguez. If we had a line on the nomination form that said “Role Model,” Dr. Moore would’ve put an X there and circled it in red. Kristianna has earned academic honors (e.g., a very competitive award through the Winthrop King operation, which helped make it possible for her to study in Valencia last summer) and has been a tireless member of our steering committee.

2003 - 2004 Bryan's Best Award Winners:

Matt Miller, for his commitment to community and active participation in hall events.

Daron Taylor, whom Dr. Moore nominated for leadership and service to her peers.

Ashley Minich, for being what Dr. Aline Kalbian describes as “the type of student you never forget.” Dr. Kalbian noted that Ashley “exhibited a positive attitude in class,” as well as a “genuine” and “infectious” interest in the material in her in-house course, evident in her “very creative and original papers.”

Courtney Stewart, for academic excellence in Dr. Aline Kalbian’s class, where she consistently earned A’s on every assignment and contributed insightful questions and comments in class on a regular basis. Dr. Kalbian remarked that her final exam was one of the best she had read in five years of teaching at FSU!

Jason Bogart, for academic excellence and problem-solving efforts. Dr. Ben Fusaro notes that Jason “is intellectually alive . . . , a pleasure to have as a student and conversational partner.” Also, “he is conscientious in attending, relates positively to the subject matter . . . , shows a tolerance of unconventional material . . . , and contributes to discussions and brings up connections with his non-academic experiences.”

Jacquline Nardin, for going above and beyond as a student and for achieving academic excellence in Dr. Matt Child’s class. Dr. Childs noted that Jacqueline “embraced the . . . Bryan philosophy.”

Abby Richardson and Katie Lent, for academic achievement in their Bryan in-house course with Dr. Irene Padavich, who noted that Abby and Katie both earned “near perfect exam grades.”

Michael Eger, whom Dr. Moore nominated for leadership and service to his peers. Michael has stood out, all year, as especially wanting to make the most of what Bryan Hall has to offer; he has attended almost every Bryan function, including Welcome Weekend film discussions, “Conversations with . . .” receptions, and Film and Book Club events. Mike has consistently impressed me and Ms. Hoffman with the quality of what he contributes to discussions.

Nick Zayas, who received a peer nomination for his commitment to the community, and whom Dr. Moore also nominated for leadership and service to his peers, as well as academic achievement. Nick is clearly dedicated to getting as much out of the Bryan Hall experience as is possible; more to the point of this new ‘Bryan’s Best’ recognition, it’s equally clear that he is dedicated to contributing as much as is possible. When Dr. Moore asked him the other day about the big banner in the lobby that proclaims, “Congrats, Nick,” he very shyly mentioned having gotten into Film School. Ms. Hoffman noted that the Cuban dinner he prepared and served during the Film Fest showing of The Buena Vista Social Club was just one example of his commitment to community, and his discussion contributions consistently demonstrate his spirit of Curiosity and the Desire to Learn.

Two students stood out even among “Bryan’s Best,”
And we felt it only made sense to call their awards Bryan’s “Best of the Best.”

Amie Stepanovich received not one but three nominations for the “Bryan’s Best” Award. Dr. Ben Fusaro noted that Amie “is intellectually alive, free of minefields, and a delightful student and conversation partner. Also, she is conscientious in attending, relates positively to the subject matter . . . , shows a tolerance of unconventional material . . . , and contributes to discussions and brings up connections with her other courses.” Tonia Hoffman added, “Amie is an outstanding participant in the Bryan Hall Learning Community, bringing thoughtful insights to Film Club and Book Club discussions.” And I simply stated, “Curiosity + Desire to Learn = Amie.” Therefore, we recognize Amie with Bryan’s “Best of the Best” Award.

Stacy Stutts, nominated for service as well as academic excellence. Dr. Matt Childs noted that Stacy “always went above and beyond class expectations in her paper. Not only did she use additional sources and consult additional readings in her research papers, far beyond class expectations, but her essays showed a level of sophistication that few upper-level undergrads master.” Dr. Irene Padavich also nominated Stacy, explaining that Stacy was not only an outstanding student in her Family Problems class, earning “near perfect” grades on exams, but that she has consistently devoted volunteer hours with the Center for Civic Education to work with migrant workers’ children in Gadsden County. Because Stacy has so clearly demonstrated the spirit of Curiosity and the Desire to Learn in and for her in-house courses, we recognize her achievements with Bryan’s “Best of the Best” Award.