Edward Tomich Award

Dr. Tomich’s primary concern as a professor of sociology was the welfare and development of his students. His continuing effort to make sociology and the social sciences “concept-pure” was combined with a devotion to make those concepts meaningful in the lives of students. Unimpressed with disciplinary boundaries, he was devoted to multi-disciplinary appreciation and found in social psychology the appropriate mix of social and psychological sciences which could help students better to cope with intellectual and emotional complexities of modern life. Always “down to earth” himself, he exhibited an exemplary ability to perceive and articulate the profundities and abstractions of philosophical sociology and translate them into the language of his students.

The Department of Sociology / Criminal Justice & Criminology, wishing to keep the memory of this devoted teacher and thinker alive, presents this annual award in his honor, hoping thereby to inspire students and teachers alike with the aspirations which ennobled the life of Ed Tomich. When we remember his warm inquiry, “How ya doing’, ol’ buddy?”, we hope to respond, “We’re carrying on, Ed. We’re carrying on.”

Given annually to one or more senior students majoring in sociology or criminal justice & criminology who exemplifies those characteristics which Dr. Edward Tomich so much valued in students:

• an indomitable spirit,
• the ability to remain committed to the struggle for human welfare whatever obstacles must be overcome,
• an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and personal growth,
• an unwillingness to be cowed by authority or the superficialities of status,
• a readiness to ask the more difficult questions while being ready to accept the uncertainty of answers, and
• an appreciation of the value of theoretical knowledge about human interaction into everyday life.

2007
Luqman Muhammed
Heather W. Swymeler

2006
Lisa Marie McKenzie
Ardith Gail Smith

2005
Rachel Martin

2004
Kevin Hicks

2003
Henry Wash

2002
Jennifer Trombley

2001
Avonne D. Tripplett

2000
Stephanie Graham

1999
Cindy Collins
Melinda B. Kidder

1998
Kathy Byars

1997
Donna Pinnow

1996
Lillette Angelo
Melanie Sawyer
Jennifer Watts

1995
Thomas Mihalyi

1994
Kristy Latta

1992
Nancy Magee
Kim Danh Thi Nguyen
Mary J. Stubbs

1991
Rebecca Gooden

1990
Bonnie Berger

1989
Paul L. Mimms

1988
Kelly A. Roberts
Terry A. Watts
Steven D. Watson

1987
Lelia Yvone Nance

1986
Pamela Petree
Cynthia J. George
Craig A. Arnsman

1985
Deborah K. Kincade

1984
Norma J. Spagner