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.

2009 Andrea Clark Jessica Farmer 2008 Marta Waalen 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