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