Upstate students sweep top honors at Awards Day

The University of South Carolina presented its top awards for undergraduate achievement – the Algernon Sydney Sullivan and the Steven N. Swanger awards – to three Upstate seniors at its annual Awards Day ceremony Thursday (April 19).

Tommy D. Preston Jr. of Central and Sonam Shah of Greer received the Sullivan awards, the university's highest honors for undergraduates. Sullivan awards are given each year to one male and one female graduating senior for their outstanding achievements, campus leadership, exemplary character and service to the community. The award, named for the 19th-century New York lawyer and philanthropist, goes to students at 54 U.S. colleges and universities.

Carla Patat of Greer received the Swanger award, the university's second-highest undergraduate honor. The award is named for a former president of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), which sponsors Awards Day. It is given to a graduating senior for exemplary leadership and for making significant contributions to the university community.

"These students have outstanding records of accomplishment, not only in the classroom but through their commitment to service and leadership," said University President Andrew Sorensen. "From positions on student government to volunteer efforts throughout the Midlands, each student has left an impression on our university that will not be forgotten."

Preston, Shah and Patat received Outstanding Senior honors and were recognized by Who's Who among American Colleges and Universities. Shah also was presented with awards from Golden Key and ODK honor societies.

The university also presented more than 250 awards recognizing undergraduate academic, service, athletic and leadership achievements.

Tommy D. Preston Jr.

Tommy D. Preston Jr., son of Jessie Pearl Smith and Tommy Preston Sr., both of Central, is a graduate of D.W. Daniel High School. Preston, who will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in political science, was president of student government and served as the student representative to the university's Board of Trustees.

Preston was founder and coordinator for the Cocky's Reading Express, a statewide literacy initiative. Other education volunteer efforts include the JUMP Richland One Mentoring Program, Richland One tutor and PACT testing proctor. He was a team leader and volunteer for the university's MLK Day of Service throughout his four years at college and volunteered for the Salvation Army, the Oliver Gospel Mission and the American Red Cross. Preston joined other university students for a trip to Biloxi, Miss., to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

He also was an intern for Inez Tenenbaum, former state superintendent of education; a Senate page for state Sen. Larry Martin; a tour guide at the S.C. Statehouse; and a summer intern for former U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings.

A resident advisor for Preston College and a member of numerous university leadership and advisory committees, Preston was a member of the Association of African-American Students, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Omicron Delta Kappa honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha political-science honors society and the Student Alumni Association.

Preston has been on the Dean's List every semester at the university and was the recipient of a LIFE scholarship and a Bill Gates scholarship. He also received the Kappa Alpha Psi Student Leader of the Year Award, the Student Life Outstanding Achievement Award, the Ralph A. Johnson Exemplary Leadership Award and the Student Government Meritorious Award (twice).

In his personal statement for nomination for the Sullivan award, Preston said, "I have taken advantage of every opportunity that USC has offered me. As a student, leader, resident advisor and community service participant, I have learned so much about myself and what we, as a community, need to do to improve the conditions of our state and nation. When I leave this university, I know that I am leaving as a better person."

Sonam Ashish Shah

Sonam Ashish Shah, daughter of Ashish and Purnima Shah, and a graduate of Riverside High School, is a senior majoring in biology in South Carolina Honors College. Shah, who will graduate in May, is the recipient of a Carolina scholarship, the university's most prestigious honor for instate students, and a National Merit scholar finalist. A recipient of the Palmetto Fellows scholarship, Shah was on the Dean's List and President's List for academic achievement.

The university's Homecoming queen, Shah is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and served on Freshman Council, Student Senate, the Student Government Executive Committee, the Russell House University Union advisory board and the Indian Cultural Exchange. She received the Student Government Meritorious Service Award.

Shah served on the university's Dance Marathon executive committee and was the 2007 volunteer coordinator for the event. The marathon raised more than $100,000 for the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital.

A member of Omega Phi Alpha service sorority and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Shah was named to Golden Key International, Alpha Lambda Delta and Mortar Board honor societies. She has been a member of Young Democrats, worked with the university's NanoCenter and was an alternate for the Rotary Club Ambassadorial Scholarship. She was selected for the S.C. Washington Semester Program and was a fellow in the office of U.S. Rep. John Spratt.

Shah has been a volunteer at the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and the Waverly Community Center's After-School Program.

In her personal statement for nomination for the award, Shah said, "My extracurricular and leadership activities on campus and in the community defined my four years at the University of South Carolina. Through my involvement in student government, Omega Phi Alpha, Omicron Delta Kappa, Young Democrats, the Indian Cultural Exchange and all of my other activities, I have gained valuable insight into working as part of a team and serving as a leader."

Carla Patat

Carla Patat, the daughter of Chip and Jane Patat, is a graduate of Greer High School. She will graduate in May with a double major in political science and religious studies.

A student in South Carolina Honors College, Patat served in student government as a member of Freshman Council, the Executive Cabinet and the Faculty/Student Liaison Committee. She has been a member of several Faculty Senate committees.

Patat was a volunteer with Cocky's Reading Express, a statewide literacy initiative, and was a member of the Student Gamecock Club, the Student Alumni Association, the Residence Hall Association and the Russell House Advisory Board. Patat worked to have sign-language courses offered at the university and was a member of the Library Advisory Board whose discussions led to the extension of hours at Thomas Cooper Library during exams.

A site leader for the university's MLK Day of Service, Patat traveled with university students to Biloxi, Miss., to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

Patat is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and her academic achievements have been recognized on the Dean's List and President's List. She is a member of the Golden Key, Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies.

She donated hair for Locks of Love, a national, nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to young people who have lost their hair because of health problems, and she has been a volunteer with the Palmetto Family Council, the Piedmont Women's Center and the World Changers, a mission organization.

In her personal statement for nomination for the award, Patat said, "I have a deep love for this university, and I have made it my goal to leave it in better condition than when I entered it."