Bridgewater College students Jared Browne, Benjamin Chatterton, Erin Fitzpatrick, McKenzie Melvin and Destiny Shoemaker were recognized for excellence by the department of history and political science.
Chatterton and Browne each received a $1,030 Dr. David K. McQuilkin Endowed Scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes rising seniors in the department who have demonstrated a high level of intellectual, scholarly and academic proficiency in history, political science and/or global studies.
Chatterton, a history and economics double major, is the son of Mike and Mandy Chatterton of Waynesboro, Va. Chatterton is a member of the Philomathes Society, Bridgewater’s scholastic honor society; Alpha Chi, a national scholastic honor society; Phi Alpha Theta, a national history honor society; and Sigma Beta Delta, an international business honor society. He is a member of Bridgewater’s Flory Honors Program.
Browne, a history and political science major, is from Ocean View Del.
Fitzpatrick received the Michael Robert “M.R.” Zigler Service Award. The award is presented for exceptional off-campus community service. It is named for an outstanding Brethren peace advocate, ecumenist and humanitarian from the BC class of 1916.
Fitzpatrick, a political science major with minors in Spanish and peace studies, is the daughter of Paul and Erica Fitzpatrick of Wyoming, Mich. Fitzpatrick is a member of Alpha Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and Chi Alpha Sigma, a national athletic honor society. She is a member of the Flory Honors Program.
She serves on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s (SCHEV) Student Advisory Committee. During the summer of 2020, Fitzpatrick attended a summer virtual leadership training program hosted by Virginia21. Through this program, Fitzpatrick learned about leadership styles, coalition building, lobbying and policy making and the policy process in Richmond, Va.
Following graduation on May 1, Fitzpatrick will pursue a master’s in public policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.
Melvin received the Daniel W. Bly–Lamar B. Neal History and Political Science Senior Award. Named for former Bridgewater College professors Daniel W. Bly, assistant professor of history, emeritus, and Lamar B. Neal, associate professor of political science and history, emeritus, the awards recognize outstanding performance by graduating seniors.
Melvin, a global studies major with a minor in Spanish, is the daughter of Ernest and Nathalie Melvin of Dover, Del. Melvin is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national political science honor society, and Omicron Delta Kappa. She served as president of the campus chapter of Alpha Chi and is a member of the Flory Honors Program. She served as president of the student body, a student ambassador coordinator and as an academic tutor.
Following graduation on May 1, Melvin has accepted a position at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo., as a family help specialist.
Shoemaker received the $2,700 John W. Wayland Scholarship in Public History for the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes a rising senior pursuing a degree in history, public history or teacher education who demonstrates high academic proficiency and the potential for a career in public-facing history.
Shoemaker, a history and political science major, is the daughter of Tina Shoemaker of Broadway, Va., and Rick Shoemaker of Bergton, Va. Shoemaker is a member of Phi Alpha Theta and BC Educators Rising. She serves as a guest relations associate for campus events.
