FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/07/2008

Seniors Excel In Philosophy and Religion

BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Bridgewater College seniors Joshua O'Donnell and Daniel Rudy were recognized by the Department of Philosophy and Religion for academic excellence at the annual Awards Convocation on April 29.

O'Donnell, an English and philosophy and religion double major, was presented the Outstanding Senior Award in Philosophy for making the greatest contribution in philosophy courses. For his award, O'Donnell received a certificate and an inscribed timepiece.

O'Donnell is the son of Rodney and Joan O'Donnell of Royersford, Pa. He serves as a tutor in the College's Writing Center and has participated in two Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Challenges. He is a member of the Concert Choir and the Oratorio Choir.

Rudy, a philosophy and religion major with a minor in peace studies, received the Outstanding Senior Award in Religion that recognizes a graduating senior who has made the greatest contribution in biblical, religion and theology courses at Bridgewater College. For his award, he received a certificate and a book, a scholarly edition of the New Testament in koiné Greek.

Rudy is the son of Ronald and Susan Rudy of Mount Airy, Md. At Bridgewater, he is a student peer minister in his residence complex and has served as a leader of the Brethren Student Movement for the past three years. He is a four-year member of the College's deputation teams, which provide programs for churches throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Both seniors, who will graduate with honors on Sunday, May 11, are members of the Philomathes Society, Bridgewater's scholastic honor society, and Alpha Chi, a national scholastic honor society.

Bridgewater College, a private, four-year liberal arts college, enrolls more than 1,500 students. Founded in 1880 and located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, it was the state's first private, coeducational senior college.

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