Each year Sweet Briar College gives special recognition to several graduating students through its all-college awards. The following recipients were honored during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 12.

• The Penelope Czarra Award was established by Edgar F. Czarra Jr., father of Penelope Lane Czarra of the Class of 1975. The award honors the senior or seniors who best combine scholastic achievement, student leadership and effective contributions to the improvement of the quality of student life at Sweet Briar. This year’s recipient is Eleanor Rose O’Connor.
• The family of Professor Judith Molinar Elkins established a prize in her name to recognize the outstanding achievements of seniors majoring in the mathematical, physical or biological sciences, actively participating in the college community, and demonstrating the ideals and dedication to learning exemplified by the life of Professor Elkins. The recipients of this prize from the Class of 2007 are Kelsey Erin Jeffers and Jennifer Leigh Summerfield.
• In honor of Dr. Connie M. Guion, Mr. and Mr. J. Wilson Newman and their daughters, Clair Newman Blanchard, Class of 1960, and Mildred Newman Thayer, Class of 1961, established an award given to members of the graduating class for excellence as human beings and as a members of the College. The 2007 recipients of the Connie M. Guion Award are Laura Jane Schaefer and Rebecca Lynn Teachey.
• The Walker Family Award honors a senior with high scholastic standing, a cheerful, positive disposition, and who shows warmth, generosity and humility. The recipient for the Class of 2007 is Heidi Lynn Trude.
• Each year the College recognizes academic achievement by conferring upon the highest ranking member of each class the honorary title of Emily Watts McVea Scholar. The recipient for the Class of 2007 is Jennifer Leigh Summerfield.