Trevor McLaughlin Receives TCNJ Dean's Award for Excellence in the Liberal Arts

2012 May 29

In addition to tossing their caps at The College of New Jersey's Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 11, 2012, 10 students were recognized with the inaugural Dean's Award for Excellence in the Liberal Arts (DAELA). Benjamin Rifkin, Dean of TCNJ's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, presented the honor.

Trevor McLaughlin of West Caldwell, NJ, was recognized for his work not only in the classroom, but also in the community.

While serving as an intern in the Registrar Department of the Newark Museum, Trevor accessioned and cataloged photographs of Newark from the late 19th and early 20th century. He also engaged in original archival research both at the Trenton Public Library and at the National Archives and Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Trevor is a member of the New Jersey Christian Fellowship and has volunteered at the "Cast Your Cares" Soup Kitchen in Philadelphia. He has also volunteered at the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morristown. Trevor participated in MUSE, a TCNJ-sponsored summer research opportunity, and he collaborated with Dr. Brian Girard on a research project, titled "Pedagogical Relationships in Secondary Social Science Classrooms." Trevor is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Golden Key and Kappa Delta Pi. He is also a member of both Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. In 2011, he was recognized as the Outstanding Junior in History. Trevor received the Bernice Samalonis Award for Pre-Service teachers from the Middle States Council on Social Studies and, recently, he was nominated by the History Department for the NJ Distinguished Student Teacher Award. Trevor plans to become a middle/high school social studies teacher.

Trevor was recognized with this award because he posted a high GPA on his way to graduating with a degree in history, secondary education while also representing the liberal arts mission at The College of New Jersey. Exemplifying this mission, Trevor was able to make a difference on campus and in his community on top of achieving academic excellence.

his work included expanding knowledge and partaking in creative activities as well as studying and contributing to the solutions of local, national and global problems. Trevor also carefully examined cultural discourses from a number of viewpoints along with exercising ethical reasoning and compassion.

Trevor has excelled during his tenure at TCNJ by exploring his community, contributing to it and leaving campus for learning and volunteer activities. Through his work, Trevor has helped advance or sustain communities in terms of undergraduate research, experiential learning, study abroad, community service and internships.