HEADWAE 2020February 11, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) - Each year the Mississippi Association of Colleges honors faculty and students who make outstanding contributions to higher education with the Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) award.

This academic year's recipients are Dr. Seth Parry, Belhaven's Chair of the History Department, and John C. Bruening '19, a December graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Parry has taught history at Belhaven for over three years and has eight years of teaching experience from Emmanuel College. He received his B.A. from Houghton College, his M.A. from Hunter College and his M.Phil. and Ph.D. from CUNY Graduate Center.

The annual award is the Mississippi Legislature's way of honoring students and faculty for their commitment to the future of Mississippi and higher education. Students and faculty members from each of the 36 public and private institutions of the Mississippi Association of Colleges were invited to the State Capitol and recognized in each chamber of the legislature.

Parry's fellow faculty members nominated him for his expertise in the areas of teaching, research and professional service. The Mississippi State Legislature based their selection on the criteria provided by the faculty members.