UA Student Receives Morris L. Mayer Award

The University of Alabama's Morris L. Mayer Award honors one member of this academic year's graduating class and one member of the teaching faculty who exemplify the life of Dr. Morris L. Mayer: selfless and significant service and leadership for the UA community and significant contributions to student life and integrity.

The 2020 student winner is Olivia Gevedon.

Gevedon plans to be a physician, but her aspirations to serve others extend far beyond an exam room.

Gevedon, an anthropology major, is the founder and director of NoteABLE, an educational outreach program of Engage Tuscaloosa that aims to empower local elementary students through music literacy and performance. As a musician, Gevedon believes every child should have access to music education, which equips them with a valuable creative outlet and form of self-expression.

Since its implementation in spring 2018, NoteABLE has reached 210 kids and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Student-Initiated Engagement Effort of 2019 by the Council on Community-Based Partnerships.

In addition, Gevedon is a member of an aging, immunity and neurodegeneration lab under the mentorship of Dr. Stanislava Chtarbanova in the department of biological sciences. Her role as a research ambassador and vice president of engagement in the Office for Undergraduate Research allows Gevedon to recruit and connect other UA students interested in research with faculty.

Following graduation, she plans to help Project Horseshoe Farm, a community health nonprofit, establish a new site in Pomona, California.

Her parents are Timothy and Cynthia Gevedon.

To view these students click here: https://ua.meritpages.com/achievements/UA-Student-Receives-Morris-L-Mayer-Award/118603