Photographer Norman LoRusso received the 2005 Tom Alexander Silver Medial award during the ADDY Awards. LoRusso is best known locally for his projects with the Medical University of South Carolina, Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Trident United Way and the Ronald McDonald House. His award-winning photographs have also appeared in work by Gil Shuler Graphic Design, Advertising Service Agency and the Bosworth Group.

The Committee to Save the City handed out its annual awards to individuals whose achievements and contributions have helped “maintain the ambiance of Charleston.” P. Steven Dopp and Gregory R. Lenox of Packwood Development and John Laurens III of Historic Preservation Consultants were honored for their vision and efforts to maintain the integrity of the Francis Marion Hotel, especially for the restoration of the Gold Room. The Rev. Alma Dungee led efforts to make the North Central Neighborhood safer and more attractive. She spearheaded efforts to rehabilitate homes, plant flowers and pick up litter. George E. Holt Jr., Gerard J. Moran and Cheryl M. Roberts were recognized for the reclamation and development of the Charles & Tully neighborhood, located just off St. Philip Street. Holt and Roberts now run Historic Renovations of Charleston. John L. Knott Jr. specializes in ecologically sound and energy-efficient design in the holistic development of sustainable communities. As both managing director of Dewees Island and chief executive officer of Noisette, Knott played a major role in molding the nation’s sustainable development movement. Ellen Dressler Moryl , director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, and Farmer’s Market coordinator JoAnna Shumate rescued the market and turned it into an impressive weekly festival.

Alan McMahon, an asset management analyst with The Beach Co., graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business. He successfully completed the Professional Master of Business Administration program and was awarded the master of business administration degree.

Brothers Matt and Ted Lee are featured in the spring 2005 issue of Sandlapper, The Magazine of South Carolina. The article describes how the brothers began their company as college students in New England. Missing boiled peanuts, they began boiling and making their own. Their business eventually took off, spawning a secondary career as travel/food writers and cookbook authors.

Sam Delia, a Trident Medical Center volunteer; Patricia Simon, a registered nurse working in women’s and children’s services at Trident Medical Center; Gwen Kearse, a Summerville Medical Center volunteer; and Marilyn Kiddy , operating room coordinator in central sterile at Summerville Medical Center received Trident Health System’s 2004 Frist Humanitarian Awards. The awards recognize volunteers and employees who demonstrate extraordinary concern for the welfare and happiness of patients and their community.

Trident Technical College and the Navy Consolidated Brig were recognized at the South Carolina Association for Higher Continuing Education Conference for a cooperative program started in 2003 that prepares military inmates for a successful re-entry into the community and workforce. David Lusk, program manager, accepted the award.

PST Computer Training Inc. is a charter member of American IT, a consortium of independently owned and operated information technology training centers throughout the United States. This partnership extends acceptance of Veteran’s Administration benefits and college credits for courses taken at PST in North Charleston.

Amy Jenkins of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough was elected president-elect of the Rotary Club of Charleston. Jenkins, who practices in the areas of business litigation and labor and employment, will become club president in July 2006. She will represent the Rotary Club of Charleston at the Rotary International Convention in Sweden next year.

Allen Gibson Jr., a principal in the law firm of Buist Moore Smythe McGee P.A., was selected to serve on the American Arbitration Association’s construction arbitrator master panel, a group of about 100 experienced construction arbitrators nationwide. Gibson heads the firm’s construction practice group.

Paul Franklin was re-elected to the board of directors of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association based in Washington, D.C. Franklin will chair the education committee and serve on the legislative committee. Franklin is the owner of Franklin Funding, a Charleston-based FHA reverse mortgage lender with offices in Columbia and Greenville, S.C.