Outstanding Avila University seniors were recognized for their work in the classroom at the 33rd Annual Honors Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, April 27. Faculty and representatives from many academic departments presented the winners during the evening event.
Highlighted winners include Lauren Highfill, winner of the Jeanne Collins Thompson ’54 Ariston Award, given to the senior who best represents the mission, values and characteristics of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. Grace Tibbetts was awarded the St. Teresa of Avila Award, which recognizes outstanding service by an Avila senior in the community.
“It’s a huge honor to represent my class and it’s terrific to be recognized for my work and accomplishments during my time at Avila,” Highfill said. “I feel like I’ve been able to do so much during my time on campus, and that is due to the people who have helped me along the way – both my professors and my time with our campus ministry.”
Recognized faculty include Professor of the Year Award winner Jordan Wagge, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and Nilufer Guler, Ph.D., assistant professor of education, who was named Distinguished Scholar for the year. Wagge said she was “shocked and surprised” to have received the award, but appreciated that her work in the classroom had made an impact on her students.
“I’m very grateful but I was excited to just celebrate with my students who received awards,” Wagge said. “This year I was really able to throw myself into my research and into the students I mentor to do the best job I could by them. It’s validating to see the time and energy I put into teaching be appreciated and recognized by my students.”
COMPLETE LISTING OF HONOREES
JEANNE COLLINS THOMPSON ’54 ARISTON AWARD
Lauren Highfill
THE ST. TERESA OF AVILA AWARD
Grace Tibbetts
PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Jordan Wagge, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD
Nilufer Guler, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
THEATRE SENIOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Bethany Elliott
MARTHA SMITH AWARD FOR HISTORY
Ryan Graves & Patrick Henderson
MARCELLA HOLLOWAY AWARD OUTSTANDING ENGLISH MAJOR
Veronica DeFeo
THE JANE JORDAN MUSIC AWARD
Eric Reeb
ADVANTAGE INSTITUTE GRADUATE STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Haley Grayless
ADVANTAGE INSTITUTE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Brandon Wisdom
OUTSTANDING MBA STUDENT
Kirk Polo
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN ACCOUNTING
Aylssa Crenshaw
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN FINANCE
Konnor Manley
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MANAGEMENT
Konnor Manley
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MARKETING
Kayla Reed
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Carlos Alvarez
ESCHBACHER EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
McKenzie Sokolaski – Elementary
Bryan Zawada – Secondary
THE LAURA SLOAN OUTSTANDING STUDENT TEACHER AWARD
Emilee Biondo – Elementary
Sarah Young – Middle School
GRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD
Braeden Hall & Nicole Mathis
MSCP PROMISING PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Andrea Dutt & Abhi Dutt
PSI CHI DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD
Grace Tibbetts
THE OUTSTANDING SOCIAL WORK STUDENT AWARD
Jarion Champ
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN CRIMINOLOGY AWARD
Kayvona Bragg
SCHOOL OF NURSING EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Michelle Atkinson
MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN NURSING AWARD
Lauren Highfill
SCHOOL OF NURSING EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE
Justin Cowley
OUTSTANDING BIOLOGY STUDENT AWARD
Allie Roth
OUTSTANDING KINESIOLOGY STUDENT AWARD
Sabrina Fulton
CAROLE HILLESTAD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE
Kyle Millsap
STEPHANIE A. WHISLER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENT IN RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE
Hanna Cooke
DALLAVIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD IN COMMUNICATION
Keegun Selley
DOTTY HAMILTON WOMEN IN MEDIA AWARD
Zaria Dukes
DALLAVIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD IN ART + DESIGN
Mary Sommerhauser
STUDENT SCHOLAR DAY BEST ORAL/PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION (2nd Place)
Allie Roth
STUDENT SCHOLAR DAY BEST ORAL/PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION (1st Place)
Katherine Kashka
STUDENT SCHOLAR DAY BEST POSTER (2nd Place)
Allie Weber & Kaitlyn Long
STUDENT SCHOLAR DAY BEST POSTER (1st Place)
Sarah Brabston
AVILA UNIVERSITY STUDENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Michelle Atkinson
Kendall Burke
J’Mia Cheadle
Justin Cowley
Zaria Dukes
Jazlyn Epps
Chelsea Espino Salazar
Ryan Graves
Lauren Highfill
Jerry Mañan
Konnor Manley
Hannah Masters
Amy-Lee Miller
Lauren Moose
Elizabeth Moylan
Shea Myer
Michael Porter
Allie Roth
Isiah Sanders
Keegun Selley
Matt Shurtz
Matthew Snell
Kaleigh Taylor
Grace Tibbetts
JEANNE COLLINS THOMPSON ‘54 ARISTON AWARD FINALISTS
Michelle Atkinson
Chelsea Espino Salazar
Lauren Moose
Grace Tibbetts