Sherman, Texas -- Austin College celebrated the accomplishments of its students during the annual Honors Convocation, held in Wynne Chapel-Grum Sanctuary on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
The Honors Convocation highlights the achievements of Austin College students through the presentation of more than 100 endowed scholarships and awards. The students are chosen by faculty to represent academic excellence in departments across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. Some scholarships have existed for decades, having been established by donors in memory of faculty, family, or fellow alumni. “These awards are made possible by the generosity of those who believe in the mission of Austin College and its students,” said Dr. Beth Gill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.
Divisional deans Dr. Lisa M. Brown (Social Sciences,) Michael Higgs (Sciences,) and Dr. Greg Kinzer (Humanities,) along with departmental chairs, presented the students’ awards.
Following is a list of student award recipients, in alphabetical order, along with their awards.
Lana Abou-Khamis received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Nolan Adams received The Jace Powell ’09 Award for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Law.
Rooha Alexander received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Ben Allen received The Karen Toda Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.
Danielle Kido Amaegbo received The William B. Steele, Genevieve Wakefield Steele, and Sue Steele Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in the Liberal Arts and The Bradshaw Frederick Armendt Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.
Sarah Arnold received The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Fellowship in Media Studies to support faculty-sponsored student research.
Miguel Avila received The Henry L. and Laura H. Shoap Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.
Heaven Barber received The Emily A. Coe Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Exercise and Sport Science or Education.
Katherine Beckman received The Reverend David A. Sharp Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Music and Religious Life.
Marianna Bert received The Charles “Bo” Miller Scholar/Athlete Award for an Outstanding Athlete who Excels in Academics.
Kiara Bobb received The Bernice and Sara Rebecca Honea Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Kamron Brown received The Catherine Rosalie Fincher Kucera Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English or History.
Lyndsey Busch received The Sig Lawson Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Paige Butler received The Hope Ridings Miller Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Journalism and The Jess Barrett, Romans 5:8 Memorial Award for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics in Honor of Dr. David Griffith.
Lee Campbell received The Thomas W. Folbre Jr. Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in History.
Nia Carter received The Lois Jenkins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English.
Josie Cernero received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Chase Chavez received The Bonnie J. Beardsley Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.
Nick Chevalier received The John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Modern Languages.
Campbell Coon received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Riley Cregg received The Howard McCarley Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.
Gio Cristiano received The Wilbur Powell Computer Science Award for an Outstanding Student in Computer Science.
Megan Crocker received The Mary Edna Finch Bryson Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in the Austin Teacher Program.
Meztly Diaz received The Jim ’53 and Ruth Hardy ’55 Award for an Outstanding First-Generation Student.
Nicole Diaz received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Bianca Dickinson received The Verta Eckman Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.
Leah Ding received The Brittain Memorial Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.
Daisy Donjuan received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an outstanding student in leadership, and The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership.
James Drenner received The William B. “Bill” Davis Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Anna’Lisia Duncan received The Dr. Thomas Baker Memorial Endowed Academic Honors Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Drew Easley received The Folbre Prize for an Outstanding Student in History.
Pedro Echeverria received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance, and The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership.
T.J. Folse received The Shellene Kelley Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Computer Science.
Jasmine Galdamez received The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership, and The Stephen F. Austin Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in History.
Miranda Galvan received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Timothy Gauthier received The Sig Lawson Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Jack Graman received The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership.
Lucy Guttery received The Thomas Edgar and Kathryn Heard Craig Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.
Tuongvy Ha received The Dr. Paul Geers Award for Excellence in Pre-Medical Achievement.
Niki Hamraei received the Gerald H. Hinkle Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Philosophy.
Madylynn Hanson received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Rahul Hanumandlu received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Kailey Harshaw received The Charles Curtis McKinney Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Psychology.
Murad Hassan received The Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Erwin Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.
Aileen Hemani received The Nancy Schenewerk Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Cole Imhoff received The Daniel L. and Martha P. Nuckols Award for an Outstanding Student in Economics.
Muskaan Jaiswal received The Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Erwin Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.
Deedee Jansen received The Jayne C. Chamberlain Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication Studies, The Stephen Dudley and Lillie S. Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in the Sciences, and The Mary Foulks Gourley and Lloyd E. Gourley Prize for an Outstanding Student in Physics.
Saahas Kaul received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Nikolas Koelzer received The Charles “Bo” Miller Scholar/Athlete Award for an Outstanding Athlete who Excels in Academics.
Kenedie Lane received The Peggy Redshaw and Jerry Lincecum Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Biology.
Logan Lassiter received The Daniel L. and Martha P. Nuckols Award for an Outstanding Student in Economics.
Brooke Lee received The Bonnie J. Beardsley Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.
Mark Leonard received The Mary Foulks Gourley and Lloyd E. Gourley Prize for an Outstanding Student in Physics.
Alyssa Logan received The Dr. Thomas Baker Memorial Endowed Academic Honors Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Renata Loyo Perez received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Christian Luera received The William B. “Bill” Davis Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Kylie Lyle received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Trystan Mallory received The John S. and Rachel Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Religious Studies.
Delia Martinez received The Joaquin Johnson Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Law.
Abhivarth Martir received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Erin McCormack received The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Fellowship in Psychology to support faculty-sponsored student research.
Aubree McCune received The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Joseph McGuire received The Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service.
Emma McLemore was awarded a Global Outreach Fellowship, to support student engagement and leadership opportunities in working with community development projects.
Jed McPike received The Mary Foulks Gourley and Lloyd E. Gourley Prize for an Outstanding Student in Physics.
Vanesa Melchor received The George L. Landolt Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry and The Anna L. Anderson Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.
Benjamin Meraz received The Jess Barrett, Romans 5:8 Memorial Award for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics in Honor of Dr. David Griffith.
Erin Miller received The M. D. “Bud” Bryant Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Biology.
Mason Moreau received The P. S. Wharton Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.
Erica Moyo received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Hannah Mullens received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Isaac Myung received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Ainsley Nelson received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance, The Clara Zauk Binkley and James Binkley Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Foreign Languages, and The Dr. Ruby Nell Ruth Ormon Award for Outstanding Women in Chemistry.
Andromeda Newsom received The Jerry Lincecum and Peggy Redshaw Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in English and The Christopher L. Elliott Memorial Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Political Science.
Sara Norton received The Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Ella Owens received The S. D. Heard Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in English.
Paola Paulin received The Hope Ridings Miller Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in the Humanities.
Kenzie Pence received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Rebekah Perales received The Bernice and Sara Rebecca Honea Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Keely Perry received The Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award.
Jo Pettijohn received The Dorothy Abernathy Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership in the Church.
Maddie Pieper received The E. Don and Ann R. Williams Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Alexia Pietrasik received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Jorge Pineda received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Emily Pohl received The Minnette C. Shipley Endowed Award for an Outstanding Student in Art, The John Cameron Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in French, and The Grace Dupree Ridings Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Literature.
Jackie Ponder received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Ethan Proctor received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Sarah Putnicki received The Jess Barrett, Romans 5:8 Memorial Award for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics in Honor of Dr. David Griffith.
Asier Quiroga received The Daniel L. and Martha P. Nuckols Award for an Outstanding Student in Economics.
Erika Ramirez received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Emily Rodriguez received The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership.
Frances Rogers received The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Classics.
Erica Romm received The Foster Award for an Outstanding Student in Music and The Laura H. Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.
Jewelia Ross received The Paul W. Beardsley Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Communication.
Mikayla Ross received The Scott H. Boyd, M.D., Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Psychology.
Alan Salazar received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Danie Saltzman received The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Fellowship in English to support faculty-sponsored student research and The Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award.
Trey Salyer received The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Classics.
Sarah Sandoval received The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Niharika Saran received The Dr. Arthur Springall Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.
Emma Schlomann received The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Fellowship in English to support faculty-sponsored student research.
Rania Shaik received The Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship for academic excellence, civic responsibility, and potential for leadership.
Jaylen Sharp received The Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. Summer Research Fellowship in History to support faculty-sponsored student research.
Rund Shehadeh received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance, The P. S. Wharton Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry, and The Alfred Lafayette Ridings Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Health Sciences.
Emma Sinclair received The Margaret Zauk Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Music.
Mel Smith received The Russell V. Rogers Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund for an Outstanding Student Studying for the Ministry.
Berenice Soto received The E. H. Black Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Arturo Tarin received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Samantha Thiele received The Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Sierra Thomas received The Nancy Schenewerk Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Asher Thompson received The Thomas Edgar and Kathryn Heard Craig Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.
Christan Tomy received The Sara and Robert Hallam Citizen Scholarship for commitment to community service and outstanding academic performance.
Tara Tran received The Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service.
Marjan Tukdi received The Hanschen Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies.
Alora Uva received The Frank Mayborn Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Journalism.
Danya Van Vuuren received The Andy and Narcadean Buckner Biology Student Research Award for an Outstanding Student in Biology.
Aiden Varnell received The John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Modern Languages.
Cailey Varnell received The Mary Foulks Gourley and Lloyd E. Gourley Prize for an Outstanding Student in Physics.
Aaron Welch received The Anne Lorraine Dennis Memorial Fellowship for an Outstanding Student in Chemistry.
Courtney Wise received The Hope Ridings Miller Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in American History.
Spencer Wynne received The E. H. Black Memorial Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Teacher Education.
Michelle Zhu received The Suzanna B. and Joe M. Norwood Endowed Award for an Outstanding Student in Pre-Medical Studies and The Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship for an Outstanding Student in Business and Economics.
Amanda Zyla received The Sally Posey Leadership Institute Fellowship as an Outstanding Student in Leadership.
Members of the College’s 17 national and international honor societies were also recognized at the Honors Convocation. The College houses chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, national undergraduate honor society; Alpha Lambda Delta, national first year honor society; Alpha Chi, national college honor society; Alpha Psi Omega, national theatre honor society; Beta Beta Beta, national biological honor society; Chi Alpha Sigma, national college athlete honor society; Delta Phi Alpha, national German honor society; Eta Sigma Phi, honor society for classical studies; Omicron Delta Epsilon, international honor society of economics; Phi Alpha Theta, national history honor society; Pi Delta Phi, national French honor society; Pi Sigma Alpha, national political science honor society; Psi Chi, international honor society in psychology; Sigma Delta Pi, national collegiate Hispanic honor society; Sigma Pi Sigma, physics honor society; Sigma Tau Delta, international English honor society; and Sigma Xi, international scientific research honor society.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
