Jewell’s 2026 Celebration of Honors was held on Apr. 24, 2026. It honored over 150 students who demonstrated excellence in various academic departments or showed leadership through service. The Faculty Award, the highest distinction William Jewell College offers to a graduating senior, was awarded to Lianna Morelli.
Other awards presented at the Celebration of Honors include the following. (Note: names are included here as presented in the program and may not reflect students’ preferred names or nicknames.)
Analytical Sciences
Engineering
Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering: Drew T. Caudle
Mathematics
George A. Ross Mathematics Award (senior mathematics majors with the highest academic record in mathematics): Timothy G. Fay, Korbin W. Pugh
Physics
James R. Eaton Memorial Award (for achievement as a sophomore or junior physics major): Lucas Murcia Dominguez
C. D. Geilker Award (for achievement in the general physics course for a student majoring in physics, physics education, or dual-degree engineering): Miranda K. Menousek
John E. Davis Sigma Pi Sigma Award (for a rising senior physics major with the highest level of achievement in physics): Simon G. Lyon
Outstanding Senior Physics Major Award: Luxanna S. Sands
Behavioral, Natural, and Health Sciences
Biology
Dr. Burdette L. Wagenknecht Award (for an outstanding first-year biology major): Olivia L. Allen
Charles F. J. Newlon Award (for an outstanding sophomore biology major): Dilly R. Davies
Monte Harmon Award (for an outstanding junior biology major): Samantha J. Han
Dr. Burnell Landers Award (for an outstanding senior biology major): Javier Ortiz-Merino
Dr. Judith A. Dilts Award (for an outstanding junior or senior biology major): Madeline E. Hanna
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Outstanding First-Years in Chemistry or Biochemistry: Miles C. Heckadon, Lorelai F. Walker
James R. Eaton Memorial Award (for achievement as a chemistry major): Kennadie G. Sheppard, Walton R. Schenk, Zakary E. Wenger
Frank H. Fristoe Award (for achievement in chemistry): Maci M. Mayfield, Avery N. Reynolds, Marina S. Wilson
Outstanding Seniors in Chemistry or Biochemistry: Irene J. Taboada, Brayden S. Thomas
Nursing
Award for Compassion (BSN): Kaitlyn L. Tait, Kennedy K. Wyatt (AT)
Award for Scholarship (BSN): Meghan M. Wilson, Jasmine McDonald (AT)
Anne Bax Ozbolt Award for Servant Leadership: Jessica Stout
Mary Grant Seacole Award for Service: Adalena Shiddell
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (BSN): Lauren E. Flickinger, Allison M. McIntyre (AT)
Outstanding Nursing Student Award (BSN): Marigrace Angelica B. Larson, Dillon Thiele (AT)
Dr. Leesa A. McBroom Spirit of Nursing Award: Ashley L. Brown
Psychological Science
Premier Graduates in Psychological Science: Paige Hefley, Erin E. Wenzel
Distinguished Graduates in Psychological Science: Lianna E. Morelli, Aimee Núñoz
Business, Communication, and Education
Business and Leadership
Hastings L. Schies Memorial Award (to a junior or senior female student majoring in business administration or finance who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement): Allison M. Welter
Walter J. Stark Award (for development in business studies): Jace D. Walker
Boatwright Economics Leadership Scholar: Xavier M. Winston
Otis and Florence Miller Academic Award (to a senior graduating with the highest GPA in accounting, business, or economics): Victoria M. Jones
Accounting Faculty Award: Victoria M. Jones
Business Faculty Award (for the outstanding senior in business administration): Riley M. Richardson
Economics Faculty Award (for the outstanding senior in economics): Jordan M. Barger
E. Anne Earnest Nonprofit Leadership Award (for the outstanding senior in nonprofit leadership): Jordan L. Riley
Communication
Award for Internship Excellence: Patrick M. Terry, Antony J. Vanderbeek
Digital Media Communication Outstanding Senior Award: Sara A. Hartmann
Outstanding Senior Debater Award: Patrick M. Terry
The Kim and Lois Anne Harris Department of Communication Outstanding Senior Award: Emilie M. Bartlett
Education
Chad Garrison “Reach Out and Touch Someone” Award (to an education major who has demonstrated sensitivity and compassion for others through volunteer service): Sadie L. Camp
Lutie Chiles Elementary Education Award (to an outstanding sophomore in elementary education): Aneesia Y Shalabi
Ida Coffman Education Award (to an outstanding junior in elementary education): Ella G. Robinson
Outstanding Junior in Secondary Education: Brenna K. Hamilton
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Teacher: Kassidy A. Schmidt
Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher: Michelle M. Johnston
Humanities, Social Sciences, and Music
English
Pinkerton-Rick Award (an English major entering the senior year who has contributed most to the English Department in exhibiting interest, helpfulness to others, creative thinking, and competent writing skills): Kariss E. Johnson
Outstanding Senior in the English Major Award: Ivan V. Calderon
History
Kenneth Chatlos Award (for best capstone essay in the Department of History): Kandace-Rose A. Gill
U.R. Pugh Memorial Award (for achievement as a history major): Rane C. Rynard
Languages
Outstanding Major in Spanish (for a Spanish major with a record of excellence): Morgan A. Mayo
Outstanding Minor in Spanish (for a Spanish minor with a record of excellence): Lucas R. Linder
Music
Ida and Maybelle Glenn Music Award (for outstanding achievement to someone preparing to teach music): Payten Elaine Davis
Edward Lakin Music Theory Award (student with the highest GPA in the first year of music theory courses): Alyssa J. Hoffman
Linda L. Thomssen String Award (for an outstanding string player): Matthew A. Gass
The Wes and Ginger Forbis Award (for rising seniors in music): Mason M. Allenbaugh, Payten Elaine Davis, H. William Speck
The Dean Wilder Voice Award (for music majors with special consideration for students who study or participate in vocal performance and who demonstrate leadership qualities): Ivan V. Calderon, Prince-Russell C. Johnson
Liberty Symphony Orchestra Collegiate Artist Competition (winners of this annual competition perform a solo with the Liberty Symphony Orchestra): Kaylen A. Fears, Bryson J. Gates, Chèrisse A. Lubbers
Political Science
Outstanding First-Year Student in Political Science: Anna M. Daughtry
Outstanding Sophomores in Political Science: Aidan T. Carter, Alyssa B. Engle
Outstanding Junior in Political Science: Andrew J. Allen
Outstanding Seniors in Political Science: Elliot M. Labeth, Ethan E. Naber
Dr. Will Adams Award (for an outstanding political science major): Zoe G. Ralston
Pi Sigma Alpha – Matthew Oliver Senior Scholar Award: Owen M. Kerrigan
Theatre
Austin Cooper Edwards Acting Awards (peer-voted award for strongest performers of the Jewell Theatre Company season): Ivan V. Calderon, Emma Kelly
Virginia D. Rice Award (for excellence in theatre throughout the year): Lianna E. Morelli
Kim Harris Golden Hammer Award (for excellence in technical theatre): Kendall M. Robbins
Alpha Psi Omega Key Award (for four years of service to Jewell Theatre Company): Ivan V. Calderon
Richard L. Harriman Theatre Award (established in 1994 by the Fine Arts Guild for outstanding theatre students): Kathryn L. Calcara, Brenna K. Hamilton
Student Publication Awards
The Hilltop Monitor
The Hilltop Monitor Newcomer Award: Simone M. Collins
The Hilltop Monitor Community Outreach and Engagement Awards: Alesia M. Dickey, Matthew J. Parker
The Hilltop Monitor Editorial Leadership Award: Ethan E. Naber
Special Honors
Graduating with Honors
Graduating with Honors in Psychological Science: Kelsey Coleman, Lianna E. Morelli
Graduating with Honors in Philosophy: Matthew J. Parker
Graduating with Honors in Mathematics: Korbin W. Pugh
Honors Institute in Critical Thinking Fellows
Simone M. Collins, Lauren E. Flickinger, Lily Frazier, Megan J. Giffin, John W. Jenkins, Ian Lewis, Molly J. McBratney, Jace D. Walker, Erin E. Wenzel, Annalyse Yoder
Pryor Leadership Fellows
Madison L. Atwood, Clifford Brandt, Lily Frazier, Megan J. Giffin, Jocelyn P. Hayes, Kevin Madrid Rodriguez, Anthony J. Vanderbeek, Erin E. Wenzel, Mya Zavala
Oxbridge Honors Program
Grace E. Allen, Ariel Chen, Jonathan Fang, Lila Frazier, Kandace-Rose A. Gill, Ethan E. Naber, Matthew J. Parker, Kaleah Petersen, Jacqueline Quach, Ryleigh Sallinger
Mortar Board
Grace E. Allen, Clifford Brandt, Hadley Fletchall, Riley E. Frasure-Smith, Kaitlyn Hodkins, Connor Hull, Liliana M. Jackson, John W. Jenkins, Landis Johnson, Owen M. Kerrigan, Sara Madsen, Morgan A. Mayo, Molly J. McBratney, Jacqueline Quach, Rane Rynard, Adalena Shiddell, Irene J. Taboada, Dylan F. Tighe, Erin E. Wenzel, Mya Zavala
Phi Epsilon Honor Society
Grace E. Allen, Kailynn R. Byrne, Ivan V. Calderon, Lauren E. Flickinger, Riley E. Frasure-Smith, Megan J. Giffin, Sara A. Hartmann, Paige Hefley, John W. Jenkins, Victoria M. Jones, Eliott Labeth, Lianna E. Morelli, Zachary Nichols, Hayley E. O’Keefe, Riley M. Richardson, Jordan L. Riley, Irene J. Taboada, Brayden S. Thomas, Laura Torres Arroyo, Erin E. Wenzel
The Faculty Award
The Faculty Award is the most significant distinction awarded to a graduating senior. Finalists are selected from those students who have spent at least three years in residence at William Jewell College and who have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. The winner is selected by a faculty committee on the basis of academic achievement and exemplification of the highest ideals of a liberal arts education.
Finalists were asked to address the following question: “Given your experience at William Jewell College, how do you understand the relationship between critical thinking, community, and the pursuit of a meaningful life?”
Faculty Award Finalists
Grace E. Allen, Derrick Ampofo, Clifford Brandt, Ivan V. Calderon, Lianna E. Morelli