On April 24, William Jewell College celebrated student achievement despite the COVID-19 related cancellation of the annual Honors Convocation. Usually, Jewell will host an event to read the names of student winners of institutional awards, highlight the achievements of the Faculty Award finalists, celebrate student achievement in music and announce the Faculty Award winner. This year, Jewell printed a listing of awards and posted about the Faculty Award finalists on their Facebook page.
“[The listing] looks very much like the event program without the music and speaking parts. We will mail those to all 139 of the award recipients, along with any checks or scholarship letters on Friday as well,” said Susan Arbo, director of ceremonies and signature events. “The seniors will also receive any certificates, Phi Epsilon cords, Oxbridge medallions, departmental plaques and Faculty Award finalist and winner plaques. Most will go out on April 24 or April 27. A few other departmental awards had not yet been prepared so those will go out this summer.”
The Faculty Award finalists were highlighted – one per day – in the week leading up to the announcement, and the College posted a video announcing the winner April 24.
Margo Evilsizor, senior international relations and Oxbridge: Institutions and Policy major, won the 2020 Faculty Award.
Throughout her time at Jewell, Evilsizor used Jewell’s Hall Grant to conduct field research interviews in Mafraq, Jordan, for her international relations honors thesis on women’s empowerment in the Syrian Civil War. With the Pritchard Humanitarian Award she spoke out against violence against women at a self-organized public forum at the state congress in Morelos, Mexico. Evilsizor has also co-authored an article with Dr. Fletcher Cox, professor of political science, about women’s empowerment. She is president of Pi Sigma Alpha and vice president of Mortar Board, in addition to being involved in Christian Student Ministries and handbell choir.
After graduating, Evilsizor will move to Mexico City to take part in a Fulbright Program. Her long-term goals include providing women with more opportunities – potentially by impacting public policy with a law degree or starting a business to employ or microfinance women.
“I am extremely grateful for the faculty at Jewell. Winning the Faculty Award was one of many times over the course of four years where I’ve felt encouraged, supported and believed in by the faculty. I cannot thank them enough. I feel deeply grateful for their mentorship and investment in my life,” said Evilsizor.
“While I wish I could have been there to celebrate with everyone in person, I’m glad I got to be with my family and reflect on my time at Jewell with them,” continued Evilsizor. “After the announcement was released on Facebook, one of the things that we talked about was how impressive the other finalists are. I never expected to win – I felt honored to have even been placed in the same group as Caeley, Sofia, Tate and Elliott. Once again, thank you to all the faculty, staff and friends who have touched my life throughout the four years. I’m going to miss doing life on the Hill.”
Because the ceremony could not be hosted as usual, Arbo discussed Jewell’s alternative plans to honor student achievement.
“In the fall, we are planning to hold a reception in the Union Atrium where the students will be able to mingle with professors and pick up their awards. Ideally, it may be held the same weekend as the rescheduled Commencement ceremony so that the graduating seniors could attend as well,” said Arbo.
A listing of all awards was made available to the campus community in View From the Hill April 29 and are listed below.
Awards in Biology:
Dr. Burdette L. Wagenknecht Award for an outstanding first-year biology major – Elizabeth Wilson
Charles F. J. Newlon Award for an outstanding sophomore biology major – Emily Sawyer
Monte Harmon Award for an outstanding junior biology major – Kelsey Lanternman
Dr. Burnell Landers Award for an outstanding senior biology major – Logan McKinney
Dr. Judith A. Dilts Award for an outstanding senior biology major – Alexis Nelson
Awards in Business and Leadership:
Hastings L. Schies Memorial Scholarship for a deserving junior or senior female student majoring in business administration or finance who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement – Emily Trout
Walter J. Stark Award for development in business studies – Nicholas Bradley
John W. Boatwright Scholars to students majoring in economics – Jacob Shutts, Jackson Still
Boatwright Economics Leadership Scholar to students majoring in economics – Alexander Hein, Tyrell Jeffrues, Carter Olsen
Otis and Florence Miller Academic Award for the senior graduating with the highest GPA in accounting, business or economics – Kaitlyn Pittala
Accounting Faculty Award for the outstanding senior in accounting – Hayden Fulk
Business Faculty Award for the outstanding seniors in business administration – Lexie Stull, Parker Tergin
Economics Faculty Award for the outstanding senior in economics – Hunter Forkum
E. Anne Earnest Nonprofit Leadership Award for the outstanding senior in nonprofit leadership – Natalie Denzer
Awards in Chemistry and Biochemistry:
Outstanding First-Years in Chemistry – Mallory Dickerson, Eli Engledow, Megan Hall, Cecelia Rogers, Rachel Schon
James R. Eaton Memorial Scholarship for achievement as a chemistry major – Hailee Brushwood, Kayla Crowder, Johnathan Haug, Sierra Sanchez, Hannah Sherman
Frank H. Fristoe Scholarship for achievement in chemistry – Catherine Cogley, Cara Kingman, Katie Parrott, Megan Rohrer, Macyn Wilbers
Outstanding Seniors in Biochemistry – Ryan Hoffman, Elizabeth Ruark
Awards in Communication and Theater:
Austin Cooper Edwards Acting Awards – Faith Harris, Terrace Wyatt, Jr.
Virginia D. Rice Award for excellence in theatre throughout the year – Cassidy Schuster
Kim Harris Golden Hammer Award for excellence in technical theatre – Suzane Wright
Alpha Psi Omega Key Award for four years of service to Jewell Theatre Company – Terrace Wyatt, Jr.
Richard L. Harriman Theatre Scholarship for outstanding theatre students – Faith Harris, Morgan Tuttle
The Murphy Award for Excellence for a senior communication major planning a career in law – Jack Nielsen
The Department of Communication and Theatre Distinguished Service Award – Isabel Warden
The Kim and Lois Anne Harris Department of Communication and Theatre Outstanding Senior Award – Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe
Awards in Education:
Chad Garrison “Reach Out and Touch Someone” Award for an education major who has demonstrated sensitivity and compassion for others through volunteer service – Victoria Vogt
Lutie Chiles Elementary Education Award for an outstanding sophomore in elementary education – Brady O’Donnell
Ida Coffman Education Award for an outstanding junior in elementary education – Grace Haug, Allison Rawls
Outstanding Junior in Secondary Education – Rachel Harris
Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education – Brittany Marr
Outstanding Senior in Secondary Education – Christina Vogler
Master of Science in Education Award – Michelle Martin
Awards in Engineering:
Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering Award – Whitney Holloman
Awards in English:
Pinkerton-Rick Scholarship for English majors entering the senior year who have contributed to the English department through creative thinking and helpfulness – Hannah Koehler, Cameron White
Outstanding Senior English Major Award – Brielle Buntin
Award in History:
Kenneth Chatlos Award for the best senior capstone essay – Kendall Gammon
U. R. Pugh Memorial Scholarship for achievement as a history major – James Hobbs
Awards in Languages:
Arabic Studies Award for a graduating minor with a record of excellence – Ian McBride
Chinese Studies Award for a graduating minor with a record of excellence – Haley Call
Spanish Research Award for scholarly achievement in literary and cultural study – Samantha Schaer
Outstanding Senior in Spanish for graduating major with a record of excellence – Alexis Mijares
Awards in Mathematics:
George A. Ross Mathematics Award for senior mathematics major with the highest academic records in mathematics – Katie Bird
Awards in Music:
Ida and Maybelle Glenn Art/Music Scholarship for outstanding achievement to someone preparing to teach music – Dre’Shon Tolbert
Edward Lakin Music Theory Award for the student with the highest GPA in the first year of music theory courses – William Laycock
Linda L. Thomssen String Award for an outstanding string player – Rachel Harris
The Wes & Ginger Forbis Award for rising seniors in music – Elise Benne, Rachel Harris, Fionna Pillow
The Collegiate Artists Competition for winners of an annual competition who will perform a solo with the Liberty Symphony Orchestra – Tate Cooper
Awards in Nursing:
Awards for Integrity – (BSN) Chandler Tennyson, (BSN-AT) Brian Hoover
Awards for Compassion – (BSN) Lauren Nichols, (BSN-AT) Abigail Schott
Awards for Scholarship – (BSN) Elise Pape, (BSN-AT) Jynnifer McClinton
Anne Bax Ozbolt Awards for Servant Leadership – (BSN) Itzel Quintero, (BSN-AT) Jonathan Stratman
Awards for Excellence in Practice – (BSN) Karla Calderon-Gomez, (BSN-AT) Nikki Upton
Mary Grant Seacole Awards for Service – (BSN) Kylea McArdale, (BSN-AT) Khanh-Linh Nguyen
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – (BSN) Jessica Farris, (BSN-AT) Kimberly Rice
Outstanding Nursing Student Award – (BSN) Juliet Connole, (BSN-AT) Brianna Ehrler
Leesa A. McBroom Spirit of Nursing Book Award – Valerie Dunn
Awards in Physics:
The Charles Don Geilker Feynman Lectures Award for an outstanding first-year physics student – William Laycock
James R. Eaton Memorial Scholarships for achievement as sophomore or junior physics majors – Graham Chambers-Wall
C. D. Geilker Award for achievement in the sophomore physics course majoring in physics, physics education or dual-degree engineering – Kaitlyn Simms
John E. Davis Sigma Pi Sigma Award for a rising senior physics major with the highest level of achievement in physics – Catherine Dema
Outstanding Senior Physics Major Award – Caeley Pittman
Awards in Political Science:
Outstanding First-Year Student in Political Science – Ashley Chiles
Outstanding Sophomores in Political Science – Zachary Mertes
Outstanding Junior in Political Science – Jacob Shutts, Jackson Still
Outstanding Senior in Political Science – Margo Evilsizor
Dr. Will Adams Scholarship for an outstanding political science major – Madison Carroll
Pi Sigma Alpha – Matthew Oliver Senior Scholar Award – Lexie Stull
Awards in Psychological Science:
Distinguished Graduates in Psychological Science – Christopher Davison, Hannah Keeney, Riley Martin, Kaitlyn Pittala, Haley Unruh
Premier Graduate in Psychological Science – Darcy Sweet
Student Publications Awards:
The Hilltop Monitor Newcomer Award – Angelica Gutierrez
The Hilltop Monitor Rising Star Award – Jenna Hultgren, Hannah Tietz
The Hilltop Monitor Themes and Content Award – Trenton Brink
The Hilltop Monitor Editorial Leadership Award – Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Rachel Bell, Michaela Esau, Cassie Hayes, William Humphrey, Hannah Koehler, Jack Ledbetter, Madison McCormick, Tavarus Pennington, Kyler Schardein, Elliott Yoakum
Inscape Poem of the Year – Kaitlyn O’Neal
Inscape Fiction of the Year – James Hobbs
Inscape Nonfiction of the Year – Kathryn Wilhelm
Inscape Fine Art of the Year (Visual Art, Digital Art or Music) – Bryar Buhlig
Inscape Outstanding Editor Award – Brielle Buntin
The John and Mary Pritchard Humanitarian Service Awards:
The Award annually goes to one or more William Jewell students who commit to engaging with people in need, developing relationships with people different from them in all fundamental aspects and learning about their unique gifts and about what God calls them to do with those gifts.
Megan Sprague
Mortar Board:
National honor society demonstrating ideals of leadership, scholarship and service. Members must meet ideals of the society and have a GPA in the top 35 percent of the class.
Haley Call, Tate Cooper, Jakob Erdmann, Margo Evilsizor, Jessica Farris, Shaneann Fross, Hayden Fulk, Mckenzie Gross, Kelly Hendershot, Jeremy Hofman, Jameson Howard, Kylie Jorgensen, Emily Lakin, Sarah Lewis, Alexis Mijares, Margaret Miles, Bjorn Myers, Lauren Nichols, Jack Nielsen, Mikaela Papageorgiou, Kaitlyn Pittala, Megan Rhule, Samantha Schaer, Christopher Seward, Lexie Stull, Darcy Sweet, Haley Unruh, Elliott Yoakum
Phi Epsilon Honor Society:
Students graduating in the top ten percent of the class based on institutional GPA and a minimum of 60 credit hours at William Jewell College.
Brielle Buntin, Karla Calderon-Gomez, Tate Cooper, Natalie Denzer, Valerie Dunn, Jessica Farris, Hunter Forkum, Jeremy Hofman, Riley Martin, Logan McKinney, Alexis Nelson, Dalton Nelson, Benjamin Pautler, Kaitlyn Pittala, Caeley Pittman, Elizabeth Ruark, Lexie Stull, Haley Unruh
Graduating with Honors:
Graduating with Honors in Biochemistry – Elizabeth Ruark
Graduating with Honors in Biology – Logan McKinney
Graduating with Honors in Communication – Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe
Graduating with Honors in English – Brielle Buntin
Graduating with Honors in International Relations – Margo Evilsizor
Graduating with Honors in Oxbridge: Institutions and Policy – Tate Cooper, Bailey Cordonnier, Tanner Devore
Graduating with Honors in Oxbridge: Literature and Theory – Kaitlyn O’Neal
Graduating with Honors in Oxbridge: Molecular Biology – Shaneann Fross, Clayton Mansel
Graduating in the Oxbridge Honors Program:
Matthew Capps, Christopher Choe, Tate Cooper, Bailey Cordonnier, Tanner Devore, Margo Evilsizor, Shaneann Fross, Emily Hemphill, Jeremy Hodman, Heather Jackson, Clayton Mansel, Riley Martin, Kaitlyn O’Neal, Caeley Pittman, Jesse Rose, Samantha Schaer, Elliott Yoakum
The Faculty Award:
Finalists – Sofia Arthurs-Schoppe, Tate Cooper, Margo Evilsizor, Caeley Pittman, Elliott Yoakum
Winner – Margo Evilsizor
