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

Connor Hull is a senior Accounting major on the Jewell track and field team. The Hilltop Monitor interviewed Hull as part of a series featuring senior athletes at Jewell.

THM: What was going through your head when you recently broke the 200 meter school record at CMU this past weekend?

So I was in line 8 and everyone in the heat was faster than me. So all I was thinking about was that I had to go because I was terrified that they were going to catch me on the curve and that would have been embarrassing because it was a short curve. But no, I just gave him my all. The track was giving out, so I felt a little divot in it, but you know, it was a fun race. 20.3 easy, so… happy to PR.

THM: What’s your main (favorite) event in track?

Sadly, my main event is the 400. I love it. I hate it. It’s the best and the worst at the same time. It’s always super tiring. It was always nerve-wracking, but it’s always good to run fast in it. I don’t know. I respect it the most.

THM: When you broke the 200m school record, how did it feel to run that PR? Is that something you had been working toward for a long time, or did it come naturally with your training?

It kind of came along. You know, I had a plateau, you know, for the past 2 years. That was always annoying. But, no, the new training, I guess, has been helping a lot. I mean, I PR half a second since last year in the 200. I mean, I was excited that I PR’d. I’m a little disappointed, you know, because I still lost by quite a bit. in the race. But, you know, also have, you know, next week to do better. So, you know, I’m so happy that I broke the record because I didn’t even know what the time was, so… It’s kind of neat when coach told me.

THM: During indoor season, you also ran a new PR in the 400 and broke the school record. What were your thoughts on that race?

That one was… Oh, where was that at? I’m trying to like picture it. Oh, it was Northwest. At that, what was it, a Thursday meeting? Yeah, and I was so pissed off that we had to go to a meet on Thursday. And I was like, you know, we’re just gonna run. not going to be good or anything. And I mean, I just got out there and started running and I PRd. I didn’t really have any hopes to run fast at all. I don’t know. I was more surprised that I ran that fast, so many things. I don’t know. I was just like, we had to go, so it’s just…I was just kind of disappointed. But, you know, I was happy to PR.

THM: After being named GLVC Freshman Athlete of the Year during indoor season, it seems like you’re having a strong comeback now—what changes have you made in your training, and what do you think has contributed to your recent record-breaking performances?

Part of it, you know, is like the training changes up, so I think I’m adapting to like how the training’s going. But the other part is I’m a senior. This is, like, the last time I’m gonna be competing in college, so if I don’t do good in that, it’s gonna stay like that forever. That’s one of those times, like, I don’t want to end off on a bad time or anything. I want it to look good. I want to leave. I don’t look like I, you know, I just, like, ran 48s all year, and, like, didn’t get better throughout my 4 years of college. So it’s kind of motivation to not be worse than my freshman year yourself.

THM: What keeps you motivated to keep pushing your limits on the track?

Honestly, to not let the coaches down. It’s always, you know, like, you get into, like, almost like a lull with some coaches, like Coach Walker, you know, you, like, kind of, like, stop pushing us as hard and everything. So like when you get a new coach, you know, you don’t want to disappoint them and everything. Yeah. So there’s always that in the back of your head. Like, you don’t want to, you know, do bad every week when they have high hopes for you, but, I mean, the other one, the motivation is just, you know, I just want to be better. I don’t want to lose to [first-years] anymore. We’ve got a month left of school and everything, and I just want to give it my all. You know, I’m not gonna be doing it as hard again for a while, so… It’s my last chance.

THM: What is one piece of advice you would give to other athletes at Jewell or elsewhere, and what advice would you give to your younger freshman self?

Just stay focused. It’s difficult to balance school and sports at the same time, but I don’t know. If you just love the sport that you do, it’s pretty easy. Just, you know, you just have to do everything that you’re supposed to, you know, go to practice on time, lift, do everything you’re supposed to do. Recover, get 8 hours of sleep, and all that. You know, because you if don’t get enough sleep, you know, you kind of look like you got bed head, and you do really bad. But yeah, uh, I don’t know. I guess the biggest thing is, uh, it’s not my coach is, uh, to stay hydrated and get sleep. Take care of your body.

THM: You heard it here. Connor Hull.

Thank you. Appreciate it.

This interview was edited for brevity and flow.