Although the Student Awards Ceremony is a celebration, it is also a bittersweet moment. It marks the beginning of the end and the start of lots of goodbyes, but it’s also a great opportunity to honor a year of awesome accomplishments.
“This marks the beginning of the end of the academic year. It’s the beginning to celebrating our students’ accomplishments, the beginning of preparations for Baccalaureate and Commencement and the beginning of saying goodbye to those of you who are graduating and those of you who have outgrown us in a sense,” said Provost Dr. Courtney DeMayo Pugno, who emceed the event. “It’s bittersweet for all of us.”
“It’s a time when students are getting tired of faculty nagging and faculty are feeling the need for a break,” she said. “But that’s what makes us a community and a family.”
On Friday, the community gathered for the Student Awards Celebration – a moment that truly reminds us of the ties that bind us and make Heidelberg our Sweet Alma Home. Courtney added that the celebration is also a time for students to thank faculty members “who always showed up for you” and for faculty to reflect on “the awesome human beings we have helped mentor.”
Kami Stanfield and Cale Horsch are this year’s recipients of the Daniel J. and W.J.K. Snyder Prize, awarded to the top graduating seniors who the faculty judged to have excelled during their four years at Heidelberg in leadership based on character and scholarship. Yaniah Powell is this year’s recipient of the Burghalter Memorial Award, given to a student who best exemplifies the spirit of the Good Samaritan.
Taylor Ratliff was chosen to give the student remarks at the celebration. She titled her talk “Be Where Your Feet Are.” In a year filled with growth, energy and motion, Taylor encouraged those gathered to take time to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the moment.
“This moment, right now, is fleeting. … There will be hugs, laughter, perhaps a few tears shed, and goodbyes said. But before all that, just be here,” Taylor said. “Slowing down does not mean giving up or being complacent. It is not about abandoning ambition or disengaging from life’s challenges. Instead, it is about creating the space to live with intention. To be present and truly engaged with the world around you and the people who fill it.
“To find joy not just in the hustle, but in the moments that rest between the tasks, the rush, and all of the noise.”
Finally, she added, “I hope when you feel joy, you let yourself linger in it. And I hope when life feels heavy, you let yourself slow down. Because life isn’t measured by how much we accomplish. It’s measured by how deeply we appreciate it.
Congratulations to year’s award recipients as presented on Friday:
• ACS Chemistry Club Underclassman Award – Mia Savage
• Alexander and Christina Garver Memorial Prize – Corvan Reynhout, first place; Malia Ervin, second place
• Alan S. Okun Award – Treyvon Hastings
• Allan King Zartman Prize in Biology – Logan Winstead
• Arnold “Skip” Oliver Award – Tristan Buurma & Brooklyn Wharton
• Arthur E. and Helen M. Bean Award – Cameron Gaietto
• Berg Bravo! Prize – Hannah Lewis & Katherine Sayre
• Charles M. Legalley Prize in Speech – Toby Fath
• Curtis A. Helman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Criminology – Hope Kreais
• Dr. A. G. McQuate Award in Field Biology – MacKenzie Haneberg & Kelly Peterson
• Dr. Andrew J. ’81 and Anne Hering Gase Medical School Award – Emma Keto & Kiara Grow
• Dr. Rose Moore Education Award – Olivia Garlock
• Dr. John W. Groce Prize in Chemistry – Emma Rettig
• E.I.F. Williams Memorial Prize in Elementary & Secondary Education – Aubrey Michaels & Grace Porter, elementary education; Lexi Cheek and Makenna Finnegan, secondary education
• E.J. Shives Prize in Chemistry – Emma Keto
• Edward Lamb Foundation Prize – Nathan Kelley
• Emerging Leader Award – Omari Weary
• Ernest & Martha Hammel Research Awards – Kelly Peterson, first place; Kaitlyn Rutledge, second place; Ella Wank, third place
• Faculty Member of the Year – Dr. Sarah Lazzari
• Ferris and Dorothy Ohl Prize – Jacob Reuter
• F.J. Brand Prize – Jayden Slaughter
• Frederick D. Lemke Award in English – Autumn Perry
• G.A. Stinchcomb Prize in Natural Science or Mathematics – Cecelia Groth
• H. Dana Hopkins Award – Zaria Keys
• Helmut Fischer Prize in German-American studies – Kiara Grow
• Herman E. Sayger Award – Joseph Norris & Emma Keto
• Ira and Robert Wilson Memorial Prize – Cale Horsch & Jozie Hammond
• Jane Frost Kalnow Memorial Fund Career in Accounting Award – Emma McIntyre
• Jane Frost Kalnow Memorial Fund Career in Industry Award – Rylee Ritzhaupt
• John Allen Krout Prize in American History – Brooklyn Wharton
• John C. Shinn Memorial Prize – Nicholas Chambers
• John I. Kolehmainen Scholarship – Garrett Wahl
• J. Robert Allman Award in Theatre Arts – Zaria Keys
• Leanne O. Wolff Award in Communication – Rowan Gill
• Lenore Osterholm Prize in Spanish – Ashley Ballard & Kerryann Copenhaver
• Lewis E. Miller International Ambassador Award – Ana Henderson
• Liston Award – Josh Ferdon
• Martin A. Reno Emerging Scholar Prize in Computer Science – Josiah Hamilton
• Martin A. Reno Senior Scholar Prize in Computer Science – Emerson Brown
• Martin Walker Smith Prize in History: Best Paper – Brooklyn Wharton
• Martin Walker Smith Prize in History: Highest GPA – Brooklyn Wharton
• Outstanding Freshman in Criminology – Mackenzie Peck
• Outstanding First-Year Student in Psychology Award – Malia Ervin
• Outstanding Senior in Health Science Award – Gabrielle Stallbaum
• Outstanding Student Employee of the Year – Alyssa Derr
• Pancoast Family Scholarship – Jozie Hammond, MacKenzie Haneberg, Nick Hausman, Hannah Huthmaker, Macray Metz, Alyssa Derr, Noah Stahl, Brynlee Vermillion
• Paul H. Hoernemann Award in Athletics – Eric Panning and Lexi Wachtman
• Paul H. Hoernemann Memorial Prize for Voice – Simon Fletcher
• Prugh Prize in Athletics – Zane Leitwein & Morgan Altenburger
• Psi Chi Outstanding Senior Award – Taylor Ratliff
• Ralph & Sue Quellhorst Community Service Group Award – Philalethean Society
• Robert E. Oleson Outstanding Student Leader Award – Taylor Ratliff
• Susan M. McCafferty Law School Award – Cole Renier
• Student Leader for Campus Vibrancy – Yaniah Powell
• Student Organization Advisor of the Year – Dr. Matthew Kennedy
• Student Organization of the Year – CRU
• Wickham Prize in Business – Lillian Robeson
• William F. Steele Prize in Mathematics – Haley Sewell
• William Henry and Harriet Jane Gibson Award – Matt Strouse
• William Henry and Harriet Jane Gibson Prize – Lily Brown