At the Student Awards Celebration on Friday, April 17, 2026, President Rob Huntington described the occasion as “a great moment for the University,” offering congratulations to the students being recognized and thanking friends and families in attendance for their support.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Courtney DeMayo Pugno echoed that sentiment, calling Heidelberg “a special place for our students to live and grow, and for faculty to work together in support of them.” She added that the ceremony is “one of the highlights of the academic year.”
Abigail Stine and Caleb Silvia were named this year’s recipients of the Daniel J. and W.J.K. Snyder Prize, awarded to the top graduating seniors who the faculty has judged to have excelled during their four years at Heidelberg in leadership, character, and scholarship. Bryant Pfeifer received the Burghalter Memorial Award, given to a student who best exemplifies the spirit of the Good Samaritan.
Cameron “Steeve” Gaietto delivered the student remarks, titled “Our Journey,” reflecting on what first brought students to Heidelberg and how their experiences have shaped them over time.
“Whatever you came here for, I guarantee that that was not the entirety of your journey,” Steeve said. “It might have been your main focus, but it was only one facet of all the things you’ve done to make it here.”
Acknowledging that no two student journeys are the same, Steeve emphasized the power of a shared Heidelberg experience. “My experience does not represent the whole Heidelberg experience,” he said. “While none of us experienced everything Heidelberg had to offer, together, we experienced it all.”
The address also recognized the challenges students faced along the way, from unexpected changes to personal loss, underscoring the resilience that carried them to this moment. Ultimately, Steeve reminded fellow students that while their paths differed, they arrived at this milestone together.
“This ceremony is not the destination, nor is commencement,” he said. “Rather, these are just stops on the path of your journey.”
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients, as presented on Friday:
ACS Chemistry Club Underclassman Award - Abigail Luttrell
Alexander and Christina Garver Memorial Prize - First Place: Marco Saberson; Second Place: Ryann Arnold
Allan King Zartman Prize in Biology - Olivia Raubenolt
Arnold "Skip" Oliver Award - Nicholas Chambers
Arthur E. and Helen M. Bean Award - Kathrine Sayre
Berg Bravo Prize - Izea Joseign Dimaun, Rory Mott
Burghalter Memorial Award - Bryant Pfeifer
Charles M. LeGalley Prize in Speech - Meg Amburgey
Curtis A. Helman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior in Criminology - Gracie Chester
Daniel J & W J K Snyder Prize - Male: Caleb Silvia; Female: Abigail Stine
Dr. A.G. McQuate Award in Field Biology - Allison Wesley
Dr. John W. Groce Prize in Chemistry - Zachary Clark
Dr. Rose Moore Education Award - Ainsley Manger
E. J. Shives Prize in Chemistry - Kacy Connolly
E.I.F. Williams Memorial Prize - Elementary Education: Collin Barth, Ava Smith; Secondary Education: Brandon Boes, Alyssa Kordish
Edward Lamb Foundation Prize - Nate Kelly
Emerging Leader Award - Athulya Nair
Ernest and Martha Hammel Best Paper Award - 1st Place: Grant McMaster; 2nd Place: Kacy Connolly; 3rd Place: Rowan Gill
F.J. Brand Prize - Jacob Frankart
Faculty Member of the Year - Stacey Pistorova
Ferris and Dorothy Ohl Prize - Cole Miller
Frederick D. Lemke Award in English - Rowan Gill
G. A. Stinchcomb Prize in Natural Science or Mathematics - Bradyn Frankart
H. Dana Hopkins Award - Mackenzie Ludwig
Herman E. Sayger Award - Male: Hudson Black; Female: Katy Meeker
Ira and Robert Wilson Memorial Prize - Abigail Stine
J. Robert Allman Award in Theatre Arts - Amelia Hammond
Jane Frost Kalnow Memorial Fund Career in Accounting Award - Lance Frankart
Jane Frost Kalnow Memorial Fund Career in Industry Award - Mallory Zavatchen
John Allen Krout Prize in American History - Nicholas Chambers
John C. Shinn Memorial Award - Alayna Hahn
John I. Kolehmainen Scholarship - Lola Lucas
Leanne O. Wolff Award in Communication - Trey Pitzer
Lewis E. Miller International Ambassador Award - Maya Lesher
Liston Award - Maddilyn Brillhart
Martin A. Reno Emerging Scholar Prize in Computer Science - Elizabeth Jackson
Martin A. Reno Senior Scholar Prize in Computer Science - Gabriel Harmon
Martin Walker Smith Prize in History: Best Paper - Nicholas Chambers
Martin Walker Smith Prize in History: Highest GPA - Caleb Silvia
Outstanding First Year Student in Psychology Award - Adalyn Schaaf
Outstanding Freshman in Criminology - Georgene Herman
Outstanding Senior in Health Science Award - Grace Dohanyos
Outstanding Student Employee of the Year - Hailey Gaylor
Paul H. Hoernemann Award - Male: Josh Ferdon; Female: Ellie Tressler
Paul H. Hoernemann Memorial Prize for Voice - Lily Brown
Prugh Prize in Athletics - Male: Riley Gossom, Brady Bosma; Female: Maciaha Irving
Psi Chi Outstanding Senior Award - Jaislynn Woodall
Ralph & Sue Quellhorst Community Service and Civic Engagement Award - Reginald Farris
Ralph & Sue Quellhorst Community Service Group Award - Philalethean Society
Student Leader for Campus Vibrancy - Ethan Rieman
Student Organization Advisor of the Year - Ben Pugno
Student Organization of the Year Award - Chem Club
The Clyde A. Lamb Award - Male: Drew Miller; Female: Brigid Enright
The Dr. Andrew J. '81 and Anne Hering Gase Medical School Award - Kacy Connolly, Grant McMaster
The Helmut Fischer Prize in German-American Studies - Maria Landess
The Lenore Osterholm Prize in Spanish - Avery Reagan, Ana Henderson
The Pancoast Family Scholarship - Kacy Connolly, Cameron Bennett, Carson Colahan, Molly Connon, Alyssa Derr, Cale Horsch, Emma Keto, Macray Metz,
Claire St. Bernard, Brynlee Vermillion
The Robert E. Oleson Outstanding Student Leader Award - Joshua Ferdon
The Susan M. McCafferty Law School Award - Brooklyn Wharton
Wickham Prize in Business - Ilyeis Franks
William F. Steele Prize in Mathematics - Amelia Harness-Koehnle
William Henry and Harriet Jane Gibson Prize - Daniel Wahl