By Emily Fox · Editor-in-Chief
On Wednesday, the college hosted its annual recognition convocation in Harbison Chapel. The ceremony, organized by Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), announced the senior man and woman of the year, honored the professor of the year and celebrated the academic and extracurricular accomplishments of many students. Read about the awards and recipients below.
Outstanding Senior in Biology: Lauren Iversen
Outstanding Senior in Molecular Biology: Annalina Brant
Outstanding Senior in Biology Health: Owen Dodge
Outstanding Senior in Conservation Biology: Presley Coglon
Freshman Biology Achievement Award: Emma Flanigan
Walter E. Page Scholarship – Biology: Luke Paglia
Richard A. Leo Scholarship: Carl “Alex” Winklevoss
Edward and Sara Naegele Award – This scholarship award is presented annually to a junior majoring in the Chemistry, Biology or Physics Department who has demonstrated outstanding major QPA achievement. This year, six students have been selected for this award: Grace Ryan, Reilly Welsh, Rebekah Burger, Elisabeth Patch, Cayla Lawrence and Sabrina Harrison
Bechtell Award – Established in 1951, this annual award is given to the best overall graduating student in the biological and physical sciences, as nominated by the faculty of the department corresponding to the student’s major. This year, two students have been selected for this award: Andrew Buxbaum and Reilly Welsh
Roger Clark Dawes Award – This annual award is presented to the most outstanding engineering graduate: Noah Lawler
Outstanding Computer Science Senior: Keith Graybill
Philip N. Carpenter Senior Mathematics Award: Winona Wherley
Franklin C. Ketler Mathematics Prize: Winona Wherley
The J.P. Hassler Prize – This scholarship award is presented annually to a student majoring in economics who shows outstanding achievement in the field: Joshua Xu
Walter E. Page Scholarship – Physics: George Rule
Swezey-Janicki Research Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior student or students who have expressed an intention to enter medical school upon graduation from Grove City College and who have shown interest in pursuing research within their scientific or natural science major. The student will also have the highest GPA in his or her major. This year, two students have been selected to receive this scholarship: Grace Mayville and Elisabeth Patch
Swezey-Janicki Scientific Research Competition Award – This award will be given annually to a student majoring in biology, chemistry and/or physics who is determined by the natural science department chairs to have conducted the most superior research project. This year, two research projects were selected for this award:
Mia Gallagher, Sarah Jacob and Allison Monch – Under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Antozewski in biology, they conducted a study titled “An Analysis of Shortstop in Drosophila melanogaster Eye Development.” Their project examined the role of the shortstop (shot) gene, which encodes a spectraplakin protein essential for cell scaffolding, organization and development in the formation of the fruit fly eye.
Abigail Collier – Working under the supervision of Dr. Venney Wong in chemistry, Abigail explored ways to improve the safety and efficiency of lithium-ion battery technology. Her project, titled “Surface Analysis of a Solid Polymer Electrolyte,” examined how acid soaking and use of different cathode materials affect voltage output.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry: Rebekah Burger
American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award: Trevor Olson
American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award: Reilly Welsh
SACP (Society for Analytical Chemists Pittsburgh) Award: Alexandar Fix
Walter E. Page Scholarship – Chemistry: Cayla Lawrence
John T. Shaw Memorial Scholarship – This award is given as a memorial to long-time Organic Chemistry Professor John Shaw, who retired in 1991, and is presented to the top chemistry student(s) at the completion of Organic Chemistry I and II. This year, two students are receiving this award: Julia Bianchin and Wade Springer
Dr. Harold L. Conder Memorial Scholarship – This award is given in memory of Dr. Harold L. Conder, who served as a chemistry professor from 1973 to 2016. It is presented to a chemistry major enrolled in Inorganic Chemistry who shows seriousness of purpose in the study of inorganic chemistry and creative potential and likelihood of success in the field of chemistry: Julia Bianchin
Outstanding Exercise Science Senior Award: Anthony D’Ippolito
Excellence in Exercise Science: Matthew “Matt” Herrmann
Outstanding Exercise Science Service Award: Victoria Pekrul
Department of Management & Marketing Outstanding Senior Award: Jackson Hayes
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Excellence in Accounting Award: Selah Severson
Institute of Management Accountants Award: Curtis Hovis
Future Leaders in Finance Award: Natalie Giunta
Permelia Baldwin Shoemaker Award – This award is given to the student or students whose essay, chosen by Biblical & Theological Studies faculty, best represents “the nature, purpose or consequences of a Christian education in contemporary society – Christian principles and values that contribute to one’s life in society, such as those that Grove City College tries to endow in its students.” This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Luke Chambers and David LaBarbera
Ross A. Foster Scholarship – The Ross A. Foster Scholarship honors Dr. Ross Foster, who for more than 30 years at Grove City College, showed excellence in teaching and administration. The award is given to a senior student of proven ability in Christian thought who will be entering an approved seminary upon graduation: Jake Taylor
Olechovsky Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded to a worthy student who demonstrates an interest in the study of the languages, history and culture of the ancient world: Riley Hurd
Sydney McCormick Memorial Award – This award recognizes the outstanding senior educator who has shown dedication, excellence and enthusiasm in the student teaching experience and throughout campus life. It is awarded in the memory of Sydney McCormick by college friends and the sisters of Gamma Chi sorority. This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Trey Wagner and Moira Dieteman
James D. Thorne Education Award: Kara Wilhelm
David and Kathleen Cashdollar Scholarship – This scholarship was established by the generosity of Trustee David ’71 and Kathleen (Pickens ’70) Cashdollar to support the college in its mission. Mr. Cashdollar coached football at the college. The scholarship will be awarded to a qualified education major, with preference to students who desire to be an athletic coach: Anna Plank
Music Education Award: Faith Chapman
Hilda Adam Kring Award – This scholarship is awarded annually to a junior English major for use in the senior year. Selection criteria include academic achievement and creative potential for professional success in the student’s chosen field. This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Molly Miller and Lieneke Boonzaaijer
Thelma Baltz Morrow Award – The Morrow Award is presented annually to the three students who, in the judgment of the English faculty, have consistently demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in the use of the English language: Sophia Peluse, Jasmine Hoagland and Rebecca Froyd
Bockes Award – This award is a scholarship presented to honor academic achievement and the prospect of success in graduate study. It is awarded to a senior English major who has been accepted into an accredited graduate program in English: Ava Fahs
Diane M. Dixon Scholarship – This scholarship was established by the generosity of Dr. Diane Dixon and is awarded to the junior student who, in the judgment of the theatre and English faculty, has demonstrated the highest aptitude and achievement in the study of literature, with a special emphasis on the literature beyond the canons of English and American literature: Anastasia Brown
James G. Dixon III Scholarship – This scholarship was established by the generosity of Dr. James G. Dixon III and is awarded to the junior student who, in the judgment of the theatre and English faculty, has demonstrated the highest overall aptitude, achievement and leadership in the academic and/or creative areas of theatre at Grove City College: Christopher Corbin
Robert H. Sisler Memorial Award – The Robert H. Sisler Award is presented by Alpha Mu Gamma, the national foreign language honorary, to an outstanding modern language senior who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, concern for others and joie de vivre: Leah Morgan
Jonathan B. Ladd Award – This award is presented in honor of Dr. J.B. Ladd, who served the college for 30 years both as a professor of French and chair of the Department of Modern Languages, to the winner of this year’s French junior competition: Adam Budzik
Elinor M. Caruthers French Prize – This award honors the senior winner of the French Essay Competition. This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Sarah Graham and Marcus Henry
Psi Chi Senior Award: Nathan Wright and Sarah Graham
Red Fred Award in Psychology/Philosophy: Katherine “Katie” Bell, Elisa Drai and Randall “Randy” MacArthur
Phi Alpha Theta History Prize: Ginger Schiffmayer and William “Zander” Bedingfield
David E. McKillop Scholarship – This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. McKillop, who served the college and the History Department for 30 years. The recipient must show seriousness of purpose, creative potential, academic achievement and likelihood of success in the study of law or history: Abigail Buritica
Andrew S. Korim Original Thought Scholarship – This prestigious merit scholarship recognizes up to three outstanding, rising senior scholars who have distinguished themselves by displaying strong academics and evidence of original thought in specific majors across the social sciences, natural sciences and technology and applied sciences. Eligible participants were invited to compete by submitting an essay focusing on their creative contribution to original thought relevant to their major: Andrew Castner, James Yoho and Garrett Gess
Frederick S. Kring Scholarship – A substantial scholarship awarded annually to an outstanding leader of the junior class for use in the senior year. Selection is based on the leadership criteria of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honorary society: John Hatzis
