{"id":1484,"date":"2026-04-24T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T09:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stuorgs2.gcc.edu\/thecollegian\/2026\/04\/24\/2026-04-24-recognition-convocation-awards\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T23:08:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T23:08:42","slug":"2026-04-24-recognition-convocation-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stuorgs2.gcc.edu\/thecollegian\/2026\/04\/24\/2026-04-24-recognition-convocation-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Recognition Convocation\u00a0Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Emily Fox<\/a> · Editor-in-Chief<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Students
Students were honored for their academic achievements on Wednesday in Harbison Chapel. \u2014 GCC<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Senior in Biology: Lauren Iversen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Senior in Molecular Biology: Annalina Brant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Senior in Biology Health: Owen Dodge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Senior in Conservation Biology: Presley Coglon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freshman Biology Achievement Award: Emma Flanigan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter E. Page Scholarship \u2013 Biology: Luke Paglia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard A. Leo Scholarship: Carl \u201cAlex\u201d Winklevoss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edward and Sara Naegele Award \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bechtell Award \u2013 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\u2019s major. This year, two students have been selected for this award: Andrew Buxbaum and Reilly Welsh<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger Clark Dawes Award \u2013 This annual award is presented to the most outstanding engineering graduate: Noah Lawler<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Computer Science Senior: Keith Graybill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philip N. Carpenter Senior Mathematics Award: Winona Wherley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Franklin C. Ketler Mathematics Prize: Winona Wherley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The J.P. Hassler Prize \u2013 This scholarship award is presented annually to a student majoring in economics who shows outstanding achievement in the field: Joshua Xu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter E. Page Scholarship \u2013 Physics: George Rule<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swezey-Janicki Research Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swezey-Janicki Scientific Research Competition Award \u2013 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mia Gallagher, Sarah Jacob and Allison Monch \u2013 Under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Antozewski in biology, they conducted a study titled \u201cAn Analysis of Shortstop in Drosophila melanogaster Eye Development.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abigail Collier \u2013 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 \u201cSurface Analysis of a Solid Polymer Electrolyte,\u201d examined how acid soaking and use of different cathode materials affect voltage output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Chemical Society (ACS) Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry: Rebekah Burger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award: Trevor Olson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award: Reilly Welsh<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SACP (Society for Analytical Chemists Pittsburgh) Award: Alexandar Fix<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter E. Page Scholarship \u2013 Chemistry: Cayla Lawrence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John T. Shaw Memorial Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Harold L. Conder Memorial Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Exercise Science Senior Award: Anthony D\u2019Ippolito<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excellence in Exercise Science: Matthew \u201cMatt\u201d Herrmann<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding Exercise Science Service Award: Victoria Pekrul<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department of Management & Marketing Outstanding Senior Award: Jackson Hayes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Excellence in Accounting Award: Selah Severson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Institute of Management Accountants Award: Curtis Hovis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future Leaders in Finance Award: Natalie Giunta<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Permelia Baldwin Shoemaker Award \u2013 This award is given to the student or students whose essay, chosen by Biblical & Theological Studies faculty, best represents \u201cthe nature, purpose or consequences of a Christian education in contemporary society \u2013 Christian principles and values that contribute to one\u2019s life in society, such as those that Grove City College tries to endow in its students.\u201d This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Luke Chambers and David LaBarbera<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ross A. Foster Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olechovsky Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sydney McCormick Memorial Award \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James D. Thorne Education Award: Kara Wilhelm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David and Kathleen Cashdollar Scholarship \u2013 This scholarship was established by the generosity of Trustee David \u201971 and Kathleen (Pickens \u201970) 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Education Award: Faith Chapman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hilda Adam Kring Award \u2013 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\u2019s chosen field. This year, two students have been selected to receive this award: Molly Miller and Lieneke Boonzaaijer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thelma Baltz Morrow Award \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bockes Award \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diane M. Dixon Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James G. Dixon III Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert H. Sisler Memorial Award \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonathan B. Ladd Award \u2013 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\u2019s French junior competition: Adam Budzik<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elinor M. Caruthers French Prize \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psi Chi Senior Award: Nathan Wright and Sarah Graham<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Fred Award in Psychology\/Philosophy: Katherine \u201cKatie\u201d Bell, Elisa Drai and Randall \u201cRandy\u201d MacArthur<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phi Alpha Theta History Prize: Ginger Schiffmayer and William \u201cZander\u201d Bedingfield<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David E. McKillop Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew S. Korim Original Thought Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frederick S. Kring Scholarship \u2013 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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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