2025 Awards Convocation

President of St. Mary’s College of Maryland

President Tuajuanda Jordan has served as St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s (SMCM) seventh president since July 2014. During her tenure, the Board of Trustees approved a trilogy of interconnected strategic plans. The current plan, “The Rising Tide,” builds upon the goals achieved from previous plans to establish and solidify SMCM’s position as The National Public Honors College and the college of choice for students, faculty, staff and the community.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland has been widely recognized for its successes. Ranked among the nation’s best value colleges by The Princeton Review (2024) and among the best liberal arts colleges in America by Niche (2024), SMCM continues to build upon its solid reputation for academic excellence under President Jordan’s watch. Under her leadership, the College continues to analyze and assess its programming to ensure that students are provided opportunities to be engaged, productive global citizens and leaders.

Since joining the College, President Jordan has been widely recognized for her contributions to higher education and the larger community. She is the current president of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), and she created the first COPLAC Summer Summit and hosted it on campus in June 2024. In 2023, the Daily Record named her one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. In 2018, she was named a fellow in science education of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2017, she was named one of the Top 25 Women in Higher Education by the national magazine, Diverse Issues in Higher Education. In addition to serving on numerous national panels and boards, she was recognized as a Black Leader in Education by the AFRO (2017), a Woman on the Move by the Associated Black Charities, Baltimore, Maryland (2017),  was named one of Fisk University’s Talented Tenth (2016), Purdue University’s Distinguished Women Scholars (2015-16), and as an Influential Marylander by the Daily Record (2015). She received an Education Excellence Award (2018) from the Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce; the Torchbearer Award (2014) from the National Coalition of Black Women, Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter; the CEO’s Excellence Award, Prince George’s County Public Schools Foundation (2018); and was inducted (2015) into the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society.

Prior to SMCM, President Jordan served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and as a professor of chemistry at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. While there, she helped recruit an exceptional and diverse faculty, launched a center for entrepreneurship and developed a campus-wide system to increase student persistence and graduation rates. While an associate dean and tenured faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana, she helped establish the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity.

President Jordan gained national prominence in the realm of science education with the creation of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance (SEA) program and the launch of its first initiative, the SEA Phage program, which engaged novice undergraduates in research in genomics and bioinformatics. This program has been implemented at more than 50 diverse institutions across the nation, has impacted thousands of students and faculty and has resulted in numerous scientific and pedagogical publications.

President Jordan holds a B.S. in chemistry from Fisk University and a PhD in biochemistry from Purdue University.

Kat Adams
Mattie M. Key Award in Music

Kat Adams of Arbutus, Maryland, is a performing arts major, education minor. She is currently a member of the SMCM Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Music Club. After graduation, she will join the Master of Arts in Teaching program. She plans to teach K-12 music.

Kelsi Anderson
Educational Studies Book Award

Kelsi Anderson is from Baltimore, Maryland. A math major with a minor in educational studies, Anderson is a DeSousa-Brent Scholar, a 2021-25 math classroom assistant and a peer mentor. She will join the Master of Arts in Teaching program after graduation.

Mahree Annan
Board of Trustees Award

Mahree Annan is from Mechanicsville, Maryland. Annan is an SGA senator and a member of the SMCM Coast Community Resilience Work Group as well as an organizer for the Community Development Corporation. Annan’s career goal is to work in foreign relations.

Dinush Athauda
Coopersmith Leadership Award

Dinush Athauda of Rockville, Maryland is a biology and biochemistry double major with double minors in math and materials science. He is vice president of the SGA, co-president of APAC and an orientation leader. After graduation, Athauda will apply to medical school.

Julia Carter
Award for Excellence in Latin American Studies
Wilhelm Wundt Award

Julia Carter of Rockville, Maryland, is studying psychology and Spanish. She has earned the Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish and completed her 90-Hour Child Care Certification. Carter is a member of Psi Chi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies, the president of The Nightingales A Cappella and the assistant director of Programs Board. She will join the Master of Arts in Teaching program after graduation.

Yasmin Isabel Cazares Ramirez
Award for Excellence in Spanish
Educational Studies Book Award

Yasmin Isabel Cazares Ramirez of Beltsville, Maryland, is an anthropology and ILC-Spanish double major with minors in museum studies and educational studies. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Cazares Ramirez is active in the Anthropology Club. After graduation, she will join the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Emma Cecil
Michael S. Glaser Writing Award

Emma Cecil is from High Point, North Carolina. She is an English major with a creative writing minor. She is a part of Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies and works as a resident assistant on campus. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in editing and publishing.

Sanai Chase
Jaie M. Perrizo Human Services Award

Sanai Chase is from Lusby, Maryland. A psychology major and an education minor, she works as a patient care technician and postpartum doula. After graduation, she intends to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

Kathryn Chojna
Torre M. Meringolo Theater Award

Kathryn Chojna of Potomac, Maryland, is a performing arts major and music minor. She has been involved with the SMCM theater productions since her first year and has been involved in Dance Club. After graduation, Chojna plans to work as a performer in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Hudson Christensen
Department Award in Political Science

Hudson Christensen of Annapolis, Maryland, is a political science and public policy double major. He is the student member of the SMCM Board of Trustees, president of the Volleyball Club and member of the varsity tennis team. He plans to work at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Coen Joshua Dewalt
Deak Reynolds Economics Award

Coen Joshua Dewalt of Catonsville, Maryland, is a double major in economics and business administration and management. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies. Dewalt is the economics program student ambassador and a two-time captain of the men’s rugby team. After graduation, he plans to work in the Baltimore area.

Blaire Dickens
William James Prize

Blaire Dickens of Ellicott City, Maryland, is a philosophy and English double major. They are a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After graduation, Dickens intends to go into the trades while pursuing writing.

Khang Doan
McCutcheon Family Art Award

Khang Doan is from Ho Chi Minh CIty, Vietnam. He is an art major focusing on photography. While at SMCM, he had interned as a videographer at a Michelin star restaurant and has assisted as a teaching assistant in photography classes. After graduation, he plans to become a freelance photographer and videographer.

William Faulkner
Asian Studies Award
Department Award in Anthropology

William Faulkner is from Great Mills, Maryland. He is a double major in Asian studies and anthropology. Faulkner is a program student ambassador for Asian studies and co-president of the Asian and Pacific-Islander American Culture Club. After graduation, he plans to join the U.S. Air Force and learn Japanese.

Emily Feldman
Rhoda-Stark Memorial Award in Gender Studies

Emily Feldman is from Westminster, Maryland. She is an English major with a creative writing minor. She is captain and president of St. Mary’s Ultimate Team. After graduation, she plans to begin a career in the editing and publishing industry.

Lannon Fritts
Department Award in Public Policy

Lannon Fritts is from Havre de Grace, Maryland. She is a public policy major with minors in environmental studies and music. She is the program student ambassador for political science and a career mentor with the Center for Career and Professional Development. Fritts has led the Veggie Co-op for several years, been active in theater productions, vocal ensembles and the Music Club. She plans a career in teaching.

Bana Ghezai
English Department Award for Scholarship

Bana Ghezai, of Takoma Park, Maryland, is an English and sociology double major with an educational studies minor. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After graduation, Ghezai plans to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching program and become an English teacher.

Allison Glaser
Faculty Scholarship Award

Allison Glaser is from Parkville, Maryland. She is an English major with minors in philosophy and women, gender and sexuality studies. She is involved with AVATAR, the Chesapeake Writers' Conference and the Writing and Speaking Center. After graduation, she plans to work in publishing or for a nonprofit organization.

Devon Gorel
Male Scholar-Athlete Award

Devon Gorel is from Jessup, Maryland. He is a double major in computer science and mathematics. He is captain of the varsity tennis team and a member of the Climbing Club. After graduation, Gorel will work at Microsoft as a computer programmer.

Mary Katherine PingDie Govan
Lisa Zsebedics Memorial Award

Mary Katherine PingDie Govan of Charlottesville, Virginia, is a psychology major with minors in special education and women, gender and sexuality studies. She is a DeSousa-Brent Scholar, a member of the executive board for the Asian & Pacific-Islander American Club and on the varsity sailing team. After graduation, she will join the Master of Arts in Teaching program with a special education licensure.

Ben Handler
Award for Excellence in Chinese

Ben Handler, of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, is a double major in art and Asian studies with a minor in Chinese. He is a member of the varsity rowing team and is currently studying in Taiwan. Future plans include applying for a Fulbright to return to Taiwan.

Emily Henderson-Adams
Department Award in Sociology

Emily Henderson-Adams of Gambrills, Maryland, is a sociology major with minors in women, gender & sexuality studies and African & African diaspora studies. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Delta honor societies and a DeSousa-Brent Scholar. She plans to pursue a career and graduate schooling focused on diversity, equity and social services.

Ashley Johnson
Psychology Major Award

Ashley Johnson of Mechanicsville, Maryland, is majoring in psychology. She is the Psychology Department student ambassador, co-founder and president of the Psychology Club, and vice president of Psi Chi. After graduation, she plans to get her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

Ben Johnson
Margaret B. Marlay Award for English or History

Ben Johnson is from Baltimore, Maryland. A history major with a business administration minor, he has post-graduation plans to hike the Tour Du Mont Blanc in Western Europe.

Chrysanthe Kallimanis
Henry Rosemont Peace and Justice Award
Presented by Genevieve Rosemont Yellin

Chrysanthe Kallimanis of Olney, Maryland, is a double major in environmental studies and philosophy. She is a lead intern for the Coastal Community Resilience internship group, the manager for the men’s lacrosse team and participates in community-engaged research. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in geography after graduation.

Azra Zagreus-Otho Kanakis
The Weitzel Award for Research in the Humanities

Azra Zagreus-Otho Kanakis of California, Maryland, is an English and psychology double major with women, gender and sexuality studies and museum studies minors. They are a member of Psi Chi honor society and on the executive council for Haus of Solomon. After graduation, they plan to apply for the Fulbright Program to study archival/library science work.

Ryan Knight
Award for Excellence in French

Ryan Knight is majoring in math with a minor in ILC-French. Knight is senior adviser to the Fencing Club. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in math.

Sophia Koontz
Department Award  for Excellence in Biology

Sophia Koontz of Catonsville, Maryland, is a biology major. She is the president of SMCM Chapter of Beta Beta Beta biology honor society. Koontz will attend Pennsylvania State University to pursue a PhD in plant biology.

Savannah Kreider
Benjamin Banneker Award for Academic Excellence in Environmental Sciences

Savannah Kreider is from Clarksburg, Maryland. She is an environmental studies and ILC-Spanish double major. Kreider works at the climbing wall and is on the Class of 2025 executive board. She hopes to work on coral restoration in South America.

Morgan Kresslein
Female Scholar-Athlete Award

Morgan Kresslein, of Manchester, Maryland, is a neuroscience and biology double major. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Beta Beta, Nu Rho Psi and Chi Alpha Sigma honors societies as well as a member of the women's soccer team, Kresslein plans to attend graduate school for genetic counseling.

Alexus Annika Kumwembe
Department Award in Physics

Alexus Annika Kumwembe is from Lanham, Maryland. A member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, Kumwembe interned last summer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophyscis and will soon publish her own research. She is a tutor and physics program student ambassador. She will pursue a PhD in electrical engineering with the goal to create nanotechnology for the enhancement of astronomical instruments.

Anna Elise Landis
Margaret B. Marlay Award for English or History

Anna Elise Landis, of Morgantown, Pennsylvania, is an English major with a creative writing minor. She is the VOICES assistant as well as a teaching assistant for creative writing. She previously served as vice president of AVATAR and as a peer mentor.

Summer LaRocco
John R. Petruccelli Memorial Award

Summer LaRocco, of Leonardtown, Maryland, is a member of Phi Alpha Theta honor society and the current student trustee-in-training. A double major in Asian studies and English, LaRocco studied in Taiwan on a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship last summer. She is the student ambassador coordinator for the Office of Admission and the secretary for the Asian Pacific-Islander American Culture Club. LaRocco plans to pursue a career in diplomacy and public policy.

Pauline Lawrence
The SEA (Student Excellence Award) in Marine Science

Pauline Lawrence of Lusby, Maryland, is a marine science and biology double major. After graduation, Lawrence intends to pursue graduate school with the goal of obtaining a PhD in the field of coastal and estuarine ecology.

Mordecai Leavitt
The Robert H. Goldsmith Award for Excellence in  Chemistry

Mordecai Leavitt is from Greenbelt, Maryland. A double major of chemistry and art, he is the president of SMACS and the senior chair of Zero Degrees. He has been the chemistry and biochemistry department lab management intern, a chemistry subject tutor and an organic chemistry lab assistant. After graduation, Leavitt will return for a second summer at Brookhaven National Lab conducting catalysis research and apply to PhD programs in chemistry.

Ariana Lecouras
Kate Chandler SMP Award for the Study of Literature, Writing & the Environment

Ariana Lecouras is from Severna Park, Maryland. She is majoring in environmental studies with minors in English, African and African diaspora studies and history. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Lecouras is a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, the Kate Chandler Campus Farm and the Habitat for Humanity Club.

DeAvanti Levy
Barbara Bershon Arts Alliance Award in Music
Presented by Ginni Stein

DeAvanti Levy, of Waldorf, Maryland, is a performing arts major. He is a member of the symphony orchestra, the jazz band and the brass ensemble. He also plays club soccer. Levy is considering graduate school for music.

Elisia Lewis
African & African Diaspora Studies Award
David Beers Quinn Award in History

Elisia Lewis is from California, Maryland. She is a history major with minors in anthropology and African & African diaspora studies. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. She is an intern at the Hilda C. Landers Library and a program student ambassador as well as a member of the History Club. She plans to pursue a dual graduate degree in history and library science.

Shannon Lutz
Myron G. Marlay Award for Science

Shannon Lutz of Middletown, Delaware is a psychology major and political science minor. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi honor societies. Lutz is president of Interchorus A Cappella Club, captain of Hawkettes and executive board member for Dance Club. After graduation, Lutz will attend Johns Hopkins University to pursue a master's degree in counseling.

Amber Manspeaker
Department Award in Mathematics

Amber Manspeaker of Finksburg, Maryland, is an applied physics and mathematics double major. She is captain of the women’s tennis team. She works part time in the Quantum Research and Applications Branch at NAWCAD. After graduation, Manspeaker will pursue a PhD in quantum optics.

Caroline McDonald
Mendel Award in Biology for Outstanding Achievement in the Second Year

Caroline McDonald from Frederick, Maryland, is a double major in biology and biochemistry. She has done directed research with Assistant Professor Pruett. She is a member of the varsity field hockey team and has worked as a veterinary assistant. After graduation, McDonald plans to attend veterinary school.

Leo Montenegro
Wilhelm Wundt Award

Leo Montenegro, of Washington D.C., is a double major in psychology and ILC-Spanish. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi honor societies. Montenegro plans to teach English as a foreign language after graduation before applying to graduate school.

Brigid Mulholland
Gale West Parmentier Arts Alliance Award for Creative Writing
Presented by Ginni Stein

Brigid Mulholland, of Silver Spring, Maryland, is an English major with a political science minor. She is a SURF fellow and an assistant to the Chesapeake Writers' Conference, as well as a resident assistant. She interns at the Patuxent Naval Air Museum  in Lexington Park. After graduation, Mulholland plans to work before pursuing an advanced degree.

Ethan Murnan
Economics & Business Faculty Award

Ethan Murnan, of Saratoga Springs, New York, is a double major in economics and business administration and management. He enjoys club sports of rugby,  badminton and ultimate.

Caleb Newton
Colton History Award
Presented by Karli Trost.of the Major William Thomas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Caleb Newton of Waldorf, Maryland, is history major with minors in educational studies and African and African diaspora studies. He is a resident assistant and a help desk technician at OIT. After graduation, Newton will participate in the Master of Arts in Teaching program and intends to become a full-time teacher.

Bridget Norton
Alison Quinn Award in History

Bridget Norton is from Annapolis, Maryland. A history and political science major with a minor in museum studies, she is the social media editor and a staff writer for The Point News. Norton plans to pursue a career in a museum field, possibly curation, conservation or heritage education.

Sam Parizek
Hampton Davey Award

Sam Parizek of Baltimore, Maryland, is a political science and English double major. He is a peer tutor at the Writing and Speaking Center and past participant in The Washington Program. Parizek plans to pursue a career in local politics after graduating.

Lara Pauw
Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in the First Year
Presented by Libby Williams

Lara Pauw is from Rockville, Maryland. She is an economics and public policy double major, political science minor. She is a member of the varsity rowing team, the Debate Club and the Model United Nations Club. After graduation, Pauw plans to pursue a graduate degree and a career in international development.

Cesia Perez
Outstanding Achievement in Principles of Biology

Cesia Perez is from Riverdale, Maryland. A biochemistry major, she is a member of SMACS/BOSS and the Pre-Health Club. Perez plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.

Pierre Petitjean
Alice Fleury and Arthur S. Zamanakos Prize in Music

Pierre Petitjean, of Leonardtown, Maryland, is a performing artts major, educational studies minor. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After graduation, Petitjean will enter the Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Ella Price
Margaret B. Marlay Award for English or History
David Beers Quinn Award in History

Ella Price of Crofton, Maryland, is a history major. Following graduation, she starts a master's degree in modern history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Erin Rhodes
Edward T. Lewis Poetry Award

Erin Rhodes is from Silver Spring, Maryland. A double major in English and biology with a minor in creative writing, Rhodes is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society and also a member of the women's rowing team. She intends to pursue a career in science writing or science journalism.

Christina Rutherford
Neuroscience Department Award

Christina Rutherford of Greenbelt, Maryland, is a double major in neuroscience and psychology. She is a DeSousa-Brent Scholar and active in the Neuroscience Club and is a biology and neuroscience teaching assistant and tutor. After graduation, Rutherford plans to study neurology in medical school.

Riley Sandoval
David and Ginny Rosenbaum Award for Excellence in Journalism

Riley Sandoval of Olney, Maryland, is a public policy and political science double major, economics minor. She is the managing editor of The Point News. After graduation, Sandoval plans to spend time abroad volunteering with the Peace Corps.

Luke Schwenk
Myron G. Marlay Award for Science

Luke Schwenk is from Annapolis, Maryland. He is a biochemistry major and biology minor. Schwenk is the captain of the varsity swim team, an NCAA Champion and All-American as well as a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma athletic honor society. He is a teaching assistant in organic chemistry. After graduation, Schwenk plans to take a gap year and then pursue a PhD in paleontology.

Abby Shackelford
Kate Chandler Early Achievement Award for the Study of Literature, Writing & the Environment

Abby Shackelford is from Catonsville, Maryland. She is an English major, creative writing and anthropology double minor. Shackelford is member of the women's varsity rowing team and part of the AVATAR review board. She will pursue a career as a novelist.

Emma Jane Sheppard
​​Geneva Boone Award for Outstanding St. Mary's Projects

Emma Jane Sheppard is from Elkton, Maryland. She has a double major in environmental studies and ILC-Spanish with a minor in computer science. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After graduation, she plans to serve on the Appalachian Conservation Corps.

Alayna Sievert
Mattie M. Key Award in Mathematics

Alayna Sievert of Lusby, Maryland, is a mathematics major, educational studies minor. She is a captain of the women's varsity volleyball team and a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC). After graduation, Sievert plans to become a high school mathematics teacher and a volleyball coach.

Claire Stephenson
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Award

Claire Stephenson of Annapolis, Maryland, majored in psychology and minored in women, gender and sexuality studies. She was president of FUSE and a member of The Nightingales A Cappella and the Burlesque Club. Since graduation, she has been working for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities and plans to earn her master's degree in social work.

Alex Stornelli
Geneva Boone Award for Outstanding St. Mary's Projects
Physics Faculty Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research

Alex Stornelli of California, Maryland, is a physics major, mathematics minor. He conducts research with the physics department and has submitted a paper on general relativity to the journal "Universe" published by MPDI. After graduation, he intends to pursue a master's degree in physics.

Ezra Tapponnier
Biology Department Award for Academic Distinction & Service

Ezra Tapponnier of Leonardtown, Maryland, is a biology major. He is a member of Beta Beta Beta honor society. He plans to take a gap year before starting his PhD.

Kendahl Toft
Department Award in Computer Science

Kendahl Toft is from Vista, California. He is a computer science major. Toft has been on the varsity men's basketball team and has served as an orientation leader. He plans to pursue a career as a software engineer.

Jay Valdesere
Kathy Glockner Arts Alliance Award for Theater Excellence
Presented by Ginni Stein

Jay Valdesere, of Havre de Grace, Maryland, is a performing arts major. She works as box office manager for Montgomery Hall and as a technical intern for the Dodge Performing Arts Center. Valdesere plans a career in technical theater.

Basil Vallone
Virginia M. Stein Arts Alliance Award for Outstanding Work for the Stage
Presented by Ginni Stein

Basil Vallone is from Glenwood, Maryland. A performing arts major with a creative writing minor, Vallone has helped write three main stage productions at SMCM. He is president of the KitQat Club, co-president of the Transgenda Club and an active participant in St. Mary’s Rocky Horror Shadow Cast.

Jena Vanskiver
Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship
Presented by Liz Deering

Jena Vanskiver of Fallston, Maryland, is a political science and public policy double major, ILC-Spanish minor. She is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies. She is captain of the varsity field hockey team and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). After graduation, Vanskiver plans to attend a double enrollment program to earn a PhD in public administration with a Juris Doctor.

Nadia Velasco
Thomas Penfield Jackson Award for Civic Responsibility & Democratic Citizenship
Presented by Patricia Jackson
Louise Victoria Lusby Award for Academic Achievement in Economics

Nadia Velasco is from Capitol Heights, Maryland. A double major in economics and public policy with a minor in sociology, Velasco is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, Omicron Delta Epsilon and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies. She is a DeSousa-Brent Scholar, a Landers Scholar and SAGE president. She is also a member of the women's varsity rowing team and the Dance Club.  Velasco plans to volunteer with the Peace Corps, then pursue graduate studies in economic development.

Veronica Velez
The Weitzel Award for Research in the Sciences

Veronica Velez is from Bethesda, Maryland. She is a neuroscience and psychology double major, art minor. She is involved in SMACS/BOSS, the Veggie Co-op and the InterChorus A Cappella. She will be doing research with Associate Professor Dennis during SURF this summer. After graduation, she plans to go to medical school.

Cole Vonderheid
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Award for Excellence in Biochemistry

Cole Vonderheid is from Pringle, Pennsylvania. He is a biochemistry major. He serves as vice president of SMACS/BOSS, the ASBMB chapter on campus. Vonderheid aspires to become a cancer researcher with a medicinal chemistry background.

Michael Wade
Wangari Maathai Award for Academic Excellence in Environmental Policy and Social Science

Michael Wade of Woodstock, Maryland, is an environmental studies major, educational studies minor. He is a member of the varsity cross country and track and field teams. He is also involved in the Maryland Forestry Board, the Kate Chandler Campus Community Farm and The Point News. He plans to work in shoreline management or a related environmental field after graduation.

Jayden Washington
Myron G. Marlay Award for Science
Margaret Floy Washburn Award

Jayden Washington, of Lothian, Maryland, is a member of Psi Chi honor society and a research assistant for Professors Aileen Bailey and Torry Dennis. He is also a teaching assistant and a residence hall coordinator. He plans to pursue a career in behavioral neuroscience research.

Claire Elizabeth Weedon
Margaret Eagle Dixon Award in Literature

Claire Elizabeth Weedon, of Trappe, Maryland, is a member of Sigma Tau Delta honor society and the Dance Club. She will attend graduate school at American University.

Samantha White
Patti Runco Arts Alliance Award for Outstanding Work in the Annual Student Art Exhibit

Samantha White of Westminster, Maryland, is an art major, educational studies minor. In 2025, her series, "A Comprehensive Guide to the Female Body," was shown in the Annual All-Student Show in the Boyden Gallery. After graduation, she plans to continue her art journey by pursuing freelance opportunities.

Hayden Wolinski
Business Administration Department Award

Hayden Wolinski of Bel Air, Maryland, is a double major in art and business administration. He is the captain of the men's rowing team. After graduating, he plans to work in advertising.

Eleanor Woodbury
​​William Thomas Rowe Endowed Scholarship in Art

Eleanor Woodbury of Severna Park, Maryland, is an art major and museum studies minor. She is a gallery assistant at the Boyden Gallery and a collections and registration Intern at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. She is finalizing her post-graduate plans and intends to continue her art practices.

Gabriella Zimlich-Vazquez
Emerging Environmental Scholar Award

Gabriella Zimlich-Vazquez of Bethesda, Maryland, is an environmental studies major in the public policy and social sciences concentration. She is a DeSousa-Brent Scholar and a member of the varsity women's rowing team. She hopes to pursue a career in conservation after graduation.