Davis & Elkins College honored student achievement, leadership, and service during the 2026 Academic Awards and Recognition Convocation, held April 21 in Harper-McNeeley Auditorium at the Myles Center for the Arts. The ceremony, presided over by President Chris A. Wood, recognized outstanding accomplishments across academic disciplines while celebrating the broader impact students, faculty, and staff have made on the campus community.
Departmental Achievement Awards
Students from across the College were recognized for excellence within their academic programs. Honorees in Biology, Environmental Science, and Sustainability included Jaden B. Bender, Alyssa M. Haynes, Shelby Marsh, and Lauren Twyman, with Emma K. Engle receiving the Robert E. Urban Memorial Award.
In Business and Entrepreneurship, honorees were David A. Bailey, Filippo Buffo, Alyson Miller, Melisa Ozsar, Tyler A. McCune, Samuel A. Rached, Catalina Salas Ortega, and Julia Vieira. Chemistry students Brooke J. Jacobs and Taytum Walls were recognized, with Jacobs also earning the Dr. Charles E. Albert Memorial Prize in Chemistry.
Additional honorees included Morgan T. Rogers and Ana L. Ubalde in Communication; Jocelyn P. Burnside, Alyssa J. Moss, Wesley T. Strawderman, and Lydia S. Wamsley in Education; and Savanna G. Hardman, Marina Saviceva-Noti, and Damian R. Stevenson in English and Foreign Language, Religion and Philosophy. Julia Vieira received the Tatiana Jardetzky Scholarship in Foreign Languages and Cultures.
Creative Arts honorees included Madeline L. Edicola, Greydon M. Fischer, and Nicole M. Schumacher. In History, Emma Gioia and Jacklyn Howell were recognized, while Peyton M. Friel received the James H. Swanton Prize in History. Mathematics and Physics honorees included Marcos Pacheco Padilla and Wesley T. Strawderman.
Nursing students recognized included Hillary L. Channell, Autumn Plauger, Aleah L. Sharp, Mary G. Beverage, and Macaden Taylor across ASN and BSN levels. In Psychology, Human Services, Political Science, and Criminology, honorees included Alena R. Armstrong, Erin Laubscher, and Melisa Ozsar, with Marina Saviceva-Noti recognized in Political Science. Bella G. Beaver received the Dorothy F. Roberts Achievement Prize, and Criminology honorees included Avelyn Anderson, Kristia Kouppi, and Shelley E. Steff.
Sport Science honorees included Samy Burd, Francisco L. Kreik, Daphne C. McCann, Jacob Milligan, Justus Petersilie, and Ian M. Wood, with Courtney F. Luikart receiving the Minnick-McCoy Award.
Special Awards and Honors
Several prestigious awards highlighted excellence beyond the classroom. The Faculty Senior Award was presented to Julia Vieira, recognizing a senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and intellectual leadership. The Dean’s Award was awarded to Willow Ferguson, while Junior Marshals Aiden Lloyd and Rafaela Moreira were selected to represent the junior class during commencement ceremonies.
Julia Vieira was also recognized with the L. Newton Thomas Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The Freeman J. Daniels Academic Achievement Awards honored Rafaela Moreira as the top junior, Donna McCauley as the top sophomore, and Christopher Wirahadipoernomo as the top freshman.
The Charles H. Potter II Scholarship Award was presented to JayC G. Morlog for outstanding leadership within the campus community. The Campus Impact Award was awarded to Deimante B. Antoine in recognition of meaningful contributions to campus life.
Outstanding Junior Student Life Awards were presented to Damian R. Stevenson and Maybellene M. Ledesma, while Outstanding Senior Student Life Awards were awarded to Connor R. Hyde and Alexis M. Herndon for their significant contributions outside the classroom.
Among the College’s highest honors, the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award was presented to Sidney Ann Megna, and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was awarded to Samuel Antonio Rached. These awards recognize individuals who exemplify a spirit of service, character, and commitment to others.
The Lois Latham Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to Dr. Sarah Garrison, honoring her dedication to student learning and academic mentorship. Jane Corey was named Staff Emerita in recognition of her years of service, and Stephanie Haynes, College Registrar, received the Robin Price Award for Staff Excellence for her outstanding contributions to the College community.
Academic Distinction: President’s List and Dean’s List
Davis & Elkins College also celebrated academic excellence across the student body through the Fall 2025 President’s List and Dean’s List.
Students named to the President’s List achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average while completing at least 12 semester hours. Honorees included Sidney Apanowicz, Alena Armstrong, David Bailey, Bella Beaver, Jaden Bender, Filippo Buffo, Samy Burd, Jocelyn Burnside, Hillary Channell, Erin Collins, Emma Gioia, Brooke Jacobs, Tyler McCune, Sidney Megna, Alyson Miller, Jacob Milligan, Melisa Ozsar, Catalina Salas Ortega, Wesley Strawderman, Lauren Twyman, Ana Ubalde, Julia Vieira, Ian Wood, and many others.
Students named to the Dean’s List earned a grade point average between 3.6 and 3.99 while completing at least 12 semester hours. Honorees included Saige Abbott, Rylee Anderson, Emma Andrews, Lydia Andrzejuk, Tessa Banasiak, Marissa Barajas, Britney Bond, Nicole Bramble, Sophia Brown, Zachary Calef-Boring, Addison Cogar, Taylor Cooper, Madeline Edicola, Kaitlyn England, Savannah Foley, Madison Frazier, Madison Godwin, Alexia Gonzales, Luke Grilliot, Jacob Hamrick, Savanna Hardman, Connor Hyde, Justin Kearney, Fallyn Kelley, Dylan Leadbetter, Avery Linthicum, Tiffany Manning, Aidan Miller, Payton Miller, Mackenzie Mullan, Andrea Pannell, Emma Prater, Samuel Rached, Corbin Reilly, Marina Saviceva-Noti, Nathaniel Silvus, Tristan Starks, Garrett Swecker, Lydia Wamsley, Zoey White, and many others.
Looking Ahead
The ceremony also recognized students selected for the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy, as well as graduating seniors continuing their education at institutions across the country. Academic honor societies, including Alpha Delta Nu, Chi Beta Phi, Delta Alpha Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, and Sigma Theta Tau, were also acknowledged for their commitment to scholarship and service.
As the academic year draws to a close, the 2026 Academic Awards and Recognition Convocation served as a powerful reminder of the dedication, talent, and impact of the Davis & Elkins College community, both inside and outside the classroom.
