The University of Minnesota Morris held its annual Honors and Awards program on Friday, May 10 to recognize student achievements.
Acting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean Peh Ng noted: "Tonight’s recognitions—of accomplishments with campus, regional, state, national, and international implications--attest to the wealth of ways in which Morris students excel and make their positive mark in the world."
Chancellor’s Award
Presented annually to an outstanding senior on the basis of academic excellence and contribution to campus life, the chancellor of the University of Minnesota Morris makes the Chancellor’s Award selection after consulting with various campus groups.
Richard Lange ’24
Curtis H. Larson Award
The Curtis H. Larson Award is conferred upon the graduate chosen as senior class speaker. The selection is made by faculty and graduating seniors. The award was established in memory of the late Curtis Larson, the University of Minnesota Morris’s first class speaker in 1964.
Kianna Big Crow ’24
Fulbright Semi Finalist Award
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest United States exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide.
Madison Carrington ’24
Morris Student Sustainability Leader Award
This award recognizes students who have displayed exemplary service to advance campus sustainability conversations and initiatives. The efforts of these student leaders have helped to create positive change with leadership that has been a model to others. Sustainability is a big idea that connects with our liberal arts leadership. These students have asked “big questions” and have worked to find solutions.
Amalia Galvan ’24
Torr Johnson ’24
Allen W. Edson Award
Presented annually in recognition of contribution to campus life, the Allen W. Edson Awards recipient is chosen by the senior class, the faculty, and the Functions and Awards Committee. The award honors Allen Edson, superintendent of the University of Minnesota West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA) and Experiment Station on the Morris campus from 1947 to 1958.
Riley Tollefsrud ’25
Mary Martelle Memorial Award
Presented annually to a student and to a staff member deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the quality of Morris campus life, the Mary Martelle Memorial Award perpetuates the memory of Mary Martelle, senior secretary in the Office of Student Activities from 1965 until her death in 1976.
Riley Tollefsrud ’25
Scholar of the College Award
Scholar of the College Awards are presented annually to students who demonstrate distinguished contributions to scholarship in one or more of the academic disciplines.
Nova Austin ’25 Noah Bastin ’24 Bethanie Belisle ’24
Kianna Big Crow ’24 Tasha Douville ’24 Mason Eischens ’24
Benjamin Giese ’24 Yuechu Hu ’24 Tzu-Hsiang Huang ’23
Michelle Johnson ’24 Adrienne Kanihan ’24 Zerui Lyu ’24
Malena Mahoney ’26 Chenfei Peng ’24 Abbie Rehbein ’26
Kiley Rodarmel ’24 Kathryn Smith ’24 Riley Tollefsrud ’25
John Walbran ’25 Yifei Yu ’24 Gavin Zempel ’24
Mestenhauser Student Award for Excellence in Campus Internationalization
Recognizes outstanding student contributions to international education. It acknowledges important work being done by students in the University of Minnesota system to internationalize the curriculum and campus.
Dongting Cai ’24
Edith Rodgers Farrell Memorial Award for Undergraduate Research
Established by the family, students, and friends of Edith Rogers Farrell, late professor of French and undergraduate research advocate, the annual award is granted to a graduating senior whose research is judged by a jury of faculty to be excellent.
Gavin Zempel ’24
Bill and Ida Stewart Award for Racial Justice Advocacy
This award recognizes faculty, staff, and students who have displayed exemplary service on our campus in support of promoting racial justice, a supportive climate for all people, and positive, lasting change.
Evelin Canil Aguilar ’24
Honors Program Recognition
The Morris Honors Program focuses on providing opportunities for curious, creative, and intellectually ambitious students to practice interdisciplinary thinking. All courses in the program are interdisciplinary and are frequently taught by two professors. Students complete the program with an interdisciplinary capstone project and defense, and have an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher at graduation.
Matilyn Carl ’24
Dongting Cai ’24
Tasha Douville ’24
Isaac Harveaux ’24
Sam Jordan ’23
Allison Koos ’24
Anthony Rozycki ’24
Arnold Henjum Scholar-Athlete Award
Presented to a senior male athlete on the basis of athletic excellence and integrity, the award honors Arnold Henjum, professor of education from 1964 to 1992, who made innumerable contributions to Minnesota public education. Recipients must earn a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average.
Blake Johnson ’23
Willis Kelly Award
Presented to a senior female athlete who exemplifies the spirit of competition at Morris in women’s athletics, the award is in memory of Willis Kelly, physical education coach and athletic director at Morris for more than 20 years. She was the first director of women’s athletics in 1975 and served as director of men’s and women’s athletics from 1982 until her retirement in 1987. Recipients must earn a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average.
Jay Kwateh ’24
Honor Athlete Awards
Selected by a committee of coaches on the basis of academic and athletic achievement, recipients of the Men’s and Women’s Honor Athlete Awards have earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Grant Strukel ’24
Maggie Jones ’24
Cougar Excellence Awards
The Cougar Excellence Awards are awarded each year to one male and one female, fourth-year student-athletes who represent the best of Cougar Athletics: passion, dedication, athletic competitiveness, and academic engagement. Recipients have competed at the University of Minnesota Morris for a minimum of two years.
Marcus Reeb ’23
Kim Peters ’24
William R. Scarborough Memorial Award
Presented annually to a senior in elementary or secondary education, the William R. Scarborough Memorial Award recognizes demonstrated competence and potential for becoming an outstanding member of the teaching profession. The award honors the memory of William Scarborough, former Division of Education chair, who joined the faculty in 1966 and made many contributions to the Morris campus and to public education in Minnesota.
Dana Voss ’24
Art History Book Award
Awarded to graduating art history majors, this award recognizes academic excellence and potential for further achievement in the arts.
Josephine Carson ’24
Jessica Gustafson ’24
Kathryn Smith ’24
Alumni Award for Outstanding English Major
This award is presented to graduating English majors whose performances in English classes have been consistently superior and who have made positive contributions to the discipline or major in and beyond the classroom.
Tasha Douville ’24
Keith Carlson Memorial Jazz Award
Presented annually to the most outstanding jazz musicians at Morris, this award is given in memory of Keith Carlson by Jack and Ethel Carlson.
Ben Giese ’24
Nate Weglewski ’24
Brion Dalager Memorial Award
Established by the family and friends of the late Brion Dalager, University of Minnesota, Morris music student from 1969 to 1972, this scholarship is awarded annually to students who have demonstrated outstanding ability on a band instrument.
Adrienne Kanihan ’24
Bryanna Wiebe ’25
Natalie Benoit Memorial Award
Presented to a junior or senior who demonstrates ability and shows promise as a serious art student. Given by George and Joan Benoit, former Morris residents, in memory of their daughter who was an art major studying at Penn State when an accident took her life.
Sierra Kallio ’24
Lois P. Hodgell Printmaking Award
This award honors the late Lois P. Hodgell, professor of art from 1962 until her retirement in 1993. The recipient must show outstanding achievement in printmaking. Presented annually to a student who demonstrates creative potential in the field and technical understanding of a variety of print processes.
Margot Finneran-Flyckt ’24
Evelyn Thell ’24
Ray and Dolores Lammers Award in the Language Arts
Established in memory of the late Raymond J. Lammers, professor of theater, and his late wife Dolores, this award is presented to seniors majoring in and demonstrating an outstanding undergraduate career in one of the following disciplines: theater, English, foreign language, or communication, media, and rhetoric. Profesor Lammers was one of the first Morris faculty members and figured prominently in the creation of the theater major and theater program.
Madison Carrington ’24
Mason Eischens ’24
Abbott Award in Physics
Presented to a graduating senior physics major with the greatest potential of achieving a professional career in physics or a physics-related field, the award was established by the late Robinson Abbott, professor of biology from 1961 to 1991, and his wife, Rose Marie, who taught Morris biology courses, to recognize the importance Morris played in their lives. All four Abbott children graduated from Morris, three with physics majors.
Briana Dokken ’24
Jay Y. Roshal Award
Presented to a senior student majoring in biology who demonstrates the most promise and interest in a career in the biological sciences, the award is in honor of the late Jay Roshal, professor of biology from 1960 to 1983 and the first University of Minnesota, Morris Division of Sciences and Mathematics chair.
Madelyn Schoenberger ’24
Jim Winter Ecology Award
Established by Jim Winter, a native of Morris who earned a B.A. in Biology in 1968 from the UMN Morris and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota, this award provides financial support to juniors and seniors who are interested in attending graduate school to study ecology or in working in the field of ecology and have a background with demonstrated academic success in ecology. Award preference is for students who have conducted undergraduate research, worked and/or volunteered on science projects, or presented a paper at a science conference.
Gillian Deirdre ’24
spdf Chemistry Award
The annual spdf Award is given to a senior chemistry major demonstrating outstanding scholarship, potential, and service in chemistry. Chemistry students know that the letters s,p,d,f refer to the internal structure of the atom as determined by experiment and theory. Historically, the letters were nothing but labels for colors of light emitted or absorbed by atoms when the internal structure was unknown.
Adrienne Kanihan ’24
Clemens “Johnny” Brauer Memorial Award
Established by former colleagues and students to honor the memory of Clemens Brauer, associate professor of geology from 1966 to 1981, the award supports geology majors in their educational pursuits at the University of Minnesota Morris by providing financial assistance to cover field camp expenses.
Calvin Nelson ‘25
Logan Stech ‘24
Anthropology Award
The Anthropology Research Award is given to an Anthropology major who has shown exceptional ability for independent research. The award is given to a student with fewer than 90 credits toward graduation and includes monetary support for conducting research or presenting research at a professional meeting.
Mason Wilebski ’26’
Chris Berg Memorial Award
Presented annually to an outstanding senior economics major demonstrating academic excellence in that field, this award is presented by the University of Minnesota Morris economics/management faculty in memory of their colleague, Chris Berg, one of UMN Morris's early economics faculty.
Yifei Yu ‘24
UMM Management/Economics Alumni Award
This award is presented to a graduating discipline senior who has achieved academic excellence and has provided service to the discipline and the Morris campus. It is funded through collective alumni gifts to the management/economics discipline.
Marshall O’Meara ‘24
Ted and Judith Underwood Award in History
Presented to a graduating senior with a major or minor in history or a history concentration in the social science major who has demonstrated distinguished academic performance in history, the award is named for Dr. Ted L. and Judith Underwood. Ted served the University of Minnesota Morris as an outstanding scholar, teacher, and administrator from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. Judith completed a degree in education at University of Minnesota Morris in 1971 and pursued a successful career in education in the Minneapolis area from 1973 to 1999.
Christian Diederich ‘25
Gieske Academic Award
Offered annually to outstanding political science majors in their senior year, this award is given to students who have exceptional records of accomplishments at the University of Minnesota Morris as well as strong prospects for success after graduation. The award is in memory of Millard Gieske who was a professor in political science for more than 15 years. He served as acting chair of the Division of the Social Sciences, was a respected leader in many professional organizations, and the author of many political works.
Bethanie Belisle ‘24
Outstanding Graduate in Psychology Award
The Outstanding Graduate in Psychology Award is given annually to seniors graduating with psychology majors. Recipients who receive this award have excelled in the following areas: scholarship, research experience, and participation in the psychology discipline.
Rachel Scarseth ‘24
Tasha Douville ‘24
Evelyn Thell ‘24
Kennedy Hill ‘24
Sociology Book Award
Awarded to an outstanding sociology student, this honor recognizes academic excellence and active engagement in the field of sociology.
Michelle Johnson ‘24
ADDITIONAL HONORS DURING THE 2023–24 ACADEMIC YEAR
African and Black American Studies Program Outstanding Student Award
This award is presented to the student who has contributed most to the African and Black American studies program and has achieved a high level of academic excellence.
Sierra Pickett ’25
American Indian Salt Springs Awards
The American Indian Salt Springs Awards are presented on the basis of academic excellence and contribution to the Indian and campus community to outstanding American Indian students who will return to the Morris campus next year.
American Indian Salt Springs Cultural Award Scholarship
Chase Bittner ’26
Sophia Diver ’26
Mikayli Marciulionus ’26
American Indian Salt Springs Teacher Scholarship
Jada Lego ’27
Mesabi-Lyn Severson ’26
Bos Undergraduate Research Awards
The Bos Research Fund was established in honor of Angela Bos ’01 to enhance the successful undergraduate research experience of UMN Morris students. Funds are made available to cover expenses for travel, conference registration, and other costs associated with the pursuit of the undergraduate research opportunities. All students are eligible to participate.
Ben Giese ’24
Adrienne Eve Kanihan ’24
Kiley Nicole Rodarmel ’24
Bridgford Summer Scholars Program
Established by Betty Bridgford Orvis and Robert E. Orvis Sr. in memory of Betty’s father, Roy Bridgford, agronomist at the West Central School of Agriculture and the Experiment Station from 1918 until his retirement in 1956. Professor Bridgford taught classes in crops, soils, and plant diseases and had charge of all crop research. He was known not only throughout Minnesota, but also throughout the Upper Midwest for his experimental and research work with crops. The program supports a summer research and internship experience for one or more students who are interested in expanding their knowledge and experience in relation to agriculture, food, and crop production at UMN Morris.
Madelyn Rose Schoenberger ’24
Chemistry Undergraduate Research Award
The Chemistry Undergraduate Research Fund (CURF) provides support for students who are majoring in chemistry/biochemistry and have an interest in carrying out research in chemistry/biochemistry of a closely related field. The awardees have demonstrated outstanding aptitude for research in the chemistry discipline’s Introduction to Research course and the potential for continued success.
Daniel Dahmen ’26
Siri Overturf ’26
Chi Alpha Sigma
Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, recognizes high academic achievements of student athletes at the collegiate level. Student athletes who contribute significantly to at least one intercollegiate sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years are eligible for membership in Chi Alpha Sigma. The University of Minnesota Morris chapter, established in 2006, is the only chapter in Minnesota.
Anna Athey ’25 Abigail Doyle ’25 Tommy Ellis ’25
Alex Emmrich ’25 Abby Hachmeister ’25 Grace Hambike ’25
Ilsa Hoaglund ’25 Zoe Hoaglund ’25 Sheena James ’25
Cooper Jones ’25 Dalton Lee Koehler ’24 Will Marsan ’25
Grace Marshall ’24 Carter Maurice ’25 Madeline Monaco ’25
Calvin Nelson ’25 Kayla Nelson ’25 McKenzie S Newton ’24
Lauren Parsons ’25 Kim Butala Peters ’24 Lilly Radintz ’25
Jacob Schaaf ’25 Hannah Selig ’25 Tyler Stephans ’25
Sierra Stevens ’25 Marybeth Tautges ’25 Conor Thornbrugh ’25
Duncan Vandergon ’25 Ava Weber ’25 Laura Wellbrock ’25
Hannah Wellens ’25 Ayla Erin Wicklow ’24
Community Engagement Award
The Minnesota Campus Compact Award recognizes students who have contributed meaningfully to university-community partnerships.
Allison Koos ’24
Dik Munson Art Award
Presented to outstanding first- and second-year studio art students demonstrating creative potential in future discipline coursework. This award is intended for purchase of materials and supplies for the recipient’s artwork and experimentation with new media.
Riley Johnson ’27
Grace Lulai ’26
Marin Westrum ’27
John Brian Becker ’97 Memorial Student Activist Award
Established by friends of the late John Becker ’97, this award is meant to honor and to thank a student identified as being a progressive-thinking individual whose activism has made an impact on campus or beyond by raising public awareness and promoting social change. John majored in English and theatre arts while at UMN Morris and was actively involved in the Student DFL, KUMM, and Women’s Resource Center.
Allie Jutton ’26
Matthew Ian Helgesen Memorial Award
Established by Tim and Jean Helgesen in memory of their son, Matthew ’06, this award is given to the captain of the Bad Movie Club. Matt was one of the first students to start the club during his freshman year at UMN Morris. The award honors the values of UMN Morris and reflects student initiative in creativity in leadership and serves to encourage the captain to keep the club going by doing “all the extras that always need to be done.”
Gray C. Kruse ’24
Morris Academic Partner (MAP) Program
In recognition of the value of academic employment to the intellectual development of students, and for the opportunity to assist faculty members in their work, this program awards stipends to academically talented students. These students undertake assignments that enhance their intellectual competence and increase their interest in graduate or professional study. Students were paired with faculty.
Jessica Gustafson ’24 Conor Thornbrugh ’25
John Walbran ’25 Alayna Louise Fjelstad ’24
Lucas Newhouse ’25 Noah R Bastin ’24
Josiah James Novak ’24 William Marsan ’25
Brendan Patrick Conroy ’24 Chenfei Peng ’24
Yuechu Hu ’24
Owen W. and Frances A. Tate Memorial Award for Student Learning
Established by the Tate family to honor the memories of Owen and Frances Tate, lifelong residents of Big Stone County, and to support student learning activities that do not have other funding sources available, the award provides matching dollars to cover travel expenses for students presenting scholarly work at symposia and professional meetings, engaging in artistic activities, conducting research projects, or performing outside of the campus community, all of which are activities that showcase the University of Minnesota Morris to a broader learning community.
Sanjana Kidambi ’24
Pi Delta Phi
Students who are eligible for Pi Delta Phi, the French National Honor Society, have taken at least one advanced course in French, maintain at least a 3.3 GPA in French courses and overall, and rank in the top 35% of their class.
Grace Hambike ’25
Pi Sigma Alpha
Founded in 2010, UMN Morris’s Alpha Zeta Eta chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the first in the University of Minnesota System, is a national political science honor society. Its goal is to stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science. The Morris chapter aims to encourage development and dissemination of independent research; initiate and participate in community and service activities; and expose members and the University community to the study of government and issues of public concern. Members are juniors or seniors who have completed at least 10 semester credits in political science, including at least one upper division course, and earned an average grade of B or higher in those courses. Overall, members have achieved a GPA of 3.4 or higher.
Bethanie Sarah Belisle ’24 Henry Hauser ’24
Jonas Kammeyer-Mueller ’25 Erin Maher ’26
Dylan Clay Naughton ’23 Hannah Selig ’25
Isabella M Sieling ’24
Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper
The Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Award is given to political science students whose papers, submitted for courses during the previous calendar year, were judged the best based on a degree of original research, level of critical thinking, and quality of writing. Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political honor society of college students of political science and government.
Dylan Clay Naughton ’23
Schneider National Award
Presented to an economics or management student who has demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding research abilities, and success in industry-oriented studies, the award is funded by Schneider National, Incorporated.
Yifei Yu ’24
Yuechu Hu ’24
Sigma Delta Pi
Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society members are junior or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who have completed at least three years of college-level Spanish, including at least three semester hours in Hispanic literature or culture and civilization. Active members of UMN Morris’s Omega Omicron chapter, founded in the spring of 2013, participate in at least 10 hours of community service activities per semester, including the Bilingual Literacy Project carried out in conjunction with the Morris Public Library.
Catherine Van Wey ’26
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
This competitive program supports student research, scholarly, or creative projects undertaken in partnership with a faculty or staff member. Students develop and discuss an idea with a mentor, write a proposal, complete the work, and present the project to a wide audience. Awarded in the term listed, for work in the following term.
Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023
Elizabeth Frias ’25 Dongting Cai ’24 Liam Poitra ’25
Henry Hauser ’24 Violet Musta ’25
Lex Lhotka ’26 Nova Austin ’25
Madelyn Rose Schoenberger ’24 Ashlen Artemis Plasek ’24
Yifei Yu ’24 Yuechu Hu ’24
Nathaniel Cole Weglewski ’24
Wawokiya Award for Service
The Wawokiya (Lakota for “one who helps”) Award is awarded annually to outstanding senior psychology majors. Recipients have strong records of accomplishment at UMN Morris and sincere interest in helping others.
Lydia L Hurst ’24
Kaitlyn Jade Tripp ’24
Gavin G. Zempel ’24