The Dean, Faculty, and Staff in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are thrilled to recognize this year’s scholarship and award winners for their academic excellence and contributions to their campus and communities. The students below demonstrated remarkable hard work, dedication, and resilience in overcoming obstacles to their success. We congratulate them all!

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2022 CLAS Honors Night Program 

2022 Scholarship and Award Winners

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X |
| Y | Z |

A

Akpadija, Precious-Gold I.: Biochemistry BS
Gretchen Anderson Pathways Scholarship
Precious-Gold Akpadija is a Biochemistry major pursing a Dance minor.  She hopes to attend medical school to eventually work as a pediatrician or obstetrician and is motivated by a desire to help people suffering from poor health care systems.  Precious-Gold works hard to balance her time between academics, work, and family life.

Alfadhl, Naseem H.: Chemistry BS
Student Excellence Award in Chemistry
Naseem Alfadhl will graduate this spring with a Chemistry B.S. degree.  She is very hard working and persistent which has allowed her to succeed amidst obstacles. She has accumulated several honors and awards over the past few years culminating in this honor of Excellence in Chemistry reserved for graduating seniors.  Outside of coursework, Naseem has engaged in several research projects with faculty, and she has also been extremely active in campus organizations such as the Student Government Association, Honors Program, Muslim Student Association, and the Biology-Chemistry Club. 

Aljuboori, Zahra: Biochemistry BS
Gretchen Anderson Pathways Scholarship
Zahra Aljuboori is a Biochemistry major who fell in love with medicine after seeing firsthand how much it can improve the lives of the people she loves. She is very appreciative of the support she has received from her family and wants to continue her success in college, not only for herself, but to show gratitude to her family.

Augustine, Kevin: Physics BS
CTS Scholarship in Physics
Kevin is a very promising incoming freshman, with an already developed interest in theoretical physics at the doctoral level. He will start in Fall 2022 and jump right into our calculus-based physics sequence.

B

Bandera, Madi: English BA
First Place in Poetry, Undergraduate
Madi is an English major also pursuing a double minor in Interdisciplinary Publishing and Professional and Public Writing. Her poem titled “Poem” won first place for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Barajas, Oliver: Anthropology BA
Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence
Oliver Barajas is a junior majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Spanish. Oliver received the Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence in support of his Summer study abroad experience in Mexico.

Barker, Khori: Actuarial Science BS
IU South Bend Faculty and Alumni Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics
Khori Barker majors in Actuarial Science. He has been striving for perfection in his academic career ever since his youth. With excellent academic performance and careful planning of the professional actuarial exams, he plans on becoming an actuary. This profession is very prestigious, and it is also a perfect fit for his interests in math. Khori enjoys playing basketball and doing any sort of physical activity along with taking math and computer science courses. He also enjoys animals, mainly cats and dogs, but sheep, various birds, and goats also hold a special place in his heart. Khori is a hardworking, ambitious young man who is ready and willing to put the effort in to get what he is striving for. 

Bayer, Jessica: General Studies BGS
Women’s and Gender Studies Excellence Award
Jessica will graduate this fall with a General Studies Degree and a Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She returned to IU South Bend during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, immediately made it on the Dean’s list, and completed her WGS minor in a record-breaking 3 semesters. In addition to being an excellent student, she is the creator and proprietor of a local card business, Meanie Weenie Ink. Jessica is also working with fellow parents to develop an agile learning center in South Bend focused on liberating and caring for minds, bodies, spirits and the earth. After graduation, Jessica is planning on becoming a comprehensive sex educator for parents and children.

Behan, Catherine: Liberal Studies MLS
MLS Excellence Award; WLS-Certificate of Merit (French)
Catherine Behan has been an exemplary scholar in every MLS course she has taken.  She is also well-known for her upbeat championing of her peers, as well as serving as the program’s designated writing mentor in The Writers’ Room. In April, Catherine defended her grant-funded thesis ”’I Had Bigger Things to Worry About’: For Former Foster Youth, Focus on Survival Hampers Educational Achievement.” The qualitative interviews Catherine conducted for her research will significantly advance this crucial conversation. She has already presented her findings at national and Indiana University conferences. We can’t wait to see where she takes her research post-graduation.  

The French Program would like to express its sincere gratitude to Catherine Behan who has been a tutor and an embedded tutor in French since Fall 2018. Despite her busy schedule, she has been very flexible to accommodate all students. During her face-to-face and remote sessions as well as in the classroom, Catherine has been extremely encouraging and helpful in teaching students how to strategize for oral and written exams. Speaking and listening skills have been particularly difficult to practice during the pandemic and Ms. Behan's uplifting approach to tutoring has made a huge difference. Merci de tout coeur pour votre soutien et bonne continuation!

Blume, Nichole: Sustainability Studies BA
Edwin Joseph Sustainability Studies Scholarship
Nichole Blume is a sophomore majoring in Sustainability Studies. She is driven by a passion for making a lasting difference in the world and pushing for positive changes that will last for generations to come. At present she’s focused on developing a household sustainability plan for her own home. When she’s not working to improve this world, she enjoys serving as Secretary of the Dungeons and Dragons club and member of the Gamer’s Guild.

Bostic, Rosie: Criminal Justice BS
Walt Risler Memorial Scholarship
Rosie is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice and plans to also pursue a Paralegal Certificate. She is in the Honor’s Program at IU South Bend, a Twenty-First Century Scholar, and a recipient of the Governor’s Work Ethic Award. Rose made the Dean’s List in fall 2021—her first full semester at IU South Bend. She plans to apply to law school when she graduates. One of her Criminal Justice professors praised “her enthusiastic participation in class discussions” and calls Rosie “one of the most dependable students that I have had the pleasure to teach.” 

Brown, Zachary: History Ba
Glenn F. Chestnut Book Award
Zachary is a superb writer who is fascinated with the past. The instructor for the capstone seminar this year reports that Zachary "wrote a research paper on his great-grandfather's World War I diary. He took this one document and linked it to one of the great events of the 20th century. He did so with care and insight. Very impressive!" This paper has also been accepted for publication in the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. Zachary has done well in all of his classes and we wish him the best in the future!

Bultinck, Shannon: Criminal Justice BS
Academic Excellence Award Honorable Mention
As noted by her professors, Shannon is extremely bright, always submitting stellar work. She has a quiet strength that shows her maturity. Although she may not be the loudest student in class, she grasps and retains the complex material in such an advanced way, impressing her professors daily. Shannon's creativity in her work should be noted and shows a higher level of critical analysis. All her professors are so lucky to have the opportunity to work with Shannon. She is a professor's dream! Shannon will be a wonderful asset to the criminal justice field.

Burkett, Lucas: English BA
Honorable Mention Poetry, Graduate
Lucas is a graduate student in the English MA program. His poem titled “Solaris" received honorable mention for poetry by a graduate student for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Burt, Destiny: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Excellence Award
Destiny is an outstanding student who is highly organized and extremely motivated. She found her home with the General Studies degree where she could combine her varied interests and create an exciting plan that includes minors in Business, Photography, and Graphic Design. We all look forward to seeing her soar after graduation and fulfill her true "destiny."

C

Cameron, Heather: General Studies BGS
Ted Hengesbach Scholarship
Awarded by the founding director of the General Studies Program, this scholarship is given to a deserving General Studies student who is returning to school. Heather has returned to school after several years away with a strong drive and determination to complete her degree and use her knowledge to continue to grow in the field of special education. We wish her the best as she completes her educational journey!

Carson, Morgan: History BA
Patrick J. Furlong Book Award
Morgan is an outstanding student. Even before becoming a History major he was already self-taught and self-read, and especially well-versed in British historiography of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Morgan is also a natural leader, having stepped into the position of History Club President in a manner that exhibits all the grace and enthusiasm of his natural disposition. Congratulations, Morgan!

Clark, Corten: Criminal Justice BS
Academic Excellence Award
Court's ability to retain material in all criminal justice courses is quite impressive. His work is always stella, and he contributes in-depth, thought-provoking comments to discussion. Switching his major to criminal justice later in his undergraduate career, Court fit right in with his criminal justice courses, even obtaining an internship with the Mishawaka Police Department during his senior year. One of his Criminal Justice professors praises him as one of “the top 5% academically out of the 100s of students I have encountered.” He continues to amaze his professors with his advanced skills and will contribute greatly to the criminal justice field.

Cline, Kristin: General Studies BGS
Francis and Florence Yeandel Scholarship
Kristin is an outstanding student who is well-deserving of this scholarship. She returned to school a year or so ago to pursue a Bachelors in General Studies where she can take classes in a variety of fields that interest her, such as theater, creative writing, history and education. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Kristin plans to enter the Transition to Teaching program and achieve her goal of becoming a licensed teacher and teaching English as a second language. We wish her the best!

Conrod, Benjamin: Political Science BA
Department of Political Science Excellence Award
Benjamin Conrod is a superb Political Science major who has persevered, as have so many students, during the pandemic with an excellent academic record.  This is especially notable in Benjamin’s case because he transferred to IU South Bend in spring 2020, and thus every semester on our campus has presented unusual academic challenges.  Benjamin demonstrates both insight to the topics he studies and the hard work to sustain excellence.

Couch, Katherine: Liberal Studies MLS  
Jennifer Jo Szendrey Memorial Scholarship  
Katherine exemplifies the highly engaged spirit of Jennifer Jo Szendrey, a superb MLS student who was also committed to community involvement. In her first year in the MLS Program, Katherine already has established an excellent academic record in her core courses as well as her courses for the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Sustainability Leadership. Beyond our campus, Katherine is a literacy expert, empowering children in our community with tutoring and teaching. Katherine’s research in her courses weaves these skills together, often focusing on multidisciplinary methods of improving environmental literacy in faith communities and the broader public. We are proud of your work and look forward to your continued growth through our program, Katherine!  

D

Damerow, Cary: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Excellence Award
Cary is an excellent student who is pursuing a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in the Arts and Humanities and a minor in History. She returned to school after working for several years as a school nurse. After she graduates, Cary wishes to combine her education and her work experience to work for equality and health advocacy. We wish her the best as she works toward such a noble goal!

Daniels, Natalie: English BA
Honorable Mention for Student Excellence Award Overall
Natalie is an English major with a concentration in literature and is pursuing a double minor in Creative Writing and Publishing. She will graduate in May 2022, after which she hopes to spend time with her grandparents and seek a career in public relations or editing.

Daniels, Tyler: Physics BS
CTS Scholarship in Physics
We’re happy to have Tyler returning for Fall 2022 after becoming active in the Physics Club last semester and showing excellent promise in his introductory physics courses.

Davies, Hannah: English BA
Honorable Mention Poetry, Undergraduate
Hannah is an English major and Interdisciplinary Publishing Minor. Her poem titled "The Man on the Beach" received honorable mention for poetry for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Densmore, Zachary: History BS
Donald B. Marti Book Award
In his intellectual curiosity, and his impressive writing skills, Zachary is a model for other students. In a recent course, he wrote an excellent paper on Vladimir Putin's suppression of dissent, a topic all the more important and in the news as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. This paper has also been accepted for publication in the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. Zachary's analytical mind and careful interpretative abilities will serve him well in all his future endeavors. Congratulations, Zachary!

Derrickson, Phillip: Physics BS
CTS Scholarship in Physics
Phillip initially started his physics degree several years ago, but he felt a calling to gain global experience through military service and has spent the past five years travelling the world serving his country. He returned to his studies this past year and is more determined, and engaged, than ever. He is active in the Physics Club, nuclear physics research, and using our astronomical observatory.

DeWinter, Jean: Liberal Studies MLS
David H. Healey Award  
Jean embodies MLS grad David H. Healey’s commitment to social justice advocacy and making a difference through public-facing writing. Jean’s research and personal writing on reproductive justice have appeared in the South Bend Tribune. Jean is also a designated storyteller for Planned Parenthood, offering her insights to legislators who are considering reproductive health policies and laws. Jean is also a tireless volunteer in our community, working to preserve and improve access to reproductive health care. Additionally, Jean has served as an editor for IU South Bend’s Wolfson Press and plans to continue her public writing post-graduation.

Driver, Katherine: Psychology BA
Psychology Merit
Katherine has been an extremely active student in the Psychology Department.  She has engaged in research with multiple faculty, served as a tutor for both statistics and writing in psychology, and is a delight to have in classes.  Her analytical approach to course work, scholarly approaches to her learning, and her involvement in department events makes her an excellent choice as a Psychology Merit award winner.

Doorn, Abigail: Biological Sciences BS
Award in Organic Chemistry
Abigail Doorn is a Biological Sciences major who came to our campus as a transfer student from Ivy Tech. She has excelled in organic chemistry this year, with truly outstanding effort in the lecture courses and meticulous work in the laboratory. Outside of school, Abigail works in a clinical laboratory setting, and she plans to attend medical school after graduation.

E

Edwards, Jordan: Physics BS
2022 Student Excellence Award in Physics & Astronomy
Jordan is near the end of his undergraduate journey, as he will graduate after the Fall 2022 semester. Despite the logistical challenges of theoretical research during the pandemic, all via Zoom, he has successfully pursued such research with Professor Schimmrigk as a follow-up to questions related to our upper-level course on electricity and magnetism. Jordan has been a strong student all along, but Professor Schimmrigk has been especially impressed by his rapid development as a researcher, presumably due to the excitement of tackling questions for which answers are not already known. Jordan has a bright future as a professional physicist!

Edmonds, Emilee: Mathematics BS and Physics BS
Ƶ Scholarship in Physics
Emilee will be starting her third year in the fall and is making incredibly fast progress while pursuing dual degrees in physics and math. Her academic performance is phenomenal, and she is actively engaged in nuclear physics research and attempting to detect extra-solar planets using our rooftop astronomical observatory.

Edmonds, Mackenzie: Anthropology BA and Spanish BA
Anthropology Excellence Award; Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence; WLS Student Excellence Award (Spanish)
Mackenzie Edmonds is from Goshen, Indiana. She is a double major in Anthropology and Spanish with a double minor in Computer Science and Mathematics and is graduating this upcoming August 2022. She has published in the International Journal of IUSB and is an avid podcaster, creating two podcast miniseries as part of coursework at IUSB. Mackenzie's academic interests center on open science and data utilization. During her time at IUSB, Mackenzie has contributed to the growth of the Digital Index of North American Archaeology. She intends to pursue a graduate degree in Data Science. Mackenzie is a recipient of the Anthropology Excellence Award, and received a Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence in support of her Summer study abroad experience in Mexico, and in recognition of her impressive podcast series “Exit From Faith.”

Eenigenburg, Rhea: Criminal Justice BS
Service Excellence Award Honorable Mention; Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence
As social chair of the Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO), Rhea has been responsible for keeping all students in attendance engaged, while learning about a variety of individuals in the criminal justice system. Rhea always actively participates in fundraisers for community organizations, such as organizing donations for books and supplies to the Midwest Prisoners to Pages organization and the YWCA's New Hope Sexual Assault Survivor Program. Recently, Rhea took a tour of one of the juvenile residential treatment centers and is currently in the process of applying. She will be working in the Intimate Partner Violence Shelter at the YWCA this fall, helping to organize the space. She has been a wonderful officer in CJSO and is always ready to help or lend a hand to all club members and organizations. Rhea is an enthusiastic and engaged student who received the Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence in support of her Spring study abroad experience in Costa Rica.

F

Fincher, Payton: Criminal Justice BS
Walt Risler Memorial Scholarship
Payton is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice with a double-minor in Psychology and Sociology. Supporting herself financially and taking a full load of courses each semester, Payton cares deeply about her education She impresses her professors with her engagement in class and takes on leadership roles in group activities and work. She will begin working in corrections this summer and will make a wonderful asset to the correctional community. She is a member of the Criminal Justice Student Organization and looks forwarding to graduating in spring 2023.

Fox, Molly: Biological Sciences BS
Student Excellence Award in Biology: Academic Achievement
Molly Fox is a graduating senior from Granger, IN. This award recognizes her essentially perfect academic record while completing not only a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences but also minors in both Chemistry and Math! In addition to her studies, Molly has been active in campus life, serving as an Associate Justice in the Student Government Association and an officer in the Botany Club. She has worked as a tutor at the Academic Centers for Excellence and the Granger Mathnasium and served as a Supplemental Instructor/embedded peer tutor for Molecular Biology, where she earned high praise from students for her ability to explain challenging concepts clearly. Molly will be part of the 2022 entering class at the IU School of Dentistry this fall.

Fox, Natalie G.: Biochemistry BS
Excellence Award in Biochemistry; Joseph J. Ross Seminar Award
Natalie Fox will graduate in a few weeks with a Biochemistry B.S. degree and plans to attend dental school after a gap year during which she will work as a dental assistant. Natalie was awarded the Carolyn and Lawrence Garber Summer Research Scholarship in 2021 for undergraduate research in the lab of Dr. Rizk. During the project, she worked on improving a biosensor for the environmental contaminant found in the herbicide RoundUp. Natalie’s research will be published this spring in the IU South Bend Undergraduate Research Journal. She won this year’s Joseph J. Ross Seminar Award for her report and presentation titled “Therapy Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease Using Neuronal Mitochondria-Targeted

Novel Nanosystems” in the chemistry and biochemistry capstone senior seminar course CHEM-C 301. She described recent research conducted around the world into a proposed new treatment that uses lipid nanoparticles to carry drugs past the blood-brain barrier and into brain neurons.

Fox, Stacey: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Excellence Award
Stacey is an excellent student. She is finishing her Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She volunteers in the public school system and her long term goal is to have a career helping and advocating for children as a Family Case Manager. Best of luck, Stacey, as you pursue your goal!

Frezza, Jenna: Criminal Justice BS
Walt Risler Memorial Scholarship
Jenna is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. She is a recipient of the Sallie Mae “Bridging the Dream” Scholarship and the Frank O-Bannon Grant. Jenna made the Dean’s List in fall 2020. She switched her major to criminal justice a year ago and has worked hard in her courses, increasing her engagement in discussion with every semester. One of her Criminal Justice professors praises “her devotion to helping others” and calls her “a pleasure to have in class.” Jenna plans to work in corrections and looks forward to graduating in 2023.

Frye, Shirley: Actuarial Science BS
Mathematical Sciences Excellence Award
Shirley Frye is a senior at IUSB who will achieve her Bachelor’s of Actuarial Science degree this Spring. She will continue to independently study the theory of probability as well as strategies of investment as she prepares for her upcoming actuarial exams. Upon successfully completing at least one of her exams, she hopes to enter into a career as an investment actuary during which she will continue to learn and expand her skill sets as they pertain to mathematics, investment, and computer programming. Shirley enjoys baking and cooking for her friends and family, and she’s always in search of new ways to gain insight into living a life of peace and fulfillment.

G

Gardner, Izabella: English BA
Student Excellence Award Overall; Pat McNeal Agent of Change Award
Izabella is an English major with a literature concentration and a double minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and Film Studies. Izabella has been a student leader in the major, having served as English Club president for the last two years. She also worked with Pub Hub and a blog writer and as an editor for a published book. As a Women’s and Gender Studies minor, Izabela strived to take an active role in the on-campus culture and tried to inspire others to do the same. She has served on the editorial committee of the interdisciplinary student journal New Views on Gender and has been blogging about lots of timely topics – such as toxic masculinity, Covid-19, and mansplaining – and putting the knowledge from her WGS classes to good use. Izabella has a deep appreciation for IUSB and for South Bend and hopes to continue working on bettering our local community and inspiring other to do the same. 

Geller, Kyle: Biological Sciences BS
Student Excellence Award in Biology: Academic Achievement
Kyle Geller graduated from Newton High School in Morocco Indiana, which is a small rural community just south and east of South Bend. He was a peer mentor for our Biology classes in the First Year Seminars. Kyle was very involved in community service.  He volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and a nonprofit company called Five Star. He has been very successful in our Biology Program and did undergraduate research in Kirk Mecklenburg’s lab, which was unfortunately cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.  He was accepted at several Medical Schools throughout the United States and has decided to attend Marian University Medical School in Indianapolis.

Good, Hannah: Criminal Justice BS
Service Excellence Award Honorable Mention
Hannah has been one of the best co-presidents CJSO has ever had. She is dedicated to community service, always finding new partnerships for CJSO to connect with and serve. Although working full-time, she leads and maintains one of the most popular organizations on campus through her maturity and devotion to CJSO. In the fall, Hannah plans to work in the IPV shelter for the YWCA, helping other CJSO members reorganize all donations. While finishing up her CJ degree in the fall, she will continue with IUSB's paralegal program and her co-presidency for CJSO. She has become a mentor for younger members, always making every new individual feel welcome and comfortable. Hannah's forward thinking and creativity provides CJSO with many opportunities to engage in community networking. She will absolutely make a difference in this world.

Gregor, Hannah F.: Biochemistry
Gretchen Anderson Pathways Scholarship
Hannah Gregor is a freshman Biochemistry major pursing minors in both Dance and Spanish.  She is a member of the Honors Program and has particularly enjoyed its community-outreach efforts.  Hannah has been interested in medicine since she was very young and her interest has only grown and broadened with more recent exposure to related fields such as forensic science, psychology, and criminal justice.

Grossman, Elizabeth: English MA     
Honorable Mention Poetry, Graduate
First Place Prose, Graduate
Elizabeth is a graduate student in the English MA program. For the 2022 English Writing Awards, her poem titled "Middle aged women read murders" received honorable mention for poetry by a graduate student, and her prose work titled "The Night Before" won first place for prose by a graduate student. Both pieces will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

H

Haas, Nicole: Biological Sciences BA
Student Excellence Award in Biology: Peer Mentoring
Nicole Haas is a graduating senior from Lakeville, IN, and the first person in her family to earn a college degree. She originally came to IUSB intending to earn a degree in Medical Imaging Technology, but subsequently switched to a Biological Sciences major, with the initial thought that she might apply to medical school; however, additional career exploration led her to choose Genetic Counseling as her goal. Nicole has served as an embedded peer tutor for Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II for the past several semesters, earning accolades from both the lab instructors she works with and the students she assists for her patience and empathy as well as her knowledge of the material. She has also been an active member of several campus organizations and is currently the president of the campus chapter of Active Minds, a national organization promoting mental health awareness and support on college campuses.

Hamad, Rana: Biological Sciences BS
Student Excellence Award in Biology; Outstanding Biological Sciences Graduate
Since arriving at IUSB, Rana has been an exemplar of an engaged student, excelling in her courses and also actively involved in a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. She's been a member of the Honors Program since her first semester, participated in an Overseas Study course that included a service-learning project on health promotion in Belize, did an internship at the Indiana Health Center in South Bend, and has been active in the Student Government Association, including serving as President of the SGA this year. She has worked as a Biology and Chemistry tutor at the Learning Center and is currently working on an independent research project under the supervision of Dr. David Wilkes. Rana will be applying to medical school after completing her Biology degree.

Hatfield, Nicholas: Psychology BA
Psychology Merit Award
Nicholas is a deeply committed scholar whose presence in classrooms adds to lively and interesting discussion.  He is devoted to the scientific study of psychology as also demonstrated by winning the Haines Research Award for Undergraduate Research this year for his paper titled “Online and In-Person Students:  Characteristics and Learning Strategies.”

Hartl, Tori: Biological Sciences BS
Mike Keen/Gabrielle Robinson Bicentennial German Scholarship
Tori is a Biological Sciences major and German minor from Bristol. Despite the many obstacles to learning a foreign language during the pandemic, including Zoom classes and mask wearing in person, she has persevered and improved each semester. In addition to her stellar performance in the classroom, Tori has served this past academic year as treasurer of the German Club and will work next year as the German tutor. Her career ambitions include working with plants or animals (and speaking to them in German!!). 

Hearington, Jacob: Political Science BA
Department of Political Science Excellence Award
Jacob Hearington is Political Science major and an honors student on our campus who is particularly active in campus and community service. In addition to attending honors events, he has volunteered at La Casa de Amistad and at Veterans Memorial Park, where he removed invasive species to improve our local ecology.  During 2021, Jacob has also been an officer in the Political Science club and active volunteer with the American Democracy Project.  Jacob has been a stellar student matching classroom leadership with dedicated focus on his studies.

Hendrickson, Mel: Sustainability Studies BA
Edwin Joseph Sustainability Studies Scholarship
Mel Hendrickson is a senior Sustainability Studies major with minors in both Biology and Women’s and Gender Studies. On campus, she has been active with the Sustainability Club and has also recently served as Vice President of the Botany Club. She hopes to pursue a career in field biology, with a focus on ecology and restoration, and eventually to earn a graduate degree in veterinary studies to work in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Herma, Keaton: Informatics & Interactive Media Arts BA
WLS-Certificate of Merit (Japanese)
Keaton has been taking Japanese for the past four years.  He is an excellent student who never misses class and works hard at his studies. Keaton participated in the summer 2019 study abroad program in Japan. He has been the Japanese Club president for the past three years. He has supported the Asian Heritage Month Celebration with fundraising and has assisted in its preparation and presentation. Keaton is always ready to support our department, helping during the Sushi demonstration and at Welcome Week events.

Hurley, David: Nonprofit Administration and Policy MPA
Master of Public Affairs Excellence Award
David Hurley is a student in the MPA Nonprofit Administration and Policy track. He is being recognized for his consistent commitment to excellence as an MPA student, from in-class contributions to his work on a variety of research projects. A faculty member in the MPA program pointed out that David brings his expertise from the field of community development to the program, noting that he “is always eager to share his previous experiences and connect the content we are discussing.” This ability to make connections to course topics helps contribute to dynamic course discussions. In 2021, David presented a co-authored paper on civic engagement at the American Political Science Association’s Annual Meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Bennion and fellow MPA student Kayla Isenbletter. Working as a research assistant to Dr. Bennion, David published professional newsletter essays, copy edited two books, and co-authored a chapter on Teaching Experimental Political Science (all with Dr. Bennion MPA student Kayla Isenbletter). David’s research for his capstone project focuses on the problem of red-lining, for which he traveled to the IU Bloomington campus to meet librarians and review data available at the IU Bloomington library.

Hutsell, Meghan: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Merit Award
Meghan is an exceptional student with a variety of interests. In addition to her Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in Arts and Humanities, Meghan is pursuing minors in Spanish and Business Administration. She puts her Spanish to good use as she travels between the United States and Mexico. She plans to work in the business field after graduation, and we wish her the best in her pursuits.

I

Isenbletter, Kayla: Nonprofit Administration and Policy MPA
Master of Public Affairs Excellence Award
Kayla Isenbletter is a dual concentration student in Government Administration and Policy and Nonprofit Administration and Policy in the Master of Public Affairs program. Kayla has demonstrated her academic excellence during her MPA in numerous ways. According to one MPA faculty member, Kayla “has a great mind for qualitative research as is evident in the qualitative interview she conducted for a Health Administration track course.” Kayla has also been very active in research beyond the classroom, working with Dr. Elizabeth Bennion and fellow MPA student David Hurley on a project reviewing research trends in civic engagement pedagogy. As part of this project, and as a research assistant to Dr. Bennion, Kayla presented research at the American Political Science Association’s 2021 Annual Meeting, published several professional newsletter essays, copy edited two books, and co-authored a chapter in a forthcoming book on Teaching Experimental Political Science. Kayla has also made significant contributions to the campus through her engagement in student government. She was the SGA President for 2020-21 and is currently serving as Vice President. Her capstone research project focuses on “the lack of legislation barring convicted abusers from owning firearms in the states and the potential benefits of closing this ‘boyfriend loophole’.”

J

Johnson, Jason: Mathematics BS and Computer Science BS
Mathematical Sciences Excellence Award; IU South Bend Faculty and Alumni Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics; Chris Keeney Actuarial Exam Scholarship
Jason Johnson is a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics with a minor in Economics. He came to IUSB in Fall 2020 as a Computer Science major but found himself taking an interest in Mathematics after talking to Dr. Cheng. He has been a part of the Honors College since he enrolled and has worked as an ACE Math Tutor since Fall 2021. He also enjoys learning about subjects outside his major such as Physics and Economics. Jason has been learning Japanese for about two years and plans to study abroad in Japan during Summer 2023. He has many wonder career possibilities after his projected graduation in Spring 2024.

Jones, Amanda: Counseling/ Human Svcs MSED
First Place Poetry, Graduate
Amanda is a graduate student in the Counseling and Human Services Graduate Program. Her poem titled "Balloon to the Moon" won first place for poetry by a graduate student for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

K

Kerckhove, Kayla: Mathematics BS and Computer Sciences BS
IU South Bend Faculty and Alumni Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics
Kayla Kerckhove is a double major in Math and Computer Science, finishing her second year at IUSB. She is from North Liberty, Indiana and went to John Glenn High School. She found her love for math in her Calculus I class in high school and her teacher encouraged her to pursue that passion in college. Kayla spends the spring season working at Perennials Galore Greenhouse in Laporte and runs an after-school baking club at Stanley Clark School. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends. After graduating in May 2024, Kayla plans to pursue a career in the field of software development and hopes to find ways to help small businesses.

Klenner, Taylor: Biological Sciences BA
Michael S. Coffman Memorial Scholarship
Taylor Klenner is a rising senior from Greenwood, IN. A Herbert Scholar, she was recruited to IU South Bend by coach Steve Bruce as a Forward for the women's basketball team - which played in the NAIA National Championship tournament this year, for the first time since 2005! Taylor has done an outstanding job of juggling the demands of being a student-athlete, working part-time, and taking a full course load in the demanding Biological Sciences major. She amassed an excellent academic record, and her instructors praise her engagement in her classes and her determination to understand and apply the material she is learning. Taylor originally chose a Biology major because of her interest in Physical Therapy school, but she is now also investigating healthcare-adjacent fields such as medical and surgical device sales and development.

King, Kneff: Sociology BA
Sociology Excellence Award
Knef King is a junior majoring in Sociology. Knef is a standout student, who has a perfect 4.0 in his sociology courses and excelled in his internship last Spring.

Kovalenko, Annamarie: English BA
Student Excellence Award in Writing
Annamarie earned her English BA with a concentration in writing and a Spanish Minor in December 2021. She is currently working full time at Mishawaka Orthopedics as a front desk receptionist. Her goal is to pursue a job that allows her to support herself while giving her time to write so that she can someday have her poetry published.

Kujawa, Destiny: Sustainability Studies BA
Keen Robinson Sustain the Future Scholarship
Destiny Kujawa is a senior Sustainability Studies major with a minor in Earth and Space Sciences. Her previous work experience and current involvement in a class project in the Near Northwest Neighborhood have created a desire to find a job in community relations with an energy conservation focus. 

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Laffin,Michael-Dean T.: Biochemistry BS
Excellence Award in Biochemistry
Michael-Dean Laffin graduated with a Biochemistry B.S. degree in December 2021 and plans to attend medical school. In 2021 Michael was awarded a SMART grant for undergraduate research in the lab of Dr. Rizk. During the project, he worked on modeling proteins that self-assemble into nanostructures for applications in drug delivery. Michael’s research was published last year in the IU South Bend Undergraduate Research Journal.

Leeper, Scott: Psychology BA
Service in Psychology Award
As a veteran and a dedicated student, Scott Leeper has advanced veteran affairs and services through Life Coaching, developing Facebook pages focused on veterans helping each other, and involvement with campus veteran affairs at IUSB.  His commitment and service to not only fellow veterans but also student veterans led the Psychology Department to award him the Service in Psychology Award for this year.

LePla, Emily: English MA
Lester M. Wolfson Poetry Prize
Emily earned an English B.A. degree from IU South Bend and is currently a student in the English MA Program. She brings creative resources, energy, and enthusiasm to all her classes. As a writer, she works across many genres, but her main poetic inspiration is slam poetry, which she encountered when she was seventeen. She enjoys giving and receiving feedback to improve her writing and hopes to have an opportunity to perform her poetry in the future.

López, Oscar Manuel: Psychology BA
J. Wesley and Roberta Robbins Scholarship
Oscar Manuel López, a senior, veteran, first-generation student, and this year's winner of the Robbins Scholarship, is a Philosophy minor and a Psychology major. He has a solid GPA both overall and in the Philosophy minor and earned his highest achievements in Philosophy in very challenging courses such as Symbolic Logic and Biomedical Ethics. He is well-known to the Philosophy faculty, who are proud to give him this award to honor his achievements and help further his advancement toward his degree.

Lord, Des: English MA
Eileen T. Bender Endowed Scholarship
Des earned an English B.A. degree from IU South Bend and is currently a student in the English MA Program.  They are an accomplished creative writer interested in the field of publishing and in becoming a literary agent. They currently serve as the editor of New Views on Gender, an annual student publication focused on issues of gender and sexuality, and they have worked tirelessly and consistently to welcome and support LGBTQ+ students on campus.

Luu, Ha Thu Thi: Applied Math & Computer Science MS
Dorothy Allen Memorial Mathematics Scholarship
Ha Thu Thi Luu is in her second year in the Master program of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at IU South Bend. She is interested in data science and math modeling in manufacturing. With her production experience and knowledge in computer science subjects that she is studying, she hopes to apply these skills to the digitalization production in her future career. Ha Thu Thi Luu likes sharing her culture through the International Student Organization and learning about diverse culture, as well as American food.

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Marchi, Lina: Biological Sciences BS
Student Excellence Award in Biology: Research
Lina Marchi graduated from Mishawaka High School and then attended IUPUI for one year, where she was a lab apprentice for Susan Walsh. In the fall of 2019 Lina transferred to IUSB bringing her closer to home.  She has participated extensively in tutoring on campus, and off campus is a Nature Preserve Board Member.  Lina was awarded a SMART Summer Research Fellowship in 2020 to work in the lab of David Wilkes.  The COVID-19 pandemic required complete reworking of the project.  Despite the challenges, Lina obtained excellent results.  After graduation, she is taking a gap year and is then planning to attend medical school.

Marsh, Laila: Criminal Justice BS
Officer Paul R. Deguch Memorial Scholarship 
Laila is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Japanese Club. She made the Dean’s List in fall 2021—her first semester at IU South Bend.

Martinez, Christian: Political Science BA and Economics BS
John M. Lewis Award for Civic Engagement and; Department of Political Science Excellence Award
Christian Martinez is an active member of the Honors Student Leadership Team, with which he assisted with the organization of honors events on campus and in the local community this year. In addition to traveling with the Honors Program on a regular basis, Christian also volunteers both on and off campus. In February, he participated in the IUSB Honors Winter Walk Team, which raised $3,000 in support of Saint Margaret’s House. He has been a leader in student government, serving as Vice-President in the SGA and also as an officer in the Political Science Club.  Christian also has been a student leader in the American Democracy Project, organizing events and bringing his energy to its efforts.  Christian is an outstanding student, accomplishing exceptional works as both a Political Science and Economics major.

Mathews, Genevieve: Mathematics BA
IU South Bend Faculty and Alumni Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics
Genevieve Mathews is a senior in the BA in Mathematics program. She works as a tutor in IUSB's Math Academic Center for Excellence as well as tutoring math SAT/ACT prep for high school students at Sylvan Learning Center on nights and weekends. She also helps teach math enrichment camps for kids with Riverbend Community Math Center over the summers. Genevieve is a non-traditional student, returning to college in her late 20's, and is very passionate about helping people of all ages learn to love math. She hopes to continue her education in a Masters and/or PhD program and has dreams of becoming a Mathematics professor one day.

Matuskova, Klara: English BA
Student Excellence Award in Literature
Klara earned her English BA with a concentration in literature and an East Asian Studies Minor in December 2021. She has applied to multiple law schools and is hoping to start graduate studies this fall. Her goal is to study environmental law; she hopes to help people help the environment to secure all our futures.

McCumber, Connor: Anthropology BA
Excellence Award of Anthropology
Connor McCumber is a senior, majoring in Anthropology with minors in East Asian Studies and Criminal Justice, and a certificate in International Studies. He is an outstanding student who has excelled in his courses, receiving near perfect scores. Connor is a recipient of the Student Excellence Award in Anthropology. He will attend Notre Dame Law School in the fall.

Moody, Ethan: Physics BS
CTS Scholarship in Physics S
Ethan will be starting his second year and would like to become an engineer. Additionally, he has a passion for astronomy, is actively engaged in the Physics Club, and shows a clear dedication to his studies; we’re excited to see where Ethan’s studies will take him!

Murphy, Ryan R.: Biological Sciences BS
Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award
Ryan Murphy is a Biological Sciences major who is looking forward to a career in dentistry.  He graduated from Adams High School and is not afraid of hard work, as his performance in our first-year chemistry courses shows.  Ryan appreciates the high quality of the science programs at IU South Bend and is a great role model for his classmates.

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Nelson, Josiah: Physics BA
CTS Scholarship in Physics
An incoming freshman physics major and student athlete, Josiah will be joining the IUSB Baseball Team. He has an especially strong interest in observational astronomy and will pursue a degree in physics as a first step toward becoming an astronomer.

Newell, Quinn: English BA
Honorable Mention Poetry, Undergraduate; Honorable Mention Fiction, Undergraduate
Quinn is an English major and Women's and Gender Studies minor. Their poem titled "Cockroach Funeral Dirge" received honorable mention in poetry, and their fiction titled "Wayward" received honorable mention in fiction for the 2022 English Writing Awards. Both pieces will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Ngoumape, Abigael J.: Biochemistry BS
Gretchen Anderson Pathways Scholarship
Abigael is a Biochemistry major who dreams of helping others spiritually and scientifically. She plans to attend medical school or physician assistant (PA) school after she graduates and then perhaps serve as a missionary doctor.  As preparation for this career choice and also to help pay for college, Abigael works as a certified nursing assistant.

Nolan, Mara: History BA
Student Excellence Award in History
Mara is one of the best students the department has ever had. Her analytical and research skills are remarkable. Her insights are always so nuanced in both their breadth as well as their depth. One faculty member stated about Mara, "given the time constraints of an exam or a particular assignment, I'm not sure that I could answer some of these questions any better than she does." Mara has also been an active officer of the History Club and she has done a wonderful job as editor of the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. We believe that Mara has the balanced strengths needed to succeed in any endeavor!

Norris, David: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Excellence Award
David is a fantastic student who has returned to school after a long career so he may achieve his personal goal of completing his degree while taking classes he enjoys. He is pursuing minors in History and Political Science. The Bachelor of General Studies suits him perfectly, and we wish to commend him for his excellent academic performance!

Nunez-Rodriguez,Eric A.: Computer Science BS
Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award
Eric Nunez-Rodriguez is a Computer Science major who obviously has an aptitude for chemistry based on his performance in General Chemistry.  Eric was initially interested in Dentistry but has found a home in Computer Science.  We are excited for his transition to a science degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and wish him the best for the rest of his academic career.

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Oatman, Kaylee: English MA
Honorable Mention Poetry, Graduate
Kaylee is a graduate student in the English MA program. Her poem titled "The Imposter" received honorable mention for poetry by a graduate student for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Oberle, Areonna: German BA
WLS-Certificate of Merit (German)
Areonna Oberle is the 2022 recipient of the Certificate of Merit in German. A graduate of LaPorte HS, Areonna is a German major and Earth & Space Science Minor. She returns to campus this fall after completing the academic year in Freiburg—the first IUSB student to study abroad in Germany for a full year in over a decade. About her time overseas, Areonna wrote: “Learning another language shouldn't be just another credit needed to graduate, but a positive experience that makes you want to learn other cultures and ways of life. I wanted to experience those cultures firsthand, so I applied to study abroad.” Last year, Areonna served as tutor for beginning and intermediate German students. Her future plans include instilling a love for German in students at the high school level.

Ordaz, Destiny: Political Science BA; Spanish BA
WLS-Certificate of Merit (Spanish)
Destiny Ordaz is earning Majors in Political Sciences and in Spanish. During her time at IU South Bend, Destiny has shown commitment, perseverance, and considerable growth. Her merit rests on the high academic standards she achieved while balancing the demands of her busy family life with the difficulties involved in earning two majors. Destiny is an admirable example of what a powerful young mom can achieve despite all challenges.  

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Palomino-Flores, Jorge: Sociology BA
Linda. M Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence
Jorge Palomino-Flores is a sophomore, majoring in Sociology. He is particularly interested in research and has participated in several community-based, extracurricular projects with sociology faculty. Jorge received a Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of (and support for) his research presentation on Hispanic and Latinx identities at the Annual Meeting of the North Central Sociological Association in Indianapolis.

Pask, Elizabeth A.: Chemistry BS
George Nazaroff Scholarship
Elizabeth (Liz) Pask came to college without much interest in chemistry, but she grew to enjoy the subject during her freshman year. Now Liz is a Chemistry major with plans to attend pharmacy school after graduating from IU South Bend.  She has shown incredible drive to succeed in school while working exhausting hours as a pharmacy technician. Liz is one of the few majors in our department with a strong interest in medicinal drugs but who is pursuing our degree in pure chemistry rather than our biochemistry degree.

Pensado, Andrés: Anthropology BA
Linda. M Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence
Andrés Pensado is a second-year anthropology student with minors in Spanish and Fine Art. He is riveted by the idea of pursuing ethnographic research within the sociocultural branch of anthropology following his graduation in 2024. The two minors Pensado has chosen are to supplement his anthropology degree. He wishes to study gender and sexuality expressions through art in the Caribbean and Central America. Andrés received the Linda M. Fritschner Award for Academic Excellence in support of his Summer study abroad experience in Mexico.

Pletcher, Juli: General Studies BGS
Bachelor of General Studies Excellence Award
Juli was one of our most outstanding General Studies students whose concentration was Science and Math with a minor in Psychology. She graduated in December 2021 with High Distinction. We are very proud of her for her achievements and hope she is thriving as she pursues her long-term goal of becoming a counselor and advocate!

Porter, Preston: Physics BS
Ƶ Scholarship in Physics
Preston is entering his final year and is balancing a heavy course load, nuclear-physics research with Professor Hinnefeld, and a leadership role in the physics club. He is also completing a minor in Earth & Space Science. Preston exudes enthusiasm and leadership in all he does. 

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Rael, Joel: Biochemistry BS
Carolyn and Lawrence Garber Summer Research Scholarship; George Nazaroff Scholarship; Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award
Joel Rael is a Biochemistry major who plans to attend medical school after graduating from IU South Bend. Joel excelled in his General Chemistry courses despite the fact that many of these courses were conducted online. He was an active participant, both in-person and online, and always asked good and insightful questions that helped other students in the course to understand the material. Joel is also engaged in many activities on campus. He is one of the student editors and the graphic designer for the Undergraduate Research Journal and the International Journal. Joel is also the treasurer of the IUSB Biology-Chemistry Club. Joel has a knack for programming and problem solving. He is self-taught in the programming language R which he uses in his courses for solving problems, preparing graphs, and writing reports.  He is one of our few students who is trading reagents and spectrometers for programming and databases in the pursuit of undergraduate research. He plans to work with Professor Nair of Bioinformatics on an undergraduate research project this summer.

Redmond, Qaiden: Biological Sciences BS
IUSB Sustain the Future Scholarship
Qaiden Redmond is a freshman minor in Sustainability Studies, majoring in Biological Sciences. He plans to go into marine biology to work on restoring ecosystems and providing veterinary medicine to marine and exotic animals.

Richmond, Jillian: Actuarial Science BS
IU South Bend Faculty and Alumni Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics; Chris Keeney Actuarial Exam Scholarship
Jillian Richmond is an Actuarial Science major finishing her third year at IUSB. She is from Oak Forest, Illinois where she attended Carl Sandburg High School. Her interest in Actuarial Science began her junior year of high school, where her teacher encouraged her to advance her mathematical skills. Jillian has continued to serve at a restaurant that has made her learn the value of hard work, communication, and efficiency, which will benefit her in her future career. She loves to spend her free time bowling with her brothers and spending quality time with family and friends. Jillian plans to graduate in May of 2023 and pursue her dream of becoming a certified actuary.

Robinson, Adrienne: History MA
Lester C. Lamon Book Award
Adrienne is an excellent student who is very curious about the past and how it links with our world today. She is endlessly curious, and this is one of the reasons she is such a good student! Adrienne has a terrific attitude that was especially helpful during the pandemic when classes were on Zoom—she was always positive and prepared, and helped to uplift other students' comments and go deeper in connecting the past to the present. Adrienne also served on the editorial boards of the International Journal as well as the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. After graduation, she wishes to pursue graduate studies, and we wish her the best!

Robinson, Lucas C.: Chemistry BS
Award in Analytical Chemistry
Lucas Robinson is a Chemistry major who plans to attend graduate school and pursue a PhD degree in Chemistry after graduating from IU South Bend. Lucas thrives in the lab and is engaged in undergraduate research in summer 2021. He enjoys helping other students and is currently serving as an embedded supplemental instructor in a general chemistry lab. Lucas was recently accepted in the prestigious NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program for summer 2022 at the University of Tennessee, where he will engage in research in the Department of Chemistry.  

Robinson, Sarah: Criminal Justice BS
Service Excellence Award; Academic Excellence Award Honorable Mention
Sarah's impressive maturity and dedication to the Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO) go above and beyond most members since CJSO's inauguration in fall 2018. Through her work with CJSO and the Honor's Program, Sarah was co-author for the Martin Luther King Day Grant to help the many IPV survivors by reorganizing the shelter at the YWCA. Raising awareness of the disproportionate amount of minority women and children impacted by IPV, she was able to receive $500 to support the efforts of the reorganization project. Her work as both Treasurer and Secretary this past year helped to greatly increase the amount of community engagement and networking for CJSO. Sarah always makes sure all members feel comfortable and welcome and continues to serve as a mentor to the younger members of CJSO. Her devotion to CJSO this past year has been amazing, and CJSO will miss her greatly in the fall.

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Simons, Bobby: English BA and Theatre BA
First place in Fiction, Undergraduate
Bobby is a double major in English and Theater. His fiction titled "Glances" won first place for fiction for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Suiter, Thomas: History BA
Paul H. Scherer Book Award
Tom is an outstanding student with excellent analytical and writing skills. In impressive research papers for his history courses, Tom effectively and creatively melds his knowledge from his careful research with his narratives. His writing is a pleasure to read, and one of his papers has been accepted for publication in the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. We look forward to following Tom as he pursues his plans to study ancient history, culture, and languages at the graduate level. Congratulations!

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Tabisz, Michelle: English BA
First Place Nonfiction, Undergraduate
Michelle is an English major. Her work of nonfiction titled "The Burden of a Miracle" won first place for nonfiction for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Trevino, Allison: Criminal Justice BS
Academic Excellence Award Honorable Mention
Allison is a very active student, participating regularly in class and discussion. As a double major, she works very hard in all her courses and often takes on a leadership role. Allison's perseverance and dedication to her degrees and her continuous excellence in academics go above and beyond most students her age. She has certainly kept her eyes on the prize with her degrees in sight. Allison will make an amazing difference in this world by contributing the skills and knowledge she gained in her courses. Allison has been a pleasure to have in courses and continues to amaze her professors with her courage, strength, and resilience.

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Vo, Vu Thanh:  Appl Math and Computer Sci MS
Dorothy Allen Memorial Mathematics Scholarship
Vu Thanh Vo is a second-year student in the Master Program of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. His study is concentrated on Artificial Intelligence. His primary goal is to research possible applications of Artificial Intelligence in education, aiming to increase students’ learning performance, enhance efficiency in education management, and predict appropriate educational trends in a specific university environment. Vu is a member of the International Student Organization, where he shares his studying experience, as well as learning about American culture and other cultures.

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Warrell, Daniel: History BA
Roy E. Schreiber Book Award
Daniel is a good, resilient student, consistently doing what he needs to do to succeed, whether that means striving to improve or persist through a major challenge and ultimately finish among the best of his peers. He has very good writing skills, as demonstrated by the fact that a paper he wrote for the sophomore seminar was accepted for publication in the Undergraduate Research Journal of History. He has also been accepted to the M.A. Program in History at Ball State University and we wish him the best in his future endeavors!

Watson, Cheryl: English BA
Gerald T. Bryant Bicentennial Scholarship
Cheryl is a first-year English major who, years after graduating from high school, started at IU South Bend in Fall 2021 to pursue her life-long dream of earning a liberal arts degree. She earned a place on the Dean’s List in her very first semester while balancing college, work, and other challenges in life. She hopes to one day become a teacher so she can help others and spread the joys of literacy.

Wegert, MariJean: English MA
Honorable Mention Prose, Graduate
MariJean is a graduate student in the English MA program and the editor of the 2021 edition of Analecta. Her prose work titled "All That is Gold" received honorable mention for prose by a graduate student for the 2022 English Writing Awards and will be published in the 2022 edition of Analecta.

Weist, Kylie: English BA
Honorable Mention for Student Excellence Award in Writing
Kylie earned her English BA with a concentration in literature and an Interdisciplinary Publishing Minor in December 2021. She worked with the Pub Hub and was a blog writer for the English department blog, The Deadline.

Winters, Crissandra: Anthopology BA
Ariela Royer Scholarship
Crissandra Winters is a senior, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Creative Writing. She is an excellent, hard-working student, and a veteran.

Woolley, Mariah: Philosophy BA
Student Excellence Award in Philosophy
Mariah Woolley is the winner of this year's Excellence Award in Philosophy. She is a senior and a top-notch student overall as well as in Philosophy. She is a double-minor in Creative Writing and Religious Studies, has appeared multiple times on the Dean's List, and has worked for several years as the official Tutor for Philosophy. Everyone in the Department has nothing but high praises for her, and notes her hard work, diligence, independence, intelligence, and willingness to take on the most challenging subjects. We are proud to recognize her achievements with this award.

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Yates, Kristin: History BA
Women's and Gender Studies Essay Contest
Kristin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and an Art History Minor in December 2021. She was a transfer student, who came into her own as a student at IUSB, making the Dean’s List in 2020.  In her last semester, Kristin completed an internship at the South Bend History Museum.  Her experience with the All American Girls Professional Baseball League exhibit and collection at the Museum led her to research the history of Black women in baseball and softball.  Her award-winning paper “‘Black Women That Did Something Special’: Where Are the Black Women in American Baseball and Softball History?” featured the story of Black women’s exclusion from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, as well as their participation in the previously all men’s Negro League in the 1940s.  Kristin’s paper also highlighted Uncle Bill’s All Colored Girls Softball Team, a local traveling team from the 1930s to the 1950s.

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