Transylvania University first-year students, sophomores and juniors were honored Thursday in the Campus Center during the school’s annual University Student Awards ceremony.
After a welcome by President Brien Lewis and Dean Rebecca Thomas, faculty presented the recognitions, which included class awards and scholarships. Seniors will be honored Friday, May 26, in Carrick Theater.
Class awards
First-Year
Ally Arnett
Alice Beatty
Erin Bollwerk
Ben Breitenstein
Simon Bullmer
Micah Bullock
Jordan Cordrey
Kemper Dotson
Emma English
Sean Gannon
Sam Garvin
Audrey Gass
Erin Gray
Maria Hayes
Riley Hill
Sierra Kemelgor
Erin Kendall
Harmony Kothari
Ethan Lawhorn
Spencer Lorenz
Riley Marvin
Alex O’Connor
Becca Orjala
Lucas Orton
Jayden Otto
Minseok Park
Kate Polson
Jack Simpson
Skye Struwig
Emma Swallows
Elizabeth Sweat
Chad Sweeney
Ian VanSteenbergh
Isabella White
Sophomore
Sarah Ahmad
Cali Bradley
Hadlee Carter
Meghan Denton
Peyton Dunaway
Emily Eppard
Trent Fry
Morgan Hardigree
Aaron Ingram
Savannah Kinster
AK Martin
Gracie Redmon
Katherine Taylor
Riley Vinson
Jenna Welch
Erika Williams
Junior
Lily Callahan
Kaelyn Chambers
Kanika Chopra
Kiera Draffen
Caroline Hughes
Megan Mattingly
Drew Meader
Lachlan Tatterson
Other awards
The Lumine Award for Theatrical Distinction
Kevin Johnson, Sofia Ricketts, Macie Lindsey Gabriel Moore
Ira Richard Harris ’53 Political Science Department Award
Jenna Shalash
Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Award
Mere Johnson
Ira Richard Harris ’53 History Department Award
James Snodgrass
Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship
Nicole Herman, Erin Heil
Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award
Cole Bennett
Polymer Education Undergraduate Award
Meghan Denton
Professor G. Rod Erfani Economics Award
Critindon Gannon
Dean’s Purchase Award
Kayla Bushman
The Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship
Caroline Hughes, Jenna Shalash
Award descriptions
First-Year Class Award
The First-Year Class Award is conferred upon a first-year student who has completed at least four course units as a full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken at Transylvania.
Sophomore Class Award
The Sophomore Class Award is conferred upon a sophomore who has completed at least 12 course
units as a full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken
at Transylvania.
Junior Class Award
The Junior Class Award is conferred upon a junior who has completed at least 12 course units as a
full-time student and has the highest cumulative grade point average in courses taken at Transylvania.
The Lumine Award for Theatrical Distinction
The Lumine Award is conferred upon students who embody the spirit of Transylvania’s motto within the theater program, “In that light, we pass on the light.” They are a light in the darkness, displaying their passion and dedication to their art and the program.
Ira Richard Harris ’53 Political Science Department Award
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in political science for opportunities to further their education. The student selected must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate junior in good standing at the university, be enrolled as a political science major at the university and demonstrate the desire to further their educational opportunities outside of the university.
Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Award
The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship is awarded to a history or political science major with
aspirations of attending law school upon graduation. This award is made possible by a donation
from Desirée L. Franklin to encourage the study of law, particularly constitutional law.
Ira Richard Harris ’53 History Department Award
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in history for opportunities to further their education. The student selected must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate junior in good standing at the university, be enrolled as a history major at the university and demonstrate the desire to further their educational opportunities outside of the university.
Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship
The Ronald F. Whitson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2003 to assist deserving students from Kentucky. Recipients must be good students who are active participants and leaders in campus organizations and activities. This scholarship was funded with gifts made by former players, students, colleagues and family members. It pays tribute to the loving and much-loved teacher, coach, friend and father who devoted 30 years to Transylvania students.
Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award
The Chemical Rubber Company General Chemistry Award is presented each year by the Chemical Rubber Company Press in recognition of outstanding achievement in general chemistry by a first-year student.
Polymer Education Undergraduate Award
The American Chemical Society and the Joint Polymer Education Committee present this award to a chemistry major whose future plans include a career in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering for outstanding performance in the first two semesters of organic chemistry.
The Professor G. Rod Erfani Economics Award
The Professor G. Rod Erfani Economics Award is given to an outstanding student who is either majoring or minoring in economics, providing them with opportunities to further their education.
Dean’s Purchase Award
Beginning in 2001, the dean has selected an artwork from Morlan Gallery’s Juried Student Art Exhibition to purchase and add to the university’s permanent collection. The work is chosen for its superior creative and technical accomplishment.
Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship
The Charles and Susan Shearer Scholarship is awarded annually to rising seniors who have achieved outstanding academic records and have made significant contributions to Transylvania.