2023 Honors and Awards Ceremony Program
Congratulations to all our graduates and award winners!
The University of Toledo College of Arts and Letters celebrates its top students each year with the Honors and Awards Ceremony. This is the program for the Spring 2023 UToledo CAL Honors and Awards Ceremony, held May 5, 2023 in Doermann Theatre.
Photos
- Photos of the ceremony are available here to those with a UToledo email account.
- Photos are also available on Dropbox. You do not need an account to view/download the photos.
- If you are publishing the photos, please credit the photographer, Ambershaun Byrd. Thanks!
We also have a PDF version of this webpage that you can download if you would like to print a copy of the full program.
Program
Processional
Bold Procession
By David Nelson Jex
UToledo Brass Quintet
Faculty of the College, Students
Welcome and Recognition of the Platform
Melissa Gregory, Interim Dean
Presentation of Awards
Dean’s Prize Winners
Kristen Keith, Associate Dean
Short Prose Essay
Lydia Babcock
"The Importance of Structure in Julia Alvarez’s 'Bilingual Sestina'"
Major: English
Long Prose Essay
Isabella R. Garza
"The Impact of Plain Language and Easy Read on People with Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities"
Major: Disability Studies
Long Prose Essay
Tara Smith
"Nonbinary Performance and the Critical Binary 'Traps' of Twelfth Night"
Dual Major: English and Art History
Creative Work
Amber M. Rank
"Poetry of Proseminar"
Dual Major: English and Women's and Gender Studies
Student Leadership and Engagement Award
Melissa Gregory, Interim Dean
Liam K. Walsh
Dual Major: Law and Social Thought and Political Science
Excellence in Perseverance Award
Kristen Keith, Associate Dean
- Taylor N. Cordle
Major: Sociology - Brendan E. DuMoulin
Major: Anthropology - Karsten F. Gaffney
Major: German - Amaia K. Ham
Major: Communication Studies - Jacqueline Mars
Major: Philosophy - Ahona Roy
Major: Economics - Zainab A. Wehbi
Major: Visual Arts - Tatiana Zeadker
Major: Psychology
Recognition of Graduates Receiving Departmental and Latin Honors
Edmund Lingan, Interim Associate Dean
Faculty Readers
Sharon Barnes
Matt Foss
Tisha Mays
Medals to Outstanding Students
Department Chairs and Representatives
College Outstanding Student Award
Melissa Gregory, Interim Dean
Madeline M. Vining
Majors: Economics and Political Science
Congratulations
Melissa Gregory, Interim Dean
Recessional
Celebration
By David Nelson Jex
UToledo Brass Quintet
Arts and Letters Outstanding Students
Department of Art
Outstanding Student
Alexis N. Moser
Major: Studio Art
Department of Communication
Outstanding Student
Grace K. Powell
Major: Media Communication
Disability Studies Program
Outstanding Student
Isabella R. Garza
Major: Disability Studies
Department of Economics
Outstanding Student
Madeline M. Vining
Dual Major: Economics and Political Science
Department of English Language and Literature
Outstanding Student
Tara Smith
Dual Major: English and Art History
Department of Geography and Planning
Outstanding Student
Nicholas G. Bonfiglio
Dual Major: Geography and Planning and History
Department of History
Outstanding Student
William Brooks
Major: History
Interdisciplinary Programs - Data Analytics
Outstanding Student
Lilian G. Cole
Major: Data Analytics
Law and Social Thought Program
Outstanding Student
Jacob Benner
Major: Law and Social Thought
Department of Music
Outstanding Student
Gina R. DiGirolamo
Major: Music
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Outstanding Student - Philosophy
Rebecca S. Roberts
Dual Major: Philosophy and English
Outstanding Student - Religious Studies
Paula D. Ashley
Major: Religious Studies
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Outstanding Student
Katherine O. Zura
Major: Political Science
Department of Psychology
Outstanding Student
Loren N. Taylor
Major: Psychology
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Outstanding Student - Anthropology
Elizabeth A. Pawlowicz
Major: Anthropology
Outstanding Student - Sociology
Taylor N. Cordle
Major: Sociology
Department of Theatre and Film
Outstanding Student - Film/Video
Ryan J. Gagnet
Major: Film/video
Outstanding Student - Theatre
Jeffery M. Enck
Major: Theatre
Department of World Languages and Cultures
Outstanding Student
Samuel L. Shockey
Dual Major: French and Spanish
2023 Graduates with honors
Departmental Honors
- Paula Ashley, Religious Studies
- George Benson, Religious Studies
- Aastha D. Bhavsar, Psychology
- Rhiannon M. Byrd, Art
- Brendan E. DuMoulin, Anthropology
- Jasmine S. Fox, Law and Social Thought
- Isabella R. Garza, Disability Studies
- Susan I. Hansen, Art
- Logan M. Herl, Art
- David H. Heuring, History
- Leah M. Kehler, Psychology
- Clare J. Krzykala, Law and Social Thought, Psychology
- Abbigail M. Kurtz, Anthropology
- Morgan A. Miller, Law and Social Thought
- Alexis N. Moser, Art
- Alexandria G. Reeves, Anthropology
- Brenna M. Schaefer, Law and Social Thought
- Adrienne R. Siefert, English
- Tara Smith, English
- Nithya Sundar, Psychology
- Loren N. Taylor, Psychology
- Madeline M. Vining, Economics, Political Science
- Nour A. Zrien, Psychology
STUDENTS GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE
(Blue and gold twisted cords)
- Paula Ashley, Religious Studies
- Jenna A. Basden, Political Science
- Aastha D. Bhavsar, Psychology
- William Brooks, History
- Zac A. Brown, Political Science
- Deanna E. Carine, Psychology
- Alayna Curran, Spanish
- Ysabel R. Duran, Communication
- Natalie I. Frost, Psychology
- Isabella R. Garza, Disability Studies
- Jessica L. Gozdowski, Communication
- Evan J. Grel, History, Political Science
- Justin Hale, History
- Amaia K. Ham, Communication
- Katelyn M. Heckenmueller, Spanish
- Logan M. Herl, Art
- Lila Y. Jarouche, Political Science
- Noah L. Johnson, Communication
- Leah M. Kehler, Psychology
- Abbigail M. Kurtz, Anthropology
- Gina M. Managhan, Psychology
- Madison T. Medalle, Psychology
- Tiara M. Medley, Media Communication
- Morgan A. Miller, Law and Social Thought
- Sarah M. Mujic, Visual Arts, Art History
- Dhairya C. Patel, Economics
- Elizabeth A. Pawlowicz, Anthropology
- Austin J. Perry, Media Communication, History
- Grace K. Powell, Media Communication
- Lauren M. Reitz, Communication
- Natalie V. Rice, Media Communication, Theatre
- Alyssa C. Robbins, History
- Benjamin G. Roller, History, Economics
- Eric D. Salvati, Disability Studies
- Brenna M. Schaefer, Law and Social Thought
- Sydney L. Schauwecker, Media Communication
- Adrienne R. Siefert, English
- Tara Smith, Art History, English
- Grace E. Stupka, English
- Nithya Sundar, Psychology
- Loren N. Taylor, Psychology
- Desiree T. Trevino, Psychology
- Madeline M. Vining, Economics, Political Science
- Alys E. Vollmar, Law and Social Thought
- Davion D. Williams, Law and Social Thought, English
- Rachel M. Wismer, General Studies
- Katherine O. Zura, Political Science
STUDENTS GRADUATING Magna CUM LAUDE
(Blue cords)
- Anthony B. Barone, Film/Video
- Jacob Benner, Law and Social Thought
- Trinity Benson, Psychology
- Erin A. Black, Communication
- Avery N. Bohman, English
- Nicholas G. Bonfiglio, Geography and Planning, History
- Aubrey E. Buford, Law and Social Thought
- Christina M. Bundy, Psychology
- Robert A. Chernock, Communication
- Kimberly Cload, Psychology
- Kennedy G. Copeland, Media Communication
- Taylor N. Cordle, Sociology
- Morgan E. Cronenwett, Media Communication
- Joey E. Crosby, Psychology
- Gillian O. Delffs, Psychology
- Antionette I. Dersch, Film/Video
- Sarah J. DeWitt, English
- Gina R. DiGirolamo, Music
- Nicholas Dugger, Political Science
- Brendan E. DuMoulin, Anthropology
- Sophia M. Fallouh, Communication
- Philomena Fernandes, English
- Karsten F. Gaffney, German
- McKenna A. Gallagher, Communication
- McKenna C. Gaudiello, English
- David H. Heuring, History
- Norman J. Hobbs, Law and Social Thought
- Sara Ichino, Data Analytics
- Ryan A. Jewell, Communication
- Vanessa J. Johnson, Sociology
- Shauna N. Kalita, Communication
- Jana N. Kassem, History
- Makenna P. Kinnee, Law and Social Thought
- Nicholas R. Koenig, Geography
- Emma C. Koons, Communication
- Catharine J. Korsnack, Communication
- Cameron J. Kreger, Psychology
- Clare J. Krzykala, Law and Social Thought, Psychology
- Isaac D. Leitner, Economics
- Shu Liang, Economics
- Kylee D. Loose, Economics
- Adelay G. Marks, Psychology
- Hannah M. Morgan, English, Anthropology
- Desiree L. Mysinger, Psychology, History
- Madison A. Oatman, Art, History
- Paige M. Paprocki, Psychology
- Maegan N. Prykan, History
- Anna K. Riihiluoma, Psychology
- Rebecca S. Roberts, English, Philosophy
- Emily M. Salhi, Psychology
- Kahlan B. Schuster, Communication
- Samuel L. Shockey, French, Spanish
- Veyda E. Sievert, Psychology
- Scott M. Smith, Geography
- Macey C. Strause, Political Science
- Lauren M. Szenderski, English
- Zainab A. Wehbi, Visual Arts
- Qilong Wei, Music
- Elizabeth M. Whitehurst, Psychology
- Alayna K. Wiedmann, Political Science
- Nour A. Zrien, Psychology
STUDENTS GRADUATING CUM LAUDE
(Gold cords)
- Alexa G. Ayres, Psychology
- George Benson, Religious Studies
- Deepa N. Bhujbal, Media Communication
- Michael A. Borjas, Music
- Alexandra J. Buraszeski, Communication
- Joshua W. Cahill, Psychology
- Maggie J. Carder, Communication
- Megan B. Carter, Psychology
- Lilian G. Cole, Data Analytics
- Katelyn DePew, General Studies
- Tyler L. Doss, English
- Abigail Duhaime, Psychology
- Claire Eid, Psychology
- Kelsey L. Eischen, Psychology
- Taylor L. Empey, Psychology
- Jeffery M. Enck, Theatre
- Marian H. Estifan, Psychology
- Maci C. Forster, Psychology
- Jasmine S. Fox, Law and Social Thought
- Ryan J. Gagnet, Film/Video
- Hannah E. Goerlitz, Psychology
- Cameron J. Guy, Political Science
- Jacob R. Hammersmith, Law and Social Thought
- Jackson H. Howard, Anthropology
- Sarah Q. Howerton, General Studies
- Willie Joshaway, English
- Mackenzie A. Kaseman, Psychology
- Kirsten E. Kendrick, Spanish
- Emilee G. Makulinski, Psychology
- Alexia D. Moehling, Spanish
- Michael Moore, Media Communication
- Alexis N. Moser, Art
- Skyler M. Myers, English
- Elena N. Nassif, Intercultural Competency, Middle East Studies
- Isabella L. Palazzolo, Political Science
- Tulsi H. Patel, Psychology
- Tyler G. Perino, Psychology
- Nathaniel O. Potter, Psychology
- Marzia Qurban Ali, Political Science
- Kayla A. Rodriguez, Psychology
- Fisher P. Rowe, Psychology
- Ahona Roy, Economics
- Kelsie R. Ruble, French
- Tyrian M. Sutton, Economics
- Devin J. Turner, Psychology
- Megan M. Vesoulis, Psychology
- Ashlynn M. Waddell, English
- Cory D. Yenor Economics
- Sim Yeng Yong, Psychology
- Christopher M. Yost, Political Science
- Mark A. Young, Psychology
- Samuel W. Yusko, English
Acknowledgments
Outstanding Student Awards
Department Selection Committees
Dean’s Essay Prize Committee
- Charles Beatty, Department of History
- Jim Ferris, Disability Studies Program
- Matt Foss, Department of Theatre and Film
- Christopher Martin, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Andrew Mattison, Department of English Language and Literature
- Barbara Miner, Department of Art
- Michael Voss, Department of Political Science and Public Administration
- Matt Yockey, Department of Theatre and Film
ASL Interpreters
- Kathleen Lindsey
- Jennifer Magill
Faculty Readers
- Sharon Barnes, Department of Women's and Gender Studies
- Matt Foss, Department of Theatre and Film
- Tisha Mays, Department of Communication
UToledo Brass Quintet
- Dr. David Jex, trumpet
- Bruce Heuring, trombone
- David McClellan, French horn
- Dr. Andrew Rhodes, tuba
- Ric Wolkins, trumpet
College of Arts and Letters Staff
- Emily Cohoe, Marketing, Communication and Recruitment Specialist
- Debbie Corkins, Executive Assistant II
- Adam Ginsburg, Secretary II
- Ann Lopez, Business Manager
- Angela Riddel, Promotions Specialist
- Michelle Sullivan, Interim Director of Student Advising
- Lisa Bollman, Academic Advisor, Department of Communication
- Abby Glanville, First Year Advisor
- Steven Guerrero, First Year Advisor
- Alexandria Harris, Academic Advisor, Department of Psychology