College of Arts and Letters

2024 CAL 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 2024 UToledo CAL Honors and Awards Ceremony, held May 3, 2024 in Doermann Theatre.

Photos 

(Note: folders will not contain photos until after the event. This may take a few days.)

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.

CAL commencement with students marching past table with diploma cases Dean's Medal in foregroundProgram

Processional

Bold Procession

By David Nelson Jex
UToledo Brass Quintet

Faculty of the College, Students

Welcome and Recognition of the Platform

Melissa Gregory, Dean

Presentation of Awards

Dean’s Prize Winners

Kristen Keith, Associate Dean
Dean's Prize Committee

Short Prose Essay

Victoria Auld
"The Converted Princess"
Major: Law and Social Thought

Long Prose Essay

Daria Sysoeva
"Witnesses by Proxy: Female Bodies in Contemporary Antiwar Poetry"
Major: English

Creative Work

Mary Olnhausen
Performance: "Flute Concertino" by Cecile Chaminade
Dual Major: English and Women's and Gender Studies

Student Leadership and Engagement Award

Melissa Gregory, Dean

Nabaa Ali
Dual Degrees: B.A. Women's and Gender Studies, and B.S. Biology

Taylor Czaja
Major: Disability Studies

Autumn Vasquez
Dual Majors: Media Communication & English

Mina Youssef
Major: Political Science

Excellence in Perseverance Award

Kristen Keith, Associate Dean

  • Alyn Martinez Veladiz
    Major: Communication
  • Lorraine Foster
    Major: English
  • Alex Scheer
    Major: Music
  • Kalie Campbell
    Major: Law and Social Thought
  • Emily Ard
    Major: Political Science and Public Administration

Recognition of Graduates Receiving Departmental and Latin Honors

Edmund Lingan, Associate Dean

Faculty Reader
Holly Monsos

Medals to Outstanding Students

Department Chairs and Representatives

College Outstanding Student Award

Melissa Gregory, Dean

Jenna N. Pittman
Dual Degrees: B.A. History, and B.E. Adolescent and Young Adult Education

Congratulations

Melissa Gregory, Dean

Recessional

Celebration

By David Nelson Jex
UToledo Brass Quintet

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Arts and Letters Outstanding Students

Department of Art

Outstanding Student

Kayla Wisnewski
Major: Studio Art

Department of Communication

Outstanding Student

Alyn G. Martinez Veladiz
Major: Communication Studies

Disability Studies Program

Outstanding Student

Chelsea Collins
Dual Majors: Disability Studies and English

Department of Economics

Outstanding Student

Evan Bon
Major: Economics

Department of English Language and Literature

Outstanding Student

Bella Brass
Major: English

GLOBAL Studies Program

Outstanding Student

Yurim Kim
Major: Global Studies

Department of Geography and Planning

Outstanding Student

Rella C. Jones
Major: Geography

Department of History

Outstanding Student

Jenna N. Pittman
Major: History

Law and Social Thought Program

Outstanding Student

Maddie Stiegler
Dual Majors: Law and Social Thought, and Political Science

Department of Music

Outstanding Student

Lillian G. Delverne
Major: Music

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM

Outstanding Student

Nathan P. Borghese
Dual Majors: Philosophy and English

Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Outstanding Student

Serkan Yapragigur
Major: Political Science

Department of Psychology

Outstanding Student

Kim J. Gorner
Major: Psychology

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Outstanding Student - Anthropology

Molly A. Eyink
Dual Majors: Anthropology and History

Outstanding Student - Sociology

Amira S. Dari
Major: Sociology

Department of Theatre and Film

Outstanding Student - Film/Video

Thomas B. Piaskowski
Dual Majors: Film/video and Economics

Outstanding Student - Theatre

Hazel J. Penrose
Major: Theatre

Department of Women's and Gender Studies

Outstanding Student

Shreya Bhoopathi
Major: Women's and Gender Studies

Department of World Languages and Cultures

Outstanding Student

Olivia Zeisler
Major: French

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2024 Graduates with honors

Departmental Honors

  • Onefuwa C. Akande, Psychology
  • Victoria J. Auld, Law and Social Thought and English
  • Lydia Babcock, English
  • Katherine M. Blandford, History, and Women's and Gender Studies
  • Evan Bon, Economics
  • Joseph R. Boorom, Art
  • Nathan P. Borghese, English and Philosophy
  • Bella Brass, English
  • Kalie Campbell, Law and Social Thought
  • Zoe A. Castillo, Psychology
  • Molly A. Eyink, Anthropology and History
  • Justin J. Fisher, Art
  • Kim J. Gorner, Psychology
  • Anastasia R. King, Art
  • Maria Lankey, Global Studies
  • Dana Muhsen, Anthropology
  • Emerson L. Muir, Art
  • Joseph I. Nyburg, History and English
  • Sydney A. Pfeiffer, Anthropology and History
  • Jenna N. Pittman, History
  • Kallen G. Rawson, Art
  • Kathryn G. Robinette, Law and Social Thought
  • Molly E. Ross, German, and Political Science and Public Administration
  • Maddie Stiegler, Political Science and Public Administration, and Law and Social Thought
  • Alana S. Tidwell, Art
  • Gretchen Van Wey, Global Studies and German
  • Kenneth R. Wilson, Anthropology
  • Kayla Wisnewski, Art
  • Allison L. Wisniewski, Law and Social Thought

STUDENTS GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE

(Blue and gold twisted cords)

  • Victoria J. Auld, Law and Social Thought, and English
  • Lydia Babcock, English
  • Alexandria R. Bauer, Psychology
  • Shreya Bhoopathi, Women's and Gender Studies
  • Katherine M. Blandford, History, and Women's and Gender Studies
  • Evan Bon, Economics
  • Joseph R. Boorom, Art
  • Vincenzo L. Boraggina, Psychology 
  • Bella Brass, English 
  • Zoe A. Castillo, Psychology
  • Krystal L. Clark, Media Communication
  • Olivia M. Collett, Art
  • Enaz Y. Elkhechen, Psychology
  • Molly A. Eyink, Anthropology and History
  • Justin J. Fisher, Art
  • Sophia L. Ford, Communication
  • Shea L. Gilkey, Communication
  • Allyson P. Givens, English
  • Kim J. Gorner, Psychology
  • Annalise Y. Gouin, Media Communication
  • Marti L. Hammer, Psychology
  • Alyssa M. Jacoby, Political Science and Public Administration, and History
  • Xianglong Ji, Psychology
  • Nathan W. Johnson, Psychology
  • Rella C. Jones, Geography
  • Dina M. Kassem, Psychology
  • Dorothy G. Liles, Spanish
  • Cinthya Luna, English
  • Evan M. Mahabir, Law and Social Thought
  • Alyn G. Martinez Veladiz, Communication
  • Reegan M. Minor, Economics
  • Kylie A. Murphy, English
  • Joseph I. Nyburg, History and English
  • Thomas B. Piaskowski, Film Video/Economics
  • Lillian R. Sherman, Communication
  • Sarah-Rose M. Sullivan, Political Science and Public Administration
  • Emilly H. Thomas, Media Communication
  • Serkan Yapragigur, Political Science and Public Administration
  • Olivia Zeisler, French

STUDENTS GRADUATING Magna CUM LAUDE

(Blue cords)

  • Onefuwa C. Akande, Psychology 
  • Mujtaba M. Alshahad, Economics 
  • Christina N. Baker, General Studies 
  • Nathan P. Borghese, English and Philosophy
  • Nicholas T. Borrillo, Spanish 
  • Andrew J. Bowers, Film/Video 
  • Ella A. Burns, English 
  • Kalie Campbell, Law and Social Thought
  • Olivia D. Castle, Psychology 
  • Chelsea Collins, Disability Studies and English
  • Drew J. Cook, Spanish 
  • Sariah E. Cooper, Film/Video 
  • Kelly J. Curlis, Media Communication 
  • Amira S. Dari, Sociology 
  • Brooke A. Daum, Psychology 
  • Lillian G. Delverne, Music 
  • Emma E. Dennison, Psychology 
  • Cameron R. Deweese, Geography 
  • Sophia V. Forshey, English  
  • Hattie L. Frankhouse, Economics  
  • Emily N. Frederick, Psychology 
  • Kaitlyn N. Gallagher, Psychology
  • Trinity M. Gasser, Psychology
  • Kate L. Holloway, Psychology 
  • Nikko P. Horne Martinez, Communication 
  • Derya L. Ilgin, English  
  • John M. Jelinek, History 
  • Jamie L. Johnson, Psychology 
  • Kyle T. Jones, Geography 
  • Wesley J. Kalbus, Psychology 
  • Joshua L. Kanavel, Economics  
  • Molly Kellie, English  
  • Yurim  Kim, Global Studies
  • Meredith Kubacki, English  
  • Shiori Kuroda, Global Studies  
  • Maria Lankey, General Studies 
  • Sara P. Lewandowski, Communication
  • Phillip G. Lietaert, History
  • Griffith R. Littlehale, Psychology
  • Max Machon, Psychology
  • Massimo A. Menna, History
  • Katelyn E. Metzger, Psychology 
  • Rachel M. Moore, Psychology 
  • Dana Muhsen, Anthropology 
  • Emerson L. Muir, Art
  • Emily A. Niemann, Anthropology 
  • Aaron M. Opfer, Communication 
  • Colleen R. Palmer, Communication 
  • Karson E. Palmer, Theatre and English 
  • Shia N. Paredes, Law and Social Thought
  • Samantha J. Pastorek, English  
  • Sydney A. Pfeiffer, Anthropology and History
  • Jenna N. Pittman, History 
  • Kallen G. Rawson, Art
  • Eleanor R. Robertson, Psychology 
  • Kathryn G. Robinette, Law and Social Thought, and Psychology 
  • Molly E. Ross, German, and Political Science and Public Administration
  • Averi M. Rugg, Communication 
  • Bailey G. Scheller, Disability Studies
  • Brooke N. Schmitz, English and Data Analytics 
  • McKenna G. Schultz, Law and Social Thought
  • Luke Scoles, Communication 
  • Elesh Shrestha, Economics  
  • Mikayla L. Smith, Psychology 
  • Taylor S. Smith, Psychology 
  • Addison L. Snyder, Communication 
  • Maddie Stiegler, Political Science and Public Administration, and Law and Social Thought
  • Daria Sysoeva, English  
  • Luke D. Tester, Law and Social Thought
  • Zachary E. Tillman, Media Communication 
  • Gretchen Van Wey, Global Studies and German
  • Yarden W. Wallace, Communication and Political Science and Public Administration
  • Davion D. Williams, Law and Social Thought, and English 
  • Jordan A. Wilson, Psychology 
  • Kayla Wisnewski, Art
  • Reem Zarour, Psychology 
  • Megan N. Zuccarell, English

STUDENTS GRADUATING CUM LAUDE

(Gold cords)

  • Ashton M. Allan, Communication
  • Imani S. Allen, Psychology
  • Aaliyah Baker, Communication
  • Isabella M. Blair, Communication
  • Lauren E. Boesel, Psychology
  • Joyah M. Bosworth, Art
  • Zach J. Bowers, Geography and Urban Planning
  • Jordan N. Carle, English
  • Lila L. Cooper, Music
  • Lori L. Cooper, Media Communication
  • Dayna L. Dec, Communication
  • Jackson Dienes, Economics
  • Riley A. Drescher, General Studies
  • Andrew L. Feiertag, General Studies
  • Sara A. Fields, Psychology
  • Taryn M. Freer, Political Science
  • Lillian M. Freese, Communication
  • Margaret K. Gemelas, Political Science and Public Administration
  • Danielle L. Hasting, Media Communication
  • Taylor L. Hinkle, Psychology
  • Raif C. Hochstetler, General Studies
  • Stormy G. Hogle, Women's and Gender Studies
  • Eric Huffman, General Studies
  • Ryan A. Jewell, Communication
  • JaySean M. Johnson, History
  • Olivia J. Johnson, Communication
  • Anastasia R. King, Art
  • Dante’ Maddox Jr., Media Communication
  • Chase T. Mayle, Communication
  • Samantha M. McCollum, Art
  • Margaret McGilvery, Art
  • Alkee R. Miller, Psychology
  • Jordan S. Mohler, Psychology
  • Abdulhakim Mustapha, Psychology
  • Bassam Nasir, Psychology
  • Chiamaka A. Ogbonna, Communication
  • Hazel J. Penrose, Theatre
  • Emily R. Perion, History
  • Amelia H. Pullins, Communication
  • Justin C. Rose, Psychology
  • Keion Sadeghzadeh, Economics
  • Thompson E. Schneider, Psychology
  • Brock Schwartz, Economics
  • Liam C. Squire, Political Science and Public Administration
  • Evan M. Swartz, Psychology
  • Alana S. Tidwell, Art
  • Keirstin T. Timpko, Global Studies
  • Howard M. Turnley, Communication
  • Emma R. Van Hove, Communication
  • Olivia G. Watson, Communication
  • Jenna B. Wentling, Political Science and Public Administration
  • Blake R. Whited, Law and Social Thought
  • Olivia Willard, Art
  • Allison L. Wisniewski, Law and Social Thought
  • Mina Youssef, Political Science and Public Administration

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Acknowledgments

Outstanding Student Awards

Department Selection Committees

Dean’s Essay Prize Committee

  • Jim Ferris, Disability Studies Program
  • Joey Kim, Department of English Language and Literature
  • Christopher Martin, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Shingi Mavima, Department of History
  • Barbara Miner, Department of Art
  • Paul Stabile, Department of English Language and Literature
  • M. Joel Voss, Department Political Science and Public Administration
  • Qun Wang, Department of Political Science and Public Administration

ASL Interpreters

  • Kathleen Lascala
  • Jennifer Marker

Faculty Reader

  • Holly Monsos, Department of Theatre and Film

UToledo Brass Quintet

  • Grant Prater - Trumpet
  • Justin Kelley – Trumpet
  • Chelsi Vasquez – Horn
  • Bob Hoff – Trombone
  • Elliott Nickeson – Tuba

College of Arts and Letters Staff

  • Sydney Schauwecker, Marketing, Communication and Recruitment Specialist
  • Teri Garcia, Executive Assistant to the Dean
  • Ann Lopez, Business Manager
  • Angela Riddel, Promotions Specialist
  • Michelle Sullivan, Interim Director of Student Advising
  • Lisa Bollman, Academic Advisor, Department of Communication
  • Alexandria Harris, Academic Advisor, Department of Psychology

CAL Student Ambassadors

  • Evan Bon*
  • Trip F. Floyd
  • Stormy G. Hogle*
  • Justin C. Rose*
  • Mina Youssef*

*Denotes a graduating senior

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Last Updated: 7/15/24