The ceremony opened with a welcome from President David P. Nelson. Rev. Dr. Kendra Joyner-Miller ‘11 delivered the invocation, setting a reflective tone for the event.
Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Monica Cowart recognized the graduating Class of 2025, Dean’s List scholars, and student-athletes from the women’s and men’s swimming teams for their academic excellence. The women's and men's swimming teams had the highest team GPAs at Catawba, 3.891 and 3.588, respectively.
Outgoing Student Government Association officers, including Katelyn Cothren, President; Emma Jacson, Vice President; and Mason McLain, Secretary, were recognized.
Newly elected SGA officers were introduced: Jadam Martin, President; Autumn Perkin, Vice President; Shiva Aryal, Secretary; Matthew Peeler, Treasurer; Judy Rose, Senator-at-Large; and Alfonso Castro, Senator-at-Large.
Mason McLain and Hannah Koopmans were awarded the titles of Mr. and Ms. Catawba for the upcoming academic year.
Service to the Community & Leadership Awards
The David Hoyle Award for Outstanding Service in Student Activities is presented each year to a student who has made exemplary contributions in all areas of student activities. This year, Angelina Araujo received the award.
Katelyn Cothren was awarded The Sara Cook Award for Student Involvement. Student Affairs established this award in recognition of the work of Board of Trustee Member Sara Cook and her role in alcohol education, policy, and programs that have changed the campus culture of student life at Catawba. It is presented annually to the member of the student body who demonstrates a concern for the well-being of fellow students through student life programs outside the classroom. The Office of Student Affairs nominates candidates and makes final choices on the award winner.
Colleen Pellington and Keating Lamson were awarded the Francis Decker Wentz Award. Established by the Corriher-Linn-Black Library staff in honor of the late Mrs. Frances Wentz, the award is presented annually to upperclass student(s) who demonstrates a genuine concern and aptitude for theory and practice of library science and service.
Dr. Carmony Hartwig was the recipient of the Kenneth Clapp Tri-Delta Award. Established by the Class of 2000 in recognition of the work of Dr. Ken Clapp, Chaplain Emeritus, it is presented annually to a member of the faculty or staff who demonstrates dedication, devotion, and dependability.
The President's Award for Community Service was presented to Dr. Jay Bolin, Dean of Natural Sciences. The award is given annually to a campus community member who has distinguished himself or herself in significant service to the local Rowan-Salisbury community. The recipient is selected through nominations from the faculty and staff, with the college president making the final selection. In addition to a certificate, a donation is made in their honor to a local charity of their choice.
The Paul Fisher Service Award is presented to a student and a faculty or staff member who has made the most significant contribution throughout the year in service to others. Zac Smith is this year’s student recipient, and Dr. Jared Tice is the staff recipient.
Academic Achievement Awards
The Hurley School of Arts and Sciences, Humanities Division:
The Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize, awarded annually to the writer of an essay judged by faculty to be the most original, was awarded to Lillie Rusher for her essay, “King Richard II.”
Ruby Walters received the Bethany and Aidan Sinnott Poetry Award, given to the student who demonstrates the most significant potential as a poet.
Justin Gerstle received the Martha Morehead Award for outstanding single work or contribution to The Arrowhead for his poem “I Only Date White Boys.”
The Rice, Andrews, Young Award was presented to Sydney Cockerham and is awarded to a foreign language major or minor who has made the highest grade in their foreign language studies.
Annie Barnhill received the Elisabeth Scranton History Award, given to the student who best represents the ideals of liberal education and scholarship in history.
Tyler Miller received the Religion Award, given by the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ ministers to a junior or senior in recognition of academic excellence in Religion and Philosophy.
Gabriel Vasquez and Kirill Camp received the Wentz Philosophy Award, given in memory of Dr. Bruce A. Wentz, a long-time teacher of Philosophy at Catawba. The award recognizes a junior or senior who has shown excellence in the study of philosophy.
This year, Catawba College was honored again to be invited to compete in the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Ethics Bowl. Five students chosen to represent Catawba spent countless hours researching and preparing for the debates. Rachel Davis, Margaret Thurman, Reagan Brown, Jadan Martin, and Dr. Norris Feeney, coordinator for the team, were honored for their hard work and fine representation of Catawba College.
Joey Baillie and Zachary Smith received the Senior Psychology Award for their outstanding contributions to the psychology department's activities.
The Bolick Award for outstanding achievement in Sociology and demonstration of the Sociological Imagination went to Sydney Wilson.
The Hurley School of Arts and Sciences, Science Division:
The Leader in Environmental Stewardship is awarded to a student and a faculty or staff member who exhibits outstanding leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship. This year’s student recipient was Junior Price, Meg Dees was the staff recipient, and Dr. Duane Aagaard was the faculty recipient.
Marit Reckman received the Braun Award in Physics, given to the student or students who have done the most meritorious work in physics.
The Chemistry Prize was awarded to Anna Willingham. It recognizes the senior who best demonstrates character, scholarship, and excellence in chemistry.
Rylie Faircloth received the Freshman Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in Chemistry during the freshman year.
Allison Fredrick received the Biochemistry Award, presented to a Biochemistry major for outstanding scholastic achievement during their senior year.
The Environment and Sustainability Award is given to a senior class member who best demonstrated dedication, inspiration, and academic achievement in environmental science. This year's recipients were Larkin Garden and Katelyn Cothren.
Karen Gonzalez received the Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award, which was presented to the senior who had exhibited outstanding service and achievement in the Department of Biology.
Samantha Giraldo received the Biology Service Award, which recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and exceptional service.
The Goodman School of Education:
The Shirley L. Haworth Prospective Teacher Award is presented to an education major or minor who has demonstrated outstanding potential as a teacher. This year Catawba recognized, Abi Svenson and Jana Lowder.
Khalil Cross received the Cynthia B. Osterhus Award for outstanding contribution to the Student North Carolina Association of Educators.
The Shuford School of the Performing and Fine Arts:
The Chairman’s Award in Music was awarded to Justin Gerstlein recognition of significant contributions to the Music Department and promise of future success in the music field.
Lyndsey Hart received the Augustin Daly Award for Outstanding Student in Theatre Arts.
The Ketner School of Business:
The Dr. Karl E. Hales Communication Award goes to Caleb Nesbitt.
The Sherrill & Smith Award in Business Administration for the best scholastic record in accounting goes to Hannah Wagenaar.
Lillie Martin has received the Millard F. Wilson Award for Excellence in Business, which recognizes outstanding service to and academic achievement in the Ketner School of Business.
The Mathematics Award for outstanding ability, scholarship, and interest in mathematics goes to Morgan Childress.
Isis Vasquez and Marko Sudar have been awarded the Paul L. Baker Computer Science Award for outstanding ability, scholarship, and interest in computer science.
The Information Systems Award, given annually by the Mathematical and Computer Sciences faculty to a student who has demonstrated ability, scholarship, and interest in information systems, was awarded to Jordan Dash.
The School of Health Sciences and Human Performance:
The Whitley Award, given to a junior or senior female student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and service to the Department of Sport and Health Sciences, went to Kary Hales.
Nick Allen received the William L. Russell Award, given to the junior or senior male student in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and service to the Department of Sport and Health Sciences.
The Department of Nursing Clinical Practice Excellence Award for superior delivery of patient-centered care and leadership in the clinical setting was awarded to Precious White.
Megan Michaels received the Nursing Academic Excellence Award, presented to the student with the highest GPA in the Nursing program.
Awards of Special Merit and Achievement
Morgan Childress received the Dean N. Grove Award, presented to a student-athlete majoring in math or science who demonstrates leadership abilities in one of these fields as well as athletics.
Miles Lester received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award, given by the New York Southern Society to establish a permanent reminder of the noblest human qualities as expressed and followed in the life of its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan. A committee consisting of students and faculty of Catawba College has chosen a student to receive the award in recognition of spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living and with the belief that these persons will uphold the spiritual standards of Catawba College by their noble characteristics.
Albert Rush is the 2024-25 Staff Member of the Year. This award is an annual recognition by the student body of a Catawba College staff member who has been outstanding in their work for the College.
Dr. Mercedes Quesada-Embid is the 2024-25 professor of the year. This award is presented to a faculty member selected by a popular vote of the students. The recipient is chosen for those qualities that the students believe represent the best in classroom rapport, evidence of student concern, and intellectual stimulation.
Chrisanne Rancati is the recipient of the Louise Tucker Staff Council Award, which is given to a staff member who demonstrates outstanding work ethic and performance in his or her area. Members of the faculty and staff make nominations, and the recipient is selected by a vote of the Staff Council.
The President’s Award for Staff Excellence is given annually to a member of the Catawba College staff who has distinguished him or herself in achieving excellence in job performance and has contributed to strengthening the community spirit on campus. The entire faculty and staff nominate the award recipient to the Staff Council. The President makes the final selection of the recipient. This year’s President’s Award for Staff Excellence recipient is Asia Robinson.
The Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teaching was presented to Dr. ChaMarra Saner. This award goes to a member of the Catawba College faculty who has shown consistent excellence in teaching. It was established as a gift from the late Hearne Swink, a former Rowan County resident, an official with Cannon Mills Company, and a friend of the College. The recipient is nominated by faculty members and chosen by the faculty senate.
The Trustee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Catawba College is given annually to the individual deemed to have made an outstanding contribution in service to Catawba College. The Catawba College Faculty Senate recommends the recipient and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees Governance Committee. The College presents the award on behalf of the Board of Trustees. This year, a faculty member and a staff member were chosen as recipients of the Trustee Award: Dr. ChaMarra Saner and Jason Belk.
The 2024-25 Whitener Medal recipients are Katelyn Cothren and Zachary Smith. The Whitener Medals are given annually in memory of the late Dr. Edgar Whitener of High Point, North Carolina, who served as president of the Catawba Board of Trustees from 1925 to 1944. The medals are presented to the men and women in the graduating class who combine in themselves, to the highest degree, the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. The faculty makes a selection from among three men and three women who have received the highest votes in an election in which only the members of the junior and senior classes may vote. This year's recipients will be presented with their medals during the Commencement ceremony on May 10.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college conveniently located in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, Catawba is a learning community providing students with unique opportunities to discover their vocation, calling, passions, and purpose as they prepare to reach their highest potential. The College offers more than 70 undergraduate and three graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathways. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
