The annual convocation honors members of the Catawba community for achievement across academics, student leadership, service, teaching, and campus life. This year’s awards recognized excellence in disciplines across the College while also highlighting those who have made a lasting impact through involvement, mentorship, and service to others.
Among the student leadership honors presented were the Student Government President’s Award to Jadan Martin and the announcement of Catawba’s newly elected Student Government Association officers for 2026-27: President Makeda Michael, Vice President Regan Brown, Secretary Annette “Michelle” Hernandez Herrera, and Treasurer Angelina Araujo.
Tristan Williams and Tatiana Chigwerewe were named Mr. Catawba and Ms. Catawba for 2026-27, respectively.
Service and leadership awards included the David Hoyle Award for Outstanding Service in Student Activities, presented to Kiya “ZaKiya” Braggs and Alanah Ferguson; The Sara Cook Award for Student Involvement, presented to McKenzie Peurifoy; and the President’s Award for Community Service, presented to Nathan Chrismon. The Francis Decker Wentz Award was presented to Kassie Fink and Amal Ahmed.
The Dr. Kenneth Clapp Tri-Delta Award for faculty and staff was presented to Dr. Erin Witalison. The student Tri-Delta Awards were presented to Phoebe Dell’Arena and Lewis Mikesell. The Leader in Environmental Stewardship Award recognized student recipient Jenna Coleman, staff member Josh Cool, and faculty recipient Dr. Megan Flocken.
The Paul Fisher Service Awards honored Dr. Sarah Sweatt and Dr. Rachel Sinz on the faculty side and Jacy Noble and Alejandro Álvarez on the student side for their contributions in service to others throughout the year.
Catawba also recognized its NCICU Ethics Bowl participants: Rachel Davis, Reagan Brown, Jadan Martin, Kisase “KJ” Uwandji, and Liam Allison. Grace Goldstein received the Nursing Clinical Practice Excellence Award.
Academic achievement awards were presented across Catawba’s academic programs. Recipients included:
Academic Achievement Awards
- The Sherrill & Smith Award in Accounting for the best scholastic record in accounting was presented to Khai Huynh.
- The Millard F. Wilson Award for Excellence in Business recognizes outstanding service to an academic achievement in the Ketner School of Business and was presented to Caleb Schell.
- The Rebecca H. Frantz Essay Prize, awarded annually to the writer of an essay judged by faculty to be the most original, was presented to Baydn Sweatt for her essay, "Taming the Vine That Ate the South: On the Cultural History and Removal of the Kudzu Vine.”
- The Bethany and Aidan Sinnott Poetry Award was presented to Makayla Castle who demonstrated the most significant potential as a poet.
- The Martha H. Morehead Award was presented to Kathrine McDermott for her poem “Please, When I Die…” contributed to The Arrowhead.
- The Charles Turney Award, established by family and friends in memory of Dr. Charles Turney, retired Chair of the English Department at Catawba. The recipient of the award is a rising senior English major with at least a 3.5 GPA and a demonstrated aptitude for and interest in the discipline of English studies. This year, the award was presented to Madison Lloyd.
- The Rice, Andrews, Young Award was presented to Alana Derringer and is awarded to a foreign language major or minor who has made the highest grade in their foreign language studies.
- The Elisabeth Scranton History Award, given to the student who best represents the ideals of liberal education and scholarship in history, was presented to Roger Ayscue and Anthony Vaccaro.
- The Braun Award in Physics, given to the student or students who have done the most meritorious work in physics, was presented to Lilly Wolf.
- The Chemistry Prize was presented to Maria Benigno. It recognizes the senior who best demonstrates character, scholarship, and excellence in chemistry.
- The Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement during the freshman year, was presented to Samantha Bean.
- The Biochemistry Award was presented to Jayce Noble, McKenzie Peurifoy, and Shiva Aryal for outstanding scholastic achievement during their senior year.
- The Mathematics Award for outstanding ability, scholarship, and interest in mathematics was presented to Sydney Rogers.
- The Information Systems Award given to a student who has demonstrated ability, scholarship, and interest in information systems, was presented to Khai Huynh and Jashaun Hawkins.
- The Environment & Sustainability Award is given to a senior class member who best demonstrated dedication, inspiration, and academic achievement in environmental science. This year it was presented to two students, Elias Barber and Samantha Taylor.
- 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 it was awarded to Alana Derringer and Erica Graesslin.
- The Student NC Association of Educators/Cynthia B. Osterhus Award for outstanding contribution s to the Student North Carolina Association of Educators was presented to Molly Meyerhofer.
- The Chairman’s Award in Music was presented to Aurora del Vecchio in recognition of significant contributions to the Music Department and promise of future success in the music field.
- The Senior Psychology Prize was presented to Onii Bivens for outstanding contributions to the psychology department’s activities.
- The Bolick Sociology Award for outstanding achievements in Sociology and the demonstration of sociological imagination was presented to Beth Mitchum.
- 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, was presented to Bree Ehmer.
- 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 Science was presented to Casey Gouge.
- The Daniel E. Kirk Biology Award was presented to Marit Reckmann and Alejandro Álvarez, recognizing the seniors who had exhibited outstanding service and achievement in the Department of Biology.
- The Bruce A. Wentz Philosophy Award, given in memory of Dr. Bruce A. Wentz, a long-time teacher of Philosophy at Catawba, recognizes a junior or senior who has shown excellence in the study of philosophy, was presented to Matthew Peeler and Jaden Wright.
- 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, was presented to Jaden Wright and Jadan Martin.
- The Biology Service Award was presented to Sam Taylor, recognizing the student who demonstrated outstanding leadership and exceptional service.
- The Augustin Daly Award for the outstanding student in theatre arts was presented to Haley White.
- The Dr. Karl E. Hales Communication Award was presented to Mason McLain.
- The Paul L. Baker Computer Science Award for outstanding ability, scholarship, and interest in computer science was presented to Callum Hudson.
- The Department of Nursing Clinical Practice Excellence Award for superior delivery of patient-centered care and leadership in the clinical setting goes to Grace Goldstein.
- The Nursing Academic Excellence Award, presented to the student with the highest GPA in the Nursing Program, was presented to Avery Fleshood.
Catawba also recognized recipients of its Awards of Special Merit and Achievement, which honor exceptional leadership, character, teaching, service, and contribution to the life of the College.
There were three Day of Scholarship Awards presented this year for research, creativity, and sustainability.
The Research Award recognizes a student whose academic work exemplifies intellectual rigor, curiosity, and purpose. Through sustained inquiry, research, or scholarly engagement, this individual demonstrates how ideas, when pursued thoughtfully and shared generously, can create meaningful impact. Their work reflects the belief that scholarship is not only an academic pursuit, but a powerful contribution to the greater good beyond Catawba’s campus. The Research Award was presented to Jaime Alpizar, Cameron Hines, Maggie Wise, Jolina Frank and Efemena Egberi.
The Creativity Award honors a student who uses imagination, innovation, and creative expression as a form of scholarship and impact. Whether through artistic work, interdisciplinary exploration, or inventive problem-solving, this individual demonstrates how creative ideas spread, challenge perspectives, and inspire change. Their work highlights creativity as an essential pathway for intellectual engagement and meaningful contribution to the world beyond our campus. The Creativity Award went to Ava Stanza and Tatiana Delgado.
Delilah Hatheway, Elena Strozewski, and Alyssa Wood were presented with The Sustainability Award. The Sustainability Award recognizes a student whose commitment to environmental stewardship reflects both intellectual engagement and purposeful action. Through research and innovation this individual demonstrates how sustainable thinking can shape responsible leadership and lasting impact. Their work embodies Catawba’s dedication to sustainability by advancing solutions that honor the interconnectedness of people, place, and planet ensuring that scholarship serves not only the present, but generations beyond our campus.
The Dean N. Grove Award was presented to Natalie Almond and Marit Reckmann. This award is presented to a student athlete majoring in math or science who demonstrates leadership abilities in one of these fields as well as in athletics.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards were presented to Dr. Phillip Burgess and student recipient Izzy Bracken. The award honors individuals whose character, service, and commitment to others reflect the highest ideals of the Catawba community.
Joe Kelso of Chartwells Dining Services received the Staff Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a staff member whose dedication and daily contributions have made a meaningful difference on campus.
Dr. Phillip Burgess was also named Professor of the Year, an honor that reflects excellence in teaching, mentorship, and engagement with students.
The Louise Tucker Staff Council Award was presented to Jen Longwell. This award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates outstanding work ethic and performance in their role.
Cayce Will received the President’s Award for Staff Excellence, which honors a staff member who has distinguished themselves through exceptional job performance and contributions to the strength and spirit of the campus community. The entire faculty and staff nominate the award recipient to the Staff Council. The President makes the final selection of the recipient.
The Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teaching was presented to Dr. Norris Feeney. The award recognizes a faculty member for 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 the College was presented to Dr. Michael Bitzer on the faculty side and Dr. Lee Ball, Ms. Hannah Addair, and Mr. Noah Upchurch on the staff side. The award recognizes outstanding service and contribution 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.
Mason McLain and Jacy Noble received the Whitener Medals, among the College’s highest student honors. 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 9.
The College’s annual Awards Convocation remains one of Catawba’s most meaningful traditions, offering an opportunity to celebrate the individuals whose work, leadership, and service strengthen the campus community and advance the College’s mission.
