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Student Awards Presented at 2025 Spring Honors Convocation

Annual ceremony recognizes students' exemplary academic, leadership and service achievements

University News | May 2, 2025

Photo Gallery: 2025 Spring Honors Convocation

Virginia Wesleyan University’s 2025 Spring Honor Convocation was held Friday, May 2, as part of the day-long Spring Undergraduate Research Forum. The annual event paid tribute to exemplary student accomplishments in academics, leadership and service. President Scott D. Miller was joined by VWU faculty and members of the community to present the awards in the Brock Theatre in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

From individual departmental awards and special recognitions to outstanding leadership and achievement awards, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate stellar students. Students on the President’s List and Dean's List, in Honor Societies and the Batten Honors College, as well as the Class of 2025, were also recognized by Provost and Vice President Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson. 

Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients:

Jessica Wilson, President’s Leadership Award

Casey Bennett, Marlin Ministries Servant Leader Award

Jenna Waters, Academic Achievement Award (MBE)

Megan Setlak, Cass Award (MBE)

Regis Collins, Tate Stephenson Classical Studies Award

Vinny Palmore, Anisha Carter, Creelyn Bastinelli, Latin Award

Karelyn Baker, Jalen Major, Alexis Miller, Marco Molino, Outstanding Senior Award (Biology)

Emm Acanfora, Crystabelle Knight, Distinguished Seniors (Psychology)

Norah Ciano, Psychology Research Award

Samantha Silvia, Samantha Tortorice, Dora Dobrin Award for Excellence in Social Work

Kaza Dayton, Excellent Performance (Hispanic Studies)

Abigail Villacrusis, French Award

Mae Bryant, Max Byrd, Christian Palmisano, Sydnee Washington, History Department Award

Ines Pouliquen, International Studies Award

Isaac Fick, Erin Beaudry, Library Research Award

Maria “Duda” de Freitas Bernardo, Abigail Villacrusis, Media and Communication Award

Kirkland Butler, Outstanding English Major

Kirkland Butler, Vivian Teter Creative Writing Award

Benjamin Daugherty, Outstanding First-Year Award in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Casey Bennett, Outstanding Graduate in Biochemistry

Sainandan Challagundia, Outstanding Graduate in Chemistry

Jessica Wilson, Clay Yokom, Bryn Lister, Outstanding Graduates in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Jessica Wilson, Sustainability Management Award

Evelyn Weaver, Smeltzer, Outstanding Graduates in Environmental Studies

Jenna Laird, Outstanding Elementary Education Student

Emma Janney, Outstanding MAED Student

McKinley Crittenden, Outstanding SPED Student

Hannah Luxner, Rising Star (Education)

Ajia Lindsey, Virginia Scholars Award

Jaime Corley, Kaiyya Jenkins, Political Science Award

Everett McCloskey, Mackenzie Myers, Outstanding Major in Sport and Recreation Management

Savannah Combs, Ashley Glodek, Recreational Therapy Outstanding Student

Meadow Spears, Sharon L. Payne Award for Excellence in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Kyleigh Castengena, Comfort Tambaya, Sociology & Criminal Justice Department Honors

Evelyn Weaver, Katia Reyes, Nora Bahns, The Wisdom Award

Erin Andrews, The Hite Award for Distinguished Service to Theatre

Emily Lutz, Elizabeth “Annie” O’Shea, Theatre Impact Award

An Academic Fair & Poster Session in the CMAC of the Jane P. Batten Center immediately followed the Honors Convocation.