Academic, activity and leadership awards presented to Class of 2021

McDaniel College seniors in the Class of 2021 were honored with academic, activity and leadership awards during two virtual award ceremonies on May 21. 

Provost Julia Jasken presented academic awards and Dean of Students Liz Towle presented activity and leadership awards.

Students involved in academic and leadership organizations were also recognized. These groups included Phi Beta Kappa, Dorsey Scholars, College Scholars, and Global Fellows during the academic awards ceremony and Omicron Delta Kappa, Trumpeters, The Edge Experience Program during the activity and leadership awards ceremony. View the program for the virtual award ceremonies.

In addition to the awards listed below, Jacob E. Fine, a Music major from Lambertville, N.J., received The Bates Prize as the outstanding male member of the graduating class and Priscilla Owusu, a Chemistry major from Bowie, Md., earned The Mary Ward Lewis Prize as the outstanding female member of the graduating class. Read more about the honorees.

Academic Awards: 

The Alton Dennis Law Award for Excellence in Economics  

• Joseph James Conklin, Accounting Economics and Business Administration major from Westminster, Md.  

• Carly N. Critchfield, Economics and Political Science major from Grass Lake, Mich.  

The Dr. Mary Ellen Elwell Distinguished Social Work Award  

• Rachel A. Gunnerson, Social Work major from Hood River, Ore.  

The Vox Magna Clara (A Strong Clear Voice) Award  

• Hikeem H. Holland, Sociology major from Baltimore  

The Maria Leonard Senior Book Award given by Alpha Lambda Delta to the graduating senior(s) with the highest GPA 

• Joseph James Conklin, Accounting Economics and Business Administration major from Westminster, Md.   

• Julia Kate Dunn, Psychology major from Reisterstown, Md. 

• Melinda C. Morgan, Kinesiology major from Elkton, Md. 

The Joan Develin Coley Award for Excellence in Education 

• Rachel Christine Bier, Elementary Education major from Salisbury, Md.  

The McLuhan Award for Excellence in Communication 

• Jillian Rita Courtney, Communication and Political Science major from LaVale, Md. 

The Richard A. Clower Award for Excellence in Kinesiology  

• Melinda C. Morgan, Kinesiology major from Elkton, Md. 

• Jackson S. Kratovil, Kinesiology major from Stevensville, Md.  

The Richard H. Smith, Jr. Award for Excellence in Chemistry or Biochemistry  

• Priscilla Owusu, Chemistry major from Bowie, Md. 

The Robert Joseph Weber Award for Excellence in Political Science and International Studies 

• Jenae N. Burrell, Political Science major from Baltimore  

The Class of 1938 Award for Excellence in Music  

• Ethan C. Brown, Music and Political Science major from Taneytown, Md. 

The Dr. Reuben Holthaus Award in Philosophy   

• Bailey A. Chapman, Philosophy and Social Work major from Bel Air, Md.  

The Frank and Margaret Malone Award for Excellence in a Foreign Language 

• Memi G. Desta, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Social Work major from Baltimore 

• Anna Jay Kuhn, German and Biology major from Bel Air, Md. 

The Malcolm L. Meltzer Psychology Award 

• Patricia J. Dixon, Psychology major from New Bern, N.C.  

The Michael and Polly Beaver Award for Excellence in Education 

• Sydney Michelle McDonald, Elementary Education major from Finksburg, Md. 

• Audrey M. Wixted, History major with Secondary Education minor, from Sykesville, Md.  

The Makosky Award for Excellence in English 

• Mikayla R. Lee, English major from Columbia, Md.  

The Philip and Azalea Myers Award for Creativity in English 

• Olivia Amory von Koeckeritz, English major from New Freedom, Pa.  

The Eloise B. and Lowell S. Ensor Award for Graduate or Professional Study  

• Kathryn P. Dixon, Environmental Studies major from New Bern, N.C.  

The Phi Delta Gamma Award 

• Quyen K. Nguyen, Art major from Baltimore  

The M. Louise Shipley Art Award of Excellence 

• Julia Mae Robinson, Art major from Newark, Del.  

The H.P. Sturdivant Biology Award 

• Peyton Taylor Fair, Biology major from New Oxford, Pa.  

• Kaitlin N. Murphy, Biology major from Williamsport, Md. 

The Esther Smith Award (creativity in the arts – drama, music or art) 

• Lauren Kathleen McKenna, Theatre Arts and Psychology major from Sykesville, Md.  

The Dr. Clyde A. Spicer Award (outstanding graduating senior in mathematics) 

• Blair Arlene Boyle, Mathematics major from Springfield, N.J.  

• Nicholas Raymond Cummings, Mathematics and Political Science major from Falls Church, Va. 

The Hugh Barnette Speir, Jr. Prize (student showing the greatest excellence in European history) 

• Carolina G. Ayala, History major from Gaithersburg, Md. 

The H. Peyton Gorsuch History Award 

• Audrey M. Wixted, History major with Secondary Education minor, from Sykesville, Md.  

Activity and Leadership Awards:  

The Michael J. Marks ’13 Memorial Award (male member who has participated in lacrosse for at least two years and has exhibited academic excellence, leadership, competitive spirit, volunteerism and a strong work ethic) 

• Zachary David Shrift, Kinesiology major from Hershey, Pa.  

The Elizabeth Lintz Burkhardt Memorial Service Award (student who has demonstrated exceptional and persistent giving of time and service to others within the college and the community at large) 

• Patricia J. Dixon, Psychology major from New Bern, N.C.   

The Steve Robert Wilson Memorial Award (senior with the most outstanding record in track and field) 

• Riley O. O’Hara, Psychology major from Fairfax, Va. 

The Charles W. Havens Award (student who has participated in intercollegiate athletics and has shown the attributes of charity, altruism, benevolence, and a humane and compassionate concern for fellow man)  

• Kathryn P. Dixon, Environmental Studies major from New Bern, N.C. 

The John D. Nawrocki Memorial Award (male member who has participated in lacrosse and/or soccer and emulates leadership through example, shows concern for teammates and friends, and gives fully of himself) 

• Nicholas A. Bowman, Kinesiology major from York, Pa. 

The Michael L. Waghelstein Memorial Award (student who has demonstrated military proficiency and leadership potential, athletic ability, sincerity, zest for living, and loyalty to country, college and friends) 

• Cameron Victor St Andre, Philosophy major from Westminster, Md.  

The Alumni Citizenship Award (male and female members who have displayed a steadying loyalty to classmates and the college through active participation in campus life and contributions to the betterment of the college) 

• Mackenzie Rae Hunt, Psychology major from Mount Airy, Md.  

• Aaron E. White, Psychology major from Baltimore  

The Lynn F. Gruber Medal (proficiency in extracurricular activities) 

• Greta Renee Ouimette, Computer Science and Mathematics major from Rockville, Md.  

The Dr. H. Samuel Case ’63 Senior Scholar Athlete Award  

• Jackson S. Kratovil, Kinesiology major from Stevensville, Md. 

• Mackenzie Katherine Meyer, Biology major from Tacoma, Wash. 

The Faith Millard/Dr. Carol Fritz Medal (female member with the best record in athletics) 

• Marlowe Natasha Embry, Kinesiology major from San Jose, Calif.  

The John A. Alexander Medal (male member with the best record in athletics) 

• Jose Manuel Pac Cordero, Biology major from Westminster, Md.