Seniors honored with academic, activity and leadership awards

McDaniel College seniors were honored with academic, activity and leadership awards during their 2020 Celebration on May 23.

The awards ceremonies were held virtually with Provost Julia Jasken presenting academic awards and Dean of Students Liz Towle presenting activity and leadership awards.

Nicolette Brookman, an English major from Sykesville, Md., received both top academic awards, The Argonaut Award for highest GPA and The Edith Farr Ridington Writing Award for best senior paper. Read more on the Top undergraduate awards presented during Class of 2020 Celebration.

Academic Awards:

The Alton Dennis Law Award for Excellence in Economics

• Kevin Bennett Keane, Business Administration major from Bethesda, Md.

The Dr. Mary Ellen Elwell Distinguished Social Work Award

• Emily Rose Gilburt, Social Work major from Albany, N.Y.

The Vox Magna Clara (A Strong Clear Voice) Award

• Olivia Anne Storer, English and Sociology major from Wangaratta, Australia

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

• Nicolette Louise Brookman, English major from Sykesville, Md.
• Frank Michael Kratovil III, Philosophy major from Stevensville, Md.

The McLuhan Award for Excellence in Communication

• Megan Frances Steinwedel, Communication major from Westminster, Md.

The Richard A. Clower Award for Excellence in Kinesiology

• Isabella Mendiola, Kinesiology major from Frederick, Md.

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

• Katie Lynn Holland, Chemistry major from Charlotte Hall, Md.

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

• Ravi B. Patel, Political Science and Spanish major from San Diego, Calif.

The Class of 1938 Award for Excellence in Music

• Andrew Thomas Pyne, Music and Political Science major from New Market, Md.

The Dr. Reuben Holthaus Award in Philosophy

• Frank Michael Kratovil III, Philosophy major from Stevensville, Md.
• Onesha Novena Smith, Philosophy major from Baltimore

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

• Samantha Naomi Bouton, French and Political Science major from Pasadena, Md.
• Michael M. Gallagher, Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science major from Elko, Nevada

The Malcolm L. Meltzer Psychology Award

• Abigail J. Hernandez, Psychology and Spanish major from Germantown, Md.

The Michael and Polly Beaver Award for Excellence in Education

• Nicolette Louise Brookman, English major from Sykesville, Md.
• Courtney Lynn Herzog, Elementary Education major from Potomac, Md.

The David Brian Cross Memorial Award for Achievement in Mathematics

• Lucas Austin Anthony, Mathematics and Physics major from Bel Air, Md.

The Makosky Award for Excellence in English

• Nicolette Louise Brookman, English major from Sykesville, Md.
• Kayla Nicole Catlin, Cinema and English major from Eldersburg, Md.

The Philip and Azalea Myers Award for Creativity in English

• Marya Vladimirovna Kuratova, English and Writing and Publishing major from North Bethesda, Md.

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

• Michael Clements Lemke, Biology major from Westminster, Md.

The Phi Delta Gamma Award

• Jade Olivia Enright, Biology major from Cresaptown, Md.

The M. Louise Shipley Art Award of Excellence

• Lauren Elise Beckjord, Art major from Laurel, Md.

The H.P. Sturdivant Biology Award

• Cooper Allen Hostetler, Biology major from Cumberland, Md.

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

• Patricia Marion Zetkulic, Psychology and Theatre Arts major from Arlington, Va.

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

• Lucas Austin Anthony, Mathematics and Physics major from Bel Air, Md.

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

• Grayson Christopher Myers, History and Political Science major from Medford, N.J.

The H. Peyton Gorsuch History Award

• Juliet Nurice Person, History major from Owings Mills, 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)

• Bryce Carter Brookhart, Business Administration major from Ellicott City, Md.

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)

• Tracy Ann H. Fleming, Sociology major from Manchester, Md.

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

• Mikyas Bekele Kisi, Biology major from Baltimore

The Western Maryland Norman E. Sartorius Gift and Citation (student who has contributed the most toward the moral and spiritual uplift of the student body)

• Desiray Kirsten Sweeney, English major from Knoxville, Md.

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)

• Steven Kenneth Alford Jr., Business Administration major from Baltimore

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)

• Carson S Marshall, Kinesiology major from Brookeville, Md.

The Alumni Citizenship Awards (female and male 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)

• Marya Vladimirovna Kuratova, English and Writing and Publishing major from North Bethesda, Md.
• Caleb Le’Roy White, Environmental Studies major from Glen Burnie, Md.

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

• Onesha Novena Smith, Philosophy major from Baltimore

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

• Jacqueline Cristine Fahrenholz, Environmental Studies major from Scotch Plains, N.J.
• Meghan Nicole Sadler, Biology major from Blandon, Pa.
• Kevin Bennett Keane, Business Administration major from Bethesda, Md.

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

• Sara Elisabeth Hegna, Communication major from Brielle, N.J.

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

• Ryker A. Eckenbarger, Computer Science major from Finksburg, Md.

The Mary Ward Lewis Prize

• Veronica Grace Johns, B.A./M.S. Spanish-Teaching from Baltimore

The Bates Prize

• Ravi B. Patel, Political Science and Spanish major from San Diego, Calif.