EUGENE, Ore. – Earlier this month at Honors Convocation, Bushnell University celebrated the academic achievements of its students in a meaningful gathering held in the Morse Center. The annual event, which included the symbolic Cutting of the Ivy tradition, brought the campus community together to honor graduating seniors as they prepare to flourish beyond Bushnell into their individual callings.
During this special chapel, the distinguished Bushnell University Graduate of the Year awards were presented to outstanding students nominated by faculty from each academic school, recognizing exceptional character, academic excellence, and leadership. In the weeks that followed, each academic college hosted its own celebration event, where additional honors and program-specific awards were given. Award winners included:
College of Theology, Arts, and Sciences
Bible, Theology, and Ministry:
Zondervan Biblical Language Award – Violet Chadwell
Zondervan Theology Award – Zoe Kingsley
Robert Sullivan Family Award for Creativity in Ministry – Elizabeth Box
William T. Siefke Evangelism & Church Growth Award – Martha Valverde
Stone Campbell Journal Promising Scholar Award – Grace Kitchens
Siefke Preaching Scholarship Award – Ben Collins
Graduate of the Year – Hannah Beers
Arts and Sciences:
Gardiepy-Peloquin Communication Scholar Award – Amanda Sisul
Outstanding Graduating Exercise Science Student – Benjamin Lovrod
Outstanding Psychology Major – Harmony Simmons
Graduate of the Year – Alexia Krough
Music:
Graduate of the Year – Amariah Deschenes
Pi Gamma Mu Initiates (Psychology Honor Society)
- Abigail Askew
- Rachel Grant
- David Pence
- Hannah Beers
- Lauren Cázares
- Krystal Meyers
Sigma Tau Delta Initiates
- Alexia Krough
College of Professional Studies
Education:
Outstanding Teacher Leadership – Ella Schauer (undergraduate) and Fredrick Kruse (graduate)
Excellence in Teaching – Bethany Smith (undergraduate) and Anne Farris (graduate)
Outstanding School Counselor – Amy Lokach
Excellence in School Counseling Leadership – Katelyn Tracer
Graduate of the Year – Bethany Smith
Business, Leadership, and Technology:
Outstanding Business Graduate – Luke Smith
Frank Paliotta Outstanding Accounting Student – Jackson Geilish
Victor P. Morris Award – ShijoJohn
Accounting Student of the Year – Jackson Geilish
Graduate of the Year – Luke Smith
Sigma Beta Delta Initiates (Business Honor Society)
- Luke Smith
- Matelynn Ladd
- Garrett Vohs
- Kristin Vreeland
- Shawna Ricks
- Anne Harrison
- Shijo John
- Libby Mathis
- Dana Gunderson
- Mitchell Davis
- Verenise Valentin
- Esgar Garcia-Avila
- Melva Mackey
- Nolan Burke
- Ushna Khan
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