Celebrating Student Achievement Across Academic Departments
Published: May 12, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
Greenville University empowers its students to grow in character, intellect, and faith. Each spring, the university celebrates students who have gone above and beyond in their academic departments.
This year's departmental awards honored students for their academic excellence, innovation, character, leadership, and service. These students reflect the heart of the GU experience—where learning meets purpose.
The students chosen for these awards in each department are graduating students who best exemplify the standards of each academic area.
Music Department Awardee Winners.
MUSIC AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT AWARDS
- Music Theory Award: Eric Bohm
- First-Year Theory Award: Skye Parris
- Piano Student Award: Jiale Shi
- Robert Woods Choir Award: Brennan Boyer
- Mary Watson-LaDue Award: D’Arcy Johnson
This year, the digital media department introduced additional awards recognizing excellence in video, design, and creative entrepreneurship. The awards for the digital media are best picture, photography, graphic design, and even a people's choice award:
Media Department Awardee Winners.
- Best Picture Award: Emanuel Khamala for “I Won’t Be Afraid”
- Digital Media Photography Award: Megan Chapman for Blackroom concert photography
- Graphic Design Award: Bella Johnson for her EXPF collaboration with Engineering on “Autodoc”
- Service Awards: Samuel Khamala (GU Basketball video project) and Beau Bice (tutoring)
- Entrepreneurship Award: Dustin Konvalinka for building his creative brand
Many other academic departments also took time to recognize their outstanding students.
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK
Katie Langham Award: August Plunkett
Estevez Award: Alejandra Sanchez and Kara Willson
Trooper James M Bava Award: Carter Kessinger
The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work awards honored students who excelled in academics, service, and leadership in the field.
- Estevez Award: Alejandra Sanchez and Kara Willson
- Katie Langham Award: August Plunkett
- Trooper James M. Bava Award: Carter Kessinger
- Senior Psychology Award: Callie Adkins
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Excellence in Education Awards recognize students who have demonstrated passion and promise as future educators. The three winners this year are:
- Aubrey Escobedo
- Ella Carrington
- Tabitha Kelly
These students exemplify GU’s School of Education values—merging pedagogical excellence with compassionate service.
ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, BIOLOGY, AND MATHEMATICS
Known for its strong foundation in experiential learning and collaboration, the Department of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics celebrated students who are already making a mark in their fields:
- Outstanding Beginning Physics Award: Rylan Barnes
- Outstanding Freshman Engineering Award: Konner Young
- Freshman Mathematics Award: Rylan Barnes
- Team Spirit Award: Ashlie Legue
- Outstanding Senior Engineering Award: Thomas Fike
- Outstanding General Biology Award: Peyton Baugher
- Outstanding Senior Biology Award : Meghan Garmon
- Outstanding Senior Environmental Biology Award : Brook Shutt
- Outstanding General Chemistry Award : Davide Daverda Saccavino
- Outstanding Organic Chemistry Award: Abby Grohmann
- Outstanding Junior Chemistry Award : Tyler Heldt
- Outstanding Senior Chemistry Award : Katie Peppler
Scholarship recipients included:
- Ralph Miller Scholarship: Rylan Barnes
- Harry Tomaschke Scholarship: Ashlie Legue
- Hugh Siefken Scholarship: Cade Buehnerkemper
- Paul Twichell Scholarship: Jilian Beilsmith
- Clair E. Carey Mathematics Scholarship: Cade Buehnerkemper
- Allyson Grabowski Biology/Chemistry Award: Faye Jones
- John Strahl Award: James McMinns
These honors reflect a department culture that values intellectual rigor and servant leadership.
FACTORY THEATER AWARDS
- Most Memorable Entrance/Exit: Grace Denton – entering and exiting via the bed – DC
- Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance: Grace Denton – Stumble Along – DC
- Outstanding Duet Vocal Performance: Aidan Humason & Jack Rugg – Cold Feet – DC
- Best Ensemble Performance: Sophie Borwick & Drowsy Cast – Show Off – DC
- Dynamic Duo: – Katie Peppler & Camila Aristy Jaime – The Gangsters – DC
- Rookie of the Year: Brennan Boyer
- Best Performance of Choreography: Aidan Humason & Jack Rugg – Cold Feet – DC
- Best Improvised Moment: Brennan Boyer – Dialogue Anytime Something Went Wrong – DC
- Funniest Moment: Silas Groves – Singing Aldolpho – DC
- Behind the Scenes Shining Star: Em Siefken – All the Things – DC
- Volunteer VIP: Dieadre Schaufelberger – Marketing & Promotion of LW & DC
- The Trooper Award: Jacob Ogg
- Spirit of Norman Award: Chris Borwick
The Factory Theater is a community theater in Greenville associated with Greenville University. It is open to students and local residents for live performances, workshops, and theatrical productions.
HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT AWARDS
- Edward Zahniser Award for Creative Writing: Kenzie File
- Elva McAllaster, Senior Citation for English Scholarship: Kennedy Gerton
- History Award: Stephanie Kamp
- Spanish Award: Ella Carrington (co-recipient)
- Spanish Award: Laura Frailey (co-recipient)
BRINER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Briner School of Business group photo of awardees.
At a formal ceremony, the Briner School of Business awarded its highest honors:
- Morris “Buddy” Bond Award: Lucia Garcia Barrientos (Business Management & Marketing), who has already secured a post-grad internship with St. Louis City SC
Watson Tidball Awards:
- Business Management: Kevin Laurino
- Accounting: Cate Cota
- Marketing: Trent Morgenstern
- Agribusiness: Anna Beth Vancil
Students from the Theology Department at their award ceremony
THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT AWARDS
- James Reinhard Award: Abby Cox
- Dr. Jim Reinhard faithfully served in the Philosophy and Religion Department from 1957 through 1993. He was primarily responsible for developing the Chicago trip, which is now the St. Louis trip, and THEO 110. Jim was known for his imaginative pedagogy, love of learning, and commitment to a developmental model with students. His deep love of Jesus became infectious for generations of Greenville College students. This award reflects the values of ministry and leadership that Jim continues to embody for the college community.
- Wilson S. King Award:Aly Fry
- Wilson King, GC alum and Professor of Religion from the 1930s to the 1950s, served with distinction during a time of division and fissure in Christian Higher Education. Dr. King unashamedly called for a radical combination of a critical, inquiring mind with a warm, compassionate heart. This award reflects his vital commitment to a life of thoughtful Christian scholarship.
- Lori Neilsen Gaffner Award:Maddy Meek
- The Lori Neilsen Gaffner Award goes to a graduating female senior who embodies pastoral care and leadership. Lori Gaffner embodied a shepherding style of leadership (leading from behind). She was the chaplain and a professor of theology at GU from 1988 to 2021 and was a voice for the students. The recipient of this award demonstrates advocacy, love, and service through humility and joy for Christ.
- Senior Honors Thesis: Kennedy Gerton and Lucas Nowlan
- Alpha Kappa Sigma (Free Methodist Honors Society): Abby Cox, Aly Fry, Carolelyn LaPrairie, Lucas Nowlan
These awards highlight students who have combined academic achievement with leadership and positive influence across campus and beyond.
But also, the awards do more than honor academic success; they celebrate the heart behind the hustle. Each recipient represents a story of dedication, resilience, and purpose. As these graduates step into new chapters, they carry with them more than a diploma; they have the spirit of a university that sees them, knows them, and believes in their calling.
