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Commencement
Commencement Awards
2025 Undergraduate Awards
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Each year in May, we recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence and exceptional leadership in their fields. Please join us in celebrating the 2025 Undergraduate Award recipients and their outstanding scholarly achievements!
This award recognizes and supports foreign study and internships abroad. The recipients will be receiving the award in recognition and support of their foreign study endeavors.
World Languages and Cultures – Presented by Professors Pilar Pinar and Gregoire Youbara
Jeffrey Levitt
Conrad Angelo Santos
Estelina Kovacs
Krystal Sanders
Award is given to students who have gone above and beyond their class and program requirements; Excelling in their studies, assignments and projects; Willingness to assist their Arts & Media Design student peers; Showing true leadership in the field of Art and Media Design.
Arts and Media Design – Presented by Professor Scott Carollo
Jihad Johnson
Given to a senior art student whose work and presence have reliably energized our community, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a lasting commitment to the arts.
Art and Media Design – Presented by Professor Scott Carollo
Kaitlyn Ruble
This award celebrates a junior art student whose creative potential is sustainable and promises to light the way for the future of art.
Zoe Abrams-Gay
Jake Mannick
The Linwood Smith Memorial Scholarship was established by the initial donor, Elwood L. Miles, brother of Linwood Smith. The fund provides scholarship assistance to undergraduate African- American deaf and hard-of-hearing junior and senior students, with a GPA of 2. 5 or better.
Center for Black Deaf Studies – Presented by Professor Joseph Hill
Sadam Mohamed
Justin Mushette
Stephanie Jean Herring
Brandon Washington
Davina Mayor
GPA = 3.0 or better. Exhibits leadership potential. Contributes to Departmental activities
Deaf Studies – Presented by Professors Dirksen Bauman and Genie Gertz
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861 – 1865 presents the Undergraduate Writing Competition for the best history paper on a Civil War topic.
History – Presented by Professor Dr. Jannelle Legg
First Place
Aubrie Bauer
Second Place
Zora Elliot-Mendelsohn
Third Place
Catelina Martinez
Given to graduating senior History majors who excelled academically in History courses as demonstrated by their major GPA and other academic coursework, and who demonstrated a commitment to the Department and the Community.
Lorelei Becktel
Grace Benham
Jacqueline Gonzalez
Named for the first Deaf person to earn a Ph.D. in philosophy. This award recognizes students who exhibit outstanding aptitude for understanding the nuances and complexities of philosophy. Students who receive the award display a temperament of critical reflection and show commitment to philosophy and philosophical discourse in the classroom and beyond.
Philosophy – Presented by Professor Barbara Stock
Neila Eaddy
In life, Victoria was a force of light (Luce means “light”), and since hersing, she remains a source of inspiration for lives she touched as a Deaf theatre article, leader, poet, and writer. This scholarship provides financial support for tuition scholarships for full-time deaf or hard of hearing students seeking a degree in English or Theater from the University.
Theatre and Dance – Presented by Professor Ethan Sinnott
Courtney Bronson
Tyler Furzland
This award is given to a full-time junior majoring in Theatre, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and Theatre major GPA of 3.0 or better.
Vincente Artino
Jeremy Pitts
Awarded to a theatre major based upon: 1. Number of shows the student has participated in 2. Visibility in the Theatre Program 3. Willingness to help with production tasks 4. Overall contribution to the Theatre Program
Theatre and Dance Presented by Professor Ethan Sinnott
Taylor Victor
Performance ability; Loyalty to Gallaudet Dance Company; Financial need; Service to Gallaudet Dance Company; GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Theatre and Dance – Presented by Brooke Roberts and Ashley Pigliavento
Marilyn Puebla
GPA of 3.0 or higher; Full-time student majoring in Theatre and/or minoring in Dance; Strong interest in music; Contributes to the Theatre and Dance Program.
To a student with GPA = 3.0 or better who exhibits leadership potential and contributes to Departmental activities.
ASL Studies – Presented by Professor Wanda Riddle
Brenna Koskie
Jon Anderson
Chandra Bishop
Jaylen Johnson
Enrico Miller
Anya Pothorski
Jewel Rocha
Exemplary commitment to and achievement in teaching and learning given to an outstanding undergraduate Education major
Education – Presented by Professor Helen Thuman
Amalia Mihalakakos
A student who demonstrates an extraordinary transformation through undergraduate studies in our Teacher Education program.
Cynthia Ortega
Exemplary graduating interpretation senior who demonstrates excellence in academics and interpreting.
Interpretation and Translation – Presented by Pamela F. Collins
Kailee Bates
Graduating interpretation senior who made outstanding contributions to a Deaf community on and/or off the university campus.
Interpretation and Translation – Presented by Professor Pamela F. Collins
Sam Michaelson
Atlas Rideout
Given to an outstanding student of Linguistics with a 3.0 GPA or higher
Linguistics – Presented by Professor Pamela Wright
Chikako Tamaki
Named in honor of Dr. Charles Ely, Class of 1892, also a Gallaudet faculty member and a college Vice President. His family established the award in 1939, and is given to the biology and chemistry students who show the most proficiency in the sciences, high GPA, work ethics, and involvement in the program.
Biology and Chemistry – Presented by Professor Paul Sabila
Roman Alvarez
Andrew Crawford
Carter R. Johnson
Hiruni Hewapathiranage
Blessed Mbogo
Given to the most outstanding student who entered the IT program this year.
Information Technology – Presented by Professor Raja Kushalnagar
Kodi Lee
Given to outstanding freshman mathematics student(s).
Mathematics – Presented by Professor Mohammad Obiedat
Hiruni Hewapathirana
Lev Shayman
Nana Akohene Owusu Ansah
This award acknowledges a student’s consistent dedication to academic success and achievement.
Public Health Program – Presented by Professor Abbi Simons
Kimberly MacLeod
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated commitment, growth, and leadership in the field of public health at Gallaudet.
Lucian Blanks
This award honors a student’s journey of progress and discovery and recognizes transformation, resilience, and rising to new heights.
Hannah Puent
Awarded to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Department of Business.
Business – Presented by Professor Lawrence Musa
Alyssa Glennon
Financial scholarship awarded to juniors who excel academically with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Lucas Riley
Awarded to a student who has shown the most dedication to academics since entering the program.
Raven Washington
Award for outstanding graduating seniors in each program
Accounting:
Elijah Solomon
Business Administration:
Crystal Salit
Risk Management & Insurance:
John Scarboro
Student who provides the most outstanding service to the Department of Business
Michaela Kelley
ZaniBelle Hoglind
Abraham Chukwuma Scholarship honors Professor Emilia Chukwuma’s belated father, awarded to freshman, sophomore, or junior, majoring in business and is in good academic standing.
Katelyn Aquino Uribe
Seniors who have GPA 3.25 and above. They will wear a gold Delta Mu Delta Pin and an official DMB Honor cord on graduation day.
Business – Presented by Professor Hollie Fallstone
Charles Clark
Mignon Estores
Danielle Fisher
Kyle Florio
Matteo Giasanti
Smith Mamboh
Melany Salcedo
Benavides
Kylar Sicoli
Anh Vo
Kelly Webster
Brielle Worley
* Recognizes excellence in Public Presenting *Communication Studies major or minor *Completed/currently taking COM 290: Public Presentations *Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 *Currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution’s policies
Communication Studies – Presented by Professor Stacy Nowak
Jalina Dietz
Mary Land
Shayla Rochette
Demonstrates excellent academic standing; Represents the upper 35% of the graduating class; Demonstrates commitment to the field of communication
Communications Studies – Presented by Alona Zfati and Ella Stromber
Aspen Goldstein
Aryzona Marsh
Salt Morton
Chloe Saunders
Belinda Toledo
Azeb Visco
Gisella Visco
Government presented by Professor Erin Farley
Demonstrates exceptional professional growth during the major as reflected in performance in social work courses and internships.
Social Work – Presented by Professors Connie Pucci, Terese Rognmo, and Hayley Stokar
Zulmi Marshall
Demonstrates outstanding performance in class, field, and the program. Illustrates a commitment to excellence and a drive to be a lifelong learner. An asset to the field and the value of social justice.
Social Work – Presented by Professors Hayley Stoker, Terese Rognmo, and Connie Pucci
Tye Lovato
Awarded to the senior social work major with the highest academic achievement as measured by GPA.
Hanna Johnston-Shaw
Top 35% for GPA, demonstrates academic excellence, contributes to the social work program.
Muna Abanoor
Diana Collins
SJ Herring
Kelly Marquez-Carbajal
Sophia Martinez
Mika Mitchem
Alejandro Rea
Haylie Kircher
Jezelina Bumala
Recognizes graduating senior psychology student(s) who have demonstrated exemplary scholarship, outstanding professional growth, and promise for making significant contributions in the field of psychology
Psychology – Presented by Professors Shilpa H. Lacy and Morgane Vincent
Elizabeth Droubi
Kate McClyman
Xin Lu Wall
Recognizes graduating senior psychology student(s) who have distinguished themselves in psychological research.
Psychology – Presented by Professors Deborah Schooler and James Waller
Recognizes graduating senior psychology students who have used the application of psychology to make a significant impact during internship.
Emily Dominguez
The Galvan award recognizes a graduating senior psychology student who embodies the values of life-long learning, perseverance, commitment to education.
Psychology – Presented by Professors Dennis Galvan, Deborah Schooler and James Waller
Jamie Gleason
Hannah Kohl
Lauren Taneyhill
Jason Williams
Tiffany Zink
Awarded to a PER major who exemplifies the characteristics of Dorothy Hamberg through academic, leadership, and service accomplishments.
Physical Education and Recreation – Presented by Professor Vanessa Arp
Mallory Garcia