Academics
Areas of Study

Overview

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 2023 Graduate Award recipients and their outstanding scholarly achievements!

Alumni and Donor Scholarship Award


Delaney, Townsley, Yeager Award

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.

Erisette Cruz

Aaron Dixon

Payton DeGraw

World Languages and Cultures – Presented by Professors Pilar Pinar and Grégoire Youbara

School of Human Services and Sciences Awards


Dorothy Hamberg Leadership Award

Awarded to a PER major who exemplifies the characteristics of Dorothy Hamberg through academic, leadership, and service accomplishments.

Kobe Schroeder

Physical Education and Recreation – Presented by Professor Keith Sanfacon


Outstanding Psychology Major Award

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

Emily Kieffer

Nthabeleng MacDonald

Julie Ann Lewis Shoeman

Psychology – Presented by Professor Deborah McCaw


Outstanding Research Achievement Award

Recognizes graduating senior psychology student(s) who have distinguished themselves in psychological research.

Bridget Lam

Psychology – Presented by Professor Deborah McCaw


Outstanding Psychology Intern Award

Recognizes graduating senior psychology students who have used the application of psychology to make a significant impact during internship.

Sehuam Bakri

Brigitta Luttrell

Psychology – Presented by Professor Deborah McCaw


Galvan Award of Excellence

The Galvan award recognizes a graduating senior psychology student who embodies the values of life-long learning, perseverance, commitment to education.

Jules Nymo

Evelyn Pantoja

Psychology – Presented by Professor Deborah McCaw

School of Language, Education and Culture Awards


The George W. Veditz Award

To a student with GPA = 3.0 or better who exhibits leadership potential and contributes to Departmental activities.

Jade Dawson

ASL Studies – Presented by Professors Felicia Williams and Wanda Riddle


The Outstanding Undergraduate Education Award

Exemplary commitment to and achievement in teaching and learning given to an outstanding undergraduate Education major

Jaelene Etkie

Education – Presented by Professors Bobbie Jo Kite and Helen Thumann


The Metamorphosis Award

A student who demonstrates an extraordinary transformation through undergraduate studies in our Teacher Education program.

Theodore Conley

Education – Presented by Professors Bobbie Jo Kite and Helen Thumann


Evans Journalism Award

First Place:

Clark Barrett

Second Place:

Christopher Arguello

English: Presented by Professor Dae-Kun Kim


The MacDougall Creative Writing Award

Rewards creative writing in various formats.

First Place:

Jonathan Summers

Second Place:

Amelia Oliver

Third Place:

Ashley Wigam

English: Presented by Professor Dae-Kun Kim


Norwood Graduating Senior Award

Jules Nymo

English: Presented by Professor Dae-Kun Kim


Marie Jean Philip Award

Exemplary graduating interpretation senior who demonstrates excellence in academics and interpreting.

Ashley Carries

Interpretation and Translation – Presented by Professor Margie English & Pamela Collins


Blaise Wafo Ndetatsin Award

Graduating interpretation senior who made outstanding contributions to a Deaf community on and/or off the university campus.

Emily Maier

Interpretation and Translation – Presented by Anita Harding & Pamela Collins


Outstanding Linguistics Undergraduate Student Award

Highest GPA in Linguistics courses. Strong linguistic thinking and analysis.

Cem Barutcu

Linguistics – Presented by Professor Helen Thumann

School of Arts and Humanities Awards


Constellation Most Outstanding Art Student Award

Smiles Russell

Arts and Media Design – Presented by Professor Johnston Grindstaff


Joseph L. Mattivi Achievement Art Student Award

Arts and Media Design – Presented by Professor Johnston Grindstaff

Laina Mull


Emerging & Promising Art Student Award

Von Burdsall

Jihad Johnson

Art and Media Design – Presented by Johnston Grindstaff


Linwood Smith Scholarship Award

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.

Justine Muschette

Asheli Kleckley

Malik Jahiem McCloud

Abdul Samed Sani

KaVarigo Smith

John’Ta Miah-Eugene Price

Center for Black Deaf Studies – Presented by Professors Carolyn McCaskill and Elizabeth Moore & Mr. Elwood Miles


The Marie J. Philip Award

GPA = 3.0 or better. Exhibits leadership potential. Contributes to Departmental activities

Amelia Palmer

Deaf Studies – Presented by Professor Dirksen Bauman


Top History Major Sponsored by Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865

Award given to graduating senior History majors who have excelled academically, particularly in History courses, as demonstrated by their GPA in the major and other academic course work, and who have demonstrated a commitment to the department and the community.

Lexi Hill

History – Presented by Professor William Ennis and Mrs. Lynne Gallaudet Dolan, National President of Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865


James E. Hayes Award for Excellence in the Study of Philosophy

Henry Baldwin

Philosophy & Religion – Presented by Professor Barbara Stock


Gilbert C. Eastman Award

Full-time Junior majoring in Theatre. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Theatre major GPA of 3.0 or better.

Gabriel Romanauskas

Jordan Tennison

Shaylene Cochran

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Professor Ethan Sinnott


Psi Iota Xi Dance Award

Performance ability; Loyalty to Gallaudet Dance Company; Financial need; Service to Gallaudet Dance Company; GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Shanesha Brown

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Ashley Pigliaveno and Brooke Roberts


Liberace Award for Excellence in Dance, Music, and Theatre

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.

Marilyn Puebla

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Ashley Pigliavento and Brooke Roberts


Ear Ball Collegiate Award for Excellence in Dance

Loyalty to Gallaudet Dance Company and Performance ability. Number of shows the student performed and a strong interest in music. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

Rebekah Minson

Annemarie Timling

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Ashley Pigliavento and Brooke Roberts

School of Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health Awards


Charles R. Ely Award

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.

Charles Harris

Eric Heinze

Blessed Mbogo

Annemarie Timling

Maizy Grace Wilcox

Chemistry – Presented by Professor Daniel J. Lundberg


Most Outstanding General Chemistry Student

Awarded to the student who shows the best effort in academic work and a good attitude, and is supportive of his/her classmates- like a true scientist!

David Lopez

Chemistry – Presented by Professor Daniel J. Lundberg


Information Technology Award

Given to the most outstanding student who entered the IT program this year.

Kate Lorenzo

Information Technology – Presented by Professor Tayler Mayer


Leon Auerback Freshman Mathematics Award

Given to outstanding freshman mathematics student(s).

Frederick Scott

Andrew Crawford

Mathematics – Presented by Professor Mohammad Obiedat


Academic Excellence in Public Health Award

Emma Tripp

Public Health Program – Presented by Professor Christine Gannon


Public Health Student Advocacy Award

Shane Carrizales

Public Health Program – Presented by Professor Christine Gannon


Above and Beyond Public Health Student Award

Elaine Swecker

Public Health Program – Presented by Professor Christine Gannon


School of Civic Leadership, Business, and Social Change Awards


Dr. Frank B. Sullivan “Excellence in Business” Award

Awarded to the most outstanding graduating senior

Samantha Moore

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


The Joe Mattivi Scholarship Award

Awarded to Juniors who excel academically and have financial need to continue their education with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Jared Spinale

Foluso Adeluola

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


Dr. Stephen Chaikind Professional Development Award

Awarded to a student who has shown most improvement since entering the program.

John Scarboro

Business – Presented by Professor Hollie Fallstone


The Department of Business Academic Excellence Award

Award for outstanding graduating seniors in each program

Accounting:

David Manis

Business Administration:

Daniella Reyna

Risk Management & Insurance:

Joel Dramin

Business – Presented by Professor Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


The Department of Business Student Entrepreneurship Award

Student who is involved in establishing, running and managing business on or off campus

Daniella Reyna

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


The Department of Business Student Service Award

Student who provides the most outstanding service to the Department of Business

Franco Bippus

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


Al Van Nevel Memorial Foundation Award

Awarded to the most outstanding Department of Business intern experience

David Manis

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


Xi Gamma Chapter of International Business Honor Society, Delta Mu Delta

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.

Joel Dramin

Preston Kelly

David Manis

Samantha Moore

Omar Najera

Daniella Reyna

Jake Schwall

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger


Alice M. Teegarden Memorial Award

* 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

Tina Tremblay

Communication Studies – Presented by Professors Marina Dzouogoutov and Stacy Nowak


Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society

Demonstrates excellent academic standing; Represents the upper 35% of the graduating class; Demonstrates commitment to the field of communication

Corrie Ballentine

Vic’Torica Crockett

Mara Land

Katherine Ning

Emma Giuntoli

Jadzi Ingram

Jenica Teregeyo

Communications Studies – Presented by Professors Marina Dzougoutov and Stacy Nowak


Outstanding Government Major Award

Lexi Hill

Government – presented by Professor David Penna


Dorothy Polakoff Award for Professional Development

Demonstrates exceptional professional growth during the major as reflected in performance in social work courses and internships.

Katherine Fishbein

Social Work – Presented by Professors Hayley Stokar and Connie Pucci


Dorothy Polakoff Award for Rising Social Work

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.

Corey Skipper Davis

Gabriella Rodriguez

Social Work – Presented by Professors Hayley Stokar and Connie Pucci


Dorothy Polakoff Award for Highest GPA

Awarded to the senior social work major with the highest academic achievement as measured by GPA.

Grace Lester

Social Work – Presented by Professors Hayley Stokar and Connie Pucci


Phi Alpha National Honor Society

GPA 3.4 or higher, demonstrates academic excellence, contributes to the social work program.

Milana Bielucke

Jessica Bryant

ReeseHelene DeLeon

Katherine Fishbein

Jason Gates

Grace Lester

Tye Lovato

Rosa Padilla

Rachel Qualls

Anika Webster

Social Work – Presented by Professors Hayley Stokar and Connie Pucci


Office of Research


Documentarian Award

This award recognizes students who produced exemplary creativity, cinematography, pacing, and structure in creating a 60-second documentary.

Grand Prize

Von Burdsall

Honorable Mention

Smiles Russell

Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center – Presented by Professor Brian Greenwald

Contact Us

2023 Undergraduate Awards

Select what best describes your relationship to Gallaudet University so we can effectively route your email.
By submitting this form, I opt in to receive select information and deaf resources from Gallaudet University via email.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.