2024 Undergraduate Awards

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.

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

Fabricio Flores-Villegas

Dekisha Smith

Documentarian Award

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

Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center – Presented by Professor Brian Greenwald

Documentarian Honorable Mention:

Rachel Chesler

Documentarian Award Runner-up:

Kyra Dinkins

Documentarian Award Grand Prize:

Von Burdsall

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.

Biology and Chemistry – Presented by Professor Paul Sabila

Andrew Crawford

Carter R. Johnson

Melody Kabbai

Blessed Mbogo

Cassidy J. Perry

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 their classmates- like a true scientist!

Biology and Chemistry – Presented by Professor Paul Sabila

Andrew Crawford

Information Technology Award

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

Information Technology – Presented by Professor Raja Kushalnagar

Anthony Sahaf

Leon Auerbach Freshman Mathematics Award

Given to outstanding freshman mathematics student(s).

Mathematics – Presented by Professor Christopher Hayes

Keanu Herzig-Wilcox

Academic Excellence in Public Health Award

Public Health Program – Presented by Professor Christine Gannon

Fatuma Kuti

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

Awarded to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Department of Business.

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Franco Bippus

The Joe Mattivi Scholarship Award

Financial scholarship awarded to juniors who excel academically with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Andrew Martin

Smith Mamboh

Mario Rosario

Dr. Stephen Chaikind Professional Development Award

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

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Dean Palmer

The Department of Business Academic Excellence Award

Award for outstanding graduating seniors in each program

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Accounting:

Leo Willey

Business Administration:

Franco Bippus

Risk Management & Insurance:

Zachary D’Angelo

The Department of Business Student Service Award

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

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Isabella Bucci

Al Van Nevel Memorial Foundation Award

Awarded to the most outstanding Department of Business intern experience

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Franco Bippus

Abraham Chukwuma Scholarship

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.

Business – Presented by Professors Hollie Fallstone and Michael Janger

Smith Mamboh

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.

Business – Presented by Professor Hollie Fallstone

Gareth Ashton (BUS)

Franco Bippus (BUS/RMI)

Isabella Bucci (BUS)

Adrian Cervantes (ACCT)

Zachary D’Angelo (RMI/Acct minor)

Tilde Edington (BUS)

Mauricio Franco (RMI)

Jose Ruiz (RMI)

Elisha Spinosi (RMI)

Duncan Strott (BUS)

Leo Willey (ACC)

Kara Wolfangle (BUS)

Wei Wu (BUS)

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

Communication Studies – Presented by Professors Marina Dzougoutov and Stacy Nowak

Jose Angel Bandilla

Emma Giuntoli

Jenica Rae Teregeyo

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

Communications Studies – Presented by Professors Marina Dzougoutov and Stacy Nowak

Ashley Alvarado

Myles Klug Barrett

Amanda Gallegos

Justin Audley Muschette

Ella Selene Stromberg

Alona Zfati

Outstanding Government Major Award

Government presented by Professor Erin Farley

Emily Nover

Pre-Law Writing Award

Government presented by Professor Erin Farley

Julie Ann Lewis Shoeman

Peace Corps Prep Certificate

Government presented by Professor Erin Farley 

Ashley Harlicker

Sarah Joiner

Dekisha Smith

Dorothy Polakoff Award for Professional Development

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

Jason Gates

Aaron Laikram

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.

Social Work – Presented by Social Work – Presented by Professors Connie Pucci, Terese Rognmo, and Hayley Stokar

Micah Lovell

Rose Padilla

Dorothy Polakoff Award for Academic Excellence

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

Social Work – Presented by Professors Pucci, Rognmo, and Stokar

Ariella Zfati

Phi Alpha National Honor Society

Top 35% for GPA, demonstrates academic excellence, contributes to the social work program.

Social Work – Presented by Social Work – Presented by Professors Connie Pucci, Terese Rognmo, and Hayley Stokar

Jasmine Archer

Priscilla Berrios

Shanna Cooley

Jillian Donadio

Ashley Etkie

Aisha Haji Hernandez-Gutierrez

Hanna Johnston-Shaw

Brenna Koskie

Aaron Laikram

Micah Lovell

Zulmi Marshall

Puja Parmar

Jamie Singual

Hannah Weiss

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

Psychology – Presented by Professors Deborah McCaw, James Waller and Professor Emerit Dennis Galvan

Kaitlyn Seffens, ODCP

Marley Wood, ODCP

Outstanding Research Achievement Award

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

Psychology – Presented by Professors Deborah McCaw, James Waller and Professor Emerit Dennis Galvan

Taylor Delorme

Destiny Zhinin

Outstanding Psychology Intern Award

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

Psychology – Presented by Professors Deborah McCaw, James Waller and Professor Emerit Dennis Galvan

Kornelia Lucero

Elizabeth Droubi

Katie McClyman

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.

Psychology – Presented by Professors Deborah McCaw, James Waller and Professor Emerit Dennis Galvan

Olivia Anderson

Courtnina Hocog, ODCP 

Allison Lang

Jennifer Pfau, ODCP

Psi Chi International Honors Society in Psychology

Psychology – Presented by Professor Deborah McCaw and James Waller

Olivia Anderson

Jasmine Castillo

Jamie Gleason

Kornelia Lucero

Kimberly MacLeod

Elizabeth Droubi

Katie McClyman

Alexys Santiago

Xin Lu Wall

Destiny Zhinin

Dorothy Hamberg Memorial Award

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

Asheli Kleckley

Joseph L. Mattivi Achievement Art Student Award

Arts and Media Design – Presented by Professor Johnston Grindstaff

Von Burdsall

Constellation Leadership Art Student Award

Art and Media Design – Presented by Professor Johnston Grindstaff

Kylie Frelich

Emerging & Promising Art Student Award

Arts and Media Design – Presented by Professor Johnston Grindstaff

Jihad Johnson

Kaitlyn Ruble

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.

Center for Black Deaf Studies – Presented by Evon Black and Lindsay Dunn

Sadam Mohamed

Enfinite Mitchell

Enow Otto

Zoei Porter

KaVargio Smith

The Marie J. Philip Award for Student Excellence in Deaf Studies

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

Deaf Studies – Presented by Professors Dirksen Bauman and Genie Gertz

Molly Headrick

History Program Writing Competition Award

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 William T. Ennis, III and Mrs. Lynn Gallaudet Dolan

First Place

Skyler Officer

Second Place

Sethan Rolofson

Third Place

Aubrie Bauer

Theatre Senior Service Award

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

Shanesha Brown

Shaylene Cochran

Ashley Kennedy

Timothy Knisley

Gabriel Romanauskas

Jordan Tennison

Philip Wismer

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.

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Ashley Pigliavento and Brooke Roberts

Shanesha Brown

Steven Guerrier

Amanda Hardin

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.

Theatre and Dance – Presented by Ashley Pigliavento 

Ashley Kennedy

Dazlyn Lopez

Gabriel Romanauskas

The George W. Veditz Award

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

ASL Studies – Presented by Professors Wanda Riddle and Mx. Felicia Williams

Celso Martinez

Hazel Ramirez

The Outstanding Undergraduate Education Award

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

Education – Presented by Professor Bobbie Jo Kite

Kenneth Kennedy

The Metamorphosis Award

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

Education – Presented by Professor Bobbie Jo Kite

Kailey Grannan

Evans Journalism Award

English – Presented by Professor Dae-Kun Kim

Katherine Ning

Honorable Mention: Myles Barrett

The MacDougall Creative Writing Award

Rewards creative writing in various formats.

English – Presented by Professor Dae-Kun Kim 

First Place: Zora Elliot- Mendelsohn 

Second Place: Rachel Radloff

Third Place: David Lopez

Honorable Mention: Courtney Bronson

Marie Jean Philip Award

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

Interpretation and Translation – Presented by Professor Campbell McDermid

Natalie Marcello

Blaise Wafo Ndetatsin Award

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 Collins

Klijah Mitchell

Outstanding Linguistics Undergraduate Student Award

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

Linguistics – Presented by Professor Pamela Wright

Tylo Broszeit