Muhlenberg Students, Faculty, and Staff Honored at 2025 Honors Convocation
The annual ceremony celebrates academic achievement, community engagement, original research, and commitment to the college.Monday, April 28, 2025 09:00 AM
Faculty, administrators, students, and their friends and families attended the 2025 Honors Convocation in Egner Chapel. Photos by Charlotte Keefe '28 and Eve Polek '27The Muhlenberg College Honors Convocation is a formal academic ceremony designed to honor and celebrate leadership and scholarly excellence and achievement in the college community. This year's program was held on Sunday, April 27, in Egner Chapel. The address was provided by Mohsin Hashim, Ph.D., professor of political science.
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Faculty Awards
Staff Awards
Student Academic and Leadership Awards
Student Leadership Awards
FACULTY AWARDS
The Class of 1932 Research Professorship
- Associate Professor of Psychology Erika Bagley
Established in 1986, this professorship provides course release time for up to one year for a faculty member to pursue research or other creative work that will result in publication or presentation consistent with their discipline.
The Donald B. Hoffman Research Fellowship
- Professor of Biology Erika V. Iyengar
Named in honor of Dr. Donald B. Hoffman ’32, this fellowship supports faculty in scholarship, research, or creative activity which results in publication, performance, or exhibition while enhancing the reputation of the college.
The Crossette Family Fellowship
- Theatre Program Director James VanValen
This award was established by the Crossette family to support faculty development research grants with a preference for international research, so that Muhlenberg may expand its horizons through increased global experience.
The Robert C. Williams Faculty Award
- Assistant Professor of Public Health Kathleen Bachynski
Established in memory of the life and service of Robert C. Williams, academic vice president and dean of the college from 1985 to 1987, this award honors a junior faculty member for distinguished scholarship and research or public performance.
The Daniel J. and Carol Shiner Wilson Grant for the Completion of Scholarly Projects
- Assistant Professor of English Joshua Barsczewski
- Associate Professor of Nueroscience Leah Wilson
These awards are presented to faculty to assist with the completion of a significant work of scholarly activity.
The Ruth and Joel Spira Prize for Distinguished Teaching
- Professor of Biology Bruce Wightman
This award was established by Joel and Ruth Spira to recognize and inspire excellence in teaching within and beyond the confines of the traditional classroom by supporting superior performance in undergraduate research instruction.
The Award for the Outstanding Academic Advisor
- Associate Professor of Psychology Connie Wolfe
This award was established in testimony to the high value the college places on academic advising.
The Faculty Rising Scholars Award
- Assistant Professor of English Joshua Barsczewski
- Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Michael Buozis
- Assistant Professor of Scenice Design You-Shin Chen
- Assistant Professor of Statistics Michael Karcher
- Assistant Professor of Computer Science Hameed Yaghoobinn
This award is funded by John M. Heffer P’96 and Richard C. Crist ’77 P’05 P’09, as well as the collective efforts of the entire Board of Trustees. Muhlenberg College is pleased to offer the Faculty Rising Scholars Award to support the scholarship of tenure-track faculty and to provide exciting research opportunities for first-and second-year students.
STAFF AWARDS
The Chairman’s Award
- Director of Financial Aid Gregory Mitton
Awarded to a college staff member whose record of achievements have significantly contributed to the mission of Muhlenberg College.
The Hamre Prize
- Director of Financial Aid Operations Laura Rasmussen
- Manager of Media Services and Classroom Technology Jeff Yorgey
Awarded to recognize the most significant contributions made by an administrative employee, including managers, staff associates, and service personnel, during the past year.
Student Government Award
- Director of Seegers Union and Student Experience Ellen Lentine
Awarded to a current member of the faculty, staff, or management team for outstanding service to students, over a period of at least three years, in promoting student involvement, responsibility, and action.
STUDENT ACADEMIC AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The American Chemical Society Prize, Lehigh Valley Section
- Esther Oko
The Leslie R. Anders Memorial Prize
- Jonathan Cohen
The Dr. Edwin R. Baldrige Memorial Award
- Elena Calantoni
The Dr. Charles S. Bednar Award in Political Science
- Marissa Cohen
The Harry A. Benfer Memorial Scholarship
- Esther Shapira-Sterm
The Dr. Robert A. Boyer Prize
- Brian Silberman
The Reverend Dr. H. H. Bruning Gift Fund Prizes
- Adrián Padron-Curet
- Lilah Cunningham
The Lucille Cafouros Award in Anthropology
- Emily Carey
The Lucille Cafouros Award in Sociology
- Rowan Hauk
The Elizabeth A. Carlson Memorial Prize in Dance
- Lindsay Sherrick
The Franklin H. Claire ’59 Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing
- Lauren House
The Class of 1969 Graduate Study Award
- Bernice Owusu
The Class of 1969 Music Award
- Ava Sardi
The Tara Demarzo Dedication Award
- Vishmitha Dzouza
The Jeanette Eichenwald Interfaith Award
- Gideon Israel
The Russell B. Everett Romance Language Award
- Anam Ali
The Lillian and Anthony Fiddler Memorial Award in Music
- Abigail Bresalier
The Doris E. Flamish Memorial Award
- Kristen Saylor
The William A. Flamish Memorial Award in Neuroscience
- Erin Jackson
The William M. French Award in Education
- Dina Maltser
The Dr. George A. Frounfelker Award
- Geoffrey Maxwell Levy
The Russell Fulford Award
- Alexander McCauley
The Futter Prize For Achievements in and Contributions to German Studies
- Matthew Baresh
The Carl E. Grothehen Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Psychology
- Lauren Griggs
The Espi Guinto Award
- Guadalupe Bueno
The Dr. John A. W. Haas Award
- Autumn Andrejczak
The Susan E. Halamay Journalism Award
- Evan Schlotterbeck
The George H. Hambrecht Law School Award
- Hayden Klein
The Frederick E. Hanson Scholarship Award
- Isabell Damaso
The James W. and Barbara H. Herrick Award
- Isaac Samuel Shulman
The Morris S. Hoats Award
- Keanna Peña
The Wayne Kenneth Hollabaugh P’88 and Linda J. King Hollabaugh P’88 Award
- Anna Item
The Dr. Priscilla E. Howard Tutor Award
- Jonathan Cohen
The Huebner Global Education and Awareness Award
- Bryan Guzman
The Carol E. Hutchinson Memorial Prize in Research in Psychology
- Emma Shay
The Hyman-Goodman Award
- Celia Perry
The Louis J. Jacobs Premedical Prize
- Anam Ali
The Dr. Victor L. Johnson Scholarship
- William Skopal
The Keith M. Keenly Microbiology Award
- Maya Tabakha
The Miriam E. Koehler Award for Excellence in Mathematics
- Natalie Preble
The Carol Emhardt Kuntzleman Memorial Award
- Erin DiSandro
- Grace Lessig
The Ralph A. and Mary A. Lichtenwalner Memorial Prize
- Matthew Baresh
- Brooke Shiver
The Alphonse C. Lova Memorial Award in Chemistry
- Elizabeth Abrams
The Seena Marcus Art Award
- Jade Gambino
The Dr. Anthony J. Marino Jr. Award in Computing Science
- Grace Lessig
The Professor Roberta Meek Africana Studies Award
- Emily Siassay
The Wesley S. Mitman Mathematical Prize
- Jon Cohen
The Noel R. and Edith J. Moyer Award in Philosophy
- Hayden Klein
The Clifford R. Moyer Memorial Prize in Physics
- Noah Hubal
The Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize
- Amen Taye Demisew
The Robert W. and Edythe M. Mull Award for Excellence in Mathematics
- Jason Rackas
The Novartis Endowed Science Scholars Program Award
- Sofia Davvetas
- Giovanna Evans
- Esther Oko
- Sydney Vogel
The Dr. Robert S. Ochner Award
- Cayla Zenie
The Arthur C. Peters Memorial Prize
- Bernice Owusu
Phi Sigma Iota Award in French
- Wickenson Rezil
Phi Sigma Iota Award in Spanish
- Rachel Anderson
The Dr. John J. Reed Scholarship
- Jonathan Schlissel
The D. Irvin and Marjorie M. Reitz Scholarship
- Brandon Rosenthal
The Todd L. Romig Memorial Prize
- Abba Diglio
The Martin A. Rosoff Clu Memorial Award
- Avi Klein
The Dr. Dominic J. Salines Memorial Award
- Erin Jackson
The Dr. John V. Shankweiler Prize
- Matthew Baresh
The Paul C. Sherr Essay Prize
- Emma McKinley
The Dr. Robert E. Shoemaker Graduate Fellowship
- Grace Leard
The Dr. Harold L. Stenger Jr. Fellowship for Graduate Study in Literature
- Ana Erickson
The Harry C. and Mary M. Trexler Trust Pretheological Prize
- Elizabeth Slovis
The Sojourner Truth Award
- Emma Shay
The Dr. William Wackernagel Award for Excellent in German
- Delton Brixius
The Paul M. White ’27 Business Award
- Noah Chirnomas
- Sara Legnola
- Mason Mehling
- Gabriel Tamarkin
The Woman’s Auxiliary of Muhlenberg College Scholarship in Honor of The Rev. George F. Eichorn Jr.
- Samuel Sherman
The Woman’s Auxiliary of Muhlenberg College Music Scholarship
- Evelyn Abraham
The Woman’s Auxiliary of Muhlenberg College Pretheological Scholarship
- Collin Boldt
The Ann E. Wonsiewicz Scholars in Education Award
- Emma Lindquist
- Mary Powell
- Hannah Rudnick
The Rev. Dr. Arvids Ziedonis Jr. Fellowship for Graduate Studies Related to Foreign Language, Literatures, Cultures, or Theology
- Grace Leard
STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Community Engagement Award
- Patricia Madrigal
The Dean of Students Award
- Phi Sigma Sigma
The Greek Leader of the Year Award
- Libby Slovis
The Resident Advisor of the Year Award
- Ashley Owuso
The Student Activities Award
- Zayon Febres
The Student Government Achievement Award
- Maddie Davidson
The Student Leader of the Year Award
- Jonathan Hillelsohn
The Senior Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
- Kaya Mahy
The Senior Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
- Evan Schlotterbeck
