2025 Simpson College Honors Convocation

Each spring, the Simpson community gathers in Smith Chapel to celebrate student achievement. This academic year’s Honors Convocation was held Wednesday April, 23.
Over 50 students were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Below is the full list of awards.
Division A
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Outstanding Senior in Computer Science – Brandon Barkey and Simon Lewiston
Outstanding Senior in Computer Information Systems – Simon Lewiston
Outstanding Senior in Management Information Systems – Chance Gibbons
Outstanding Senior in Data Science – Katelyn Smith
Outstanding Senior in Mathematics – Anthony Potratz
Department of Multimedia Communication, Graphic Design, and Speech & Debate
Outstanding Senior in Marketing Communication – Maddie Hays
Outstanding Senior in Multimedia Journalism – Kenzie Van Haaften
Outstanding Senior in Interactive Media – Andrew Wolff
Outstanding Senior in Graphic Design – Kate Minette
Department of Business, Accounting and Economics
Outstanding Senior in Management – Elizabeth Conroy
RJ Samson CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization) Award – Michael Madeira
Lisle C. Wilson Outstanding Junior – Mitchell Dickson
Heckert Award for Outstanding Senior in Economics – Claire Schmitz
Institute of Management Accountants – Grace Richey
Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants – Emma Winterboer
Division B
Department of Criminal Justice, Sociology, Human Services and Political Science
Everett Laning Award in Sociology – Isabella Serrano
Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice – Marcus Kolesar
Outstanding Senior in Human Services – Brooklyn Ecklin
Fred Jones Outstanding Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Graduate Award – Kylee Bass
Outstanding Senior in Political Science – Ilianna Murphy
Department of Literature, Language and Culture
Outstanding Senior in English – Angel Schewe
Clerk’s Award – Lily Garlich
Larry Stewart Award in Literature – Ella McNamee
Nancy St. Clair Prize – Addi Thomas
Outstanding Senior in Spanish – Noel Roberts
Department of History, Philosophy and Religion
Owen Duncan Award in History – Izzy Brown
Joe Walt Senior History Award – Anaka Wamstad-Evans
Roger Betsworth Prize for Outstanding Senior in Religion – Sarah Roberts
Norman Thomas Outstanding Senior in Philosophy – Ryan Magalhaes
Outstanding Senior in Humanities – Hannah Curtis
Division C
Department of Natural Science
Mildred Wilson Science Award – Kate Huisinga
Doft Science Honor Awards (Rising Seniors) – Andrew Dowd, Lili Duckmann, Mya Jansen, America Jarillo-Montero, Kayla Jensen, Jared Oosterhuis, and Jenna Woodward
Doft Science Honor Awards (Rising Juniors) – Madeline Barker, Ashley Cannon, Matthew Dietrich, Meredith Downs, Moises Gonzalez Garcia, Audrey Gordon, Coilee Hynek, Chloe Jamieson, Darian Konrad, Lizzy Orey, Ella Pippert, Evalyn Resnick, D.D. Toyomura, and Brennan Voss
Jordan Science Achievement Award – Dayton Gatewood
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Outstanding Senior in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Forensics – Sam Derning
Outstanding Student in General Chemistry – Brody King
Department of Biology, Environmental Science and Psychology
Margaret L. Watson Award in Biology (senior) – Bre Hinson
Margaret L. Watson Award in Biology (junior) – Alivia Eaton
Outstanding Senior in Environmental Science – Blake DePhillips
Hiram Doty Research Award – Paul Llamas
Outstanding Freshman in Biology – Olivia Hedary
Carl Halgren Certificate of Excellence in Psychology – Maude Steinbeck
Department of Sport Science and Health Education
Outstanding Senior in Sport Administration – Teghan Booth
Outstanding Senior in Health & Exercise Science – Kasey Shanahan
Bob Nutgrass Physical and Health Education Award – Hailey Kowzan and Morgan Pietig
Outstanding Senior in Healthcare Administration – Teryn Shields and Kate Kriegel
Division D
Department of Theatre Arts
Cornerstone Awards – Maddie Gunzenhauser, Hannah Larsen
Outstanding Senior in Theatre Arts – Kenneth Norris
Department of Music
Frank Barrows Award – Lyza Cue and Olivia DiBari
Music Performing Honors – Noel Roberts
Department of Teacher Education
Leadership in Education – Tori White
Outstanding Senior in Elementary Education – Jordyn Foelske
Outstanding Senior in Secondary Education – Angel Schewe
Outstanding Graduate Student – Charlsie Dougherty
Dr. Donna Helble ’71 Award Winner for Outstanding Junior in Education – Evan Reha
General Recognition
Volunteer of the Year Award – Sarah Roberts
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Emerging Leader Award – Aidan Jones
Women’s and Gender Studies Outstanding Scholarship Award – Breanna Drahota
Women’s and Gender Studies Activism Award – Devan Mongar
EG Booth Award – Hailey Kowzan
Barborka Award – Haley Rasmussen
President’s Award in Human Relations – Nadia Murobyi
Distinguished Research Award – Jeremy Griffin, Assistant Professor of English
Honorary and Professional Societies and Other Recognition and Awards
Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Society)
Seniors: Hannah Curtis, Katherine Hendrickson, David Hollingsworth, Elijah Keopuhiwa-Carvalho, Bodhi Mains, Anaka Wamstad-Evans
Juniors: Skyler Blessman, Izzy Brown, Joe Degen, Kaleb Harvey, Nick MacKrell, Jake Lamb,
Jenna Woodward
Sophomores: Mya Postel
Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society)
Seniors: Ryan Corcoran, Carson Cummings, Taylor Kouski, Ilianna Murphy, Savannah Skaggs
Juniors: Ava Carder, Nicola Catchpole, Joe Degen, Connor Slack, Ashlyn Steen, Jake Sweeten
Psi Chi (International Honorary Society of Psychology)
Seniors: Anna Schewe, Maude Steinbeck, Ellie Gray, Savannah Skaggs, Sarah Roberts
Juniors: Carlee Neil, Makena Morris, Ignacio Aguado Herranz, Emma Sedlock, Alizabeth Orey
Sophomores: Abigail Pope, Emily Wilshusen, Ella Glawatz
Sigma Tau Delta (International English Honor Society)
Seniors: August Albertson, Ryan Corcoran, Carson Cummings, Hannah Curtis, Angel Schewe, Kalen Stefanick, Addi Thomas, Anja Waugh
Article Information
Published
April 23, 2025
Author
Tayte Barense