Westminster students and faculty are all winners, and this time of year proves it. Countless awards ceremonies, honors events and inductions took place all across campus throughout April and early May. Check out the many names listed below that were submitted in the last three weeks to Institutional Marketing and Strategic Communications. Congratulations, everyone!
Commencement Awards, May 10
Seniors of the Year
Daniel Backer
Ashton Martin
Patricia Klein Liebling Faculty of the Year
Dr. Amanda Gowin
Buschman Award for Faculty
Dr. Nichol Allen, Assistant Professor of Museum Studies and History
Dr. Amanda Gowin, Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science
Dr. Erich Jauch, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Coordinator of Math Pathways
Dr. Jeremy Reed, Assistant Professor of English
The Westys, May 1
Men’s Team of the Year: Volleyball
Women’s Team of the Year: Basketball
Women’s Newcomer of the Year: Paige Rowland, Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Newcomer of the Year: Reagan Chigas, Women’s Soccer
Men’s Newcomer of the Year: Jake Schawo-McAlister, Men’s Volleyball
Coach of the Year: Dalton Tucker, Men’s and Women’s Volleyball
Men’s Honor Athlete of the Year: John Stannard, Tennis
Women’s Honor Athlete of the Year: Kirsten Schrader, Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Freshman of the Year: Claire Sanders, Women’s Soccer and Tennis
Men’s Freshman of the Year: Jamile Johnson, Men’s Basketball
Men’s Athlete of the Year: Austen Wetzel, Men’s Wrestling
Women’s Athlete of the Year: Annette Ramirez, Women’s Basketball
The Westy Award: Annette Ramirez, Women’s Basketball
The Westy Award: Jack Hughes, Men’s Soccer
The Winston Awards, April 28
Outstanding Freshman
- Mac Collins
- Adam Rosh
Outstanding Sophomore
- Vi Lowe
- Jack Hughes
Outstanding Junior
- Emilia Hilse
- Elly Crum
Outstanding Senior
- Adam Luetkemeyer
- Daniel Backer
Outstanding Advisor
- Tami Ensor
The Blue Jay Award
- Staff/Faculty: Tim Howell
- Student: Blaine Klott
Outstanding Organization
- Campus Activities Board
Outstanding Collaboration Program
- Phi Delta Theta and Westminster College Campus Groups (Finance Committee and SGA)
- Take Back the Night by Remley’s Women & Gender Center
Philanthropy Program
- Phi Delta Theta Pancake Night
Outstanding Commitment to Diversity
- Center for Faith & Service
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Outstanding New Member
- Dylan Buehring
- Kearra Steinlage
Spirit Award
- Aidan Ortmann
- Hannah Luetkemeyer
Outstanding Athlete Award
- Kirsten Schrader
- Travis Beig
Outstanding Council Officer
- Carter Murray
- Bella Carter
Outstanding Chapter Officer
- Trey Mazzarese
- Mattigan Trudo
Outstanding Chapter President
- Daniel Backer
- Sophie Reimer
Living the Ritual
- Daniel Backer
- Dalio Taouil
- Abby Ridge
- Courtney Street
- Ashley Wallner
Outstanding Chapter Advisor
- Bill Whitlow
- Lauren Spizzirri
Outstanding Senior Award
- Payton Heevner
- John Stannard
Undergraduate Scholars Forum Awards, April 17
New Members of the Honors Program: Annabelle Bryan, Tayler Helchowski, Brienna Huber, Matt Martucci and Justus Vargas
The Dr. Cameron and Jessie Day Award in Biology: Toby Hughes
The Harmon L. Remmel III Prize for the Outstanding Thesis in History: Faith Beckmann
The Cranshaw Scholarship for Study Abroad: John Luke McGee
Vernon W. and Marion K. Piper Scholarship for Study Abroad: Paul Campoverde
The Robert G. and Ruth H. Hoerber Scholarship for Classics, Philosophy and Religious Studies: Anna Cox
Dr. Therese A. Miller and Lawrence E. Miller Endowed Health and Exercise Science Award: Caroline Bentley and Kaleb Hinkle-Pruett
Writing Center:
Emerging Consultant: Sophie Hudspeth
Outstanding Consultant: Marley Velasquez
Distinguished Consultant: Neida Ulysse
Outstanding Essay in Academic Writing I: Sam Miller
Outstanding Essay in Academic Writing II: Carlie Reiger
Outstanding Westminster Seminar Essay: Lindrielle Elizabeth Burden
The Margaret McDonald Jaeger Psychology Award: Senior Michael Giles; Juniors Emelia Hilse and Kaitlyn Halamicek
In the Division of Social Sciences, the Best Paper was “Why the International Criminal Court Matters” by Jake Troutt
In the Humanities Division, the best paper was “Just War Theory and Russia” by Victor Guevara
The best overall paper award was in the Natural and Mathematical Sciences Division: “Comparing Reef and Sand Flat Marine Environments Using Baited Remove Underwater Video” by Kiersten Stevens
For posters, the winner in the Social Science division was “Examining Relational Aggression in College Students” by the team of Kaitlyn Halamicek, Payton Heevner and Skyler English
The overall winner for best poster was “The Creatine Charge: A Case-Control Report on the Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Creatine Kinase Levels in a College-Aged Male with Cystic Fibrosis” by Kaleb Hinkle-Pruit
Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.
