Outstanding students recognized during Union’s 2025 Honors Convocation

Rachel Dorroh • April 25, 2025
DJ Washington wearing academic regalia and talking into a microphone at a podium

Union Commonwealth University celebrated the annual Honors Convocation Thursday morning in Conway Boatman Chapel. Thirty-six students, one professor, and one athletic team were honored for their achievements.


President Dr. DJ Washington, a 2003 Union alum, congratulated the awardees on their success and thanked the individuals, businesses, and foundations who funded the awards. He thanked the “village” of faculty, staff, family, and friends for supporting the students and being there to “witness and celebrate.” 


[PHOTO: President Washington addresses the audience]


He told the students, “It was 22 years ago that I was in your shoes, and I was the proud recipient of the Rena Milliken and the Danny Drinkard award. I cannot think of any better experience than to be able to share the stage with you this morning, so congratulations! You represent the grit, the resilience, the foundation and principles of a true Union Commonwealth University education.”


Many students received multiple awards for their academic achievements and good character. Reagan Nantz and Isabelle Proctor each won four awards, and Kayla Richardson and William Travis Hensley each won three. The Women’s Swim Team was recognized with the Athletic Team Academic Award, which goes to the team with the highest cumulative GPA. Professor of Communication Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, who is retiring in June after more than 30 years of service, was honored with the Student Government Association (SGA) Distinguished Professor Award. 

Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Yukiko Fujimura performed the prelude, processional and recessional music on piano, and Associate Professor of Music Dr. Virginia Gay Gandy’s vocal group Union Harmony performed “A Mountain Harvest” by Patti Drennan as well as Union’s alma mater.

 

Campus Minister the Rev. David Miller concluded the ceremony with the following benediction: “Go forth not just with honors received, but with purpose renewed. Let our learning become service, our excellence become compassion, and our gifts become a means of grace for others. In the words attributed to John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, ‘Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. May God go with us. Amen.”

McKenzie Himes, Dr. DJ Washington, and Nathan McCabe.

2025 Honors Convocation Individual Student Awards


Aleeza Ahmad

  • Excellence in Research Award


Alexandria Williams

  • Outstanding Psychology Major Award
  • Outstanding Sociology Major Award


Alexis Voll

  • Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award


Avery Worde

  • Dr. Albert D. Graham, Jr. Social Studies Award 
  • Educational Studies Award for Secondary Education


Claire Belcher

  • The Madison Taylor Triple ‘A’ Award
  • Leadership in Nursing Award


Danica Wiseman

  • William Faulkner Rushton Memorial Awards- Poetry
  • William Faulkner Rushton Memorial Awards- Prose


David Muniz Espin

  • Iota Sigma Nu Sophomore Award


Dmitrii Bulakh

  • Thomas Storrar Award


Emilee Sizemore

  • John Henry Wilson Sophomore Award


Emma Phillips

  • Dr. Cecil H. Wilson Junior Award


Enzo Constable

  • Kathy Brick Award


Henning Ebersohn

  • Dr. L. A. Geiss Junior Award


Idi Zahinda

  • Dr. L. A. Geiss Computer Award


Isabelle Proctor

  • H. H. Owens History Award
  • Rev. Charles Hansel Annual Award for Religion & Philosophy
  • Blackwell Political Science Award
  • Judge W. W. Tinsley Family Memorial Award


Jackson Crume

  • Accounting Award


Kaliana Pangallo

  • Dr. Paul S. Moore Wellness, Human Performance, and Recreation Management Award


Kason Bennett

  • Sampson Political Science Award


Kassidy Koogler

  • Outstanding Student in Criminal Justice Award
  • Dr. Marcia Hawkins Leadership Award


Kayla Richardson

  • Steve Jones Memorial Award
  • The Jones Foundation Award in Education
  • Educational Studies Award for Elementary Education


Kaylee Hall

  • Iota Sigma Nu Freshman Award


Kobe Abner

  • Wimmer Chemistry Award


Kristopher Moore

  • H. B. Jones Business Enterprise Award


Lena Visarius

  • Theodore R. Davies M.D. Senior Biology Award


Lindsey Pirkle

  • Iota Sigma Nu Freshman Award


Logan Callihan

  • Ronald & Mary Alice Marley Mass Communication Award


McKenzie Himes

  • Daniel Drinkard Award


Mikayla McKenzie

  • Bjornstad Freshman Composition Award


Morgan Mays

  • Calculus Award


Nathan McCabe

  • Rena Milliken Award


Reagan Nantz

  • Dr. Mahlon A. Miller President Emeritus Award
  • Governor James D. Black Senior Award
  • President’s Award
  • Dr. L. A. Geiss Senior Award


Talyn McCaslin

  • Iota Sigma Nu Freshman Award


Taylor Gwynette

  • Dr. Erwin S. Bradley History Award


Tehya Laws

  • Jane Minton Blair Endowed Award for the Arts


Tia Cobb

  • Beverly P. and Mossie B. Wilson Memorial Award
  • The Literature Award


Tyce Hall

  • Arthur E. Spurlock Business Award


William Travis Hensley

  • Katherine V. Sutphen Memorial Award
  • Educational Studies Award for Middle Grades Education
  • Dr. Mary Alice Lay Service Award

See more photos at the link below!

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