2023 Student Academic Awards | Chancellor's Awards at Carolina

THE PETER C. BAXTER MEMORIAL PRIZE IN AMERICAN STUDIES

Recipient: Sophie Hass

Established in 1972, this award honors the outstanding senior in the Department of American Studies. Presented in memory of Peter Baxter, a student of American Studies, the prize is awarded to the undergraduate in that discipline who best exemplifies Mr. Baxter’s intellectual excellence, personal warmth, and contribution to the American Studies Program.

“Sophie exemplifies the qualities of intellectual excellence and personal warmth that are shared by Peter Baxter, for whom this prize is named. In addition, she designed an innovative vehicle that her nominator believes will one day be produced and used by communities in the snow belt for accessing and making critical utility corridors after severe winter weather events.”

THE PETER C. BAXTER MEMORIAL PRIZE IN AMERICAN STUDIES

Recipient: Fields Utz

“Fields has contributed to the American Studies Program in remarkable ways and her work has been described as “fun, personal, and scholarly.” In one example, Fields completed a cookbook project based on her grandmother’s personal recipe archive as an exploration into cooking as a performance of identity, regional American life, and Southern foodways.”

THE BERNARD BOYD MEMORIAL PRIZE

Recipient: Jada Enoch

This award was established in 1979 by the Department of Religious Studies in memory of Bernard Boyd, James A. Gray Professor of Biblical Literature from 1950 to 1975. A monetary prize is presented annually to the member of the senior class majoring in Religious Studies who has been selected by a faculty committee as most outstanding in academic achievement.

“Jada was selected for this award due to her stellar work across a wide range of Religious Studies courses. Multiple faculty noted her conscientiousness and enthusiasm for the field of Religious Studies.”

THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL AWARD

Recipient: Sean Maxwell

Established in 1976, this award honors Army General George C. Marshall. General Marshall formulated the Marshall Plan and was the only soldier to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is presented to the senior Army cadet who excels in professional excellence, leadership, scholarship, personal integrity and selfless service to the nation.

“As the top senior Cadet in Army ROTC, Sean was also selected from his peers and Cadre to serve as the Cadet Battalion Commander for over 80 Cadets for all of Fall 2022 semester. His nominator described Sean as “a top performer with unlimited potential who will do well in all that he does.””

THE ARCHIBALD HENDERSON MATHEMATICS MEDAL

Recipient: Yizhou Gu

The Major William B. Cain Award was established in 1908, and its name was changed in 1931 to the Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal. A medal may be presented annually to the undergraduate judged by the Department of Mathematics to have demonstrated both a high degree of mathematical ability and the greatest promise of originality in the field.

“Yizhou received a 100% on all three mid-terms in MATH 521, a notoriously difficult class. She has served as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant and is enthusiastic, thoughtful, and kind when assisting other students.”

THE ARCHIBALD HENDERSON MATHEMATICS MEDAL

Recipient: Connor Magoon

“Connor is currently taking and excelling in several mathematics graduate courses. He has gained expertise in giving research presentations during multiple group meetings, UNC’s Celebration of Undergraduate Research, and the Physical and Applied Mathematics lunch seminar.”

THE WALLACE RAY PEPPERS AWARD IN PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE

Recipient: Jalen McKoy

This award was established in 1987 in honor of a professor in the Department of Communication. His teaching in the field of African and African-American literature and personal influence and example inspired his students in academic and cultural endeavors. It is given annually to the junior or senior in that department who is judged by a faculty committee to be most outstanding in performance of African and African-American literature.

“A Moorehead scholar, Jalen is receiving this award because of his remarkable initiative and ability to use performance as a way of interrogating important questions in dynamic and exhilarating ways. Much of his work derives from African American Literary and popular culture influences.”

THE JACQUES HARDRÉ UNDERGRADUATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FRENCH

Recipient: Margaret Foster

Established in 1989, this certificate and monetary prize are presented annually by the Department of Romance Languages to an undergraduate whose work in French language and literature has been judged most outstanding by a faculty committee. It was established in honor of Jacques Hardré, past Chair of the Department of Romance Languages.

“Colleagues agree that Margaret is a hard-working and highly capable student. She writes and speaks excellent French and her English prose is also accomplished as she consistently turns in intelligent, well-argued analyses.”

THE STERLING A. STOUDEMIRE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH

Recipient: Sophie Marcom

This certificate and monetary prize are awarded annually to a senior who has excelled in Spanish. It was established in 1974 by friends and former students of Sterling Aubrey Stoudemire in recognition of his fifty years as a teacher of Spanish and other services to the University, including Chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Chairman of the Faculty Committee on Buildings and Grounds.

“In addition to maintaining a perfect 4.0 in Spanish, Sophie spends her time outside of class using her Spanish to help others. In just one example of her many volunteer projects, Sophie is a Program Coordinator for Semillas de Unidad where she serves more than 60 families in Wake County.”

THE RIA STAMBAUGH UNDERGRADUATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GERMAN

Recipient: Esther Chen

Established in 1987, this award recognizes the graduating student majoring in Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures, judged to have achieved the most distinguished academic record in German language and literature. This monetary prize is awarded by the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures, and is made possible by memorial contributions of friends and relatives of Ria Stambaugh, Professor of German from 1963 to 1984.

“Esther is a model student and citizen in the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Esther’s intellectual engagement, initiative, and performance has produced outstanding work in her classes, her honors thesis, and in independent studies with GSLL faculty.”

THE CAMÕES PRIZE IN PORTUGUESE

Recipient: Melissa Ferreira Patrocinio

The Camões Prize in Portuguese is awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate in Portuguese. This prize was established in 1975 with a grant from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. The award consists of a certificate and a monetary prize.

“In addition to making the Dean’s list every semester, Melissa has made amazing contributions in her classes while her Portuguese skills have improved consistently and exceptionally. Furthermore, Melissa interned for Congressman David Price last summer in Washington DC.”

THE MARY TURNER LANE AWARD IN WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES

Recipient: Emily Orland

This award honors a senior, from any discipline, judged by the faculty in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies to have made an outstanding contribution through original scholarship and/or creative production on gender and feminist issues. Its purpose is to further academic research in the expanding field of Women’s and Gender Studies, which was established on the campus in 1978 by Mary Turner Lane, a tireless feminist, advocate, and educator.

“Emily was chosen for this award based on her thesis work, which is a study of the intersection of feminist and anti-war activism during the 1960s and 1970s. Dr. Katherine Turk, who nominated Emily for this award, said this about Emily’s thesis: “All in all, Orland’s thesis expands our notions of feminism’s meaning and influence and extends the trajectory of anti-war politics into the 1970s.””

THE PAUL DEBRECZENY PRIZE IN SLAVIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Recipient: Colton Treadwell

This award, established in 1999, is presented to the graduating student majoring in Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures whose work in Central Europe, Russian or Slavic studies, is judged most outstanding by the Slavic and East European faculty of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures. The prize honors the late Professor Paul Debreczeny, a founding member of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, which merged with the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures in 2011. Professor Debreczeny was deeply committed to quality undergraduate education.

“During his years at Carolina, Colton has been a dedicated student of Russian literature and language and is a model citizen in the Department as well as a source of inspiration for other students in the program. He is currently writing his Honors thesis on the poetics of Alexander Pushkin’s prose cycle, The Belkin Tales, an intriguing and challenging topic.”

THE L. RICHARDSON PREYER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Recipient: Noor El-Baradie

Established in 2002, this award is given to a senior judged by a committee of the faculty to have established the most distinguished record of scholarship in Political Science and service to the community.

“Noor was selected for this award for exhibiting excellence in both service and scholarship. In addition to excelling academically, Noor founded the Arab Student Organization on campus and is involved with the Community Empowerment Fund off campus as well.”

THE ROBERT B. HOUSE MEMORIAL PRIZE IN POETRY

Recipient: Quinton Okoro

This award in poetry honors the first chancellor of the University, a writer and friend of the literary arts. A cash prize is presented annually to a graduating senior who has done distinguished work in poetry. The recipient is selected by faculty members in the Creative Writing Program.

“Quintons remarkable poetry centers on the idea that a location can change the mental stability of a family group. These emotionally rendered poems stretch from Lagos to London to Raleigh and ask the reader to examine how place manipulates our wants and needs.”

THE PATRICK F. EAREY AWARD

Recipient: Marina Torras

Established by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, the award honors the late Patrick Earey, a distinguished member of its faculty. Dr. Earey taught in the department from 1957 to 1987 and served as varsity swim coach from 1957 to 1975. This award is given to a member of the graduating class who has exhibited outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and leadership. The recipient is selected by a committee of faculty members and students from the department.

“Marina was chosen for this award for her outstanding academic achievements, extracurricular involvements, and leadership abilities. She is a Spanish interpreting director for the Student Health Action Coalition Clinic, Secretary of the Modern Extension Dance Company and Co-president of the UNC Chapter of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children.”

The Undergraduate Award in Economics

Recipient: Gabriela Goodman

This award has been established by the Department of Economics to honor excellence in economic studies. It is given annually to the undergraduate majoring in economics that is judged to be the most outstanding based on performance in major and related courses.

“Gabriela is described as, “one of the best undergraduate students we have had in the last ten years.” In addition to excelling academically, she is also an Undergraduate Learning Assistant and ambassador for economics where she shares her knowledge of research and economics with the next generation.”

THE UNDERGRADUATE PRIZE IN ART HISTORY

Recipient: Qiuru Feng

This award was established in 1979 by the Department of Art. It is given annually to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of a faculty committee, has done the most outstanding work in art history.

“Qiuru stood out as a gifted and dedicated art history student from the start. She goes beyond what is required to bring an impressive thoughtfulness to her papers and uses vivid language to describe artworks to build strong, clear arguments while digesting and synthesizing complex readings.”

THE McNALLY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN GEOGRAPHY

Recipient: Caroline Brogden

This award, a monetary prize and an international atlas, is given annually to a graduating senior who is selected by the geography faculty based on superior academic performance. The award was established by Andrew McNally IV, Class of 1963.

“During her time at Carolina, Caroline has been a Buckley Public Service Scholar, an Honors Carolina Scholar, a Global Gap Year Fellow, and on the Dean’s List. Just a few of her many volunteer activities include working with the Community Empowerment Fund and the Refugee Community Partnership in Chapel Hill.”

THE HAMPTON SHUPING PRIZE

Recipient: Jalen McKoy

The Hampton Shuping Prize shall be given to the graduating senior at UNC-Chapel Hill who is the outstanding undergraduate majoring in business, not only in academic achievement, but in integrity, honor and leadership potential; who shows concern for ethical management of the American business enterprise; and who respects the labor and the commitment of the individual as instrumental to the success of the organization and the free enterprise system.

“Faculty members who nominated Jalen for this award had this to say about him: “Jalen may not stand out as the loudest person in the room, but he is one of the most important.” From his success as an honor student to his consistent efforts to better his Kenan-Flagler Business School community, Jalen embodies the core values of the Undergraduate Business Progam.”

THE HOWARD W. ODUM UNDERGRADUATE SOCIOLOGY AWARD

Recipient: Janet Scott

This award was established in 1968 in memory of Howard W. Odum, who founded the Department of Sociology. The award is presented annually to the senior who is judged most outstanding by the department’s faculty on the basis of academic performance.

“Janet is awarded this prize for her excellence in academics and accomplishments in Sociology. In her time at Carolina, Janet participated in the Carolina Population Center’s Summer Research Internship Program and served as a research assistant for faculty projects.”

THE LOUIS D. RUBIN, JR. PRIZE IN CREATIVE WRITING

Recipient: Molly Moran

Established in 1987, this award honors a distinguished professor emeritus of English and scholar of southern American literature whose work with talented undergraduates in creative writing was widely appreciated. A monetary award is presented annually to the outstanding fiction writer in the senior class.

“A member of the Senior Honors in Fiction capstone seminar, Jay has consistently stunned the workshop with deeply imagined stories that introduce readers to distinctive new worlds and characters, while reminding us of our better, wiser selves.”

THE PAUL E. SHEARIN OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD IN PHYSICS

Recipient: Aaron Miller

This award, established by W.E. Haisley, Professor Emeritus of Physics, honors Paul E. Shearin, Professor of Physics, member of the faculty for 36 years, and for 12 years Chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. A monetary award is given to the member of the senior class majoring in Physics who is judged most outstanding on criteria of scholarship, scientific insight and professional seriousness. The recipient is selected by the departmental faculty from candidates nominated by the undergraduate major advisors.

“Aaron is a senior double majoring in Physics and Mathematics with a minor in Statistics and Analytics. He has consistently demonstrated excellence in Physics through his academic achievements, scientific insight and professional seriousness.”

THE MARC ADAM EISDORFER AWARD IN LINGUISTICS

Recipient: Lydia Boshart

This award was established in 1988 by Sandra Eisdorfer in memory of her son, Marc Adam Eisdorfer, a graduate of the class of 1984. It recognizes the senior or seniors judged most outstanding in academic achievement in Linguistics.

“Lydia is considered a leader among students in Linguistics, both as president of UnderLing, the linguistics club, and as a collaborator and mentor in class and group work.”

THE MARC ADAM EISDORFER AWARD IN LINGUISTICS

Recipient: Esther Chen

“Esther stands out for academic excellence. She has been awarded a research grant for her honors thesis in linguistics, and she was one of the first students to be admitted to the Linguistics MA program for Fall 2023.”

THE MARC ADAM EISDORFER AWARD IN LINGUISTICS

Recipient: Gary Zhang

“Gary is interested in everything from linguistics to physics and beyond, and adds a spark to any class he takes part in. As one of his professors says, “I don’t know any student who asks harder good questions, or better hard ones.””

THE ALBERT SUSKIN PRIZE IN LATIN

Recipient: Madeline Nielsen

Established in 1966 by his colleagues and friends, this award is in memory of Albert I. Suskin, Professor of Latin from 1953 to 1965 and Chairman of the Department of Classics from 1960 to 1965. A monetary award is offered annually to the undergraduate who shows the best ability to understand Latin poetry and to translate selected passages at sight.

“Madeline, a senior majoring in Latin and minoring in Entrepreneurship has demonstrated an excellent ability to understand Latin poetry and to translate selected passages from Latin at sight.”

THE EBEN ALEXANDER PRIZE IN GREEK

Recipient: Emily Bratt

Established in 1887, this award is bestowed by the family of Dr. Eben Alexander, Sr. A monetary award is presented annually to the undergraduate who, in the opinion of the faculty of the Classics Department, presents the best rendering into English of selected passages of Greek not previously read.

“Emily, a Senior majoring in Combined Greek and Latin, with minors in linguistics and Italian has shown mastery in rendering of English of selected passages of Greek.”

THE VENABLE MEDAL

Recipient: Tien Phan

The Venable Medal was established in 1955 by Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma and is presented annually by members of that professional chemistry fraternity to the two most outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry. Two medals are awarded. The selection of one recipient is based on scholastic and academic work within the chemistry program. The other is based on outstanding academic work, character, and outstanding contributions to the University community and to chemistry. The awards bear the name of Francis Preston Venable, chemistry professor from 1880 to 1930 and president of the University from 1900 to 1914.

“In addition to carrying a 3.98 GPA, Tien is recognized for constantly pushing himself to deeply understand concepts in chemistry—both in the classroom and the lab where he has made major contributions to chemical research. Faculty note that he continually goes beyond what is expected of him.”

THE VENABLE MEDAL

Recipient: Maya Spencer

“Maya was selected as a Venable Medalist based on her outstanding academic performance, her strong contributions in research, and her leadership on campus—both in the Chemistry Department and in the Navy ROTC program. She is recognized as an enthusiastic scientist who has made great progress in research.”

THE WORTH AWARD

Recipient: Katie Leonard

Established in 1883, this award was given annually in the Department of Philosophy through 1919. Reinstituted in 1977 by the department, this oldest academic award, based on course performance and faculty recommendation, is given for sustained excellence in undergraduate study of philosophy.

“Katie is an integral member of the Parr Center’s Par Heel ethics community, a committed educator, and above all, a deeply creative and imaginative philosopher. She has consistently impressed her instructors in the Department of Philosophy with the quality of her work and her insightful contributions in the classroom.”

THE IRVINE R. HAGADORN AWARD

Recipient: Matthew Lu

Established in 1983, the Hagadorn Award is given to an outstanding rising senior Biology major. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement, excellence in biology research and contributions to the Biology Department. This award was established in honor of Dr. Irvine Hagadorn, former Chair of the Department of Zoology at UNC.

“Matthew is an outstanding Biology major who excels in the classroom, outside the classroom, and in the lab. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Matthew serves as a Peer Mentor to his fellow undergrads and is a Supplemental Instruction Leader.”

THE DONALD T. LYSLE AWARD

Recipient: Oluwatamilore Kolawole

This award is for an undergraduate student majoring in either psychology or neuroscience and who has made exemplary service contributions. This award honors Dr. Donald T. Lysle who served as Chair for 15 years. Dr. Lysle completed his B.S., Magna Cum Laude; M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and has been a faculty member at Carolina since 1990. Aside from his great service as Chair of a large department, he is known, in particular, for his compassion for others. Thus, it is fitting that the award which honors Dr. Lysle is an award which recognizes those who show exceptional concern and service for others.

“The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is pleased to recognize Oluwatamilore for her efforts to better the lives of individuals of vulnerable populations, especially women and Black and Brown individuals. She leads in numerous service organizations, including, Minority Advising Program, Black Student Movement, and Compass, just to name a few.”

THE CAZEL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN HISTORY

Recipient: Emily Orland

The Cazel Prize in History recognizes an outstanding senior who has excelled in the study of history, contributed to the life of the History department, and shown a profound commitment to the values of the historical discipline.

“Emily is a strong and creative researcher, a sharp writer, and a generous collaborator. As a member of both the History Department’s honors thesis seminar and the History Department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee, Emily models for her classmates the best of historical scholarship and community.”

THE WILLIAM STEVENS POWELL AWARD

Recipient: Seth Moore

The William Stevens Powell Award was established in 2002 by the North Caroliniana Society in honor of the Society’s first president, long-time vice-president, and distinguished historian. The award recognizes a student who, during the student’s career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has done the most to develop an interest in, and understanding of, the history and traditions of the nation’s oldest state university. Absent a deserving recipient as so adjudged, the award may be presented to the UNC-CH student who has done the most to develop an interest in, and understanding of, the history of the state of North Carolina. Undergraduate seniors shall be the preferred recipients, but any student duly enrolled in the university who meets the foregoing criteria is eligible for the award. Absent a nominee deemed a meritorious recipient as adjudged by one or more of the foregoing criteria, the Society may forego presentation of the award in a given year._A check for $200.00. an autographed copy of Professor Powell’s book, The First State University, and the winning student’s name engraved on a silver plaque that is housed in Wilson Library constitute the award._

“During the fall term of 2022, Seth took History 398, a capstone course for undergraduate history majors. It was in this class that Seth researched and wrote a paper entitled Anti-Confederate Sentiment in North Carolina: Why Methodists and Quakers Opposed the Confederacy, which has been submitted to Traces: the UNC Journal of History.”

THE GEORGE H. COCOLAS PHARMACY STUDENT BODY AWARD

Recipient: Neel Swamy

This award was established in 1948 and renamed in 1998 in honor of Dr. George Cocolas, retired associate dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. It recognizes a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of character, deportment, scholarship, professionalism, participation in extracurricular activities, and promise of future distinction in the profession of pharmacy. The award is given by the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Student Senate and the recipient is selected by the graduating class. Student Senate and the recipient is selected by the graduating class.

“Neel is an exceptionally engaged student in the PharmD Program and is considered an outstanding student, leader, and friend. He has served as President of the Graduate and Professional School Student Government, as a Peer Mentor to incoming first year students, and the Pharmacy Coordinator for Student Health Action Coalition.”

THE CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AWARD

Recipient: Michael Sisson

This award is given each year to one or more students graduating with the Minor in Entrepreneurship degree of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship. These students will have excellent grades in the courses of the Minor and will also have demonstrated excellence in application of entrepreneurial thinking in practical problem-solving in the social, public health, commercial, media, sports, computation, design, artistic or scientific fields.

“Michael is described as “one of those students that quietly catches your attention and then holds onto it over and over.” He has worked as an undergraduate learning assistant for the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course, is a Shuford Ambassador, and created a Shuford mentoring program for local high-school students interested in entrepreneurial thinking.”

The Alexander Julian Prize

Recipient: Isabella Gamez

Fashion designer Alexander Julian, Class of 1969, established this award in 1985. The art department gives the award to an undergraduate student exhibiting an outstanding sense of design, which the faculty interprets as a mature integration of formal issues and content. The award is given to the undergraduate who the faculty believes has done the most outstanding work in studio art.

“Isabella was selected for this award based on her artistic compositional excellence, consideration and integration of formal concerns and artisanship, and exceptional comprehension of the painting medium in portraiture. “