2025 Student Academic Awards | Chancellor's Awards at Carolina

The Albert Suskin Prize in Latin

Recipient: Thomas Robinson

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.

“For the competition in Latin, we award the Albert Suskin Prize to Thomas Robinson, whose exam and essay stood out in several ways. The rubric for evaluating the translation consisted in counting grammatical and vocabulary errors; in this respect, Thomas’s performance was among the very best, with a translation that was faithful not only to the letter but also the spirit of the Latin original. Thomas further distinguished himself with an essay on the first poem of Ovid’s Amores, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the genre of Roman love elegy. Thomas is a senior majoring in both Combined Greek and Latin as well as History and he has already been accepted to leading master’s programs in Classics for the fall. Graduation year 2025.”

The Alexander Julian Prize

Recipient: Georgia Phillips

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.

“The Julian Prize, named after UNC-CH graduate and renowned fashion designer Alexander Julian, is awarded to a Studio Art major whose work demonstrates exceptional design. The studio faculty interprets “design” broadly, emphasizing the thoughtful integration of form, craftsmanship, and content. This award distinguishes one of the program’s top students. It is my pleasure to introduce this year’s recipient of the Julian Prize, Georgia Phillips. A double major in Studio Art and Art History, Georgia is a model student whose work exemplifies a high standard of design, craftsmanship, and conceptual depth. She approaches her art with ambition and rigor, always holding herself to the highest standards. Working with a collage-based strategy, she thoughtfully engages with appropriation to explore the absurdities of contemporary culture, recontextualizing familiar imagery to challenge and reframe our understanding of the world around us. Her ability to seamlessly integrate formal concerns with meaningful content reflects a deep understanding of both artistic technique and cultural commentary. Beyond her own creative practice, Georgia is a leader in the classroom, demonstrating curiosity, independent agency, and a willingness to engage in critical discussions. She brings an intrinsic motivation to her work, consistently pushing boundaries and refining her approach. Her dedication to both studio art and art history, combined with her talent for manipulating imagery in thought-provoking ways, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this honor. Please join me in congratulating Georgia Phillips.”

The Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal

Recipient: Marvin Koonce

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.

“Mavin Koonce has won the Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal for undergraduate academic excellence and for his outstanding achievements within the major. In his time at UNC, Marvin has taken multiple graduate courses, excelled in all in his undergraduate work, submitted a paper on quasilinear wave equation models (that are related to things like acoustic waves, general relativity and elasticity), is writing an honors thesis, and was on a winning team for the Wake Tech Math Contest, alongside many other personal achievements. In recognition of the tremendous success Marvin has had as an undergraduate, he has been accepted to several top ranked mathematics programs for graduate schools. Any subset of these accomplishments would make him an excellent major, the combination of all of them is truly exceptional.”

The Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize

Recipient: Ruby McGhee

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.

“The Department of Religious Studies awards the 2025 Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize to Ruby McGhee. Diverse faculty members noted McGhee’s remarkable combination of intellectual curiosity, diligent preparation, keen analytical skill, and important contributions to the life of the department. Ruby’s commitment to taking her knowledge beyond the classroom shined through both her leadership in RELIC – the undergraduate Religious Studies Club – and her organization of extracurricular activities such as a class visit to an evangelical “Hell House,’ last year. Both as a student and community member, Ruby McGhee demonstrated exceptional commitment to the study of religion and it’s our pleasure to recognize her work with this award.”

The Camões Prize in Portuguese

Recipient: Delaney Rodriguez

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.

“Delaney Rodriguez has been a very strong student presence in the Portuguese program, supporting the program in every way and attending every event–even never missing a conversation hour. She spent a semester studying abroad in Brazil and has achieved great academic and cultural growth in Portuguese in her time as a major. She has been a wonderful colleague to her peers and a great encouragement to others to study Portuguese.”

The Cazel Prize for Excellence in History

Recipient: Cameron Neale

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.

“Cameron Neale has made a deep impact on the Department of History in her four years at UNC. In her coursework, she distinguished herself through excellent archival research and writing. Cameron has also enriched the culture of the Department through her work with the Digital History Lab, through her student group leadership, and as a staff member in the History Department office. She has brought superb editing and technical skills and innovative ideas to enhancing many aspects of the Department.”

The Chancellor’s Award For Excellence In Entrepreneurial Studies

Recipient: Urael Eliam Mussie

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.

“Urael has been a steady and influential presence in the Shuford Program. In addition to his strong academic performance and entrepreneurial success, Urael has been an invaluable Shuford ambassador, consistently fostering inclusivity and collaboration. He has also excelled as a Teaching Assistant. What truly sets Eliam apart is his character—his unwavering determination to grow, learn, and uplift those around him.”

The Donald T. Lysle Award

Recipient: Sartaj Singh Jhooty

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 from 2007-2022. 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 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.

“Throughout his time at Carolina, Sartaj has shown tremendous dedication to service and supporting those with ALS. He has consistently supported ALS Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter through fundraising and direct advocacy to members of Congress . He has also volunteered for the International Medicine Project where he worked to connect doctors in the US to those in Haiti and Ghana to share knowledge about point of care ultrasounds and for US doctors to gain exposure to endemic illnesses. In addition, he volunteered as a research subject for Brain Computer Interface Research to further medical literature in the field. Finally, he has been volunteering for the Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital since 2018. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is pleased to recognize Sartaj as this year’s recipient of the Donald T. Lysle Award.”

The Eben Alexander Prize in Greek

Recipient: Thomas Rempel

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.

“For the competition in Greek, we award the Alexander Prize to Tom Rempel. Tom’s exam showed impressive command of Greek vocabulary and grammar, especially for a student only in the second year of his formal study of the language. The passages, including a description of the crocodile from Herodotus’ Histories and a messenger speech from Euripides’ Bacchae, were each challenging in their own ways. Tom demonstrated throughout an ability to maintain not only the logical sense but also the emotional force of the original Greek. Tom is a sophomore majoring in Combined Greek and Latin. Graduation year 2027.”

The George C. Marshall Award

Recipient: John Thomas Davenport IV

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.

“The nation’s top ROTC Cadets from each program are selected for the George C Marshall Leadership award, and has been awarded as such since 1978. Cadet John Davenport was nominated based on being the top cadet in the program, displaying excellence in scholarship, leadership, physical fitness and community involvement. His maturity, calm demeanor, and confident leadership style stands out from his peers. These attributes were affirmed during his Advanced Camp 2024 performance. CDT Davenport excelled in every aspect at Advanced Camp with a #1 out of over 600 cadet rating and earned the First Command Financial Services award recognizing the top cadet who best demonstrates the leadership traits necessary to encourage teamwork, improve unit cohesion, and reinforce mission accomplishment. He was one of the few cadets across Cadet Command to qualify expert during marksmanship training. Simply put, CDT Davenport goes above and beyond to live the Army Values and warrior ethos and gains respect from his peers based on his work ethic and ability to display empathy toward all of his peers. CDT Davenport’s ability to diagnose and solve complex problems while understanding the human dynamic make him a uniquely talented cadet. General George C. Marshall was a great American statesman of the century. He played a crucial role in international affairs from 1939-1951–the years that shaped the second half of the century. He gave name to the Marshall Plan in 1953, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The George H. Cocolas Pharmacy Student Body Award

Recipient: Ashley J. Addison

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.

“Ashley was selected for the George H. Cocolas Pharmacy Student Body Award on behalf of her peers. Ashley is a highly respected 4th year PharmD student and currently serves as the National Vice President of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, is a member of Phi Lambda Sigma leadership society, a volunteer with the Student Health Action Coalition, served on the Graduate and Professional Student Government and as a student program coordinator for the Culture and Well-being Committee. Ashley is an excellent student maintaining a 4.0 GPA, has completed multiple internships, and won the national AACP Student Pharmacists Trainee Poster Competition recognizing her work to develop culturally intelligent professionals.”

The Hampton Shuping Prize

Recipient: Kiara Casmer

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.

“Kiara Casmer is described as one of the most hardworking, inclusive and supportive students, who leads with honor and embodies the values essential to ethical and effective business leadership. She excels academically, has held top internships, is set for a great career after graduation, and served on multiple executive boards for organizations such as the Finance Society, 180 Degrees Consulting, Pride@Kenan-Flalger, the Community, Equity and Inclusion Board, and others. She is one of the most intentional, thoughtful, and impactful students, who has had a profoundly positive impact on the culture of Kenan-Flagler, and whose legacy of advocacy, activism, and access will be felt long after she has graduated.”

The Howard W. Odum Undergraduate Sociology Award

Recipient: Ava Lytle

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.

“Ava Lytle was chosen for the 2025_Howard W._Odum Undergraduate Sociology Award because of her exceptional academic performance, research contributions, and intellectual curiosity. She has demonstrated a strong grasp of research design and methods, producing insightful work on accessibility challenges for students with disabilities. She further honed her skills through the prestigious NextGenPop summer research program and is currently writing a compelling honors thesis on health in the transition to parenthood. Ava’s outstanding coursework, research experience, and dedication to sociological inquiry exemplify the qualities this award seeks to recognize.”

The Irvine Hagadorn Award

Recipient: Clara DiVincenzo

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.

“The 2025 Irvine Hagadorn Award recipient is Clara DiVincenzo. She was selected by the Biology Undergraduate Awards Committee based on academic excellence, research, and contributions to the Biology Department. She is doing her research in the Castillo lab in Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences, has a 3.96 GPA, and has served as a peer mentor and SI leader, respectively, for BIOL 103 with Dr. Garland. In addition, she co-designed and co-authored the lab manual for BIOL 102L: Introduction to Biology Lab with Research, Coral-Algal Symbiosis beginning in the summer of 2023. For this course, she served as a teaching apprentice in Spring 2024 and a Teaching Assistant in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, leading students through independent research projects to characterize cnidarian-algae symbioses using the sea anemone Aiptasia. Since 2023, she has been a Biology Ambassador, and since Spring 2024, she chaired the research subcommittee, leading efforts to introduce future UNC Biology students to research in the department.”

The Jacques Hardré Undergraduate Award for Excellence in French

Recipient: Simon Asher Cook

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.

“The Program in French & Francophone Studies in the Department of Romance Studies is nominating Simon Cook for the 2025 Jacques Hardré Undergraduate Award for Excellence in French. Simon is a double major in Political Science and French & Francophone Studies, with a minor in English, who is graduating with an overall GPA of 4.0. He is the 2024-25 president of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society. Colleagues have suggested Simon as someone well-deserving of the Hardré award: in addition to immersing himself in his coursework at UNC, Simon has studied abroad twice, once in Montréal and once in Montpellier. In the 2024 Montpellier summer program, he explored the French way of life as it relates to combatting climate change. During this past year, he worked on a Senior Honors Thesis about models of democracy and how they are played out in French literature and philosophy (“New Politics: Post-political Guidelines from French Surrealism, Symbolism, and Structuralism”). Part of this thesis was accepted for the Fall 2024 Nineteenth-Century French Studies Colloquium, a major professional conference. Colleagues have commented on Simon’s excellent coursework and on the intellectual curiosity, openness, and rigor with which he approaches his classes. The Program in French & Francophone Studies wishes him much success in his future endeavors.”

The L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science

Recipient: Michelle Liu

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.

“Due to her exceptional record of academic success and community service, Michelle Liu has been selected to receive the 2025 L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science. Michelle has a 4.00 GPA and is completing an honors thesis on political polarization that utilizes a range of advanced methodologies, including survey experiments, natural language processing, and machine learning. Outside of the classroom, Michelle serves as the undergraduate student attorney general and is engaged in a variety of service activities that address important issues such as domestic violence, student mental health, and local refugee communities. “

The Louis D. Rubin, Jr. Prize in Creative Writing

Recipient: Luisa Peñaflor

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.

“Luisa’s devotion to her craft and ambition for her art deserves to be recognized, recognition being a form of encouragement. Recognition that says just keep doing what you’re doing. And thank you so much for doing it.”

The Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award in Linguistics

Recipient: Halden Levin

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.

“The Linguistics Department would like to honor Halden Levin with the Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award for Excellence in Linguistics for her outstanding performance in her classes and the initiative and intellectual rigor demonstrated in her Honor Thesis research project.”

The Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award in Linguistics

Recipient: Helen Leilani Willard

“The Linguistics Department would like to honor Helen Leilani Willard with the Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award for Excellence in Linguistics for her remarkable commitment to linguistics through her coursework and independent research and to linguistic diversity and the health of the community through her volunteer work with the Refugee Community Partnership.”

The McNally Award for Excellence in Geography

Recipient: Gabrielle Johnson

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.

“Gabrielle has been selected as the McNally Award for Excellence in Geography based on her outstanding academic performance and research abilities. In addition to her outstanding academic achievements, she has worked with underserved communities in various capacities, including as a language navigator, a member of a refugee center, a global brigade participant, and part of a first responder’s team.”

The Patrick F. Earey Award

Recipient: Valerie Muzyka

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.

“Valerie was chosen for this award based on her record of outstanding academic, leadership, and extra-curricular experiences at UNC-Chapel Hill. Valerie has worked in multiple research labs including the completion of a Senior Honors Thesis focused on examining the utility of neuroimaging biomarkers to assess the degenerative impact of sport-related concussion in collegiate football players. Valerie is also President of the Phi Epsilon Kappa professional fraternity for Exercise and Sport Science majors and future professionals. Finally, Valerie is an active participant in community health and advocacy activities designed to promote mental health in students/young adults.”

The Paul Debreczeny Prize in Slavic Languages and Cultures

Recipient: Lily Potthast

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.

“The faculty in the Slavic and Russian programs in the Germanic and Slavic Department have unanimously selected Lily Anna Potthast as this year’s recipient of the Paul Debreczeny Prize in Slavic Languages and Literatures. In the course of her studies at Carolina, Lily has distinguished herself as a language learner of singular attainment and a thoughtful, analytical thinker and writer on some of the most complex subjects in the area of Russian literature, culture, and history. In her pursuit of academic excellence, Lily has invariably gone further and beyond of what was expected of her, meeting challenges and producing research of originality, depth, and value.”

The Paul E. Shearin Outstanding Senior Award in Physics

Recipient: Tyler J. Britt

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.

“Tyler J. Britt has received the Paul E. Shearin Outstanding Senior Award in Physics. 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. Tyler is from Fayetteville, NC. He obtained the highest physics GPA in his class and has performed research in biophysics and the fluids dynamics, applying his skills and knowledge to very interdisciplinary problems. He has also contributed to the teaching mission of the Physics and Astronomy department as an outstanding teaching assistant. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society and an alum of the UNC men’s soccer team.”

The Peter C. Baxter Memorial Prize in American Studies

Recipient: Skyah Rule

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.

“Skyah Rule embodies the qualities of intellect, personality, and service that characterize the Baxter Award. A double major in American Studies and US history who is graduating in three years, Skyah has left her mark at UNC through her dedication to importance of the public humanities. Imbued with an extraordinary work ethic, and caring deeply about her intellectual craft, Skyah enthusiastically seeks out new opportunities to impact and improve every environment: her classrooms, Departments, the many organizations she serves, and the communities she studies, especially the Appalachian counties of North Carolina from which she hails.”

The Ria Stambaugh Award for Excellence in German

Recipient: Lauren Ferlito

Established in 1987, this award recognizes the graduating senior 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.

“The faculty in the German program in the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures have selected Lauren Ferlito as this year’s recipient of the Ria Stambaugh Undergraduate Award for Excellence in German. Throughout her studies at Carolina and abroad, Lauren has demonstrated an exceptional command of the German language, exhibiting fluency and a high level of grammatical accuracy. She also engages deeply with German literature, culture, and history, as evidenced by a poem that she wrote for her German 303 course, Ode to a House Plant, (Ode an eine Zimmerpflanze). With her poem, Lauren engaged in a creative homage to eighteenth-century poet Karoline von Günderrode, skillfully capturing the poet’s tone while modernizing it in a remarkable act of literary dialogue across centuries. Lauren’s intellectual curiosity is boundless—she has pursued advanced coursework spanning Business German, contemporary German film, and the intersections of art and society in 20th-century Germany. In the classroom, she is not only an insightful and engaged participant but also a generous and supportive peer, consistently elevating discussions with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. Her academic excellence, creative ingenuity, and commitment to deep intercultural understanding make her truly deserving of this recognition.”

The Robert B. House Memorial Prize in Poetry

Recipient: Rune Turner

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.

“With formal rigor and deep emotive imagination and care, Rune Turner helps us see the world in all its brutality and limitless potential for change. The voice is oracular yet the poems live in the earth, in the specificity of Christmas mornings and the towns that make and break us all at once. These poems are just the beginning, which is a thing I want to reward. I read these poems and know this is a poet I will want to read for the rest of my life.”

The Sterling A. Stoudemire Award for Excellence in Spanish

Recipient: Luisa Peñaflor

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.

“The Department of Romance Studies is very pleased to announce that Luisa Peñaflor has won the 2025 Sterling A. Stoudemire Award for Excellence in Spanish. Luisa is a double major in Hispanic Studies with a focus in Translation and Interpreting and English with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations. She has won multiple awards for her creative writing and manages the social media for author Julia Alvarez. In this role she has increased Alvarez’s followers and engagement by more than 100%, meaning that more people have learned about this important Latina author. In the local community, Luisa has translated and interpreted for students and their families at a Durham school and has worked in UNC groups Qué Rico and Hidden Voices. In her application, she wrote eloquently about her desire to work as a translator for Latin American writers, to write her own fiction, and to serve as a bridge between people who speak different languages.”

The Undergraduate Award in Economics

Recipient: Zhengtai Zheng

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.

“Jimmy Zheng is an exceptional student who has excelled both in our undergraduate and graduate classes. He is already very active in research, having completed his Honors thesis at the end of his junior year, and having co-authored a paper that has already been submitted to a top econometrics journal. He is, by far, one of the best students we have ever had the privilege to work with. “

The Undergraduate Prize in Art History

Recipient: Hailie Davidson

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.

“Hailie Davidson is an Art History and Philosophy major. All art history faculty who have had the pleasure of teaching her have benefited from her careful and pertinent insights and observations, and the consideration and care with which she frames and shares her ideas. Hailie fearlessly approaches challenging topics with sophistication and nuance, and her contributions to class have been to the benefit of all students. Hailie is a precocious undergraduate, holding a high standard for her work and already possessing the subtlety of a natural researcher. The art history department is confident that Hailie will make valuable contributions in any field that she chooses to pursue and we follow her future contributions with avid interest.”

The Venable Medal

Recipient: Nicholas Boyer

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 outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry. Recipients are selected based on scholastic and academic work within the chemistry program, as well as character and contributions to the University community and to chemistry. The award bears the name of Francis Preston Venable, chemistry professor from 1880 to 1930 and president of the University from 1900 to 1914.

“Mr. Nicholas Boyer was selected for the Venable Medal due to his exceptional academic achievements, groundbreaking research, and demonstrated leadership by an undergraduate student in science. With a 3.92 overall GPA and a 3.97 GPA in his double major of Chemistry and Computer Science, he has already published two first-author papers in prestigious journals, a feat typically accomplished by senior PhD students. His innovative work in quantum dynamics and machine learning has already contributed significantly to the field of theoretical chemistry. Nicholas also received the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the solo winner from UNC. Additionally, Nicholas’s leadership as co-President of the 2024 Carolina Science Olympiad and his dedication to mentoring peers highlight his passion for science and his commitment to the scientific community. His remarkable intellectual abilities, work ethic, and potential for future contributions make him an outstanding candidate for this prestigious award.”

The Venable Medal

Recipient: Abigail Lehr

“Ms. Abigail (Abby) Lehr was selected for the Chemistry Department’s Venable Award due to her exceptional research abilities, intellectual maturity, and leadership qualities. With a GPA of 3.96, Abby has consistently demonstrated a high level of independence and scientific acumen, comparable to a mid-career graduate student. Her thesis work on Alu RNA elements has led to novel findings that are already inspiring further research in the research lab of Prof. Kevin Weeks, and she is on track to publish a first-author paper before graduating. Abby’s organizational skills, ability to overcome challenges, and her success in mentoring a fellow undergraduate researcher highlight her extraordinary potential and make her an outstanding candidate for this prestigious award.”

The Venable Medal

Recipient: Madison Stewart

“Mr. Jack Roche was selected for the Venable Medal due to his exceptional academic and research achievements, as well as his leadership and dedication to the scientific community. Since his freshman year, Jack has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to research, working full-time in the lab during the summers and consistently conducting undergraduate research for six semesters while maintaining a near-perfect GPA. His independent work in protein chemistry and microbiology has led to significant contributions, including characterizing a novel chemical signaling system in bacteria, which is set to be published. Jack’s ability to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and communicate complex ideas makes him an invaluable asset to the lab. Importantly, Jack also gives back to the community in several ways. He was the only undergraduate to lead an Analytical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 241L) this past summer, which speaks to Jack’s maturity and passion for teaching. This fall, he is working as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant with Prof. Gary Pielak for General Chemistry (CHEM 101). For two years, he helped Prof. Bo Li organize a “Medicine from Microbes” booth at the annual UNC Science Festival. His academic excellence, strong work ethic, and promising research trajectory earned him this Venable Medal.”

The Venable Medal

Recipient: Jack Roche

“Ms. Madison Stewart was selected for the Venable Medal due to her exceptional leadership for the departmental and university communities, in addition to outstanding contributions to the field of solar fuel generation, especially in the UNC’s 40 million-dollar Energy Center, CHASE, funded by the Department of Energy. As an undergraduate researcher in the Dempsey research group, she has led a project on optimizing hybrid photoelectrodes, developing novel hydrosilylation techniques to improve catalyst-semiconductor integration. Her research will result in a first-author paper, and it has already led to a second authorship on a published paper in ACS Energy Letters. Madison has presented her research at multiple conferences, earning awards and recognition for her work. Madison’s personal motto is to challenge herself in every aspect of her life and this is very apparent in her work ethic for juggling responsibilities from classes, the Marine Corps ROTC program, and in the research lab. Despite her demanding schedule, including several graduate-level courses, her physics minor, and ROTC, Madison chooses to spend her free time and school breaks furthering her independent research progress. She is bright, curious, passionate, creative, and team-focused. She represents the very best of undergraduates here at Carolina.”

The Wallace Ray Peppers Award in Performance of African and African-American Literature

Recipient: Nadia Jefferson

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.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we present this year’s Wallace Ray Peppers award in performance of African American Literature to Nadia Elise Jefferson. Nadia Jefferson’s work as a performer and performance scholar, exemplifies the best of undergraduate performance work. Her deep commitment to authentic representation of African American voices and authors has been at the center of her performance work in a variety of performance studies classes. Nadia uses performance as an engaged way of understanding many difficult topics. According to her professor, Irina Kruchinina, “Nadia works versatility in a multitude of genres from oral history to ethnography and experimental theatre. She bravely jumps into exploring and asking questions through interplay of media and collaboration with diverse collectives of artists and scholars.” According to Professor Renee Alexander Craft, Nadia brings a wonderful combination of intellectual rigor, curiosity, creativity and insight to her performed scholarship. She consistently draws meaningful connections between the literary texts we engage, contemporary culture, and the lived experiences that shape our understanding of race, culture, and identity.” Nadia has most recently excelled in a slew of performance studies classes, including Performance and Social Change, Creating the Solo Performance, Collaborative Performance, Oral History and Performance, Media and Performance, and Performing Race and Ethnicity. Her body of work in these classes represents the best of scholarly and performance practice. Her culminating performance in Advanced Projects in Performance Studies, was a crowning achievement of performing self, vulnerably exploring issues as difficult as eating disorders, mental health and racial identity. According to her Professor Joseph Megel, “Nadia created the most deeply felt and intensely vulnerable work I have seen in some time from any student. Her deeply personal representation of themes of mental illness were intuitive, chilling and skillful. This work can only be characterized as triumphant.”

The William Stevens Powell Award

Recipient: Anna Marie Switzer

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 graduating senior in The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who is judged to have contributed most to an understanding of the history and traditions of the first state university, or who has done the most to develop interest in, and understanding of, the history of the state of North Carolina.

“English and History Honors Major Anna Marie Swiitzer ’25, a fine storyteller and terrific scholar, served as the archives and communications intern at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center at Harkers Island beginning in May 2024. There she produced new oral histories and emphasized community engagement. She has done magazine editorial work and writing for Walter, Cellar Door, and UNC’s Journal of History, and in Earth, Marine & Environmental Studies/English 473 (Fall ’24), she created short fiction based on her coastal interviews. “Nobody Cried When He Died” weaves strands of social history from Diamond City’s stormy 1890s, the coming of World War II, and the lead character’s wartime work at MCAS Cherry Point.”

The Worth Award

Recipient: Elijah Parish

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.

“Elijah is graduating this summer with a stellar 4.0 GPA in his philosophy major. In summer 2024, Elijah attended the distinguished Colorado Summer School for talented undergraduate philosophy students. In Fall 2024, he completed an excellent, original senior thesis essay, under the direction of Professor Daniel Munoz, on the topic of what our thoughts about the end of loving relationships (as in an amicable or not so amicable breakup) imply for our views on love and the norms governing loving relationships. The thesis was awarded Highest Honors. Elijah has made many outstanding contributions to the UNC philosophy community. He has been leading the undergraduate philosophy club as its president over the last two years with great success and enthusiasm, going above and beyond in making sure that undergraduates of all backgrounds feel welcome in the weekly club meetings. Moreover, he has played a pivotal role in the National High School Ethics Bowl (administered by the Parr Center for Ethics), devoting countless hours to moderating, judging, and mentoring high school students. In addition to his work for the Ethics Bowl, he was one of the Center’s inaugural Educating for Character Undergraduate Fellows, a highly selective fellowship program where he distinguished himself by actively contributing to campus-wide efforts to promote intellectual virtues such as humility, curiosity, and open-mindedness. After graduation, Elijah is planning to obtain a PhD in philosophy.”