2026 Student Academic Awards
The Albert Suskin Prize in Latin
Recipient: Noah Henry Thomforde-Toates
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 Noah Thomforde-Toates. Noah Thomforde-Toates’ translation of the Latin passage was almost flawless; I noted only three minor errors, all involving fairly uncommon words and expressions. It was otherwise very accurate and detailed, with attention to nuance. His essay was likewise thoughtful and carefully based on the text, with a number of apt observations on specific lines and phrases. Noah is a sophomore majoring in Classics (and will hopefully get a minor in Italian, though it isn’t declared yet). Graduation year 2028.”
The Alexander Julian Prize
Recipient: Sheemoo Tatataw
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 Alexander Julian Prize at UNC-Chapel Hill was established in 1985 by renowned designer and 1969 UNC graduate Alexander Julian. The prize recognizes the achievement of an undergraduate Studio Art Major whose work demonstrates a high standard of design, interpreted as thoughtful integration of form and content. The studio faculty is unanimous in their enthusiasm in awarding Sheemoo Tatataw as the 2026 recipient of the award. Sheemoo’s eloquent, innovative artwork focuses on memory and consequences of her family’s displacement, fleeing the civil war in Myanmar.
Read More
Reimagined as two forms of a book, the first titled “ThayemoriNaw” translated as “to remember”, a family album is made of hand sewn papers binding together haunting, sensitively rendered paintings from family photos. Landscape, location and people disappear and emerge as apparitions out of transparent watercolor. Another book binds delicate, white cloth, each “page” embroidered with a hybrid language. This bound collection of love letters to her parents hybridizes English with an imaginary language, complete with hand embroidered diacritics adorning the chimeric correspondence. This beautiful, intimate, and highly personal work resonates broadly in diasporic populations. Remarkably impactful as a delicate, handmade offering, she refers to the real friction between generations that occur from geographical and cultural displacement as values, traditions and the ability to communicate through language is lost and changed. Please join the studio faculty in honoring and congratulating Sheemoo Tatataw.
The Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal
Recipient: Paul Hamrick
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.
“Paul Hamrick is receiving the Henderson award both for his excellent work in graduate math courses, which he started taking in the second semester of his freshman year, and for his successes on the Putnam exam. Paul is a talented problem-solver who in his sophomore year achieved the highest rank on that nationwide exam ever attained by a UNC student.”
The Archibald Henderson Mathematics Medal
Recipient: Michael Rutigliano
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.
“Michael Rutigliano was chosen to receive the Henderson award because of his outstanding performance in every single math class he has taken and because of his research accomplishments. His coursework includes an unusually wide variety of undergraduate and graduate math classes. He has also made significant progress in his research on a topic in continuum mechanics.”
The Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize
Recipient: Arrianna E. Zicatl
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 Undergraduate Studies Committee in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has selected Arrianna Zicatl as the 2026 recipient of the Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize. Noting Zicatl’s exceptional academic achievement and her unflagging leadership in RELIC, members of the USC found these many accomplishments in the context of her life story to be “enormously impressive and inspiring.” While organizing creative undergrad events, supporting fellow students inside and outside of class, caretaking family members, and working multiple jobs, Arrianna still found the time to achieve the highest GPA among our majors, all after transferring to UNC at an age most students are still completing high school. She represents the very best of what we all cherish in a student and even more so, she models hard work, good humor, and remarkable human striving to the whole RELI community. Arrianna Zicatl has transcended many significant challenges in life already, and we know she will go on to achieve even greater things beyond UNC.”
The Camões Prize in Portuguese
Recipient: Hannah Berhane
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.
“Hannah has studied abroad for a summer in Brazil of 2024 and then for a full semester in Portugal. After the semester in Portugal she won a grant to do research on music of the African diaspora in Portugal. Her research is interview-based and she conducted these in Portuguese. She is currently writing an honors thesis with Nilzimar Vierra. She applied for a Fulbright (still waiting). She was present at the SiPN (Study in Portugal Network—under the umbrella of FLAD, a partially government funded agency that works to foment professional and academic relationships between Portugal and the US) 10-year anniversary in Lisbon last May where she was recognized before all the guests, which included the number 2 from the US embassy.”
The Cazel Prize for Excellence in History
Recipient: Jacob R. Schwier
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.
“Jacob Schwier embodies the best qualities of the History Department at Carolina. As the kind of student every professor loves to teach, Jacob studies the past with empathy, enthusiasm, and a relentless work ethic. Jacob has been a tremendous leader of the History Department’s student groups. Always, Jacob seeks genuine connections with people on and off campus. He is one of the History Department’s most passionate and proudest representatives, and he has made the Department a better place for all.”
The Chancellor’s Award For Excellence In Entrepreneurial Studies
Recipient: Carter Bridges
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.
“Carter Bridges was selected for the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurial Studies in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and application of entrepreneurial thinking to real-world impact. He exemplifies the mission of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship through sustained engagement, intellectual curiosity, and service to the entrepreneurial community. In the classroom, Carter is thoughtful, proactive, and deeply committed to learning; his performance in ECON 125 distinguished him among his peers and led to his selection for a highly competitive Teaching Assistant role, in which he served as a trusted and effective leader for two semesters. He has further demonstrated exceptional leadership within the Shuford ecosystem by co-launching the Entrepreneurship Club at Carolina and helping grow it to 123 active members, and by serving as one of only two students selected to the Shuford Strategic Planning Committee.
Read More
Carter’s entrepreneurial impact extends beyond campus as Founder of MedFam, a social impact venture serving families, hospitals, and hotels nationwide, and through his contributions to the early-stage startup Kahmino. His fellowships with the Carolina Angel Network and Venture Capital Investment programs, along with his internship at NC IDEA, reflect both his entrepreneurial capacity and his commitment to inclusive innovation. He also serves as a mentor to students at Ravenscroft High School, where he has played a central role in organizing and supporting fellow mentors. Across these roles, Carter consistently demonstrates leadership, initiative, collaboration, and strong networking skills, using entrepreneurship as a tool for positive community impact. Through his academic excellence, entrepreneurial leadership, and commitment to service, Carter Bridges represents the highest ideals of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship and is a most deserving recipient of this honor.”
The Donald T. Lysle Award
Recipient: Tisha Abdul
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 her time at Carolina, Tisha has shown tremendous dedication to service and support for dental, nutritional, and mental health. She founded the non-profit organization Smile360, which has now taught over 500 children across North Carolina about dental and nutritional basics. Additionally, she met with Senator Thom Tillis’s policy team to advocate for expanding early dental health and nutrition initiatives for underserved communities. Tisha has also been an advocate for mental health within the UNC community. As Vice President of External Affairs for the UNC Mental Health Coalition, she leads mental health programming, coordinates volunteer teams, and hosts peer-support events. She also led fundraising efforts to support UNC NAMI by organizing a fundraising event partnering with Kendra Scott. Through these efforts and more, Tisha has shown a long and fruitful dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of her community. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is pleased to recognize Tisha as this year’s recipient of the Donald T. Lysle Award.”
The Eben Alexander Prize in Greek
Recipient: Ashley Dowdney
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 Eben Alexander Prize to Ashley Dowdney. Ashley Dowdney’s examination shows a fine sense of Greek vocabulary, idiom, and style. The two passages, one in prose by Plato and the other in verse by Euripides, were each challenging in the way they used Greek idiom and phraseology. Ms. Dowdney displayed an ability to convey the sense and development of the original Greek. Ashley is a senior majoring in Classics (Combined Greek and Latin) and Peace, War, & Defense with a minor in History. Graduation year 2026.”
The George H. Cocolas Pharmacy Student Body Award
Recipient: Kylie Lewis
The student body recognizes a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of character, deportment, scholarship, participation in extracurricular activities, and promise of future distinction in the profession of pharmacy. This award is given by the Student Senate and is in memory of George H. Cocolas, PhD ’56, former associate dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
“Kylie Lewis has been described by peers and faculty as demonstrating outstanding character, exceptional professionalism, unwavering dedication, and exemplary scholarship. Kylie has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the PharmD program, served as the Chief Pharmacy Officer for the Student Health Action Coalition, a peer mentor, a teaching assistant, and a graduate research intern in the Brouwer Lab. In addition, she has co-authored several papers, all while working as a pharmacy intern at Harris Teeter and an Infectious Disease Pharmacy Intern at UNC Health.”
The Hampton Shuping Prize
Recipient: Corey Brandon Jr.
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.
“Corey is undoubtedly one of the core pillars of the Kenan-Flagler graduating class. He is president of the program’s Community, Equity and Inclusion Board, works on behalf of the global and admissions teams, has completed many high-profile internships, has excelled academically, is heading to JPMorgan Chase after graduation, and is completing an honors thesis titled, The Paradox of Progressivism: How Chapel Hill’s Housing Policies Reinforce Exclusion. Corey treats everyone with genuine kindness and professionalism, strengthening both team performance and individual belonging. He leads with integrity and honor, generosity and humbleness, modeling what it means to lead with purpose, achievement, and impact both within Kenan-Flagler and beyond.”
The Howard W. Odum Undergraduate Sociology Award
Recipient: Kariss Nevaeh Cone
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.
“Kariss Cone was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Howard W. Odum Undergraduate Sociology Award in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement, research excellence, and intellectual leadership. A double major in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Social and Economic Justice, Kariss has an outstanding academic record. She is also deeply engaged in research across multiple projects and is completing an honors thesis that examines racial and ethnic variation in pregnancy-related distress using advanced quantitative methods. Her work reflects remarkable analytical skill, intellectual creativity, and a strong commitment to sociological inquiry. Kariss exemplifies the rigor, curiosity, and social engagement that the Odum Award was created to honor.”
The Jacques Hardré Undergraduate Award for Excellence in French
Recipient: Olivia Friday
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 and Francophone Studies in the Department of Romance Studies is nominating Olivia Friday for the 2026 Jacques Hardré Undergraduate Award for Excellence in French. Olivia is a double major in Mathematics and French and Francophone Studies, with a minor in African American and Diaspora studies, stellar grades, and a general undergraduate portfolio that speaks to her wide interests. At UNC, Olivia started her French studies with French 105 and rose all the way to advanced undergraduate classes, including a summer with our UNC in Montpellier Summer Program in 2024. Colleagues describe Olivia as a student who consistently does exceptionally accomplished and thoughtful work and who writes with accuracy, fluency, and creativity. Olivia is characterized as a well-rounded student: thoughtful, bright, eager to learn, and open to new perspectives. This semester, Olivia has added the job of peer tutor to her portfolio through the APPLES service-learning component of the UNC undergraduate curriculum. APPLES is a student-led program that builds sustainable, service-learning partnerships among students, faculty, and communities in North Carolina and beyond and it provides undergraduates the opportunity to serve fellow students through tutoring. All colleagues in French and Francophone Studies in the Department of Romance Studies wish Olivia Friday much success for her post-graduation life.”
The L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science
Recipient: Zoe Sinclair
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.
“The 2026 winner of the L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science is Zoe Sinclair. Zoe has a stellar academic record and has conducted research on death sentence practices in the United States. In addition to working as a research and teaching assistant at the university, Zoe used her world-class education to tutor elementary school children, teach at the Boys and Girls Club of Durham, and serve as a substitute teacher in Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. Zoe has also volunteered in the Carolina Community Garden, which provides food for UNC staff members. Zoe’s exemplary scholarly and service record led to her selection as this year’s winner.”
The Louis D. Rubin, Jr. Prize in Creative Writing
Recipient: Keenan Guy
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.
“In a class packed to bursting with talent, Keenan Guy stands out not just for his commitment to storytelling in its many forms, but also for his boundless imagination, his eagerness to experiment, and the poetry he brings to his prose.”
The Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award in Linguistics
Recipient: Andrew Longo
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 Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award was established in 1998 by Sandra Eisdorfer in memory of her son, Marc Adam Eisdorfer, a graduate of the class of 1984. It recognizes the senior judged most outstanding in academic achievement in Linguistics. Andrew was chosen not only because he has excelled in all of his coursework, but also because he has challenged himself beyond the requirements, showed great enthusiasm and curiosity for all topics, was extremely engaged in class participation activities, whether individually or in group, and was also eager to help other students in the class. Andrew has also minored in History, and to quote from his LinkedIn profile, is “an amateur Lego artist” and is “studying to one day be a speech-language pathologist.””
The Marc Adam Eisdorfer Award in Linguistics
Recipient: Naomi Lytle
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.
“Naomi was chosen not only because she has excelled in all of her course work, but also for standing out for her participation in class, whether individually or in group discussions, as well as for her enthusiasm for all things Linguistics, and her great curiosity for research opportunities. Naomi, has also majored in Psychology and minored in Data Science. All three of her subjects speak to her professed interest in “foster[ing] human creativity in an increasingly technological world.””
The Mary Turner Lane Award in Women’s and Gender Studies
Recipient: Sarah Grace Elliott
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.
“The award committee unanimously and enthusiastically recommends Sarah Elliott for the Mary Turner Lane award. Her paper “Inscribed in Permanent Ink: Discipline and Aesthetics within the Prescribed Embodiment of Black and Brown Ballerinas” uses interviews and personal reflection to study women of color in ballet, how they are disciplined into classical aesthetics, and ways in which women of color buoyantly subvert embodiment practices. Elliot’s research contains significant implications for the ways in which our discipline of Women’s and Gender Studies thinks about agency and empowerment. Using narratives and Black Feminist Epistemology, Elliot articulates how the politics of disciplining has a fleshy and material presence in the lives of ballet dancers, and her work brings to life how refusals create embodied possibilities.”
The McNally Award for Excellence in Geography
Recipient: Gabrielle Moreau
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.
“It is my great pleasure, as Director of Undergraduate Studies in Geography and Environment at UNC-Chapel Hill, to nominate Gabrielle Moreau for the Chancellor’s Award / McNally Award. Gabrielle is one of the most exceptional undergraduates our program has seen in recent years. She combines extraordinary intellectual ability with humility, integrity, and a clear vision of her life’s work. I offer this nomination with enthusiasm and without hesitation. Gabrielle is a Robertson Scholar pursuing a dual degree in Geography and Environmental Policy through UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has built a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundation that integrates scientific knowledge with philosophies and political theories for understanding contemporary societies. She is already widely recognized for her achievements, including selection as a Rhodes Scholar for next year, yet what distinguishes Gabrielle is not simply the accumulation of honors, but the depth and seriousness with which she approaches her scholarship and service.”
The Patrick F. Earey Award
Recipient: Haile Vaughan Clayton
Established by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, this 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 the 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.
“Haile was chosen for this award based on her record of outstanding academic, leadership, and extra-curricular experiences at UNC-Chapel Hill. As an Exercise and Sport Science major in the Sport Administration track, Haile has worked in multiple prestigious internships and work experiences in the sport industry. Haile is also a model student, with extremely high character, that has excelled in leadership roles at UNC. Specifically, Haile led a group of Exercise and Sport Science students who won a national sport marketing case competition by designing an innovative sport marketing strategy for the Arizona Cardinals organization of the NFL. This is the first time a UNC team has won this prestigious competition against other peer collegiate programs from across the U.S. Beyond these professional accomplishments, faculty describe Haile as a joy to be around and a curious and engaged student and leader within the Exercise and Sport Science Department.”
The Paul Debreczeny Prize in Slavic Languages and Cultures
Recipient: Nikki Juzaitis
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 section of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures agree: Nicole Juzaitis’s consistently outstanding intellectual and organizational work merits the award of the 2026 Paul E. Debreczeny Prize in Slavic Languages and Literatures. In addition to excelling in acquiring a deep and nuanced understanding of Russian culture in all its complexity and contradictions, Nicole has distinguished herself as a learner of the Russian language. Nicole’s work on behalf of the UNC Women in National Security collective is a testimony to her ability to direct that knowledge toward the strategic interests of the United States of America.”
The Paul E. Shearin Outstanding Senior Award in Physics
Recipient: William Christopher Storch
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.
“William C. Storch is the Chancellor’s Award recipient from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. William is an exceptional undergraduate and researcher in astrophysics whose work already approaches the level of advanced graduate study. He has earned a perfect GPA in physics while conducting research using data from the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmospheres of young exoplanets, combining atmospheric physics, advanced statistical modeling, and large-scale computation. As an undergraduate, William independently reproduced and extended state-of-the-art analyses of real JWST data, and his research has already led to peer-reviewed publications. Our faculty describe him as one of the most talented undergraduate in terms of academic performance and research contributions. William Storch exemplifies the excellence, rigor, and curiosity recognized by the Chancellor’s Awards.”
The Peter C. Baxter Memorial Prize in American Studies
Recipient: Mary Thomas Watkins
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.
“Mary Thomas Watkins was selected for the Peter C. Baxter Memorial Prize in American Studies in recognition of her exceptional intellectual rigor, interdisciplinary scholarship, and deep commitment to the values of the American Studies program. Across multiple courses, she distinguished herself as one of the most thoughtful and articulate students in the department, consistently producing original work that bridges Southern history with contemporary politics. Her scholarship demonstrates a unique ability to pair theoretical sophistication with grounded cultural analysis, exemplified by her incisive research and opinion writing on Southern representation and political performance. Beyond the classroom, Mary Thomas has made meaningful contributions to the program through leadership, public-facing scholarship, and research work with institutions such as the Southern Oral History Program and the Library of Congress. In her intellectual excellence, personal warmth, and generous engagement with peers and faculty alike, she exemplifies the spirit of Peter Baxter and the very best of American Studies.”
The Ria Stambaugh Award for Excellence in German
Recipient: Miyako Briggs
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.
Miyako’s academic work reflects her interdisciplinary profile. She is pursuing dual degrees in Chemistry (Biochemistry concentration) and German Literature and Culture, bringing together scientific inquiry and humanistic perspectives in a way that exemplifies the broad intellectual possibilities of language study. Her experiences abroad further strengthened this commitment: during a highly competitive DAAD RISE research internship in Landau in der Pfalz, Miyako conducted environmental chemistry research in a German-speaking professional setting and later continued her studies during a semester at the University of Freiburg. These experiences allowed her to deepen both her linguistic competence and her intercultural fluency in German academic and research environments.
Read More
In addition to her academic excellence, Miyako has distinguished herself as an emerging educator. In GSLL’s German service-learning course, GERM 307: German for Educational and Community Engagement, she applied pedagogical theory through community teaching as a volunteer German teacher at the German International School of the Triangle in Cary, where instruction takes place entirely in German. There, she demonstrated an intuitive ability to adapt her language and teaching strategies to young learners, creating an engaging and supportive classroom environment. Miyako’s work was so impressive that the school’s director independently inquired whether she might be interested in teaching there on a more permanent basis.
Miyako’s academic excellence, commitment to teaching, and ability to connect scientific, linguistic, and intercultural perspectives make her an outstanding representative of the German program at UNC. For these reasons, the faculty are delighted to recognize Miyako Briggs as this year’s recipient of the Ria Stambaugh Undergraduate Award for Excellence in German.”
The Robert B. House Memorial Prize in Poetry
Recipient: Alexander Gast
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.
“Alexander Gast is a poet who is consistently innovative, brave, rigorous, and moving in his poetic practice. Alex’s thesis, an epic-in-verse, combines historic research alongside poetic imagination, cultivating a lush, sonic collection that speaks towards speculative futures and the limitations (and aftermaths) of a world imposed on by AI. These are poems that remind readers of what makes us unbearably, humorously, lovingly human, and such a reminding is profound. Alex’s attentive approach to the craft and his stewardship of literary arts deserves to be celebrated. I admire this poet’s work, and hope that this award marks just the beginning of what’s to come.”
The Sterling A. Stoudemire Award for Excellence in Spanish
Recipient: Lucas Searles
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 pleased to announce that Lucas Searles was selected for the prestigious Chancellors Award, which is given to the most outstanding student in Spanish. Lucas has shown a deep appreciation for and interest in Spanish languages and cultures, having taken a broad range of courses including Hispanic Film, Spanish for the Legal Professions, and Interpretation, aside from studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. Anyone who has had the pleasure of Lucas’s presence in their class knows he is an insightful, sharp, and perseverant student. While his excellence in the classroom is evidenced by his outstanding academic performance, it is Lucas’s desire to help out the Hispanic community that really stands out. He has helped arrange fun “reading days” for Spanish speaking children through his position as an executive member of the UNC group Semillas de Unidad, solidifying indelible ties between the UNC student community and Chapel Hill’s Spanish speaking community. In addition, he has volunteered his time and used his skills in legal Spanish as a volunteer with Apex Legal Services, further showing his dedication to serving the Spanish speaking communities of NC. We look forward to Lucas’ growth as a legal scholar and advocate for immigrant rights.”
The Undergraduate Award in Economics
Recipient: Agrima Awasthi
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.
“Agrima Awasthi is an exceptional student who has excelled not only in our undergraduate courses but also in our PhD level graduate courses. She has also contributed significantly to the department through her involvement in both the Undergraduate Learning Assistant program and the peer tutoring program. Many faculty members who have worked with her say she is the best undergraduate student they have ever taught. We cannot think of a more deserving candidate for this award.”
The Undergraduate Prize in Art History
Recipient: Madalyn Hutchinson
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.
“Madalyn Hutchinson was nominated by Professor Tania String and Professor Dan Sherman for the Undergraduate Prize in Art History. Professor String says: I have taught Madalyn in two classes: The Arts in England, 1450-1650 and my 2025 Undergraduate Research Seminar, Surf and Turf: Seascapes and Landscapes in Seventeenth-Century Dutch Art. Madalyn’s paper for the research seminar was outstanding, with a deeply researched argument about the migration of Dutch seascape painters to England in the midst of wars between England and the Netherlands. She presented this work in the Ackland’s Semester Revue and received nothing but praise. I am currently supervising Madalyn’s Honors Thesis which arose from the extraordinary research in Surf and Turf.
Read More
Her work is always of the very highest quality, with a research intensity far beyond that of any other student I have taught at the undergraduate level at UNC. Madalyn received a prestigious Robinson Fellowship from Honors Carolina for six weeks of travel in the UK in the summer of 2025 to examine medieval Doom paintings in English parish churches, a project that came out of my Arts in England class, but quickly became an impressive independent exploration. In addition to her academic excellence, Madalyn is serving as the President of the Ackland’s Student Guides (a group which numbers in the many hundreds). Professor Sherman says: Madalyn was a student in four of my classes, from the spring of her first year to the fall of her senior year. She earned an A- in the first class, ARTH 330, Art and the History of Museums, and a solid A in the other three, ARTH 282, Modern Art in Europe 1850-1900; ARTH 283, Picturing Paris, and most recently ARTH 514, Monuments and Memory. Having her in class always made me feel more relaxed about discussions, because I knew there would always be at least one student who had done all the reading carefully and would have thoughtful things to say about it. She is also a tireless researcher and excellent writer, whether the assignment involves primary textual sources (for the museums course), formal analysis, or a deeply researched paper on the history of a monument. I would unhesitatingly rank Madalyn among the top five or six students I have taught in nearly eighteen years at UNC. She richly deserves this award.”
The Venable Medal
Recipient: Genevieve Holliday
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.
“Ms. Genevieve (Gigi) Holliday was selected for the Venable Medal in recognition of her exceptional academic achievements, outstanding research accomplishments, and demonstrated leadership as an undergraduate scientist. With an overall GPA above 3.9, she has distinguished herself academically while making significant contributions to research as a member of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE). She is also preparing to publish two papers based on her current work. Importantly, her research represents an independent, undergraduate-led project—a rare and impressive accomplishment at this level. Ms. Holliday is an extraordinarily talented student and a Morehead-Cain Scholar who exemplifies the very best of Carolina undergraduates. She is intellectually curious, creative, disciplined, and exceptionally capable. Her remarkable academic record and research achievements make her a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”
The Venable Medal
Recipient: Rashmika Revankar
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.
“Ms. Rashmika Revankar was selected in recognition of her outstanding academic performance, research accomplishments, and exemplary leadership within the community. Her 3.99 GPA is truly exceptional—an achievement attained by only a select few chemistry majors. Notably, she has served extensively as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant (ULA) in CHEM 102, CHEM 261, and CHEM 262, serving an extraordinary nine times in total. Course instructors have consistently praised her dedication, reliability, and genuine compassion in supporting fellow students’ learning in chemistry. Within the Department of Chemistry, Rashmika has received numerous honors, including the Sophomore Award, the James Maguire Memorial Award, the Excellence ULA Award, the Rauche-King Undergraduate Student Research Award, and the James Altom Memorial Award. Beyond her academic and departmental contributions, Rashmika has demonstrated a deep commitment to service in her local North Carolina community. She dedicates approximately 15 hours per week as a Patient Care Assistant providing in-home care and an additional 4 hours per week as a hospice volunteer at Parkview Health and Rehab Center. We are proud to have such an exceptional Chemistry student recognized as a Venable Medalist.”
The Wallace Ray Peppers Award in Performance of African and African-American Literature
Recipient: Sarah Grace Elliott
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.
“Sarah was selected for this award because of her exemplary performances in two communication classes: Memory Acts, and Introduction to Performance Studies. She contributed her expertise as an actor and critical thinker by generating insightful embodied and analytical ideas. She developed a moving performance for the Memory Acts class in which she used performance as a way to study and transform a complex traumatic experience. She generated a multi-layered, inter-genre narrative woven into a condense clear composition. She has undergone two distinctly different versions of the performance, moving from a layered interactive structure to a minimalist set, demonstrating her versatility as a performer. She has achieved a poetic transposition of the events that actualized performance as a way to make sense out of experiences beyond ideas, critical questioning, and story-telling. She is majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies, and minoring in African-American and Diaspora Studies and Creative writing.”
The William Stevens Powell Award
Recipient: Maya Ann Musselman
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.
Read More
She traces this shifting history, including the 1993 abolition of spousal immunity for sexual assault and continuing into the present with an exploration of the heteronormativity of state designations of sexual assault and violence. While this research is itself an impressive and important accomplishment, the presentation of the project is particularly noteworthy: Maya created an elaborate paper wedding dress constructed of legal statutes and court records, carefully designed in layers that reflect specific elements of the history it documents. As Professor Shields describes: “By transforming legal history into a visually compelling medium—a meticulously crafted wedding dress—Maya united various humanities disciplines and made complex legal and feminist theories accessible to a broader audience.” Maya Musselman has made a powerful contribution to our understanding of North Carolina history and its implications for the state’s changing legal and cultural landscapes.”
The Worth Award
Recipient: Tara Chen
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.
“Tara is a double major in History and Philosophy. She is graduating this Spring with a stellar 3.95 GPA. She is finishing an excellent senior thesis on burdensome work (a form of alienating work composed of rote tasks that stifle workers’ intellectual, creative, autonomous, and social capacities). In her thesis, she provides both a novel conceptual analysis of burdensome work and a normative argument to the effect that a liberal state may justly require all citizens to perform a limited period of socially necessary burdensome work to secure fair conditions of freedom. Tara has made many outstanding contributions to the UNC philosophy community since arriving here as a transfer student from Virginia Tech in 2024. She has served as an editor for Aperto Animo (UNC’s undergraduate philosophy journal), and she has been closely involved with the undergraduate Philosophy Club, various reading groups, and the Parr Center for Ethics. At the Parr Center, she is an Ethics Scholar; students who participate in the Ethics Scholar program invest significant time and effort in ethical reflection, leadership, and skills development over two years. She has also performed highly valuable service for the broader academic community, for instance, through peer mentoring for women in philosophy.”