Outstanding First Year: Gracie Woodford ’26

Beatrice von Keller Award: Allie Allen’25 and Elizabeth Bailey ’25

Mary Frances Williams Award: Andi Curtis ’23

Best Senior Paper: Savannah Grace Duckworth ’23

Asian and Chinese Studies

Marilyn S. Murray Asian Studies Award: Keyu Liao ’23
Given to an outstanding student in Asian Studies.

Biology

Sophomore Biology Award: Sam Hey ’25
Recognizes outstanding new Bachelor of Science majors. The recipient displays a keen interest in biology and has the overall highest GPA.

Ann Grant Gerhardt Scholarship: Alula Gidey ’24
Given to an outstanding junior biology major. This award was established through the generosity of family and friends in memory of Ann Grant Gerhardt, assistant professor of biology emerita.

Grace Taylor Wiltshire HA Award: Alison Reyes Merced ’24
Presented to graduating biology seniors who have a record of academic excellence within the major. The award is funded and endowed through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Wiltshire, Jr.

Marnie Reed Crowell Summer Scholarship in Field Biology: Izaiah Burgos ’24

Chemistry

Chemistry Senior Award: Jennifer Moore ’23

First-Year Chemistry Award: Greg Wietrzykowski ’26, Maria Santos Agreda ’24 , and Paige Scruggs ’24

James Lewis Howe Award: Jennifer Moore ’23
Presented by the Virginia Blue Ridge Section of the American Chemical Society to an outstanding senior from each of the colleges in the region. The recipient is a senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the major; and shows potential for contribution to the chemical profession.

Classics

Exemplary Classics Student: Kylie Edington ’23
Given to students who set a standard for their peers in classics for engagement and accomplishment both in classes and in activities outside the classroom, helping to shape our current and future community of classics.

Communication Studies 

Carla Heath/James Hoban Award: Olivia Galbraith ’26 and Ellie Compton ’26

James Carey/Marie Nichols Award: Mengna Zhao ’23

Dance

Rebecca Jung Award: Mitchell Ngwenya ’25
Established by Jeanie Jung, R-MWC class of ’54 and is named for her daughter, Rebecca Jung. Becky, a long time dancer with Pilobulos, was a frequent visiting artist from 2000-2011.

Sally Spencer Award: Clara Jean Sims ’26
This award provides support for the College’s Visiting Artist Program in Dance through the generosity of Elizabeth Earle Kojaian ’84 in memory of her classmate, Sally Marie Spencer ’84.

Helen McGehee Award: Jadin Wilkening ’24
This award is an anonymous gift established in honor of Helen McGehee ’42, professor of dance and director of the Visiting Artist Program, Emerita.

Economics & Business

Carl Stern Award for Excellence in Economics: Natalia Hernandez Berrios ’23
Established by alumnae and friends in the Campaign for Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, 1980-1985 in honor of economics faculty emeritus member Carl Stern.

Stan Marshall Award for Excellence in Business: Daniel Bickey ’23

Education

Kathleen Bowman Education Research Award: Kelli Gajewski ’23

English

Academy of American Poets 1st Prize, undergraduate: Hannah Russler ’25

Academy of American Poets 1st Prize, M.F.A.: Rene Mullen ’25

Academy of American Poets – Honorable Mention: Zachary Bishop ’24

The Academy of American Poets sponsors over 200 annual prizes for poetry at colleges and universities nationwide. The recipient is chosen by an off-campus established poet.

Margaret I. Raynal Prize for Creative Prose: Hannah Lambach ’24

Margaret I. Raynal Prize for Creative Prose – Honorable Mention: Aaron Scott ’24

Given in memory of a beloved English professor for the best short story. The recipient is chosen by an off-campus established writer.

John P. Kirby Explicator Prize: Hope Dyer ’26
Established by contributions from The Explicator Foundation and friends of Kirby, former chairman of the English department. The award is given in his memory for the best close reading of prose, poetry, or drama.

Environmental Studies

Outstanding Environmental Studies Student: Trinity Shirlen ’26
Honors the student who has demonstrated the greatest academic achievement in environmental studies classes over the current academic year, as determined collectively by the faculty.

Senior Award in Environmental Studies: Gabriel Quintero ’23 and Abby Whitlock ’23
Honors the graduating environmental studies or science major who has shown the highest level of ability and achievement in and out of the classroom over the course of her/his environmental program.

History

Lura Lee Cannon Stephens ’11 Prize in History: Kylie Edington ’23
This prize was established by Mr. and Mrs. Bart N. Stephens (Barrett Krausz ‘45). The recipient is a student of promise who is majoring in history.

Mathematics and Computer Science

Outstanding First Year Student: Greg Wietrzykowski ’26 and Pablo Leyva ’26
Recognizes the outstanding achievement in mathematics of a first or second year student.

Museum & Heritage Studies

Louise Jordan Smith Award: Carmen Gruebl ’23

Music

Vocal Promise Award: Even Tyree ’26
Presented to a student who demonstrates promise and ability in vocal music.

Physics & Engineering

Outstanding First Year Engineering Student: Jason Farnsworth ’26
These students have stood out academically in physics class or in research while in their first year.

Outstanding Student Leader in Political Science or Global Studies: Megan Westerman ’23
Awarded to a student whose academic work and leadership contributions have strengthened the program and the campus community.

Outstanding Senior in Political Science or Global Studies: Natalia Hernandez Berrios ’23
Awarded to a student whose work during his or her time at Randolph produced exceptional research and writing in political science.

Psychology

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in Psychology: Haley Mundy ’23
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in his or her academic work and scholarly endeavors.

Frank Murray Award: Daniel Allee ’23, Hanan Davis ’23, and Keyu Liao ’23
Named for a long-standing member of the psychology department, it is awarded to the best senior projects in psychology.

Sociology

Shirley W. Strickland Award: Kylie Stark ’24
The award is a gift from alumnae majors in honor of Shirley W. Strickland ’45, professor of sociology and anthropology for 31 years. A prize is awarded each year to the outstanding rising junior or rising senior majoring in sociology.

Outstanding Senior: Ty Clingerman ’23
The sociology department chooses students based on their overall record in the major. The award recognizes outstanding seniors that have done well academically and have demonstrated a high level of commitment, interest, and service within the department and to the larger community.

Sport and Exercise Studies

Outstanding Sport and Exercise Achievement: Kaila Lietz ’22
Presented to a senior who has demonstrated academic excellence, insightful discussion skills, and commitment to sport and exercise studies endeavors in and out of the classroom.

Theatre

Outstanding Contribution in Theatre: Tanner Cochran ’24
Presented to the theatre student or students whose contributions to the department and the WildCat Theatre production season has distinguished them in their pursuit of theatre as a career.

Academic Achievement Award in Theatre: Zann Krage ’26
Given in recognition of the theatre major who has achieved the highest cumulative G.P.A. and consistently made outstanding contributions to and in support of theatre programs.

The Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College 

Helen Owen Calvert Writing Award: Savannah Grace Duckworth ’23

Center for Student Research

Summer Research Program Best Oral Presentation: Isaac Carney ’24
As assessed by all the faculty in the 2022 Summer Research Program, the award is presented to the student with the best oral presentation.

Academic Services Center

Tutor of the Year: Alison Reyes Merced ’24
Acknowledges excellence in tutoring and someone who often goes above and beyond to help students.

Ambassador Award: Elana West-Smith ’24
Recognizes a student who is committed to student success and often goes above and beyond for the center.

Leadership Recognition

Outstanding Davenport Leader: Elana West-Smith ’24
The Office of Campus Life recognizes a Davenport Leader that exceeds expectations and makes a significant impact for first-year students through mentoring and modeling the way.

Outstanding Randolph Programming Member: Alexis Connor ’26
The Randolph Programming Board (RPB) is Randolph College’s very own student-run programming board. RPB recognizes a student member for work that exceeds the organization’s expectations.

Dorothy Hughes Award: Jordyn Shumpert ’25
First given in the late 1980s, the Dorothy Hughes Award recognizes outstanding contributions to campus life through work as a Resident Assistant. Criteria for this award includes fulfilling all expectations of the RA position, challenging peers and staff, supporting diversity, being a positive role model in the campus community, and making significant contributions to the residential life of the campus.

Outstanding Gold Key Guide: Kylie Edington ’23

Rookie Gold Key Guide of the Year: Brandon Harrison ’23

Outstanding Community Fellow: Hanan Davis ’23

ABCD Award: Mia Wright ’23
This award recognizes a student who has gone above and beyond the call of duty while supporting and positively impacting the College.

Outstanding Behind-the-Scenes Contributor Award: Hanan Davis ’23 and Genesis Ward-Jones ’23
Although the student’s leadership contribution was behind the scenes, this award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding campus leadership that had a significant influence on student life.

Outstanding Contributor to Intercultural Awareness Award: Jacqueline Clardy-Josephs ’23
Recognizes an individual who has made specific contributions to the campus community by promoting intercultural understanding through programming or personal involvement. This person has done a significant amount of work on social justice issues and fostering an equitable community in which members feel more safe and secure.

Student-Mentor Award: Jordyn Shumpert ’25 and Olivia Richards ’23
Recognizes a student who has effectively mentored younger students within an organization, sister class, or in general at Randolph College.

Initiative Award: Josh Bowes ’23
This award recognizes a student who has shown outstanding leadership contributions whose initiation had a significant impact on student life at Randolph College.

Continued Excellence Award: Beth Gafford and Donna Burckhard
This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has gone above and beyond to advise students and support them in their endeavors.

Virginia Hill Worden Exemplary Leadership Award: Hannah Cloven ’24
Presented to a rising senior who demonstrates courage, grace, energy, humor, and creativity through campus leadership, particularly on challenging or contentious issues. The award was established in honor of Virginia Hill Worden ’69 and her contributions to her alma mater as interim president in 2006- 2007.

Volunteer Leadership Award: Keyu Liao ’23
Established by an alumna and her husband to recognize a student who shows great promise of leadership as a member of the alumnae body. The recipient of this award is an individual who has set an example for leadership through volunteer efforts benefiting the College with service in such areas as admissions, alumnae relations, special events, development and other external relations programs, and through encouragement of others to provide such service as well.

Rachel Dean Memorial Award: Megan Westerman ’23
Established in memory of Rachel Dean, class of 2003, to commemorate the spirit and enthusiasm she demonstrated for the College, and presented to a member of the graduating class in odd years who has contributed to class and school spirit, leadership, and demonstrated interest in a career in government service.

Dean’s Leadership Award: Natalia Hernandez Berrios ’23
Recognizes a graduating senior who has made a significant impact on student life and the campus community through progressive leadership, responsibility within an organization, or through participation in a variety of activities. The Dean of Students and the Provost jointly consider and select the recipient based on academic and co-curricular contributions to the College.

Student of the Year Award: Zu Elkhansa ’23
This award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and integrity as a member of the College community.

Alula Gidey ’24
Angelica Rodriguez ’25
Natty Stanley ’25

Our Emerging Leaders Institute is a semester-long introduction to leadership that explores various aspects of leadership and helps students understand what it means to be a leader at Randolph College and beyond. Participants learn more about themselves, enhance their skills, and develop a plan to exercise leadership on campus and in the community. Recipients of this award have completed at least 9 or more Lunch and Leadership sessions virtually during the 2022-23 academic year.