Exemplary seniors shine during awards ceremony

Distinguished seniors and their awards

 

President's Prize Dec 2014
President’s Prize winners Shannon McClain (left) and Haley Shukert pose with President Cheng during the Nov. 13 ceremony.

Dozens of graduating seniors received golden honors Thursday night during a reception where they were recognized for their contributions to Northern Arizona University.

Twenty-two students received the university’s coveted Gold Axe Award for their achievements. Two of the winners—Shannon McClain and Haley Shukert—also received the prestigious President’s Prize for their exemplary leadership, academic excellence and service to the NAU community.

Eight students pictured below also were named Distinguished Seniors by their college. The awards were announced at the Gold Axe and Distinguished Seniors awards banquet in the Ashurst Auditorium.

Rylie Backus
Rylie Backus
Spanish
College of Arts and Letters

Rachel Bolden
Rachel Bolden
Elementary Education
College of Education

Rachel Bomalaski
Rachel Bomalaski
University Studies
University College

Armondo Escalanti
Armondo Escalanti
Criminology and Criminal Justice
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Zachary Juergens
Zachary Juergens
Accountancy
W.A. Franke College of Business

Jacob Marshall
Jacob Marshall
Nursing
College of Health and Human Services

Sheridan Martini
Sheridan Martini
Chemistry certified by American Chemical Society
College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences

Valerie Schwinghamer
Valerie Schwinghamer
Business Administration
Extended Campuses

The tradition of the Gold Axe Award dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for Lumberjack athletics. It was then that NAU adopted the tradition of awarding small gold axe pins to outstanding members of the student body. To this day, the gold axe pin is considered the official emblem of the Associated Students of NAU and is presented each semester to recognize students’ outstanding achievements and distinguished service to the university and the greater community.

Students selected for a Gold Axe Award also are eligible for the President’s Prize, considered the highest student recognition from the university. After reviewing all the Gold Axe nominations, a universitywide committee makes its recommendations to President Rita Cheng, who then selects the President’s Prize winners.

Below are the winners of this semester’s Gold Axe awards, along with the NAU faculty or staff member the students named as having the most significant impact on them during their undergraduate career. View a photo album from the event online.

Sharon Baudelaire
Sharon Baudelaire
Comparative Cultural Studies
Sara Aleman, Sociology and Social Work

Kali Bills
Kali Bills
Exercise Science
Dierdra Bycura, Health Sciences

Danielle Bryant
Danielle Bryant
Elementary Education
Barbara Veltri, College of Education

Alexander Carel
Alexander Carel
Electronic Media and Film Production
Paul Helford, School of Communication

May Ang Delfin
May Ang Delfin
Nursing
Christina Mooroian-Pennington, School of Nursing

Alejandro Estrella-Lopez
Alejandro Estrella-Lopez
Instrumental Music Education and Performance
Honors Program
Tom Sheeley, School of Music

I-Ven Foong
I-Ven Foong
Psychology
Jaimee Limmer, Criminology and Criminal Justice

Erin Freriks
Erin Freriks
Elementary Education
Brian Stone, College of Education

Elyssa Hartsock
Elyssa Hartsock
Chemistry, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Sharon Lovich, Hotel and Restaurant Management

Austin Hasquet
Austin Hasquet
Biomedical Science
Andy Thompson, Athletics

Jacob Marshall
Jacob Marshall
Nursing
Katherine Watkins, School of Nursing

Shannon McClain
Shannon McClain
Exercise Science
Honors Program
Sara Jarvis, Biological Sciences

Stephanie Mendizabal
Stephanie Mendizabal
Biomedical Science
Dulce Soto, Inclusion and Multicultural Services

Jackson Ramler
Jackson Ramler
Theatre – Performance
Mac Groves, Theatre Department

Priscilla Rivera
Priscilla Rivera
Biomedical Science and Chemistry
Brittany Johnson, Housing and Residence Life

Tatum Rochin
Tatum Rochin
Journalism
Kim Bruno, Athletics

Haley Shukert
Haley Shukert
Elementary and Special Education, Spanish
Gerald Wood, College of Education

Emily Tomjack
Emily Tomjack
Finance
Matthew Haertzen, W.A. Franke College of Business

Christina Tymchak
Christina Tymchak
Elementary and Special Education
Christopher Lanterman, College of Education

Bryan Whitney
Todd Whitney
Emergency Management, Public Administration
Marcie Delmotte, NAU Yuma

Jisella Williams
Jisella Williams
Elementary Education
Honors Program
Melissa Settle, College of Education

Janice Wilson
Janice Wilson
Nursing
Diane Stearns, Chemistry and Biochemistry