Outstanding seniors celebrated during awards ceremony
President Rita Cheng poses with President’s Prize winners during the April 15 ceremony. From left: Jillian Zuniga, Shannon Erickson, Claire Bergstresser, President Cheng, Glenda Chavez and Carina Salvatore.
Wednesday night was a golden moment for dozens of graduating seniors as they received honors recognizing them for their contributions to Northern Arizona University.
Forty-three students received the university’s coveted Gold Axe Award for their achievements. Five of the winners—Claire Bergstresser, Glenda Chavez, Shannon Erickson, Carina Salvatore and Jillian Zuniga—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 Ashurst Auditorium.
Stephanie Gillooly Public Health College of Health and Human Services
Erin Gooch Art Education, Ceramics College of Arts and Letters
Paula Jones Electronic Media and Film with a double emphasis in Screenwriting and Producing College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Rebecca Kepner Special and Elementary Education College of Education
Jenna Mann Applied Human Behavior Extended Campuses
Jacqueline Richwine University Studies University College
Alyssa Whittemore Mathematics College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
Danielle Zerr Accountancy W.A. Franke College of Business
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.
Regina Austin Women and Gender Studies Kevin Chase, First-Generation Programs
Sean Begay Construction Management Robert Bruner, Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Environmental Engineering
Claire Bergstresser Criminology and Criminal Justice, Politics and Law Gretchen Gee, Politics and International Affairs
Scott Boling Forestry Kevin Chase, First-Generation Programs
Kellen Brandel Spanish Rick Brandel, Student Life
Jacqueline Brown Public Health Steven “Keola” Wong, First-Generation Programs
Diane Buzzard Civil Engineering Robin Tuchscherer, Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Environmental Engineering
Jodi Calis Biomedical Science Robert Kellar, Biological Sciences
Glenda Chavez Business Management T. Mark Montoya, Ethnic Studies