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 Spanish College of Arts and Letters
Rachel Bolden Elementary Education College of Education
Rachel Bomalaski University Studies University College
Armondo Escalanti Criminology and Criminal Justice College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Zachary Juergens Accountancy W.A. Franke College of Business
Jacob Marshall Nursing College of Health and Human Services
Sheridan Martini Chemistry certified by American Chemical Society College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
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 Comparative Cultural Studies Sara Aleman, Sociology and Social Work
Kali Bills Exercise Science Dierdra Bycura, Health Sciences
Danielle Bryant Elementary Education Barbara Veltri, College of Education
Alexander Carel Electronic Media and Film Production Paul Helford, School of Communication
May Ang Delfin Nursing Christina Mooroian-Pennington, School of Nursing
Alejandro Estrella-Lopez Instrumental Music Education and Performance Honors Program Tom Sheeley, School of Music
I-Ven Foong Psychology Jaimee Limmer, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Erin Freriks Elementary Education Brian Stone, College of Education
Elyssa Hartsock Chemistry, Criminology and Criminal Justice Sharon Lovich, Hotel and Restaurant Management
Austin Hasquet Biomedical Science Andy Thompson, Athletics
Jacob Marshall Nursing Katherine Watkins, School of Nursing
Shannon McClain Exercise Science Honors Program Sara Jarvis, Biological Sciences
Stephanie Mendizabal Biomedical Science Dulce Soto, Inclusion and Multicultural Services
Jackson Ramler Theatre – Performance Mac Groves, Theatre Department
Priscilla Rivera Biomedical Science and Chemistry Brittany Johnson, Housing and Residence Life
Tatum Rochin Journalism Kim Bruno, Athletics
Haley Shukert Elementary and Special Education, Spanish Gerald Wood, College of Education
Emily Tomjack Finance Matthew Haertzen, W.A. Franke College of Business
Christina Tymchak Elementary and Special Education Christopher Lanterman, College of Education
Todd Whitney Emergency Management, Public Administration Marcie Delmotte, NAU Yuma
Jisella Williams Elementary Education Honors Program Melissa Settle, College of Education
Janice Wilson Nursing Diane Stearns, Chemistry and Biochemistry