Four of Northern Arizona University’s graduating seniors have been singled out to receive the prestigious President’s Prize for their exemplary leadership, academic excellence and service to the NAU community.
The awards were announced at the Gold Axe and Distinguished Seniors Awards Banquet on Tuesday night at the High Country Conference Center, where the four—Jennifer Baca, Kathleen Templin, Feng (Bruce) Wang and Michelle Wong—were among 45 students receiving the coveted Gold Axe Award for their achievements.
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. The gold axe pin is still considered the official emblem of the Associated Students of NAU and is presented to recognize students’ outstanding achievement 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 John Haeger, who then selects the President’s Prize winners.
Also during the ceremony, six students were named as Distinguished Seniors by their college:
College of Health and Human Services Yeimi Carmona Nursing
College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences Kimberly Ward-Duong Physics, Astronomy, Math
The W.A. Franke College of Business Brian Kent Accounting
College of Arts and Letters Wendy Bustamante Philosophy
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Michael Thompson Photography, Journalism and Advertising
Not pictured: The College of Education’s Brenna Johnson, Elementary Education
Below are this year’s Gold Axe Award winners, along with the NAU faculty or staff member the students named as having the most significant impact on them during their undergraduate career.
Layne Alexander Psychology Nicole Morrow Program Coordinator, Academic Affairs
Riin Allikmaa Accounting Deborah Harris Associate Dean, Student Life
Jennifer Baca Mechanical Engineering Erin Stam Manager, Residence Life
Ashli Benally Psychology/Criminology and Criminal Justice Andrew Walters Associate Professor, Psychology
Maryrose Bisagna Mechanical Engineering Clyde Holland Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Amanda Bollard Speech-Language Pathology Wendy Wallace Director, Educational Support Services
Ryan Bye Geography Wendy Wallace Director, Educational Support Services
Patricia “Abbey” Caballero International Affairs Sara Alemán Director, Ethnic Studies
Alexandria Campos Liberal Studies, Learning and Pedagogy Valeria Chase Program Coordinator, Multicultural Student Center
Lanette Christensen Microbiology Jeff Leid Associate Professor of Biology
Anna Clark Exercise Science Diana Ulrey Program Coordinator, Athletics
Paige Cooper Biology Rick Brandel Dean of Students
Meghan Cox Political Science Amanda Loveless Coordinator, Student Life
Hanh Dung Dao Biology Tim Whittier Assistant Professor, NAU-Yuma
Zoey DeWolf Speech Communication Julie Kalil-Schutten Assistant Professor, School of Communication
Jenna Galloway Electronic Media and Film Kenneth “Charlie” Hicks Lecturer, School of Communication
Nicole Greenough Psychology/Criminology and Criminal Justice Andrew Walters Associate Professor, Psychology
