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Honors Day 2021

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President Ellis Arnold '79 and Joe Coker '21, winner of the President's Medal; photo by Nelson Chenault

CONWAY, Ark. (April 29, 2021) — Hendrix College students received honors for outstanding academic achievement, citizenship, and service today at the 2021 Honors Day Convocation. The ceremony was held in the Wellness and Athletics Center with limited attendance and other COVID-19 health and safety protocols. 

“This is a joyful day for the College, as we recognize the accomplishments and contributions of so many members of our community,” said Hendrix President Ellis Arnold. “The academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular achievements recognized today grow from our historic mission to develop the whole person and our reputation for excellence.”

Joe Coker, a senior physics major from Conway, Arkansas, is the recipient of the 2021 President’s Medal, which is presented each year to the graduating student who best exemplifies the highest ideals of the College. Criteria include excellence in scholarship, outstanding citizenship, and service to the community. Each year’s recipient of the President’s Medal is named by the President of the College upon the recommendation of a nomination group.

Coker plans to attend graduate school at Portland State University to study mechanical engineering. He is the son of Keith ’87 and Sarah Meriwether Coker ’88, and the grandson of former Hendrix College professor Robert “Bob” Meriwether ’49.

Prior to the departmental academic awards, Hendrix Provost Dr. Terri Bonebright presented three awards to faculty members.

Biology professor Dr. Jennifer Dearolf received the Carole Herrick Award for Excellence in Academic Advising, which recognizes high-quality academic advising, including contributions in advising that help students formulate and achieve their intellectual, career, and personal goals.

Anthropology professor Dr. Anne Goldberg received the Dr. Dionne Bennett Jackson Prize for Diversity and Inclusion, which recognizes and rewards one faculty or staff member for their demonstrated contributions to cultivating and nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming campus community.

English professor Dr. Toni Jaudon received the 2020-2021 United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching; civility and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; and service to students, the institution, and community.

View the Honors Day 2021 photo album

[NOTE: Please notify  news@hendrix.edu if there are any mistakes or omissions in the list of award winners. Questions related to graduation with distinction should be directed to the Registrar:  registrar@hendrix.edu.]  

Departmental Academic Award Recipients

Art      

  • Greta Kresse — Service to the Department, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Michaela Thaibinh — Don and Camilla Marr Endowed Art Scholarship          
  • Arthur Trickett-Wile — Service to the Department, Graduating with Distinction            

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology   

  • Finn Beruldsen — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Danielle Dilday — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Karen Morris — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Kevin Nguyen — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Savannah Wiegel — Bruce W. Haggard Award, Graduating with Distinction   
  • Tristan Wiles — Graduating with Distinction       

Biology          

  • Emily Baldwin — Earle A. Spessard Biology Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Alex Heringer — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Eric Horan — Albert M. Raymond AED Award 
  • Vaneeza Mukhtar — Keith Sutton Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Nicolas Nahas — Johnson Biology Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Krishna Patel — Dr. G. Thomas Clark Biology Award, Graduating with Distinction 

Biology/Health Science      

  • Drew Dundee — Jim Kelly Award, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Leylah Esmail — Graduating with Distinction
  • Jackie Greenwell — Graduating with Distinction
  • Blake Hinton — Graduating with Distinction
  • Brooke Lowry — Graduating with Distinction
  • Anna McCreight — Graduating with Distinction
  • MaKenzie Presley — Graduating with Distinction
  • Brent Strunk — Graduating with Distinction
  • Christy Tran — Graduating with Distinction 

Chemistry      

  • Tucker Andrews — Physical Chemistry Award, Graduating with Distinction 
  • Finn Beruldsen — Organic Chemistry Award 
  • Colin Bridges — Analytical Chemistry Award 
  • Kaleigh Coker — John E. Stuckey Award in First Year Chemistry
  • Martin Dyer — John E. Stuckey Award in First Year Chemistry
  • Miles Johnson — McHenry Chemistry Award, Graduating with Distinction   
  • Madelyn Klinkerman — ACS Inorganic Chemistry Award, McHenry Chemistry Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Kameron Molloy — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Rebecca Parham — American Institute of Chemists Award, McHenry Chemistry Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Isa Trevino — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Ramy Yousef — Robert W. Schidler Chemistry Award        
  • Connie Zhang — Teague Service Award            

Classics          

  • Morgan Akers — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Kyle Rutherford — Graduating with Distinction       

Economics and Business    

  • Romee Blokland — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Joshua Cole — E.W. Martin Memorial Accounting Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Nathan Evans — Frank Dicken McAlister Memorial Scholarship 
  • Carl Fitch — James C. Pruden Memorial Scholarship     
  • Hayley Haden — Mosley Economics and Business Award          
  • Russell Jackson — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Levi Jones — Graduating with Distinction            
  • Zoe Kobriger — Graduating with Distinction      
  • John Medick — Graduating with Distinction
  • Ivy Monroe — E.W. Martin Memorial Accounting Award, Graduating with Distinction      
  • Josh Neuman — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Emily Stockalper — Eloise W. Raymond Masters Award
  • Ben Zeidman — Graduating with Distinction       

English          

  • Lily Bay — Isaac Andrew Campbell Memorial Prize
  • Sarah Brady — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Zelda Engeler-Young — McCuistion English Prize, Kenneth Story Best Senior Thesis Award, Graduating with Distinction           
  • Maia Henderson — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Quinn Johnson — Isaac Andrew Campbell Memorial Prize, McCuistion English Prize, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Rebecca Jolley — Kenneth Story Best Senior Thesis Award Graduating with Distinction      
  • MiKayla Millard — Kenneth Story Best Senior Thesis Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Sophie O’Reilly — Robert L. Campbell-Walter A. Moffatt Award        
  • Sophia Stolkey — Robert L. Campbell-Walter A. Moffatt Award        
  • Connie Zhang — Graduating with Distinction       

Environmental Studies        

  • Bethanie Gourley — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Peyton Hall — Graduating with Distinction            

French           

  • Cassidy Favorite — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Alyssa Jones — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Olivia Kelley — Graduating with Distinction       

History          

  • Michael Burchfield — Graduating with Distinction      
  • George Burson — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Rachel Chenault — Richard B. Yates Prize, Graduating with Distinction
  • Mykala Delk — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Hannah Diggs — Larson Prize           
  • Cooper Grimes — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Elizabeth Jones — James Jennings Prize, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Rachel Koch — Richard B. Yates Prize, Graduating with Distinction   

Interdisciplinary Studies      

  • Max Applegate — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Roth Coats — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Ashlynn Fuccello — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Hayley Haden — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Quinn Johnson — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Rebecca Jolley — Graduating with Distinction  
  • Kailey Miller — Graduating with Distinction
  • Olivia Moore — Graduating with Distinction 

Mathematics and Computer Science          

  • Emily Freeman — Parker Undergraduate Research Award          
  • Jack Lester — Parker Undergraduate Research Award, Graduating with Distinction  
  • Cameron Minor — Hogan Mathematics Prize, Graduating with Distinction
  • Innocent Nsabimana — Robert Eslinger Computer Science Award, Graduating with Distinction  
  • Eric Pinter — Hogan Mathematics Prize, Robert Eslinger C.S. Award, Graduating with Distinction            
  • David Pojunas — Graduating with Distinction
  • Thanaphat Seeboonruang — McHenry-Lane Mathematics Award       
  • Kevin Trickey — Graduating with Distinction 

Music 

  • Halie Booth — Robert McGill Endowed Scholarship
  • Somi Mathews — Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra Award     
  • MiKayla Millard — Ashley R. Coffman Wind Ensemble Award           
  • Rosemarie Ochoa — Hendrix Choir Student Recognition Award, Graduating with Distinction in Music        

Neuroscience

  • Allison Long — Graduating with Distinction
  • Kristen North — Graduating with Distinction 

Philosophy    

  • Lydia Sullinger — Robert G. Shoemaker Award

Physics          

  • Jeremy Choh — Joe G. Robbins Physics Award 
  • Joe Coker — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Ivan Midtbust Heger — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Kevin Trickey — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Mayra Velazquez — Joe G. Robbins Physics Award             

Politics and International Relations           

  • Matthew Haley — John A. Ziegler Law Award, Graduating with Distinction   
  • Olivia Kelley — Graduating with Distinction
  • Bailey Lindsey — William C. Buthman Prize in Politics, Graduating with Distinction
  • Monica Martinez — Brandon Matthew Ryan Scholarship        
  • Kavi Modi — John A. Ziegler Law Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Lauren Porter — William C. Buthman Prize in Politics, Graduating with Distinction
  • Aubrey Wasden — Ian T. King Prize in International Relations, Graduating with Distinction

Psychology    

  • Aleeya Cain — Graduating with Distinction            
  • Hayley Chunn — Margaret E. Fitch Award, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Abygail Jewell — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Loren Marshall — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Abby Nathan — Margaret E. Fitch Award, Graduating with Distinction    
  • Kristen North — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Olivia Reames — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Jackson Sims — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Andrea Stitt — Graduating with Distinction            
  • Hali Wilder — Graduating with Distinction 

Religious Studies      

  • Lexie Burleson — Graduating with Distinction  
  • Jackie Greenwell — Moore Religion Award, Graduating with Distinction  
  • Grace Rogers — Moore Religion Award, Graduating with Distinction  

Sociology/Anthropology     

  • Jazmine Denney — Ferris C. Baker Sociology Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Mallory Magruder — Juanita D. Sandford Social Justice Award, Graduating with Distinction
  • Dana Pumphrey — Graduating with Distinction 

Spanish          

  • Kirstyn Baker — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Danielle Bootz — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Peyton Hall — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Eric Horan — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Madelyn Klinkerman — Graduating with Distinction      
  • MiKayla Millard — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Rosemarie Ochoa — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Maranda Pouncy — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Isa Trevino — Graduating with Distinction           
  • Hunter Trussell — Graduating with Distinction       

Theatre Arts and Dance      

  • Britani Campbell-Nowlin — Graduating with Distinction          
  • Danielle Carney — Graduating with Distinction      
  • Peter Grant — Rosemary E. Henenberg Scholarship     
  • Shaundraya Jackson — Dr. And Mrs. F. Marion Tolleson Prize
  • Cole McVay — Vivian Hill Drama Award, Graduating with Distinction    
  • R Petelle — Ella Myrl Shanks Scholarship           
  • Jadyn Stewart — Graham-Duncan Award           
  • Bailey Wooldridge — Dr. And Mrs. F. Marion Tolleson Prize 

Other Awards

Fullbright U.S. Student Program    

  • Elizabeth Jones

Graduating with Distinction in Odyssey    

  • Gwen Boone
  • Natalie Carter
  • Brittany Chue
  • Haley Chunn
  • Jackie Greenwell
  • Alyssa Jones
  • Elizabeth Jones
  • Madelyn Klinkerman
  • MiKayla Millard
  • Kailey Miller
  • Ivy Monroe
  • Rebecca Parham
  • Lauren Porter
  • Grace Rogers
  • Aubrey Wasden
  • Savannah Wiegel 

Murphy Scholars in Literature and Language 2021 Graduates

  • Morgan Anne Akers
  • Kirstyn Elizabeth Baker
  • Sarah E. Brady
  • Amy Cabrera
  • Danielle Nicole Carney
  • Natalie Brooke Burgess Carter
  • Brittany Frances Chue
  • Jazmine Marie Denney
  • Danielle Elizabeth Dilday
  • Zelda Mars Engeler-Young
  • Maia Ivory-Stean Henderson
  • Quinn Carver Johnson
  • Madelyn Ann Klinkerman
  • Mallory Magruder
  • Kailey Genevieve Miller
  • Rosemarie Ochoa
  • Maranda N. Pouncy
  • Portia Risa Renée
  • Jackson Thomas Sims
  • Lydia K. Sullinger
  • Lydia C. Weidman
  • Savannah Jo Wiegel

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

  • Katherine Parham

Phi Beta Kappa        

  • Finn Beruldsen
  • Danielle Bootz
  • Britani Campbell-Nowlin
  • Drew Dundee
  • Zelda Engeler-Young
  • Ashlynn Fuccello
  • Matthew Hayley
  • Madelyn Klinkerman
  • Rachel Koch
  • Aaron Lombardi
  • Ra Lummus
  • Ivan Midtbust Heger
  • MiKayla Millard
  • Kailey Miller
  • Ivy Monroe
  • Abby Nathan
  • Kevin Nguyen
  • Rosemarie Ochoa
  • Rebecca Parham
  • Eric Pinter
  • Jackson Sims
  • Arthur Trickett-Wile
  • Hunter Trussell
  • Aubrey Wasden
  • Lydia Weidman
  • Savannah Wiegel
  • Tristian Wiles

Student Organization Awards         

  • Gifty Agana — Alice Hines Award for Excellence in Multicultural Leadership and Service, Student Organization of the Year (Student Senate)
  • Max Applegate — Sustainability Fund Service Award 
  • Zeihkia Byrd — Quiet Leader Award 
  • Finn Beruldsen — Student Impact Award           
  • Amy Cabrera — Alice Hines Award for Excellence in Multicultural Leadership and Service, Student Impact Award           
  • Roth Coats — Ellis Arnold Award for Outstanding Campus Leadership
  • Eric Horan — Quiet Leader Award
  • Olivia Kelley — Dr. I.L. Claude Jr. International Studies Award 
  • Bailey Lindsey (Student Senate) — Student Organization of the Year  
  • Katie McNamara — Mary Melekian Richardson Award  
  • Mikayla Millard — Danny Powell Service Leadership Award 
  • Kavi Modi (Student Senate) — Student Organization of the Year        
  • Abigail Nathan — Student Impact Award           
  • Rebecca Parham — Quiet Leader Award
  • Trey Smith — Matt L. Ellis Volunteer of the Year Award            

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship        

  • Savannah Wiegel 

About Hendrix College

A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal arts institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges.Its academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.