Colorado College’s Honors Convocation, an annual academic tradition, commemorated the college’s 147th academic year and recognized outstanding students across all departments and in all aspects of campus life.
This year nearly 200 recipients were honored at the event, which was held virtually Tuesday, May 11, in Shove Memorial Chapel. Students, faculty, and staff were honored with departmental awards, all-college awards, and awards from the Colorado College Student Government Association and the Collaborative for Community Engagement. Classes ended early to allow the entire CC community to watch the celebratory event. The invocation and benediction were delivered by CC Chaplain Kate Holbrook and opening remarks were delivered by Rachel Loevy ’21, president of the Blue Key honor society.
Among the all-college awards presented were the Outstanding Student Leader Award, awarded to Elena Martinez-Vivot ’21 and Martrice Lenae Ellis ’21; Emerging Student Leader Award, presented to Maddi S. Schink ’23; the Blue Key Award, presented to International Student Specialist Anneke Bruwer; Cutler Publications Award, presented to Joshua Kalenga ’23; the Barbara Whitten Prize for Women in the Natural Sciences, presented to Allie Samantha Kreitman ’21; and the Bill Hochman Prize on War, Violence, and Human Values, with Emphasis on the Human Experience of War, presented to Ruixue Zhou ’21.
Among the awards presented by the Collaborative for Community Engagement were the Anabel and Jerry McHugh Director’s Award, which went to Martrice “Louie” Ellis ’21. Associate Professor of Business Kat Miller-Stevens received the exemplary achievement in community-based teaching award; Assistant Professor of Feminist and Gender Studies Rushaan Kumar received the exemplary achievement in community-based research award; and Director of Campus Activities and Student Orientation Amy Hill and paraprofessional Antonio Soto ’19 received the community-based staff award. Angelina Chen ’21 received the campus organizer award; Anna Sofia Vera ’22 received the problem-solver award; and Filip Carnogursky ’23 received the advocacy and activism award. The CBO Capacity Builder Award went to Taylor Hawkins ’21 and the Community Collaborator Award to Theodore Weiss ’22.
The CCE also recognized six Bonner Fellows, students who have fulfilled a commitment to extensive community engagement throughout their college career. Bonner Fellows participate in a wide variety of opportunities designed to develop their skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities while integrating these into work that addresses community needs. Those honored in the inaugural Bonner Fellows class include Angelina Chen ’21, Martrice “Louie” Ellis ’21, Isa Hussain ’21, Heba Shiban ’21, Samuel Vang ’21, and Reilly Williams ’21.
The Colorado College Student Government Association also presented a series of awards. The CCSGA Involved Student of the year Award went to Pardes G. Lyons-Warren ’22; Residential Life Coordinator Kaylee A. Crivello received the Bob Pizzi Outstanding Advisor of the Year Memorial Award; and the Lloyd E. Worner Teacher of the Year Award went to Assistant Professor of Sociology Florencia Rojo. CC Mutual Aid, represented by Hannah B. Friedman ’22 and Misbah Lakhani ’24, received the Involved Student Organization of the Year Award. CC Mutual Aid also won the Collaborative for Community Engagement’s award for Outstanding Student Initiative Award.
Colorado College Acting Co-President Mike Edmonds presented numerous awards, including the Ann Rice Memorial Award to Alanna Jackson ’23; the Dreamkeeper Award to Nicolette Anabella Gordillo-LaRiviere ’22; the Mary Stearns Barkalow Award to Melissa Alexandra Manuel ’21; the J. Juan Reid Award to Deksyos Damtew ’22; the Van Diest Award to John Thomas Schuler ’21; and the Laura Golden Award to Isabelle Marie Aragon-Menzel ’21.
Edmonds also recognized Colorado College students receiving the Crown-Goodman Presidential Scholarship. Recipients are selected based on their academic record and contributions to the total life of the college. The scholarships are intended to reduce the loan component of the recipients’ financial aid award in their senior year. This year’s recipients were Lauren N. Adamow, Adriana Beatriz Baumann, Caitlin E. Blinkhorn, Sam Caro, Chloe B. Chapin, Erin Choi, Mahealani Daniels, Lilly M. Davis, Em A. Evans, Joshua M. Felton, Logan Henning, Nathan H. Hewitt, Isabel R. Hicks, Emily Hidalgo, Cass M. Kennemur, Alayna S. Mann, Jared J. Mendiola, Eliana Josephine Neurohr, Anabella Owens, Min N. Pan, Lucie Raphael, Maddie R. Ross, Kiran S. Singh, Cade C. Thumann, Caitlin R. Thumann, Michael Cole Thumann, Alexandra C. Velle-Loach, Kate Wang, and Haley L. Wright.
The 2021 Honors Convocation program, listing all awards and recipients, is available online. The Honors Convocation program took the place of the traditional First Mondays event for Block 8.