Each year as the semester begins to wind down and seniors prepare for commencement, one of the biggest moments of their lives, academic and administrative units host breakfasts and ceremonies honoring the academic accomplishments of their graduates. This year, however, things are very different, because of the novel coronavirus and related social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Still, 海角论坛 faculty and staff are finding other ways to virtually recognize honors seniors through social and multi-media.
Dean of Students Honors Recipients
Dean of Students Honors Recipients are nominated each semester by faculty and staff for their commitment to academic success while actively participating in leadership and service to the community and our university outside of the classroom. Nominators and students recorded videos reflecting on this semester’s honors. See what they had to say:
“You are an exceptional group of people. Despite the demands of family, work and studies, you made time to give back to the community. When you saw a need, you worked to fill it. You are humanitarians, leaders and philanthropists and you should rightfully be proud of yourselves,” said .
Afaq Alabbasi – School Pharmacy []
Nominated by Cameron Lindsey, interim chair of the Division of Pharmacy and Practicum []
Priyesha Bijlani – School Medicine []
Nominated by Betsy Hendrick, academic advisor, School of Medicine []
Hannah-Kaye Carter – School of Biological & Chemical Sciences and Honors College []
Nominated by Carla Mebane, director of the 海角论坛 High School/College Dual Credit Partnership []
Austin Dada – School of Biological & Chemical Sciences []
Nominated by Ryan Mohen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology []
Morgan Dresvyannikov – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Brent McCoy, senior academic advisor, School of Medicine []
Sierra Duncan-Sonich – School of Biological & Chemical Sciences and Honors College []
Nominated by Tammy Welchert, director of Student Affairs and Undergraduate Enrollment, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences []
Jorden Erskin – School of Nursing & Health Studies []
Nominated by Corinna Beck, academic advisor, School of Nursing and Health Studies []
Elsa George – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Brent McCoy []
Thomas Haferkamp – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Krisana West, academic advisor, School of Medicine []
Chizitam Ibezim – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Krisana West []
Alyssa Jones – School of Biological & Chemical Sciences and Honors College []
Nominated by Susana Chavez-Bueno, associate professor of pediatrics []
Anusha Kodidhi – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Krisana West []
Christopher Kurian – School of Medicine
Nominated by Betsy Hendrick []
Nuvia Lemus-Diaz – School of Dentistry []
Nominated by Richie Bigham, assistant dean for student programs, School of Dentistry []
Rmaah Memon – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Krisana West []
Pooja Menon – School of Biological and Chemical Sciences []
Nominated by Lawrence Dreyfus, associate vice provost of faculty development and research []
Emily Oliver – School of Pharmacy []
Nominated by Roger Sommi, associate dean and professor, School of Pharmacy []
Anthony Oyekan – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Betsy Hendrick []
Jayanth Rao – School of Biological and Chemical Sciences []
Nominated by Tara Allen, teaching professor, School of Biology []
Nicole Rogers – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Brent McCoy []
Subhjit Sekhon – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Betsy Hendrick []
Mehr-Zahra Shah – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Betsy Hendrick []
Saumya Singh – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Krisana West []
Garima Thakkar – School of Medicine []
Nominated by Brent McCoy []
Sarah Towakoli – College of Arts & Sciences and Honors College []
Nominated by Ken Novak, professor, criminal justice []
Rachel Zender – School of Law []
Nominated by Molly Wilensky, director, Professional and Career Development Center []
Undergraduate Research Fellows
Eleven May graduates earned the Undergraduate Research Fellow honorary transcript designation by demonstrating deep involvement in research process—formulating a research question, identifying an appropriate method to investigate the question, carrying out the project, and publication or presentation of the results beyond the classroom or research group.
Jerrah Biggerstaff – B.S. Physics/Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences
Jaime Crouse – B.S. Biology; double minor in physics/astronomy and chemistry
Austin Dada – B.S. Biology
Lauren Higgins – B.S. Physics/Astronomy
Brandon Landaverry – B.S. Environmental Sciences
Andy Leon – B.S. Biology
Pedro Morales-Sosa – B.S. Biology
Minh Nguyen – B.S. Biology
Bwaar Omer – B.S. Biology
Annie Spencer – B.A. English and History
Sarah Towakoli -- B.A. Criminal Justice & Criminology and Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences Graduates with Distinction
The College of Arts and Sciences’ Graduation with Distinction luncheon, hosted by the College of Arts & Sciences alumni board, brings together graduates with Latin honors, and their families, in celebration of academic success. Guest speakers offer words of congratulations and advice for the future and scholars are presented medals to wear during commencement. Here is a list of graduates with distinctions Summa Cum Laude – the highest praise – and Magna Cum Laude – with great praise.
Honors College
Sarah F. Towakoli | Summa Cum Laude Anticipated | Undergraduate Research Fellow
University Honors
Kamariah Al-Amin | Magna Cum Laude Anticipated
Cemile Arabaci | Magna Cum Laude Anticipated
Abigail Birkner | Summa Cum Laude Anticipated
Zonara Nawaz | Magna Cum Laude Anticipated
Erica Sullivan | Summa Cum Laude Anticipated
Sarah Towakoli | Summa Cum Laude Anticipated | Undergraduate Research Fellow