Lawrence University

Established in 1987 by colleagues and friends to honor the retirement of Professor E. Graham Waring, a longtime member of the religious studies faculty, this prize is awarded to the student who authors the best paper in a religious studies course during the academic year. Hayden Young examined the philosophical positions of Soren Kierkegaard's pseudonymous authors. Kierkegaard's work is notably difficult to interpret because of the interplay of competing voices, and this paper is a model of careful reading and subtle interpretation.

The Henry Merritt Wriston Scholarship, established in 1975 to honor its eighth president, recognizes students who embody the ideals of a truly educated person, demonstrating academic excellence alongside broad interests, balanced personalities, and multiple talents.

The Outstanding First-Year Athletic Award recognizes two first-year student-athletes who have made the most significant contributions to Lawrence athletics. Mila Westra, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year and an all-conference honoree in cross country after finishing third at the league championships. Westra also earned All-Midwest Conference honors during the indoor track season in the mile and 800 meters and broke the Lawrence record in the 800.

The Outstanding First-Year Athletic Award recognizes two first-year student-athletes who have made the most significant contributions to Lawrence athletics. Margaret Hahnke, Appleton, Wisconsin, is an outside hitter on the volleyball team, Hahnke was the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection. Hahnke led the Midwest Conference at 4.32 kills per set and broke the school match record with 34 kills against Rockford University.

Lawrence University's Class of 2025 was celebrated in grand fashion at a Commencement held June 15 on Main Hall Green. More than 350 graduates walked the Commencement stage to loud applause from family, friends, and the Lawrence community at a ceremony that included an inspiring message from Commencement speaker Campbell Scott, an accomplished actor and director who first found his way to the stage while an undergraduate at Lawrence.

For Lawrence University junior William Surtees, co-winning the annual Lawrence Symphony Orchestra's Concerto Competition wasn't a pursuit of prestige, it was a personal milestone, a chance to bring a beloved work to life. Surtees, a music performance (piano) major, will perform the first movement of Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor on June 6 (7:30 p.m.) in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, alongside the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra.

Lawrence University junior Emma Moya will be spending her summer with dolphins. The biology major from Chicago has secured an internship with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, where she will join other students and scientists in Sarasota, Florida, gathering and analyzing data on dolphins. It's an opportunity her experiences in Lawrence's marine biology program made possible.

Maddie Bublik, a Lawrence University sophomore from Wausau, Wisconsin, is making an impact on and off campus through her role as the coordinator of a Lawrence program that encourages students to volunteer as tutors for young students in the Appleton community. It's one of multiple ways the physics and German double major is making important connections on her undergraduate journey.

Lawrence University junior Faith Onukaogu won The Pitch, a business startup competition for college students in northeast Wisconsin. It's the third win for Lawrence in nine years.

Lawrence University senior Emma Jacobs has been researching the Teakwood Room in Chapman Hall for more than two years, part of her majors in history and art history. A presentation delivered recently in the historic space on Chapman's second floor was a culmination of her work to date.

Congratulations on making the 2023-24 Dean's List at Lawrence University. The Dean's List is an annual honor roll of students demonstrating exemplary academic performance.

Maddy Tevonian, a senior religious studies and art history double major from Wilmette, Illinois, studied in India and Nepal. She is now preparing a senior capstone analyzing Buddhist art through the lens of religious studies.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Khazen, who graduated in June from Lawrence University with majors in business & entrepreneurship and government, for being the recipient of the college's Ruth Bateman Award.

Two Lawrence University students, Sydney Closson and Kat McClain, are working with geosciences professor Jeff Clark in building 10 handheld spectrometers for use in research and hands-on instruction. The work is funded by a $10,000 grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.

Maria (Marife) Entenza Sierra, a senior at Lawrence University, won a pitch contest for her Chandler Senior Experience art project at the recent Self-Employment in the Arts (SEA) conference. The global studies and studio art double major from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, was one of four student winners in the contest held in Chicago during Fall Term.

Twenty-four Lawrence University students were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. They were honored at the 2022 Honors Awards & Prizes ceremony.