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.

Established in 1961 and named for Charlotte Wood, Lawrence University Class of 1901. It is awarded to the student with the best essay entered in an annual competition. Colonialism, Decolonization, and Freedom. In content, the essay deals with tricky concepts-colonialism, decolonization, and independence-skillfully and creatively. In style, the essay is written with a nuanced perspective and a lively voice.

The Alexander Wiley Prize honors the legacy of Alexander Wiley, who served Wisconsin as a United States Senator for 24 years. This award is given to an undergraduate, ideally a senior, who has most exemplified principled independence of thought, moral courage, and a creative commitment to a significant cause throughout their college career. Camara White - She has served as an Orientation Leader Coordinator who oversaw other Orientation Leaders. She has demonstrated responsibility, dependability, and a sense of inclusivity to make all that she encounters feel welcome and like they belong. Also during her time as a group leader, she stepped up to share herself and shared stories of her first year on campus. After the Orientation of the first years, she could be seen on campus engaging with the students she had met during welcome week. Camara is always smiling, supportive and approachable. She has also stood out as a member of the conservatory, an on campus tutor, and a student staff member in the Career Center.

Donated in 1921 by Mrs. Mary White in memory of her son, Ralph (Class of 1899), The Ralph White Prize in Mathematics recognizes a sophomore student who excels in the study of mathematics. Delia has distinguished herself among our incoming mathematics majors in multiple ways. She displays excellent conceptual understanding on both exams and challenging homework projects, but is also able to focus on detailed calculations and precise formulas. Delia is also very interested in neuroscience and we look forward to seeing her apply her mathematical knowledge in the sciences.

The Edwin N. and Ruth Z. West Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based award granted to continuing students with exceptional promise, beginning in their sophomore year.

Donated in 1888 by Charles Orlando Tichenor (Lawrence Class of 1862), a Civil War attorney, The Tichenor Prize in English is awarded to the student who writes the best critical essay about a work of English literature. In Spaces In-Between: The Emergence of the Utopian Imagination in Moshin Hamid's Exit West, Em Sweeney explores the role that technology plays in the utopian imagination of Hamid's novel, thinking about how the magical doorways which create utopian possibilities for migration are modeled on the cellphones which also play an important role in the novel. Thinking about the dangers as well as the benefits of this utopian reimagining of migration, the essay offers a thoughtful interpretation of Hamid's novel.

The Tank-Palmquist-Ross Award in Geology recognizes an outstanding geology student in the junior class, honoring Professors Ronald W. Tank, John C. Palmquist, and Theodore W. Ross. Lauren is a driven hard rock geoscientist whose passion for structural geology and deep Earth processes sets her apart; she seeks to unravel the mechanics of upper mantle movement at convergent boundaries through seismology and geodesy. Her curiosity about the tectonic forces shaping our planet, coupled with her thoughtful, research-oriented mindset, reflects the intellectual maturity and ambition deserving of recognition as the best rising senior in geosciences.

The Jean Wiley Thickens Prize is awarded to the Lawrence University student who, through their demonstrated interest, academic achievement, and natural aptitude, shows the greatest potential for a successful career in teaching at the high school level. The award was established in 1988 by Laura Thickens Halford (Class of 1938) in honor of her mother and Dr. Roger Nichols. Josie Eager brings joy to the classroom while she helps students gain insights into math topics and build their confidence as budding mathematicians.

The Tank-Palmquist-Ross Award in Geology recognizes an outstanding geology student in the junior class, honoring Professors Ronald W. Tank, John C. Palmquist, and Theodore W. Ross. TK stands out for his integrative, story-driven approach to geoscience-reconstructing ancient landscapes in Northern Wisconsin using a rare blend of geochemical, geophysical, geomorphological, and cultural methods, including traditional knowledge from the Bad River Band. His work exemplifies both scientific rigor and a deep respect for the land's human and geological history, reflecting a curiosity and creativity that breathes life into earth systems and elevates our understanding of them.

Established in 1978 and sponsored by the Lawrence University Alumni Association, The Student Life Award recognizes a graduating senior (Class of 2025) for outstanding leadership and service to the Lawrence community. Diana is a great example of what Student Life represents. Within her role as co-president of SOUP (Student Organization for University Programming), she has helped to create intentional programming and worked with her co-president to lead their board. She has also served as the Student Welfare Committee Secretary, and as a Committee on Volunteering and Engagement CCE Representative. Diana also volunteers her time at Building for Kids and was previously the Arts and Education Program Coordinator for the CCE. She is also a member of the Senior Committee engaging with a team of peers to plan Senior events.

Established in 1926 by David Harrison Stevens (Class of 1906) in memory of his brother, Warren, The Warren Hurst Stevens Prize is awarded to a junior who demonstrates high scholarship and active involvement in college affairs. David Stevens also served as a trustee and received an honorary degree from Lawrence. Quynh provides service to the campus community as a head writing tutor and is a leader in campus organizations. Quynh has excelled academically and as a researcher.

The Senior Prize for Statistics & Data Science is awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated both a strong interest and excellence in the study of statistics and data science. Irene Yank, a statistics and data science minor, has excelled in her coursework and projects. She has demonstrated a strong understanding of the mathematical foundations of statistics, and has used statistical models in creative and insightful ways, often related to her economics major.

The Senior Prize for Statistics & Data Science is awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated both a strong interest and excellence in the study of statistics and data science. Shane Foley, a mathematics major on the statistics track, has consistently demonstrated strong performances across a breadth of applied, computational, and theoretical courses. His senior experience project integrated all these ideas where he used innovative statistical learning techniques to study baseball catchers' statistics and their impact on the game.

The Senior Art Award-Studio Art recognizes graduating seniors at Lawrence University who have demonstrated excellence in the practice of studio art. Cristofer Aguilar (studio art, '25) in recognition of their dedicated studio practice and ability to simplify complex narratives into an inviting story focusing on the human condition. Cristofer makes informed decisions that thoughtfully incorporate a variety of media, compelling the viewer to investigate each image.

The Senior Art Award-Art History recognizes graduating seniors at Lawrence University who have demonstrated excellence in the study of art history. Emma Jacobs, for her dedication to and thorough research of Lockwood de Forest's Teakwood room, which has offered a fresh, more complex, understanding of this significant space on Lawrence's campus. Her ability to locate, organize, and interpret archival documents and databases demonstrates thoroughness, patience, and diligence. Her work in the classroom and as a writing tutor shows a similar preparedness and organization. Her ability to ask smart questions, tackle difficult theoretical readings, and apply these ideas to the analysis of artworks is exemplary.

The Louis Henry Schutte Memorial Prize in English is awarded to the senior English major at Lawrence University who has achieved the highest grade point average in all courses completed during the six terms immediately preceding their final term. The award was established by Dr. William M. Schutte, a former English professor at Lawrence (1960-84), in memory of his father, Louis Henry Schutte.

The Howard and Helen Russell Award for Excellence in Biological Research, established by family and friends, underscores the Russell family's strong support for liberal arts education and the university. Howard and Helen Russell are the grandparents of esteemed Lawrence biology professors Beth De Stasio '83 (also the Raymond H. Herzog Professor of Science) and Bart De Stasio '82. This year, the award is given in honor of Roger Schoenfeld, Beth De Stasio's father, and recognizes excellence in biological research at the college. Reeshi Bhattacharjee, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a thoughtful and creative scientist who pays great attention to detail. He has mastered of a diverse array of experimental techniques and has achieved a deep understanding of the theory behind his laboratory work. Reeshi adeptly transfers knowledge from courses to his intellectual pursuits and informs his research with critical reading of the primary literature. Over the past 2 years, Reeshi has made numerous contributions toward the development of prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems for the human ribonuclease inhibitor protein, which will serve as valuable tools in the study of how human cells cope with stress.

The Patricia Ritter Prize in Chinese Language recognizes exceptional achievement by a Lawrence University undergraduate in their study of the Chinese language. Matthew's dedication and talent for language studies are demonstrated convincingly in his excellent performance in all his Chinese language courses. His understanding of various topics of the Chinese linguistic studies is equally impressive.

The Sumner Richman Student Research Award in Biology was created to honor Sumner Richman, who dedicated 38 years (1957-1995) to teaching and research in biology. The award recognizes a student demonstrating strong potential in biological research. Greta Thoresen (Sheboygan, WI) gained a variety of research experiences, first as a summer LU Research Fellow followed by a summer REU at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic, CO where she conducted field experiments exploring the interaction network between pollinators, nectar robbers, microbes, and the hummingbird-pollinated wildflower Ipomopsis aggregata. Using Fluorescent quantum dots to tediously follow the movement of pollen grains between donor flowers and recipients across treatments, her experiment tested the effects of yeast-inoculated nectar and artificial nectar robbing on the male fitness of the plant. After collecting data at RMBL, Greta devoted a significant amount of time continuing to work on the project back at Lawrence, demonstrating a high level of independence and proficiency in analyzing the complex dataset and bringing the project to competition.

The Sumner Richman Student Research Award in Biology was created to honor Sumner Richman, who dedicated 38 years (1957-1995) to teaching and research in biology. The award recognizes a student demonstrating strong potential in biological research. Abby Herrick, from Pleasant Prairie, WI is creatively combining her passions for marine biology and clarinet performance. She has been researching changes in coral and algae communities on the reefs of Bonaire, analyzing data from the Biology Marine Term program for her Senior Experience project. Her findings will help ecologists and managers understand recent changes in the reef environments. To extend the reach of her studies, she commissioned a new clarinet solo piece for her Senior Recital that "uses sound to evoke an emotional response to listeners so that they feel more connected to the issue at hand and feel more inclined to become a part of the conversations surrounding the topic."

Established by friends and family in memory of Milwaukee-Downer graduate Elizabeth Richardson (M-D'40), who served with the Red Cross in France during WWII and tragically died in a plane crash, this award recognizes students excelling in studio art at Lawrence University. Mariana Zendejas, in recognition of her extraordinary creative activity in sculpture. Mariana's profound investigation of form in art exemplifies what it means to fully explore artistic possibilities with dedication, resolve, and commitment in pursuit of excellence.

The Elizabeth Richardson Award-Art History honors the memory of Elizabeth Richardson, a 1940 graduate of Milwaukee-Downer College, who served with the Red Cross in France during World War II and died in a plane crash. Established by her friends and family, this award recognizes students at Lawrence University who demonstrate excellence in the study of art history. Honor Winter distinguishes herself in Art History courses through her thoughtful observations on works of art and her attentive readings of art historical scholarship and theory. She approaches both curatorial and written research with independence and curiosity that demonstrates an understanding of the historical and conceptual complexity of art.

The Estelle Reid Prize in Library Science, created from her estate in 1961, is awarded to a student who intends to pursue graduate-level education in library science. Given the Reid family's connection to the Appleton Post, this award might reflect a historical appreciation for information and knowledge dissemination in our community. Annabelle was selected because of her experience volunteering and working in libraries and her clear sense of purpose related to becoming a librarian working in youth services and community engagement. The awards committee further appreciated her commitment to making libraries an inclusive and welcoming space for all. She'll be an asset to the library community.

Bequeathed in 1911 by Alexander Reid, an editor of the Appleton Post, U.S. diplomat, and Lawrence trustee (1895-97), The Alexander J. Reid Prize in English is awarded to the student who writes the best sketch. Like the trains it depicts, delivering children as well as mail, my boxcar body spans America, across time and space. Its weave of discovery is crafty, subtle, and surprising.

Established in memory of Professor Gervais E. Reed, a 32-year French department faculty member and Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques, this award supports students excelling in French studies to participate in off-campus programs in Francophone countries. Blaize Fernandez embodies the qualities in the very best of language and cultural studies students: passion for the language, a sharp critical mind, intellectual flexibility, and cultural openness. He is an ideal recipient of the Reed Award and we are confident he will take full advantage of his experience in Paris.

The Gervais E. and Mary K. Reed Award recognizes a senior, chosen by their classmates, who best exemplifies academic achievement, service to others, and a commitment to the common good demonstrated through extracurricular activities on or off campus. With three majors, Isabel has achieved excellence while uplifting her community with commitment and compassion. She has been active in LUCC, serving as a class representative, VP, and President, and the CODA/SAASHA/Sustainability/Student Welfare Committees. She has contributed to groups focused on empowering marginalized students. She is the President of Pan-Asian Organization and an executive board member of Beta Psi Nu, as well as on the board of Lawrence's queer student organization. She works as a Community Advisor, at the D&IC, and is involved with The Lawrentian. Nonprofit work beyond Lawrence includes being a college applications coach for high school students.

The Marion Read Award recognizes outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics. Sydney Seeley, Prescott, Wisconsin, was a key member in the first group of players competing for the Lawrence women's hockey team and did exemplary work in the Department of Athletics. A goaltender on the hockey team, Seeley set school records for saves in a game and a career, and she also holds the school mark for career goals against average. An American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar, Seeley also is a member of the Academic All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association team and Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Seeley also has been a critical contributor for the Department of Athletics' social media accounts.

The William F. Raney Prize in History, established and named for this Rhodes Scholar who was a professor of history at Lawrence University from 1920 to 1955, is awarded to the senior history major with the highest GPA in the major. The 2025 Raney Prize goes to Aleksandra for her impressive academic achievement in history courses, as well as her timely and courageous research on interwar censorship in Boston and Berlin, which speaks to her hope that in telling this history, we may not repeat it.

The Presser Foundation Music Scholarship is awarded to the most outstanding music major entering their senior year at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. Reese Pike has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence through her involvement in both classical and jazz piano. She co-founded the Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative, an organization whose aim is to create a more equitable environment within the world of jazz for all students. This work extends to the broader community, where Reese has presented educational workshops at the public library and has given a workshop on the blues to over 400 middle school students. She is a frequent collaborator on student recitals, teaches piano at at the Lawrence Community Music School and is a writing tutor.