Lawrence University

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

Established to honor Professor Mojmir Povolny upon his retirement from the government faculty at Lawrence University (1958-89), this award recognizes an outstanding senior government student. Matthew Roh is an outstanding senior who has excelled in both his International Relations and History majors. As a scholar, Matthew is known for his rigorous analysis, skillfully written essays, and extensive research. Matthew is a frequent contributor to class discussions, sharing his knowledge on topics as diverse as the diplomatic history of Europe, US nuclear policy, and contemporary African conflicts.

Established to honor Professor Mojmir Povolny upon his retirement from the government faculty at Lawrence University (1958-89), this award recognizes an outstanding senior government student. Louisa Olsen is an intellectually curious student in Government who is unafraid to engage in wide-ranging conversations about policy and politics - whether the topic is federal environmental regulation, commercial advertising of kids' cereal, or predicting political outcomes in 1960s Vietnam. She helps bring other students into the conversation and is careful to consider others' viewpoints. Olsen sets a high bar both in discussion and in scholarship, and she encourages others to bring their best as well.

The Charles E. Pond Award recognizes two senior athletes who demonstrate all-around athletic ability in two or more sports, along with outstanding sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Sam Brewer, St. Cloud, Minnesota, was a two-time All-Midwest Conference performer in cross country and a key performer on the Vikings' 2021 conference championship team. Also a member of the Academic All-Midwest Conference team, Brewer was a multiple placewinner in track and field at the Midwest Conference's indoor and outdoor championships during his career.

The Charles E. Pond Award recognizes two senior athletes who demonstrate all-around athletic ability in two or more sports, along with outstanding sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Edythmae Frodl, Fort Collins, Colorado, is one of just seven women in Midwest Conference history to be a four-time all-conference performer in cross country. Also an Academic All-Midwest Conference selection, she was a key member of the Vikings' 2021 and 2024 conference championship teams. A multiple placewinner in track and field at the Midwest Conference's indoor and outdoor championships, she holds the school record indoors for 5,000 meters. Frodl is a United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Athlete and a member of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.

The Maurice Cunningham Phi Beta Kappa Prize is awarded to the third-year B.A. or fourth-year B.A./B.Mus. double-degree student with the highest grade-point average.

The Maurice Cunningham Phi Beta Kappa Prize is awarded to the third-year B.A. or fourth-year B.A./B.Mus. double-degree student with the highest grade-point average.

Established in 2012 by Lawrence University alumni Abir Sen '97 (economics, magna cum laude, Harvard MBA) and Crystal Cullerton-Sen '97 (psychology, cum laude, PhD from Minnesota), in honor of Abir's mother, Mita Sen, this award annually recognizes Lawrence students whose work demonstrates the potential for positive societal impact. Through her sustained leadership with the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network (VSARN)-the only student-run nonprofit of its kind in the state-Annika has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to equity, education, and social justice. Her work leading initiatives like the Book Project, which brings age-appropriate conversations about race and identity into K-12 classrooms, has directly impacted students across Vermont and fostered meaningful community dialogue. This summer, she plans to expand VSARN's reach by developing statewide projects that promote anti-racism, youth advocacy, and access to banned books. Annika's dedication to building inclusive communities and her passion for societal change reflect the very heart of this award's mission. Her work not only uplifts others-it also inspires the kind of activism and empathy our world urgently needs.

Established upon the retirement of James Ming, a professor of music theory and composition at the Lawrence Conservatory from 1944 to 1982, this award honors outstanding creative talent and achievement in music composition. Alex Poplawski, from Boulder, Colorado, composes ambitious, imaginative music with a diligent dedication to his art. Irish folk music influences much of his work. Alex's exuberant Fdiddling includes original tunes in the styles of Irish air, jig, and reel. His artfully constructed Fading Canvasses juxtaposes a gentle folk melody with an ambient harmonic texture. This April, Alex was a featured composer on the Colorado College Band Concert, receiving a world premiere of his composition Voyager Crosses the Heliopause for concert band and organ. Alex is co-president of The Composers of Lawrence University (CLU).

Established by Margaret McConagha Faulkner and Alan C. McConagha in memory of their father, William A. McConagha, an economics professor at Lawrence University in Appleton from 1926 to 1956, this award recognizes the student who demonstrates the greatest excellence in the study of economics. Irene Yank (Franklin, Wisconsin) is an Economics major with minors in Data Science and Mathematics. She has developed superior and versatile quantitative skills, which she has deployed to win the Lawrence Datathon and to create an unreasonably effective Excel-based Wordle-guessing tool. She also further developed her summer LURF renewable-energy analysis into a prize-winning paper. Irene is a tireless tutor for the Economics department, assisting with nearly every course the department offers. In her spare time, she runs with the fast crowd on the Lawrence Track & Field team-running, hurdling, and triple-jumping her way through the winter and spring seasons.

Established in honor of LaVahn Maesch, '25, Dean of the Conservatory from 1955-70, and awarded to an organ student who best exemplifies the high standard of technical competence and artistic expression. Victor has proven himself as a capable and dedicated organist in a very short amount of time, going from a beginner to being fully engaged with the music and technique of playing. He is also a cheerful and enthusiastic ambassador for the instrument among his friends and colleagues.

The Iden Charles Champion Cup recognizes excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, college spirit, and loyalty. Mattigan Haller, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a three-time All-Midwest Conference selection in softball. A National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete, Haller also is a member of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. She also is a member of the Academic All-Midwest Conference team and Co-President of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.

Established in 2019 to honor the insightful leadership of retiring Provost, Professor of Psychology, and Director of Inclusive Pedagogy Dr. David Burrows, The Dave Burrows Award for Senior Experience in Psychology recognizes students whose senior capstone projects demonstrate scholarly acumen and the creative application of research to significant psychological questions. Savannah is a psychology major who is dedicated to suicide prevention. She conducts research in the Child and Adolescent Research in Emotion Lab at Lawrence and works on a community crisis team. Her senior project involved testing an objective, computerized task within a community sample of adolescents to examine whether it can aid in identifying those at risk for suicide. Savannah plans to continue with a research career in this area and will apply to graduate school for clinical psychology.

Established in 1994 by Dr. and Mrs. Bradley (both class of 1935), The Philip and Rosemary Wiley Bradley Achievement Scholarship in Economics encourages talented and industrious students to major in economics. Binh Vu (Hanoi, Vietnam) is an excellent student with a deep passion for learning. As a double major in Economics and Mathematics with a minor in Psychology, Binh pushes himself to gain a deep understanding of a wide range of challenging topics. In class, Binh asks thoughtful questions while contributing to a joyful classroom atmosphere through his laughter and joy for learning. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the major, including through tutoring across a number of classes.

The J. Bruce Brackenridge Prize in Physics recognizes an outstanding junior or senior physics major with a strong academic record and significant potential for future work in physics. Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga is a third-year physics major at Lawrence University with an exceptional academic record in both physics and mathematics. She has consistently achieved top performance across her coursework and has pursued nearly every available course offered by the department, reflecting both intellectual ambition and deep engagement with the discipline. Her work is consistently of the highest quality and demonstrates a sharp, inquisitive mind and clear promise for a future in physics.

The Andrew C. Berry - James C. Stewart Prize in Mathematics recognizes an outstanding graduating senior in mathematics. Joseph Carpenter, a double major in mathematics and physics at Lawrence University, has demonstrated exceptional aptitude and depth across a broad range of advanced coursework. For his senior experience in mathematics, he drew upon his strong foundation in both disciplines to explore the elegant symmetries underlying quantum mechanics, reflecting both creativity and analytical rigor in his work.

After spending a year as vice president, Lawrence University sophomore Brooklyn "Brook" Schara has stepped into her new role as president of the Lawrence University Community Council (LUCC). As the student branch of Lawrence's shared governance, LUCC recognizes and funds student organizations, acts as a forum for student voices, and plays a part in non-curricular legislation on campus.

Theresa Gruber-Miller is the recipient of Lawrence University's Pi Kappa Lambda Music Education Teaching Award.

Congratulations to Patience Hastings Garcia for being a recipient of Lawrence University's Paul C. Hollinger Award in Music History. She graduated from Lawrence in June with a double degree, majoring in English and music performance (clarinet).

Olivia Sibbet is the recipient of the Hicks Prize in Fiction at Lawrence University, awarded annually to a student for the best submitted short story.

Lawrence University junior Isabel Dorn, active in student leadership since arriving on campus three years ago, is enjoying new responsibilities as she begins work as president of the Lawrence University Community Council.

Heidi Arnold of Oswego has been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program. Arnold will spend most of her summer living with a host family in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as part of a Russian language program. Launched in 2006 by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the CLS program is designed to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.

Wesley Varughese and Ali Heiring were recently elected president and vice president, respectively, of the Lawrence University Community Council.