Lawrence University

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 Political Science Journal Award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student in the Political Science Department. Quynh Anh (Cailey) Cao Le, from Hanoi, Vietnam, for exceptional performance in the classroom and exemplary intellectual accomplishment beyond. During the last year, Cailey demonstrated particular initiative, ambition, and skill in independent research, and completed an internship on the topics of conflict mediation and peacebuilding with Swisspeace in Basel, Switzerland.

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 Pi Kappa Lambda Jazz Composition Award recognizes exceptional originality and skill in jazz music composition. Eli Cooper Wikre, Minneapolis, MN, a junior, has demonstrated outstanding talent, dedication and potential in the field of jazz composition and arranging. As a talented jazz composer and jazz trumpet player, Eli is pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Music. He has created multiple pieces for his jazz chamber group, big band and jazz combos, and is especially interested in contemporary jazz arranging techniques.

The Pi Kappa Lambda First-Year Prize recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement among first-year students at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music.

The Pi Kappa Lambda Music Education Teaching Award recognizes individuals for excellence in music education, demonstrated through outstanding abilities in teaching, performance, composition, and scholarship at Lawrence University. This award honors on Lawrence University Emma R. Nolte who has demonstrated exemplary music teaching in both elementary general music and secondary choral settings. Her thoughtful student-centered approach, which included unwavering patience and joy, was consistently modeled during her student teaching experience. Her strong musicianship and belief in the unlimited potential of everyone in her classroom motivates others to give their best while actively contributing to the musical community together.

The Pi Kappa Lambda Music Education Teaching Award recognizes individuals for excellence in music education, demonstrated through outstanding abilities in teaching, performance, composition, and scholarship at Lawrence University. This award honors Cynthia Katherine Kaiser who has demonstrated exemplary music teaching in both elementary general music and secondary instrumental settings. Her creative ability to maintain high levels of artistic engagement while simultaneously stretching the thinking and imagination of all students was consistently displayed during her student teaching experience. Cindy's strong integrity and intuitive leadership in the classroom inspires hope for the future in the field of music education.

The Pi Kappa Lambda Composition Award recognizes exceptional originality and skill in music composition. Megan LaBelle Smith, a junior from Agawam, Massachusetts, is a composer of outstanding creative talent and accomplishment. She is a skilled, imaginative creator of vocal and instrumental music whose compositions show a high level of both craft and artistry. This spring Lawrence's Cantala will perform the world premiere of Megan's I Saw Above a World of Sky, a composition for treble choir that sets texts by the American poet Sara Teasdale.

The Phi Beta Kappa Downer First-Year Prize recognizes outstanding academic achievement by a first-year Bachelor of Arts student.

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.

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 1910 by Emma Peabody Harper in memory of her father, George F. Peabody, The Peabody Prize in Latin recognizes the sophomore who has achieved the highest proficiency in college-level Latin. Taryn applies a writer's eye and a keen aesthetic sensitivity to their thoughtful, insightful analyses of the depiction of personality and humanity in Latin prose and poetry, from the assertive maid Photis in Apuleius' Metamorphoses to the complexities of the relationship of Dido and Aeneas in Vergil's Aeneid.

Established by students, friends, and colleagues to honor Professor Edwin H. Olson upon his 1989 retirement from Lawrence University, this award recognizes the top senior psychology major intending to pursue a career in a psychology-related helping profession. Sophia Shultz, a psychology major, is highly engaged in the department through serving as the Secretary of the Lawrence United Psychology Association and contributing to multiple research laboratories, where she has taken on novel projects like creating inclusive questionnaires for health research and evaluating storybooks for teaching children about Autism. She is also involved in community outreach such as helping to implement mindfulness training in classrooms and providing neurodiversity support and training for children and educators. Sophia plans to pursue a PhD in School Psychology to promote the mental health and emotional well-being of neurodivergent youth.

Established by students, friends, and colleagues to honor Professor Edwin H. Olson upon his 1989 retirement from Lawrence University, this award recognizes the top senior psychology major intending to pursue a career in a psychology-related helping profession. Daryian Matthews is a double major in psychology and philosophy. He has been an exceptional leader in the psychology department, particularly in his role as the president of the Lawrence United Psychology Association. In addition to his dedication to promoting professional development and social activities in the psychology department, he has conducted research on mental health screening in the Child and Adolescent Research in Emotion Lab. Daryian will continue that work through a full-time position at Samaritan Counseling, after which he plans to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

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 in 2023 to honor the Mielke Family-longtime supporters of early childhood programs, educational opportunities, and benefactors of Lawrence University's elementary teacher certification program-this prize recognizes a student who shows promise for teaching at the elementary level. Lydia Tomandl brings enthusiasm and delight to elementary teaching, crafting engaging lessons on interesting topics. She will have a positive impact on young learners, bringing them joy in learning.

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 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. Michael Thorson, from Mcfarland, Wisconsin, has been a top student in all of his economics courses. Michael has also contributed to the department as a tutor, providing excellent help for his classmates. He is completing a major in Economics, along with a minor in Data Science and a minor in Music. He also competes on the swimming team, with his name appearing on the list of Lawrence's top 10 performances for five different events. After graduation he will be working as a data analyst for Electronic Theatre Controls.

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. Andrew Larson, from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, has been a top student in all of his economics courses. Andrew has also contributed to the department as a tutor, providing excellent help for his classmates. He is completing a major in Economics, along with a minor in Data Science and concentration in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He has also been a highly decorated player on the tennis team for four years. After graduation he will be working as an Associate Demand Planner for Uline.

Established in memory of Professor Jessie Mae Pate McConagha, who taught French at Lawrence in the 1920s and was a student of European painting with broader interests in the Appleton visual arts community, this award recognizes interdisciplinary scholarship in art history within the humanities. Alex Alden is awarded the Jessie Mae Pate McConagha Prize for his interdisciplinary research on a once-lost 18th century portrait that was falsely reproduced online as a portrayal of the composer Johann Pachelbel. Working at the intersections of Art History, Musicology, and History, Alex explores questions of genius, representation, and digital reproduction. He makes the compelling argument that while the portrait doesn't depict Pachelbel, the many reproduced digital versions of the portrait have come to depict Canon in D, his most widely known composition. Alex is a clear and careful writer, attentive to nuance and detail.

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 Latin League Of Wisconsin Colleges Award recognizes first-year and sophomore students at Lawrence University who demonstrate superior achievement in Latin during their first year of study. Lucy demonstrates a fine command of the forms and syntax of the Latin language, and her translations are graceful and accurate. The Classics department offers her this award with the hope that she will continue to pursue her interests in Latin prose and Roman politics.

The Lantern Community Service Award commemorates the Lantern service organization, the precursor to the current Volunteer and Community Service Center, and recognizes a student who has significantly contributed to the growth and well-being of people, animals, and/or communities through service or social activism. Leo has demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service through his involvement with the VITAL tutoring program, where he has contributed over 47 hours of volunteer work this academic year-more than any other Lawrence student. His consistent commitment to supporting youth in the Appleton area exemplifies the spirit of this award, as he has actively furthered the growth and well-being of others through meaningful, hands-on service.

Established by the Lettermen of Lawrence in honor of Dr. Ralph V. Landis, who served as physician to Lawrence students from 1926 to 1978, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics by a senior athlete. Zach Leslie, Chicago, Illinois, has distinguished himself on the baseball field and as a member of the Lawrence community. A first baseman for the Vikings, Leslie is a two-time All-Midwest Conference selection and a starter on Lawrence's 2022 and 2024 conference championship teams. A College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, Leslie also is a member of the Academic All-Midwest Conference team and of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. Leslie also has served as a key member of the university's Athletic Media Relations student staff.

The Hicks Prize in Poetry, established by John Hicks (an editor of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, a U.S. diplomat, and a Lawrence trustee from 1911-1916), is given for the best submitted poem. Lauren Elizabeth Dahl - An accomplished group of poems about the tribulations of childhood within an increasingly troubled world. The speaker of these poems asks, again and again, "Can I make her little world a bit brighter / even if it hurts at first?" These poems do precisely that.