Celebrating Students, Faculty and Staff

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to honor the recipients of the 2021 Student Awards, Departmental Awards, Department Honors, and Student Executive Council Teacher, Advisor, and Staff Member of the Year, and our graduating members of the Student Executive Council.

Student Awards

Undergraduate: Richard P. Hickey Award; Fr. William Le Roux, S.J. Leadership Award

Graduate: Leadership and Professional Engagement Award; Wallace Loh Academic Excellence Award; Social Justice and Community Engagement Award

Photo of Neha Hazra and text Richard P. Hickey Award

Neha Hazra

Majors: Psychology and Philosophy with Departmental Honors

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Portland, OR

Photo of Elena Selthun and text: Father William Le Roux SJ Leadership Award

Elena Selthun

Majors: Humanities and English with Department Honors

Minor: Writing Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Phoenix, AZ

Photo of  Jamie Vo and text Leadership and Engagement Award

Jamie Vo

Master of Social Work

Picture of Taylor Coats and text Wallace Loh Academic Excellence Award

Taylor Coats

Master of Nonprofit Leadership

Photo of Kaleb D. Sinclair and text Social Justice and Community Engagement Award

Kaleb D. Sinclair

Master of Arts in Psychology

text: Poem by Donovan Livingston

Donovan Livingston

At the core, none of us were meant to be common.

We were born to be comets,

Darting across space and time —

Leaving our mark as we crash into everything.

-- Donovan Livingston, poet, educator

Department Awards

Recognizing academic achievement and scholastic excellence across the many disciplines in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Each recipient receives a medal marking their accomplishment.

Image of Samantha Cremer with text: Peronteau Award, Anthropology and Sociology

Samantha Cremer

Major: Sociology

Minor: Spanish

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown: Pasadena, CA

Image of Karan Desai with text: Anthropology Award, Anthropology and Sociology

Karan Desai

Major: Anthropology with Departmental Honors

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Image: Brandon Melton, text: Fr. Joseph-Francois Lafitau, SJ Society Award, Anthropology Sociology

Brandon Melton

Major: Cultural Anthropology

Hometown: Waimea, Big Island, HI

Image: CJ Andrea Sumadia Molo, text: Segundo Montes Mozo, SJ, Anthropology and Sociology

CJ Andrea Sumadia Molo

Major: Sociology

Minors: Japanese and Asian Studies

Cum Laude

Hometown: Milpitas, CA, and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Image of Abby Jo Walker with text: Fr. Eugene Buechel, SJ Award, Anthropology and Sociology

Abby Jo Walker

Major: Cultural Anthropology

Minor: French

Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN

Image of Amelia Delgado and text: Anthony Buhr Award, Art and Art History

Amelia H. Delgado

Art and Art History

Major: Design

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Seattle WA

Image of Chyna Hanano and text: Anthony Buhr Award, Art and Art History

Chyna Hanano

Art and Art History

Major: Visual Art

Hometown: Līhuʻe, Kaua'i, HI

Image of Hailey McGill and text: Anthony Buhr Award, Art and Art History

Hailey McGill

Majors: Photography and Film Studies

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Image of Emma Wahl with text: Anthony Buhr Award, Art and Art History

Emma Ming Wahl

Majors: Art History with Departmental Honors and Philosophy

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Image of Sophia Annest with text: John Talevich Award, Communication and Media

Sophia Annest

Majors: Communication and Media, with Specialization in Strategic Communication and Political Science with Departmental Honors and Specialization in Legal Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: University Place, WA

Image of Ashley Applegate with text: John Talevich Award, Communication and Media

Ashley Applegate

Major: Communication and Media, Communication Studies Specialization

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Kirkland, WA

Image of Grace Xu with text: John Talevich Award, Communication and Media

Grace Xu

Major: Communication and Media, with Communication Studies and Strategic Communication Specializations

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Image of Navkirat Bhogal with text: Fr. Michael Kelliher, SJ Award, Criminal Justice

Navkirat Bhogal

Major: Criminal Justice Forensic Science Specialization

Hometown: Kent, WA

Image of Sophia Evans with text Fr. Michael Kelliher, SJ Award, Criminal Justice

Sophia Evans

Major: Criminal Justice Criminology and Criminal Justice Theory Specialization with Departmental Honors, Minor in Psychology

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown: Kirkland, WA

Image of Hannah Kachmarek with text: Fr. Michael Kelliher, SJ Award, Criminal Justice

Hannah Kachmarek

Major: Criminal Justice Forensic Psychology Specialization and Spanish

Hometown: Portland, OR

Image of Simran Kaur, text:Eugene Corr Ethics & Service in Criminal Justice Award, Criminal Justice

Simran Kaur

Major: Criminal Justice Administration of Justice Specialization, Minor in Psychology

Cum Laude

Hometown: Bothell, WA

Image of Nicole Teague, Fr. Michael Kelliher, SJ Award, Criminal Justice

Nicole Teague

Major: Criminal Justice Major Forensic Psychology Specialization

Minor: Psychology

Hometown: Auburn, WA

Photo of Katie Howard and text: Fr. Alex MacDonald, SJ Award

Katie Howard

Major: English with Honors

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Image of Brandon McWilliams with text: Fr. Alex MacDonald, SJ Award, English

Brandon McWilliams

Major: English, Creative Writing with Department Honors and Environmental Studies

Cum Laude

Hometown: El Cerrito, CA

Image of Elena Selthun with text: Fr. Alex MacDonald, SJ Award, English

Elena Selthun

Majors  English with Department Honors and Humanities

Minor: Writing Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Image of Alex Chapman with text: Hazel Wolf Award, Environmental Studies

Alex Chapman

Major: Environmental Studies

Hometown: Davis, CA

Image of Sanya Cowal with text: Hazel Wolf Award, Environmental Studies

Sanya Cowal

Majors: Environmental Studies and Public Affairs

Minor: Biology

Hometown: Portland, OR

Brandon McWilliams with text: Hazel Wolf Award, Environmental Studies

Brandon McWilliams

Majors: Environmental Studies and English Creative Writing with Department Honors

Hometown: El Cerrito, CA

Image of Hailey McGill with text: Fr. Alex MacDonald, SJ Award, FIlm Studies

Hailey McGill

Major: Film Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Image of Hana Cooper with text: Madsen Leadership and Public Service Award, History

Hana Cooper

Major: History with Department Honors and Philosophy with Department Honors

History, Philosophy, University Honors Program (Intellectual Traditions Track)

Hometown: Salinas, CA

Image of Adina Van Etten with text: Fr. Joseph Donovan, SJ Award, History

Adina Van Etten

Majors: History and Humanities for Teaching

Minors: Arabic and Art History

Hometown: Newbury Park, CA

Image of Craig Verniest with text: Madsen Leadership and Public Service Award, History

Craig Verniest

Majors: History with Departmental Honors and Spanish

Minor: Latin American Studies

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA

Image of Isabel Wagner with text: Fr. Joseph Donovan, SJ Award, History

Isabel Wagner

Majors: History with Departmental Honors and Spanish

Hometown: Redmond, WA

Image:Jovanka Candy Lazovic text: John Henry Cardinal Newman Award Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Jovanka Candy Lazovic

Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Image: Madeline Silverman Text: John Henry Cardinal Newman Award, Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Madeline Silverman

Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Southampton, MA

Image of Audrey Akots with text: Noel J. Brown Award, International Studies

Audrey Akots

Major: International Studies

Minors: Women, Gender, and Sexualtiy Studies and Economics

University Honors

Hometown: Portland, OR

Image of Jennifer Wong with text: Sarah M. Speck, MD Award, Kinesiology

Jennifer Wong

Major: Kinesiology with Department Honors

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

Image Alex James Jurado text Matteo Ricci Institute Service Leadership Award Matteo Ricci Institute

Alex James Jurado

Major: Humanities for Teaching

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown: Glendale, CA

Image of Elena Selthun text Matteo Ricci Institute Award for Excellence in Humanities

Elena Selthun

Majors: Matteo Ricci Institute Humanities and English with Department Honors

Minor: Writing Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Phoenix, AZ

mage of Isabella Velasquez with text: Patrick H. Brady Award, Military Science

Isabella Velasquez

Major: Accounting

Magna Cum Laude

Hometown: Pomona, CA

Image of Jeanne Danielle D. Mendoza with text: Michels Family Award, Modern Languages and Cultures

Jeanne Danielle D. Mendoza

Majors: French and International Studies

Cum Laude

Hometown: Mabalacat City, Pampanga, Philippines

Image of Yasmin Shirzad with text: Michels Family Award, Modern Languages and Cultures

Yasmin Shirzad

Majors: Spanish and International Studies with Departmental Honors

Hometown: Hayward, CA

Image of Lily Noto with text: Anthony Buhr Award, Performing Arts and Arts Leadership

Lily Noto

Majors: Theatre and Arts Leadership with Departmental Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Grass Valley, CA

Image of Talia Rossi with text: Anthony Buhr Award, Performing Arts and Arts Leadership

Talia Rossi

Majors: Theatre with Departmental Honors and Psychology

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Image of Emma Byrne with text: Fr. James Reichmann, SJ Award, Philosophy

Emma Byrne

Majors: Philosophy and Political Science

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Image of Sarah Cerdena with text: Fr. James Reichmann, SJ Award, Philosophy

Sarah Cerdena

Majors: Philosophy and Political Science

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Corvalis, MT

Image of Neha Hazra with text: Fr. James Reichmann, SJ Award, Philosophy

Neha Hazra

Majors: Philosophy with Departmental Honors and Psychology

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Portland, OR

Image of Olivia DiGiorno with text: Dr. Jewel Prestage Award, Political Science

Olivia DiGiorno

Majors: Political Science and Theology and Religious Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Saint Paul, MN

Image of MacKenzie Palmer with text: Dr. Jewel Prestage Award, Political Science

MacKenzie Palmer

Major: Political Science with Legal Specialization

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Image of Natalie Rahn with text: Dr. Jewel Prestage Award, Political Science

Natalie Rahn

Majors: Political Science with Departmental Honors Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with Departmental Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Sammamish, WA

Image of Katherine Anderson with text: Fr. Louis Gaffney, SJ Award, Psychology

Katherine Anderson

Majors: Psychology and Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Half Moon Bay, CA

Image of Hunter Matteus Baril with text: Dr. Thomas Cunningham Award, Psychology

Hunter Matteus Baril

Major: Psychology

Minor: Spanish

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Arcadia, CA

Image of Neha Hazra with text: Dr. Thomas Cunningham award, Psychology

Neha Hazra

Majors: Psychology and Philosophy

Minor: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Portland, OR

Image of Ashleigh Owen with text: Dr. Thomas Cunningham award, Psychology

Ashleigh Owen

Major: Psychology

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Kirkland, WA

Image of Sofia Ramirez with text: Fr. Louis Gaffney, SJ Award, Psychology

Sofia Ramirez

Major: Psychology

Minor: Environmental Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Issaquah, WA

Image of Talia Rossi with text: Fr. Louis Gaffney, SJ Award, Psychology

Talia Rossi

Majors: Psychology and Theatre with Departmental Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Image of Christelle May Vereb with text: Dr. Thomas Cunningham award, Psychology

Christelle May Vereb

Major: Psychology

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Venice, FL

Image of Sanya Cowal with text: Woodrow Wilson Award, Public Affairs

Sanya Cowal

Majors: Public Affairs and Environmental Studies

Hometown: Portland, OR

Image of Erica Calloway with text, Taylene Watson, MSW Social Justice Award

Erica Calloway

Major: Social Work

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Charleston, SC

Image of Erica Calloway with text, Dr. Madeline Lovell Academic Excellence Award, Social Work

Erica Calloway

Major: Social Work

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Charleston, SC

Image of Olivia Gaughran with text: Dr. Madeline Lovell Academic Excellence Award, Social Work

Olivia Gaughran

Majors: Social Work and Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Sammamish, WA

Image of Megan McCreedy with text: Dr. Madeline Lovell Academic Excellence Award, Social Work

Megan McCreedy

Major: Social Work

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Jackson Hole, WY

Image of Elizabeth Vargas with text: Dr. Madeline Lovell Academic Excellence Award, Social Work

Elizabeth Vargas

Major: Social Work with Departmental Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Aguascalientes, Mexico

Image of Olivia DiGiorno and text: Catherine LaCugna Award, Theology and Religious Studies

Olivia DiGiorno

Majors: Theology and Religious Studies and Political Science

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Saint Paul, MN

Image of Natalie Rahn with text: Susan L. Secker Award, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Natalie Rahn

Majors: Women and Gender Studies with Departmental Honors and Political Science with Departmental Honors

Summa Cum Laude

Hometown: Sammamish, WA

Department Honors

Majoring with departmental honors offers an opportunity for motivated and capable students to engage in extensive interaction with faculty and complete challenging directed study projects and research in their major.

Anthropology and Sociology

Samantha Cremer / Karan Desai

Art, Art History, and Design

Emma Ming Wahl

Criminal Justice

Sophia Evans / Alana Golding / Michela Richardson

English/Creative Writing

Haley A. Beaver / Ella J. Campbell / Alia H. Fukumoto / Katherine P. Howard / Erin T. Hunley / Grace A. Kohler / Annika H. Le / Nicolas W. Loduca / Brandon A. McWilliams / Anna S. Petgrave / Sarah M. Salame / Elena L. Selthun / Joshua H. Wagner-Smith

History

Mary Sweeney

International Studies

Rachel Adamek / Mindy Miller / Yasmin Shirzad

Kinesiology

Jennifer Wong

Performing Arts and Arts Leadership

Sophia Martin / Lily Noto / Talia Rossi

Philosophy

Mia Altieri / Hana Cooper / Neha Hazra / Genesis Williamson

Political Science

Mia Altieri / Sarah Cerdena / Gabriella Fitz / Laurel Petrik / Pichpanharath Seng

Social Work

Elizabeth Vargas

Theology and Religious Studies

Olivia DiGiorno / Tayz Hernandez-Campero / Megan Oakes

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Ariana Siddiqui Dennis / Natalie Rahn

Student Executive Council Awards

Each year, the Student Executive Council invites all students in the College of Arts and Sciences to nominate the teachers, advisors and staff members that have made a significant impact on their education and life. This award honors a Professor, Academic Advisor, and Staff member for exceptional contributions made towards the intellectual and personal growth of Seattle University students.

Photo of Caitlin Carlson and text Teacher of the Year

Caitlin Carlson, PhD

Associate Professor, Communication and Media

Photo of Lauren Van Fossen and text Advisor of the Year

Lauren Van Fossen

Academic Advisor

Photo of Kate Reynolds and text Staff of the Year

Verna McKinnon-Hipps

Administrative Assistant, Communication and Media

Text: Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead. Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron

Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.

Student Executive Council: Recognizing Our Graduating Seniors

The Arts & Sciences Student Executive Council is a student advisory board to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The undergraduate students each represent a different department or program in the College as well as the student body as a whole. The representatives act as the students’ voice to those who can make change happen in the College and in each department and program, working as a link between students, the Dean, and the leadership of each department.

Image of Claire Babcock with text: SEC Co-Chair and Environmental Studies Representative

Claire Babcock

Photo of Kelly Curtis and text: Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Representative

Kelly Curtis

Photo of Olivia Digiorno and text: Political Science Representative

Olivia DiGiorno

Illustration of fountain and text: Asian Studies Representative

Davis Elliott

Photo of Olivia Gaughran and text Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Representative

Olivia Gaughran

Photo of Neha Hazra and text: SEC Co-Chair and Philosophy Representative

Neha Hazra

Illustration of fountain and text Emma Hill, Criminal Justice Representative

Emma Hill

Image of fountain and text Taylor Keating, At Large Representative

Taylor Keating

Image of Allie MacDonald and text: Psychology (BA) Representative

Allie MacDonald

Image of Jamie Marcello and text: At Large Representative

Jamie Marcello

Photo of Rose Murphy and text: Theology and Religious Studies Representative

Rose Murphy

Photo of Elena Selthun and text: English/Film Studies Representative

Elena Selthun

Photo of Isabel Wagner and text: History Representative

Isabel Wagner

Photo of Emma Wahl and text: Art, Art History, and Design  Representative

Emma Ming Wahl

Photo of Abby Jo Walker and text: Anthropology & Sociology Representative

Abby Jo Walker

Photo of Marissa Wong and text: Social Work Representative

Marissa Wong

Image of Casey Building and flowers with text: Congratulations to the class of 2021

Congratulations to the Class of 2021