UCO Liberal Arts Honors Its Exceptional Students
Liberal Arts News and Events
May 6, 2022

The UCO College of Liberal Arts honored its exceptional students at the 2022 Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 29 at the UCO College of Liberal Arts South Wing Lecture Hall.
Letter from the Interim Dean
It is one of my greatest privileges as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts to welcome you to the 2022 Liberal Arts Honors and Awards Ceremony, at which we shall celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students.
This evening’s ceremony has a special significance both because it marks the first time since the spring of 2019 that we have been able to gather in person to congratulate our Liberal Arts scholarship and award recipients and because we are honoring students who have excelled despite the extraordinary challenges that we have experienced during the past two years.
Our students are our heroes, and their dedication to excellence, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their belief in the transformative power of education is both exemplary and inspirational.
The Greek historian and philosopher Plutarch claimed that, “the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling . . . to create an ardent desire for the truth”; the British essayist and critic Walter Pater argued, in another context, that, “to burn always with this hard, gemlike flame . . . is success in life.”
The lamp of learning, which graces the University of Central Oklahoma’s official seal, has burned all the brighter during these dark days because of our students and their achievements.
I look forward to joining you as we honor this extraordinary group of student leaders.
Yours, truly,
J. David Macey, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts
Award Winners
College Awards
Cully-Peteteketv Endowed Scholarship
Evelyn Enriquez Baez
Grant Aguirre Endowed Liberal Arts Outstanding Undergraduate Award
Taylor Baker
Liberal Arts Civic Engagement Scholarship
Ana Savva Garcia
Liberal Arts Honor Society Officer Scholarship
John Sadler
Liberal Arts Student Organization Officer Scholarship
Jahlana Williams
Liberal Arts Study Tour Annual Fund Awards
Arden Boydstun, Philip Dyer, Kaitlyn Mannis, Ethan Tartsah
Mary Elizabeth Morelli Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Melissa Rosenfelt
Nathanial Martinez Endowed Scholarship
Mariah Webb
Panera Bread Liberal Arts Student Organization President Scholarship
Izabel Barry
Richard and Helen Peters’ Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Applied Liberal Arts Award
Saen Hokenson
Sorosis Club Scholarship
Julia Moser, Emma Stewart
College of Liberal Arts Symposium Awards
Be the Light Award
“Environmental Injustice and Class Inequality in The Devil We Know” by Audrey DeCelle
Best Symposium Paper from an Honor Society
“How Should the U.S. and International Community Effectively Handle the China-Taiwan Dispute” by Clarence Long
Best Symposium Paper in English Written by a Non-native Speaker
“Living the Epicurean Way” by Ana Savva Garcia
Best Symposium Presentation
“Menstruation and the Media: A History of Hysteria” by Emma Stewart
Symposium Best Paper First Place
“The Creation Myth of Incels” by Heidi Reust
Symposium Best Paper Second Place
“Lloyd Rader Sr., Hissom Memorial Center, and the Deinstitutionalization of Oklahoma” by Paige McCracken
Symposium Best Paper Third Place
“Shakespeare: Ghosts of the Past and Present” by Renee Haddad
Debate Awards
Doug Duke Endowment for Excellence
Zachary Huffman
H.B. Mitchell Endowed Scholarship for Debate
L Smith
The Lee Sherman Endowed Debate Scholarship
L Smith
The Tyler Henry Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Debate
Kyle Wendland
School of Criminal Justice Awards
Dr. Jaime Burns Scholarship in Criminal Justice
Brayan Medrano Miramontes
Dr. Sid Brown Excellence in Criminal Justice Award
Jose Ibarra
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Criminal Justice
Grayson Briley
W. Roger Webb Endowed Scholarship for Criminal Justice or Counter-Terrorism
Adyson Therkelsen
William D. Parker Outstanding Criminal Justice student award
Adyson Therkelsen
William D. Parker Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award
Aspen Sutherland
Department of English Awards
Adam Luke Worden Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Brandon Allen, Kari Hampton
Barbara Kay Gilmore Endowed Scholarship for English
Brandon Allen, Wendell Davis, Stuart Gleichman, Kari Hampton, Kobi Hampton, Tabor Haws, Heidi Reust, Mary Grace Robertson, Mason Robinson, Gerardo Santillan, Robyn Thornton
Bob Burke Endowed Scholarship in Creative Writing Program
Na’imah Abdul Al-azeez, Maigan Rari
Carol Hamilton Creative Writing Endowed Scholarship
Merry Green (Davis)
Clara Kessler and Paul Walters Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Tabor Haws, Gerardo Santillan
Dale Edward McConathy Scholarship
Brandon Allen, Najah Hylton
Danielle Lelene Barnes Endowed Scholarship
Sloane Merrick
Dr. Claude Arnold Scholarship
Katharine Wray
Dr. Clif’ Warren Writers Endowed Scholarship
Merry Green (Davis)
Dr. Dean Everett Outstanding English Student Award
Brandon Allen
Dr. Loree M. Rice Scholarship
Tabor Haws
Dr. Martin R. Ausmus Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Sydney Vance
Dr. Pamela Washington Scholarship for Liberal Arts Outstanding Sophomore Award
Wyatt Olson
Dr. Sandra Malin Mayfield Endowed Scholarship
Gerardo Santillan
English Department Scholarship
Jessica Jones
Finney Scholars Scholarship for English
Robyn Thornton
Geoffry Bocca Outstanding Graduate Student in Creative Writing Award
Sydney Vance
Lorraine K. Bell Scholarship
Brandon Allen
Marilyn Harris Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Creative Writing Award
Melody Coco
Martin, Wilson, and Associates Endowed Scholarship in Creative Writing
Kobi Hampton, Heidi Reust
Professor Grady C. Watkins Outstanding Undergraduate Student in English Award
Audrey Decelle
Professor Regina Woodberry Award for Outstanding Work in Women’s or Ethnic Studies
Monica Hernandez
Department of History and Geography Awards
Angie Debo Award for Scholarship and Civic Engagement
Maria Raygoza
Caffee-Chesebrough Family History Scholarship
Matthew Friscic
Dr. Carolyn Pool Scholarship in Museum Studies
Maya Fitch
Dr. Churchill Gender and Sexuality Student Scholarship
Jessica Addai, Monica Hernandez, Alexis McKernan, Emma Stewart
Dr. Jere Roberson Scholarship in Social Justice
Tyson Anderson, Ethan Tartsah
Dr. Stan Hoig Endowed Memorial Scholarship in History
Trista Wilmot
Dr. W. David Baird Endowed Scholarship in Oklahoma and Native American History
Ethan Tartsah
Edward Everett Dale Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Lydia Perez
Edward J. Pugh Outstanding Graduating Geographer Award
Elizabeth Carroll
Finney Scholars Scholarship for History & Geography
Emma Stewart
Kenneth Rees Endowed Scholarship in American History
Andrew Rosko
LeRoy Long IV Graduate Student Research Award for History and Geography
Skyler Harms, Ashlan Brionne Johnson
Phi Alpha Theta Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Trista Wilmot
Pugh Family Pioneer Endowed Scholarship for Geography
Tyson Anderson, Joshua Friscic
Department of Humanities and Philosophy Awards
Alumni and Faculty Scholarship for Philosophy
Taylor Baker
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Humanities & Philosophy
Taylor Baker
Humanities and Philosophy Student Leadership Award
Aliessia Jones
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Humanities
Aliessia Jones
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Philosophy
Taylor Baker
Outstanding Tutor of the Year
Deb Voyles
The Arete Award in Philosophy – For Excellence in Scholarship and Work/Life Balance
Vivian Lanier Endowed Scholarship for Humanities
Rylan Vanlandingham
Department of Mass Communication Awards
Al McLaughlin Scholarship in Mass Communication
Carson Clay
Al McLaughlin Scholarship in Mass Communication
Aleve Mathew
Barbara Norman Scholarship
Logan Boyd
Brock Warren Memorial Scholarship Jessica
Dyann Morales
Daniel Smith Photography Scholarship
Lacie Montgomery
Dr. Ray Tassin Endowed Scholarship in Mass Communication
Allison Miller
Dr. Stan Hoig Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Mass Communication
Logan Boyd
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Mass Communication
Promise Hill
Gean B. Atkinson Scholarship for Advertising Excellence
Lilian Smith
Jack Deskin Professional Media Scholarship
Taylor Chase McArthur
Jill Kelsey Outstanding Public Relations Student Award
Kyel Harwell
Joe Hight Award
Majia Cottrell
Media Studies Scholarship
Robyn Thornton
Milton R. Reynolds Most Professional Advanced Student Award
Ashley Jones, Madalyn Nix
Outstanding Broadcast News Award
Dylan Stieber
Outstanding Broadcast Production Award
Trey Guzman
Outstanding Documentary Student Award
Trey Guzman
Outstanding Interpersonal Communication Student Award
Sarah Ingalsbe
Outstanding Media Studies Student Award
Mara McCarty
Outstanding News Editorial Student Award
Ainsley Martinez
Outstanding Organizational Communication Student Award
Destiny Cheek, Allison Ornelas
Outstanding Photography Student Award
Manuela Soldi
Outstanding Service to The Vista Award
Madalyn Nix
Photographic Arts Award – Creative Photography
Brooklin Layman
Photographic Arts Award – Editorial Fashion
Hailey Goodman
Photographic Arts Award – Film Photography
Tomeka Lampkins
Photographic Arts Award – Landscape/Architecture
Rani Peoples
Photographic Arts Award – Outstanding Editing
Cameron Abel
Photographic Arts Award – Outstanding Use of Black and White
Manuela Soldi
Photographic Arts Award – Outstanding Use of Lighting
Madalyn Nix
Photographic Arts Award – Photojournalism
Jessica Juarez
Photographic Arts Award – Portraiture
Faith Ashford
Photographic Arts Award – PSA Scholarship
Emma Barrett, Graycee Hubbard, Aleve Mathew, Madalyn Nix
Reba Collins Endowed Scholarship
Kendall Walton
Robert J. Illidge Oustanding Advertising Student Award
Kyel Harwell
Stanley W. Case Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Mass Communication
Braden Gray, Jocelyn Schifferdecker
The McLaughlin Family Endowed Scholarship in Photography
Allison Miller, Morgan Nelson
Wendell and Pauline Simmons Memorial Scholarship
Ashton Joyner, Taylor Chase McArthur
Woody Gaddis Photography Endowed Scholarship
Graycee Hubbard
Department of Modern Languages Awards
Dr. Cathy Stults Scholarship in French Studies
Gerardo Santillan
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Modern Languages
Rachel Lewis
Jeanne Marie (Jean) Barthell Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Caitlin Alexander
Nollert Family Scholarship in German Studies
Sophie Hagy
Outstanding French Student
Daniela Cardona
Outstanding German Student
Chase Compton
Outstanding Spanish Student
Machela Leathers
Samuel Henry and Elizabeth P. Mitchell Foundation Scholarship for Modern Languages
Sloane Merrick
Steve and Carol Barrymore Endowed Spanish Scholarship
Brianna Jennings
Department of Political Science Awards
Barbara Webster Endowed Scholarship in Political Science
Izabel Barry
Carl F. Reherman Endowed Scholarship in Political Science
Erica Canete
Dr. Brett Sharp Scholarship for Public Administration
Brogan Feeley, Joshua Minner
Dr. James Caster Scholarship in Legal Studies
Saul Perez, Mariah Webb
Dr. Randall Jones Endowed Outstanding Political Science Scholarship
Beverlee Caraway
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Political Science
Zachary Hope
Joe E. White Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Political Science
Beyonce Hammond
Nance Family Scholarship
Evelyn Enriquez Baez
Outstanding First Year Graduate Student Award in Political Science
SinSuk Wang
Outstanding Second Year Graduate Student Award in International Relations
Shadrach Kelfa Fofanah
Outstanding Second Year Graduate Student Award in Master of Public Administration
Michelle Blasquez
Outstanding Second Year Graduate Student Award in Political Science
Regino Adkins
Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society Award
Marina Jones
Political Science Graduate Paper Award
Joshua Minner
Political Science Leadership Award
Joshua Chao
Political Science Undergraduate Paper Award
Saul Perez
Sandra Mackey Endowed Scholarship
Shadrach Kelfa Fofanah, Stephen Hochstetler
Undergraduate Transfer Student Scholarship for Political Science
Reaghan Briggs
Department of Sociology, Gerontology and Substance Abuse Studies Awards
Department of Sociology, Gerontology and Substance Abuse Studies Scholarship
Jacquelyne Day
Edmond Senior Community Foundation Scholarship in Gerontology
May Frances Johnson
Elizabeth A. Berger Award
Lisa Howard
Finney Scholars Scholarship for Sociology, Gerontology and Substance Abuse Studies
Alexandria Godwin
Gene McBride Community Service
Mikayla Nicewander
Judge William S. Myers Award for Academic Excellence and Service in Sociology
Leah Maier
Judy Leitner Endowed Scholarship in Gerontology
May Frances Johnson
Odom Outreach Scholarship in Sociology
Alexandria Godwin
Outstanding Research in Sociology Award
Sara Ashley
Outstanding Student in Addictions Counseling
David Martin, Darian Smith
Outstanding Student in Gerontology
May Frances Johnson
Outstanding Student in Human Services
Amy Nelson
Outstanding Student in Sociology
Lauren May
Richard P. Rettig Award
Courtney Nix
Robert C. Jones Outstanding Student in Substance Abuse Studies
Leigh George
Steward Family Endowed Scholarship in Sociology
Mary Hernandez
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
2022 Truman Scholar
Beyonce Hammond
Presidential Partners Awards
Allison Martin-Pumphrey Leadership Scholarship
Joshua Chao, Jessica Jobey
Forensic Science Institute Endowed Scholarship
Saen Hokenson, Trasey Ramirez
George & Donna Nigh Scholarship
Marina Jones, Zain Whitlock
Jones/Harris Scholarship for Public Service
Joshua Chao
Julian and Irene Rothbaum Student Achievement Awards – College of Liberal Arts
Wendell Davis, Tabor Hawks, Lizeth Torres
LTC Oren Lee Peters Endowed ROTC Scholarship
Stephen Hochstetler
Parman Foundation Scholarship
Cecilia Alali, Michael Gomes, Myles Melson
Robert Aldridge Armed Forces Scholarship
Stephen Hochstetler
The C. Hubert Graff Endowed Scholarship
Jessica Addai, Beyonce Hammond
The C. Hubert Graff Endowed Scholarship
Gareth Morton
The Kirkpatrick Family Scholarship
Izabel Barry, Emma Burch, Carson Clay
UCO Foundation Board of Trustees Scholarship
Abigail Ball