UJ celebrates students’ achievements at 2024 Honors Convocation
JAMESTOWN, North Dakota – University of Jamestown announced several student awards at its annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 18, in Harold Newman Arena.
The awards conferred include:
The Freshman Biology Achievement Award is given to the highest-ranking freshman in biology.
Award recipients: Jordyn Thorson, Wilton, North Dakota, and Natalie Draper, Oak Lake, Manitoba, Canada.
The Senior Biology Achievement Award is given in recognition of high academic excellence in the field of biology to a graduating biology major.
Award recipient: Camille Klindworth, Beulah, North Dakota.
The William J. Klaudt Award, given in honor of Mr. William J. Klaudt, former professor and chair of the Department of Business Administration, is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding overall performance in the Department of Business, Accounting and Economics.
Award recipient: Caleb Ritter, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Communication Achievement Award is given in recognition of high academic excellence in the field of communication, service to the college and the community, and leadership in the Communication Department.
Award recipient: Madison Motschenbacher, Jamestown.
The General Chemistry Award is given to the most outstanding student in general chemistry.
Award recipient: Markam Cook, Binscarth, Manitoba, Canada, and Kyra Vogel, Jamestown.
The Jerry Knoblich Organic Chemistry Award, given in honor of the former chemistry department chair, is awarded to the individual with the highest overall average in Organic Chemistry.
Award recipient: Hannah Hagel, Carrington, North Dakota.
The Freshman Computer Science & Technology Award is given to outstanding freshman who have completed CS 160, have taken or are taking at least one more CS course numbered 170 or higher, and show great promise in the Computing field.
Award recipients: Tom Hoffman, Cujik, The Netherlands, and Isaac Muth, Mandan, North Dakota.
The Freshman Digital Design Award is given to an outstanding freshman who has completed CS 160, has taken or is taking at least one more DIG course numbered 111 or higher, and shows great promise in digital design.
Award recipient: Clara Pelegrina, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Outstanding Graduate(S) In Computer Science And Technology Award is given to a graduating senior who shows great promise in graduate school or industry.
Award recipient: Alex Maida, Northridge, California
The Outstanding Graduate(S) In Digital Design is given to a graduating senior who shows great promise in graduate school or industry.
Award recipient: Gavin Gibson, Jamestown.
The Professional Achievement Award In English is awarded to the junior or senior showing the most professional promise in English.
Award recipient: Nathan Cohen-Wallis, Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
The Writing Center Tutor Of The Year Award recognizes undergraduate tutors who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to writing center pedagogy and valued practices and have made significant contributions to support writing at UJ through the Writing Center.
Award recipient: Rachel Roehrich, Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study is named in honor of Felix Wirz, 1962 graduate of Jamestown College from Basel, Switzerland, and Foreign Language Department faculty member from 1970 to 1974. It is awarded to an outstanding student majoring in French, German or Spanish. The student must have a major in one or more languages other than English, have studied abroad, been an officer in Alpha Mu Gamma or the International Student Organization, been an asset to the Foreign Language Department, and show promise for working to promote language acquisition after graduation.
Award recipient: Madison Motschenbacher, Jamestown.
The History Merit Award is given in recognition of superior academic performance and outstanding scholarly contributions in the fields of history and political science.
Award recipients: Ethan Sherva, Portland, North Dakota.
The Political Science Merit Award is given in recognition of high inspiration, unselfish dedication to the principles of American democracy, and superior academic performance.
Award recipient: Madeline Nelsen, Fargo, North Dakota.
The Peggy And Merle Foss Outstanding Major Of The Year awards are presented to the most outstanding junior or senior majors who hold a minimum GPA of 3.3, have demonstrated professional service and strong leadership ability, and/or show great promise in graduate school.
Exercise Science Award recipient: Shannon Bryn, Dazey, North Dakota.
Health & Physical Education Teacher Education: Award recipient: Kyle Powers, Parma, Idaho.
The Music Department Student Achievement Award is given each year to the junior or senior music major who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishment in her/his music studies at the University of Jamestown.
Award recipient: Alivia Hoke, Jamestown.
The Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program at the University of Jamestown.
Award recipients: Shannon Bryn, Dazey, North Dakota, and Konnor Stordalen, Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Dekrey Instrumental Music Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the instrumental program at the University of Jamestown.
Award recipients: Sariah Sanders, Jamestown, and Konnor Stordalen, Bismarck, North Dakota
The Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing is presented to a senior UJ nursing student who has contributed the most effort to assist student learning within the nursing program.
Award recipient: Raegen Hartman, Edgeley, North Dakota.
The Dr. Teree Rittenbach Award is given in honor of and out of love for Dr. Teree Rittenbach, Professor of Nursing at the University of Jamestown since 1977. It is presented to a student nurse who demonstrates unselfish dedication to nursing and volunteerism, a love of learning, and a love for the elderly population.
Award recipient: Brennen Kemmet, Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Distinguished Achievement Award In Nursing is presented to a senior UJ nursing student(s) selected by the nursing faculty, for outstanding academic achievement, contribution to co-curricular activities, and leadership potential in professional nursing.
Award recipient: Kamree Carlson, Park Rapids, Minnesota.
The Nurse Leadership Recognition Award is presented to the UJ nursing student who has been selected for one of the following honors by the NDNSA: North Dakota Student Nurse of the Year, President of NDNSA, or recipient of the NDNSA State Leadership Award.
Award recipients: Kamree Carlson, Park Rapids, Minnesota.
The Ruth Strutz Adult Learner Award is presented in honor of Dr. Ruth Strutz to a UJ senior nursing student, selected by the nursing faculty, who exemplifies outstanding adult learning characteristics.
Award recipient: Bethany Keller, Holtville, California.
The Psychology Department Outstanding Senior Achievement Award is given annually to a graduating senior majoring in psychology who has demonstrated a high level of achievement.
Award recipient: Jake Huculak, Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
The Psychology Department Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award is given annually to an outstanding psychology undergraduate who has demonstrated a high level of achievement in the department of psychology.
Award recipient: Sara Bonn, Des Lacs, North Dakota.
The Religion And Philosophy Department Prize is given in recognition of exemplary work in the department.
Award recipient: Nathaniel Cloyd, Jamestown.
The Outstanding Student In Elementary Education Award is presented to a student in the Teacher Education Department for outstanding achievement.
Award recipient: Sulinke Ven Den Berg, Jamestown.
The Outstanding Student In Secondary Education Award is presented to the student in the Teacher Education Department for outstanding achievement.
Award recipient: Rachel Roehrich, Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Clyde R. Travis Award is presented to the junior student showing the greatest promise in teacher education. The award was founded by the class of 1926 in memory of Clyde R. Travis, former head of the Teacher Education Department.
Award recipient: Alecia Akers, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.
The Jimmie Zanni Award is given by the Theatre program to recognize students who epitomize versatility and quality in both performance and technical theatre.
Award recipient: Christian Gifford, Minot, North Dakota.
The Kennedy S. Wanner Memorial Trophy was established by the brothers and sisters of Kennedy S. Wanner, a Jamestown College student killed in World War I. The selection is based on the student’s scholastic record, participation in intercollegiate athletics, and high ideals.
Award recipients: Paul Vandal, Jamestown, and Kia Tower, Marcell, Minnesota.
The Carl C. Raugust Award goes to the senior student(s) who, during his or her work-study assignment at Raugust Library, demonstrated exceptional skills, devotion to duty, and willingness to serve.
Award recipient: Megan Moser, Medina, North Dakota.
The Chapter AB PEO Awards are given to a female student or students with high potential who have graduated from Jamestown High School and have attended the University of Jamestown for one, two, or three semesters.
Award recipients: Teagan Bosche, Haylie Hakanson, Rylee Joseph, and Kirsten Vander Kooi, all of Jamestown.
The Chapter K PEO Awards are given to two junior women and are based on character, scholarship, and leadership.
Award recipients: Kelsey Amick, Mitchell, South Dakota, and Lexis Olson, Langdon, North Dakota.
The President’s Key Award is given annually to the highest-ranking student(s) in the senior class who has spent all four years at University of Jamestown.
Award recipient: Zereta Gahner, Jamestown.
The Student Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding student leader who has demonstrated a pattern of success in all aspects of their college experience.
Award recipient: Bryson Tripp, Jamestown.
The Senior Year Excellence Award is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated a pattern of success in their final academic year at the University of Jamestown. This student has demonstrated the ability to balance high academic rigor while maintaining involvement in extracurricular activities such as: student organizations, internships, work experiences, volunteer experiences, etc. Students must be in their final year with intentions to graduate, have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and must have completed a minimum of 90 credit hours.
Award recipient: Sadie Meissner, Jamestown.
The Top Dog Award is presented to the top male and female weight room performers. This award is given to students who demonstrate the following: strong leadership qualities, loyalty to their team and the University, commitment to the process, an unmatched work ethic, the ability to make SMART choices that benefit themselves and others, a “Never Quit” mindset, and the ability to live in the present moment.
Award recipients: Audrey Rodakowski, Dickinson, North Dakota, and Paul Vandal, Jamestown.
The Resident Assistant of the Year Award is presented to a member of the Residence Life staff who has accomplished the following: Designed and implemented meaningful programming experiences within their residence hall, fostered the development of strong relationships among their residents which resulted in building community, and has shown dedication to their role as a service leader within their hall.
Award recipient: Chandler Young, Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Illuminator Award honors a student who consistently inspires others to do good deeds and serves as a role model to other students in their behavior, service to others, and their ability to exemplify what it means to be a Jimmie.
Award recipient: Camille Klindworth, Beulah.
The Impact Award honors a student who consistently and positively makes an impact on the lives of all who cross their path.
Award recipient: Isaiah Roebuck, Marana, Arizona.
The Office of Student Affairs’ Take Heart Award recognizes a student who gifts others with courage, hope, confidence, and joy. This student is often referred to as a “day maker,” and their words and actions positively impact those around them.
Award recipient: Arin Oster, Minot, North Dakota.
