ALLIANCE, Ohio – The 38th annual Dewald Honors Celebration and Dinner was held Tuesday, September 11 at the University of Mount Union. The event recognizes high academic achievement among Mount Union students, honoring those who have held Dean’s List status during one or more semesters last year.

Class leader prizes, based on high-grade point average and letters of recommendation, were selected by a committee of five faculty members, Dr. Jeffrey Breese, vice president for academic affairs and dean and John Frazier, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

The A.P. Rickard and Alice W. and Stanley T. Evans Freshman Prize, given to a freshman who has the highest GPA at the close of the academic year, was awarded to Cody DeBos, nursing major of Massillon, Ohio. He is a member of the student nursing organization, camp crusade Christ and fellowship of Christian athletes.

In her nomination, Sara Dorris, assistant professor of nursing, said Debos, “…is a very strong student, who is an asset to their peers. This student takes great pride in their work, communicates very well among peers, and the staff. The recipient is a class leader and serves as the current freshman class representative for the department. The recipient’s role models as a team player, with excellent performance within all of his courses.”

Other finalists for the freshman prize included Emily Ina, a neuroscience major of Brunswick, Ohio.

The Ralph K. and Elizabeth B. Ramsayer Sophomore Prize, established to honor scholarship, development of personality and leadership and achievement in extracurricular subjects, was awarded to Kylie Sees, a finance and marketing major of Akron, Ohio. Sees is a member of the American Marketing Association and Tau Pi Phi.

In his recommendation, Mark McConnell, associate professor of marketing described Sees as, “among the brightest and talented students in the department. I am proud to be their academic advisor. Surprisingly, their academic performance is not driven by a quest for good grades. The recipient’s 4.0 GPA is driven by intense intellectual curiosity and an exemplary work ethic.”

The Faculty/Staff Prize was established by Mount Union’s faculty to honor an academically talented student in the junior class who has shown extraordinary achievement in his or her academic program. This year, the award went to Cassie Mead, a sociology and theatre major of Columbiana, Ohio. Mead is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, knitting club, Mount Union players, gender equity matters and calliope.

“This recipient is delightful. They participate effectively in class which facilitates the positive learning dynamics of all class members,” said Naoko Oyabu-Mathis, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. “Without question, the recipient is very bright, but I also know from interacting with the recipient that she does not take her intellectual ability for granted.”

Other finalists for the sophomore and faculty/staff prizes were Julia Lombardo, an early childhood major of Burton, Ohio, and Matthew Owrey, a biochemistry major of Grove City, Pennsylvania.

The McMaster/Drushal Junior Prize, recognizing scholarship and deportment, was presented to Graycen Wood, a communications studies major of Auburn Township, Ohio. Wood is a member of the Mount Union dance team, Alpha Phi Omega, pre-law society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Mu Gamma and the Lambda Pi Eta honor society. She has received the Ringwald debate prize as well as the Phillips pre-law prize. She is currently the president of both pre-law society and Lambda Pi Eta.

Dr. Jamie Capuzza, professor and chair of the Department of Communication, wrote that Wood, “the recipient is the “real deal.” She is the most mature, modest, and professional student I’ve ever had.”

The other finalist for the McMaster/Drushal Junior Prize was Hailey Ruth, a senior early childhood education major of North Canton, Ohio.

During the event, Allison Erisey, a psychology and sociology major of Alliance, Ohio, and Chloe Miller, a neuroscience major of Kent, Ohio, presented “Autism Spectrum Disorder.”

Presidential Scholars and recipients of the Investment Alliance Award were also recognized.

Breese ended the night by acknowledging the students in attendance as academic leaders of Mount Union and wished everyone success as the new academic year unfolds.