Celebrating Asbury 2026 Commencement, May 2 – Learn More Now.
Annual chapel recognizes academic excellence, servant leadership, and Christ-centered scholarship across disciplines
The Asbury University Academic Honors Convocation highlights the value of academic excellence as an act of worship and encourages students to steward their gifts in ways that serve both the Church and the world.
During Monday’s Academic Honors Convocation Chapel, Asbury University honored numerous 2026 undergraduate seniors for their academic achievements, as well as the Faculty Award for Excellence in Student Investment and other distinguished recognition.
Part of the mission of Asbury University is to equip students, through academic excellence and spiritual vitality, so that students are prepared to engage society and advance the cause of Christ around the world.”
“Today, we celebrate the many ways our community has demonstrated our collective commitment to these ideals as we highlight the academic achievements of members of our student body and faculty.”
The award recipients included:
Ancient & Modern Languages
– Outstanding Graduate in Spanish: Geneva G. Wise
– Outstanding Graduate in Ancient Languages: Tyler R. Wilson
Social Science & History
– Outstanding Graduate in Political Science: Ashton H. Montgomery
– Outstanding Graduate in Sociology: Isabella R. DePue
– Outstanding Graduate in Social Studies Teacher Education: Carina E. Hunter
Art & Design
– Senior Merit Art Award: Vanessa Fischer
– Art & Faith Award: Sylvia Ruthie Williams
– Marjorie King Smith Scholarship for Art & Design: Rebekah Jenkins and Cosette Meloon
English
– Excellence in Creative Writing: Marissa Yan and Abby Goodrich
– Excellence in English: Geneva Wise
– Brubaker Scholarship (Education): Lydia Gerig
– Putney Scholarship (English): Sabina Boyer
Music
– Outstanding Senior Music Scholar: Lindsey Melhorn
Psychology
– Moulton Scholars: Katrina Joy Boehme, Anna Kathleen Tharp, and Hoyoun Ye
– Highest Academic Achievement: Aliceson McKenzie Barger and Marissa Somang Yost
– Lee Fisher Psi Chi Award for Leadership, Service, Excellence, and Character: Bryanne Amanda McDermott
Dayton School of Business
– Outstanding Graduate: Caleb Cleveland
– Outstanding Student in Accounting: Valerii Vakulenko
– Outstanding Student in Business Administration: Gabe Allen
– Outstanding Student in Finance: Franco Patino
– Outstanding Student in Marketing: Hallie Bryant
– Outstanding Student in Sport Management: Christina Williams
– Professors’ Choice: Virginia Drago
Christian Studies
– E. Stanley Jones Scholastic Award in Missions: Mary Lois Hostetter
– Outstanding Achievement in Pastoral Ministry: Wesley Brice Elliott
– Association of Youth Ministry Educators Scholastic Achievement Award: Shayann Michael Oxley
– Outstanding Achievement in Worship Arts: Kara Beth Burnett
– Society of Professors in Christian Education Scholastic Achievement Award: Kaitrin Nicole Bolling and Abigail Grace Strawderman
– Outstanding Achievement in Bible & Theology: Andrew Ryan Meece
School of Communication Arts
– Academic Excellence in Theatre: Jazmyn Lorentzen
– Academic Excellence in Communication: Sidney Hansen
– Academic Excellence in Multimedia Journalism: Dina van Heemst
– Academic Excellence in Media Communication: Sophia Nordyke
School of Education
– Outstanding Achievement in Middle and Secondary Education: Carina Hunter
– Outstanding Achievement in P-12 Education: Olivia Mansfield
– Outstanding Achievement in APS Elementary Education: Katelan Collins
– Outstanding Achievement in Traditional Elementary Education: Makayla Carpenter
Shaw School of Sciences
– Outstanding Senior (Biology & Chemistry): Emma Brown
– Outstanding Senior (Equine Studies): Aliceson Barger
– Outstanding Senior (Exercise Science): Naomi Thallman
– Kenyon Award: Sara Gantz
SEARCH Symposium Awards
– First Place: Marissa Yost
– Second Place: Sarah Bruns
– Third Place: Emma Brown
Evelyn Thurman Endowed Library Scholarship
– James “Jimmy” Hale
2026 Roy L. Lauter Servant Leadership Award
– Samantha Clarkson, Angel Arnaldo Oquendo, Ellie Parris, and Emily Sizemore
Scholar Athletes
Claudiane Adou, Ignacio Ardiles, Alejo Britos, Gregorio Bustingorri, Adam Campbell, Matthew Durig, Morgan Flannery, Sidney Haysley, Claire Hentrup, Mary Hostetter, Emme Johnson, Daniel Kersey, Joy Killingsworth, Ethan Kriesch, Dorcus Lara, Olivia Mansfield, Megan Mateyoke, Grace Mattingly, Riley McChord, Pascal Mueller, Hannah Muncie, Brooke O’Carroll, Martina Paillet, Jacob Parker, Franco Patino, Ethan Revell, Owen Seymour, Crosby Short, Turner Shouse, Victor Talemwa, and Maris Wainright
As part of the ceremony, Asbury University recognized Dr. Elizabeth Jones as the 2026 Frances White Ewbank Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, honoring her commitment to teaching effectiveness and spiritual mentorship.
The convocation reflected Asbury’s continued commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and the development of students prepared to serve and lead in their respective fields.
Asbury University is a nationally ranked Christian liberal arts institution in the heart of Kentucky with 15 academic departments offering more than 120 undergraduate areas of study, along with graduate degrees in business, Christian ministries, communication, media, and education and an online undergraduate program. More than 22,000 living alumni surround the globe, leading and serving in all 50 states and at least 80 nations.