Avila Now

On Saturday, April 30, 2022, Avila recognized students and faculty at the 36th Annual Honors Recognition Ceremony. The program included a welcome by Vice President for Academic Affairs Ted Whapham, Ph.D., prayer by Director of University Mission and Ministry Dave Armstrong, M.P.S., CSJA, greetings by President Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA, presentation of awards by faculty and staff, and closing blessing by Armstrong. 

Avila student Sierra Reed was presented with the Jeanne Collins Thompson ‘54 Ariston Award given to the senior who best represents the mission, values, and characteristics of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. “Just being considered for the award in itself is an honor knowing that the other finalists have made such meaningful contributions to our community and represent the mission and values of Avila University in everything they do. It’s a huge honor to be recognized and represent my class,” said Reed. “As I reflect on everything that’s happened in the last four years, I am reminded of how none of it would have been possible without the support of my peers, family, teammates, and the faculty. I will always cherish the relationships and knowledge I’ve gained during this chapter.” 

Avila Associate Professor Malcolm Gold, Ph.D., was selected as the Avila Professor of the Year. “It is an honor to be selected by the students for this award. I am amazed by their hard work both in and out of the classroom, am amazed by their support for each other and the Avila Community, and am looking forward to hearing about their future endeavors,” said Gold. 

Recognition Awards

• Theatre Senior of the Year Award – Tinna Rivera
• Sr. Martha Smith Award for History – Brandon Wortman
• Sr. Marcella Holloway Award Outstanding English Major – Brianna Betts
• The Jane Jordan Music Award – Garland Moore
• Avila Institute for Professional Studies Graduate Student of the Year – Lyndse McPheeters
• Avila Institute for Professional Studies Undergraduate Student of the Year – Katie Brenner
• Outstanding MBA Student – Kyle Ahlenstorf
• Outstanding Student in Finance – Yaneth Rosales
• Outstanding Student in Management – Titus Boone
• Outstanding Student in Marketing – Lydia Schuetz
• Outstanding Student in Accounting – Joshua McCullough
• Outstanding Student in International Business – Yaneth Rosales
• William Randall Sowers Award – Jadon Pyle
• Eschbacher Excellence in Education Award – Adrianna Wendel
• The Laura Sloan Oustanding Student Teacher Award 
  • Ernest Bustillo – Special Education
  • Clint Walters – Secondary Social Studies
• Graduate Psychology Oustanding Scholar Award 
  • Lea Morvan-Pereur
  • Iriannys Torres
• Psi Chi Distinguished Scholar Award – Emily Kowalski
• MSCP Promising Professional Award – Kim Wade
• Dorothy Gallagher Award – Odessa Andree
• Outstanding Social Work Student Award – Athaviah Shane
• Outstanding Student in Criminology Award – Nia Rose Elina Musamali
• School of Nursing Excellence in Leadership Award – Benjamin Birdsong
• Most Outstanding Senior in Nursing Award – Paige Reed
• School of Nursing Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice  – Lacey Williams
• Outstanding Biology Student Award
  • Caroline Root
  • Sierra Reed
• Outstanding Kinesiology Student Award
  • Sarah Holman
  • Mackenzie Staats
• Carole Hillestad Award for Oustanding Student in Radiologic Science – Linsey Rogers
• Stephanie A. Whistler Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Radiologic Science – Haley Tutorino
• Dallavis Oustanding Leadership Award in Communication – Guilherme De Carvalho Berbel Lozani
• Dallavis Oustanding Leadership Award in Art + Design – Lauren Harrell
• Student Scholar Day Best Oral Performance Presentation (3rd Place)
  • Nia Musamali
  • Tumello Musamali
• Student Scholar Day Best Oral Performance Presentation (2nd Place) – Lindsay Wing
• Student Scholar Day Best Oral Performance Presentation (1st Place) – Alison Prettyman
• Student Scholar Day Best Poster (3rd Place)
  • Madelyn Mullinax
  • Hannah Rogers
  • Jeremiah Epps 
• Student Scholar Day Best Poster (2nd Place) – Sierra Reed
• Student Scholar Day Best Poster (1st Place) – Aaron Eustaquio
• Mission/Vision Award – Athaviah Shane
• Professor of the Year Award – Malcolm Gold, Ph.D.
• Avila University Student Award of Excellence
  • Madison Baker
  • Alexandra Comparato
  • Guilherme De Carvalho Berbel Lozani
  • Isabelle Fox
  • Lauren Harrell
  • Emily Kowalski
  • Kennedee Meier
  • Garland Moore
  • Trinity Morris
  • Nia Musamali
  • Tumelo Musamali
  • Paige Reed
  • Sierra Reed
  • Tinna Rivera
  • Linsey Rogers
  • Caroline Root
  • Alyssa Rushing
  • Lydia Schuetz
  • Athaviah Shane
  • Joelle Shurtz
  • Mackenzie Staats
  • Adrianna Wendel
  • D’Ovion Williams
  • Madison Wray
• Jeanne Collins Thompson Ariston Award Finalist 
  • Garland Moore
  • Nia Musamali
  • Sierra Reed
  • Tinna Rivera
  • Linsey Rogers
• Jeanne Collins Thompson Ariston Award Winner
  • Sierra Reed