GW Community Members Honored With 2026 Excellence in Student Life Awards

The George Washington University Division for Student Affairs in April honored students, faculty, staff, and student organizations for their exceptional impacts throughout the GW community with the 42nd annual Excellence in Student Life Awards.

The tradition provides recognition for the individuals and groups that work with dedication and intention to enhance the GW student experience. At the Day of Excellence celebration in the University Student Center Great Hall on April 16, recipients accepted goodie bags and certificates honoring their achievements.

Descriptions of each award can be found on the Division for Student Affairs website. Honorees are listed below.

Baer Award for Individual Excellence in the GW Community

• Lexi Romanowsky
• Nadia Brittain
• Rohan Bhargava

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award

• Graduate Winner: Motunrayo Fatoke
• Undergraduate Winner: Maja Hawthorne

Excellence in Diversity Award

• ETA Society for Global Affairs

Graduate Award for Individual Excellence

• Bridget Kelly

Hippo for Hope Award

• Engineers' Philanthropic Society

Honey Nashman Spark a Life Award for Faculty Member of the Year

• Gil Appel

Learning Through Action Award

• ENGAGE-The GW Physical Therapy Program Engaged Department

Manatt-Trachtenberg Prize for Transformative Social and Intellectual Conscious

• Darianny Bautista

Marc A. Zambetti Award for Intramural Excellence

• Abigail Strait

Mount Vernon Award

• Deeksha Ravi

Outstanding Service Award

• Physical Therapy Student Organization
• Ethan Fitzgerald
• Malak Khalid

Pyramid Award for Student Organization of the Year

• Black Law Students Association
• GW TRAiLS
• Stock and Portfolio Management Club

Robert Chernak Award for Staff Member of the Year

• Chante Clarkson

Student Organization Member of the Year Award

• Kaitlyn Frost

The George Washington Award

• Bobby Walis