Humanities, social sciences, sciences students applauded at honors night

KOKOMO, Ind. - Faculty and staff in the Indiana University Kokomo School of Humanities and Social Sciences and School of Sciences celebrated student academic achievement during their honors program April 20 in Havens Auditorium.

Chancellor Mark Canada; Scott Jones, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; Chris Darr, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Patrick Motl, dean of the School of Sciences welcomed students, their family and friends, and faculty to the celebration.

Darr congratulated students on their accomplishments, saying they arrived there through their own hard work and the support of family and friends. The honorees studied long nights and weekends, participated in clubs and activities, worked jobs on and off campus, and overcome obstacles.

"Our two schools share many things. One of these is a belief in the central importance of lifelong learning," he said. "Benjamin Franklin, a tireless proponent of public education, insisted that an educated, well-informed citizenry was crucial for a democratic society. He thought that reason and free inquiry were essential, and that dedication to lifelong learning helped us develop not just knowledge and skills, but moral virtue as well. Our faculty work tirelessly to ensure that our students learn about the natural and social worlds, and more broadly, we hope to instill in them the value of reason and free inquiry: Educated citizens must think critically; they must seek truth; they must distinguish between fact and opinion; and they must remain open-minded while demanding evidence. These efforts are needed now more than ever."

Outstanding student award recipients were:

Communications: Jenna Waterman, Noblesville

Criminal justice and homeland security: Jessica Stalhood, Russiaville

English: Grace Gamblin, Kokomo

New media, art, and technology: Kaiya Bogers, Whitby, Ontario, Canada

History, political science, and philosophy: Moriah Crawford, Springfield, Illinois

Humanities: Grace Briney, Kokomo

Psychology: Raileigh Gerlach, Battleground

Sociology: Madison Johnson, Logansport

Spanish: Samir Lopez, Kokomo

General studies: Olivia Boisselier, Winamac

Biology: Reece Pelgen, Kokomo; and Elisabeth London Pennington, Galveston

Biochemistry: Annastasia Hutchings, Plymouth

Chemistry: Tyler Gilbert, Kokomo

Biological and physical sciences: Iza Gould, Kokomo

Computer science: Sean Michael Sonnenberg, Kokomo

Health sciences: Breanna Koester, Westfield

Exercise science: Kory Dillon, Kokomo

Health education and promotion: Emma Allbaugh, Bringhurst

Informatics: Ian Connolly, Kokomo

Mathematics: Austin Bammerlin, Kokomo

Data science: MaryClare Burch, Noblesville

Honors program graduates recognized in HSS included: Brandon Maish, Peru, and Jessica Stalhood, Russiaville

Honors program graduates recognized in the School of Sciences included: Brianna L. Lane, Elwood; Elisabeth London Pennington, Galveston; Emily L. Fuller, Iza Gould, and Grace Linden Meissnest, Kokomo; and Annastasia Marie Hutchings, Plymouth

Scholarship recipients honored included:

Benjamin and Sylvia Safianow Scholarship: Lili Horner, Greentown; Sarahy Jimenez, Logansport; and Grayson Arndt, Marion

IU Kokomo Band and Choral Scholarship: Raynah Willard, Frankfort; Kate Davis, Frankton; Emilia Deckard, Emily Fuller, and Jackson Edwards, Kokomo; and Xen Kelly, Peru

The Chancellor and Mrs. Victor M. Bogle Scholarship: Moriah Crawford, Springfield, Illinois

Colonial Dames of America Scholarship: Lil Horner, Greentown

Dr. Herbert C. and Lillian M. Miller Scholarship for International Travel: Cameron Barber, Emsly Breisch, Max Hodson, Christian Robinson, Kokomo

Robert Roales NIMS Scholarship: Emilia Lamoreaux, Arcadia

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.