On Campus
A Celebration of Achievement: Academic, Leadership, and Athletic Honors
As Muskingum University’s Spring 2025 semester came to a close, the campus celebrated excellence through three annual ceremonies recognizing achievements in academics, leadership, and athletics.
On April 11, the Celebration of Excellence was held in Brown Chapel to recognize exceptional academic success. Dr. Kristen DeBoise delivered the keynote address. President Susan Hasseler honored the Class of 2025 co-valedictorians: Slade Bee ’25, Jacquelynn Grinnell ’25, Alexandra Huck ’24, Kyra Kiessling ’25, Kara Loader ’25, Brock Pfister ’25, and Samuel Vansickle ’25.
Provost Jennifer Dugan recognized the Class of 2025 members of the Summer Muskie Research Fellows, the John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows, the David and Karin Kratoville Entrepreneurship Fellows, the Otto and Fran Walter Humanitarian Fellows, and the International Fellows. Division Chairs Dr. Jane Varley of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Paul Szalay of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences, and Dr. Dinah Meyer of Business, Education, and Social Sciences presented the Academic Department Awards.
The ceremony also recognized the President’s List Scholars (3.90 or higher full-time GPA), Dean’s List Scholars (3.60-3.89 full-time GPA), and Academic Merit Scholars (3.60 or above part-time GPA).
The varsity athletic teams and Greek organizations who achieved the top combined GPAs were announced: Women’s Cross Country with a 3.61 combined GPA, Baseball with a 3.24 combined GPA, Theta Phi Alpha with a 3.49 combined GPA, and Phi Kappa Tau with a 3.08 combined GPA.
The 2025 faculty honors were also announced for the William Oxley Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching, the William Rainey Harper Award for Outstanding Scholarship, and the Cora I. Orr Faculty Service Award. You can read about the award winners here.
Click to watch the Celebration of Excellence Ceremony and view the program.
The Magnus Leadership Awards Ceremony was held on April 23. The ceremony recognized leadership of individual students, student organizations, and educators whose efforts help create a dynamic and engaged campus atmosphere. President Hasseler delivered the opening remarks.
The following students were honored: Makena Miller ’25, Muskie of the Year Award; Sam Miller ’25, Student Leader of the Year Award; William Swift ’28, Emerging Leader Award; Lauren Hertle ’26, Unsung Student Hero Award; Parker Graf ’26, Muskie Impact Service Award; Amanda Charness ’27, Student Committed to Diversity and Inclusion Award; Wyatte Miller ’25, Recreation Staff Member of the Year; Alaina Pitcock ’26, West Hill Resident Assistant of the Year; and Lane Goetz ’26, East Hill Resident Assistant of the Year.
Assistant Professor of Economics Arjun Sondhi was recognized as the Student Organization Advisor of the Year, Director of Student Engagement Sarah Dailey as the Staff Member of the Year, and Vice President for the Student Experience Shelley Amstutz-Szalay as the Unsung Staff Hero.
The Outstanding Fraternity or Sorority Award went to the Sisterhood of Delta Gamma Theta.
On April 28, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the Golden Hook Awards to celebrate the accomplishments of Muskie student-athletes and teams. Athletic Department Award honorees were also announced that evening.
The Muskingum men’s basketball team earned the Outstanding Team of the Year Golden Hook Award, while the baseball and volleyball teams were recognized with the Team Impact Golden Hook Awards for their significant contributions to athletic events and community engagement.
Click here to read about the list of honorees and view photos from the event.
