Elizabethtown College honored the outstanding efforts of its students by offering awards across various areas of campus at the 48th annual Student Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 15. The awards categories included the overall Distinguished Student Awards and the Points of Distinction Award – the highest Student Life honor a student can receive at Etown.

Distinguished Student Awards are given to two students from each class year who have shown the effective integration of the four signature learning attributes at Etown: relationship-centered learning, international and cross-cultural perspectives, real-world learning, and purposeful life work. Out of these winners, the Points of Distinction Award is given to the student believed to have shown this integration to the highest degree. Students are nominated for these awards through faculty, staff, and students and then must submit an application that includes an essay focusing on a key learning experience from their time at Etown. View photos from this year’s ceremony.

2025-26 Points of Distinction Award

The College has announced that the winner of the 2025–26 Points of Distinction Award is Alysse Smith ’26, a Biology-Health Professions major with Chemistry and Spanish minors. Alongside her academic achievements, Smith has demonstrated a strong commitment to the campus community. She has served on executive cabinets for both the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and the Honors Program, and also holds roles as a Blue Jay Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and an Ubuntu Mentor. As a Stamps Scholar, Smith had an opportunity to take part in a medical internship in Cusco, Peru, during her sophomore year, deepening her understanding of global healthcare.

“I am incredibly appreciative of Elizabethtown College for the opportunities and lifelong connections that have shaped my journey,” Smith said. “None of my accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering support of my mentors, friends, and above all, my family.”

2025-26 Distinguished Student Awards

  • Erin van der Meer ’29, English Professional Writing major, Creative Writing & Music minors
  • Paula Palacios Arvizu ’29, Neuroscience & Biology Health Professions major
  • Izzy Johnston ’28, Biology-Health Professions major, Forensic Studies & Criminal Justice minors
  • Sanya Dedhia ’28, Biology-Health Professions major
  • Emmanual Attah ’27, Engineering major
  • Malak Moussaid ’27, Biology-Health Professions major
  • Mildred Nwachukwu-Innocent ’26, Computer Science major, Data Analytics minor
  • Samantha Small ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Fine Art minor

Student Life Awards

The Student Life Council honors Etown students for their leadership and contributions around campus with awards in the following categories: Leadership, Leadership on the Horizon, Resilience in Growth, and Excellence in Equity. Student Life Council also presents the Omnia Award, which identifies the most well-rounded student who is “good in all things.”

This year’s Omnia Award winner is Elsa Woodarek ’26, a Public Health & Political Science major, Philosophy minor.

  • Leader on the Horizon Award: Avonlea Lechleitner ’28, Biotechnology major
  • Leadership Award: Jada Makar ’28, Poltical Science major, Communications & Business Administration minors; Samantha Small ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Fine Art minor
  • Resilience in Growth Award: Maddy Fratis ’26, Public Relations major, Marketing and Transformative Justice minors
  • Excellence in Equity Award: Schumy Pascal ’26, Public Health major, Technical Design minor

Student Employment Awards

The Student Life Council honors Etown students for their leadership and contributions around campus with awards for student employees.

  • Chaplain’s Office: Shannon Kelly ’26, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor
  • OSA: Alyssa Wolfe ’26, Early Childhood Education major; Kaitlyn Gilmore ’26, English Professional Writing major, Creative Writing & Communications minors
  • Office of Campus Recreation and Well-Being – Group Fitness Instructor: Corinne Nestor ’26, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor; Intramural Staff: Sophia Calzola ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Political Science & Spanish minors; SWAG: Erin Pankok ’26, Exercise Science major, English Literature minor; Fitness Center: Mateo Saavedra Rodo ’26, Healthcare Administration major; Overall RecWell Team Member: Callahan Beyer ’26, Health Sciences major, Spanish minor
  • Advancement – Phoneathon: Makenzi Reed ’26, Environmental Science major
  • ITS: Katie Yorgey ’26, Mathematics- Applied Mathematics major
  • Library: Olivia Steidle ’25, OTD ’26, Occupational Therapy major
  • Dining Services- Jay Truck, Marketplace & Jays Nest: Max Marshall ’26, Music major, Asian Studies minor; Marketplace: Angelina Forrester ’28, Early Childhood Education major, Special Education minor; Hali Homer ’27, Biology major; Sam Schwoerer-Faryniak ’28, Accounting major, Finance minor; Catering Student Manager: Kyle Hoy ’27, Mathematical Business major
  • Athletics: Alyssa Langley ’28, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor; Maya Veiss ’27, Business Admin-Talent Management major, Family Business & Entrepreneurship minors; DeMarco Bell ’28, Engineering major; Lizzie Camilli ’29, Communications-Public Relations major; David Bray ’28, Chemistry major, Biology & Physics minors
  • Coordinators of the Year: Sarah Warunek ’28, Early Childhood Education- Special Education major; Maria Kumor ’26, Early Childhood Education major
  • Proctor of the Year: Kirra Johnson ’26, Environmental Science major, Fine Art minor; Will Veith ’26, Biology-Health Professions major
  • Learning Zone Tutor: Acacia Kreider ’27, Actuarial Science major, Data Analytics minor; Claire Grau ’27, Health Sciences major, Spanish & Psychology minors; Luke Fischer ’27, Biology-Health Professions major; Elijah Wagner ’26, Engineering major
  • Writing Tutors: Lin Bangs ’26, Psychology major, Women & Gender Studies minor; Leandra McMahon ’26, Psychology & Criminal Justice major
  • Non Academic Department Office Staff – Study Abroad: Aubrey Quagliani ’25, M’26, Occupational Therapy major; Callahan Beyer ’26, Health Sciences major, Spanish minor; Office of Marketing & Communications (OMC): Maddy Fratis ’26, Public Relations major, Marketing & Transformative Justice minors; Aya Zourgani ’26, Graphic Design & Computer Science (Web Application) major; Career Development Center: Kaitlin Riley ’27, Public Relations major, Music minor; Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE): Elsa Woodarek ’26, Public Health & Political Science major, Philosophy minor
  • Editor-in-Chief of Etownian: Andi Gates ’26, English Professional Writing & Communications major, Fine Art & Creative Writing minors
  • ECTV: Ella Kocher ’27, Communications-Digital Media Production major; Ava Deeter ’28, Communications-Journalism major
  • Academic TA’s/Tutors: Elijah Wagner ’26, Engineering major; Josie Hunter ’25, OTD ’27, Occupational Therapy major; Asher Landrum ’26, Biology-Health Professions major; Emma Caszatt ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Psychology minor; Habiba Abouelnagah ’28, Engineering major
  • Office Worker – Business Dept: Tainan Nunes ’26, Individualized Major, Marketing minor; Chloe Cadiz Lopez ’26, Accounting major
  • Technical Operations: Ellison Mentzer ’29, Engineering major, Computer Science minor; Allie Bushey ’27, Engineering major

Students in Service Employment Winners

The Student Life Council honors Etown students for their leadership and contributions around campus with awards for Student in Service Employment.

  • Peer Mentor: Emily Witmer ’26, Early Childhood Education major, Human Services minor
  • RA of the Year: Avonlea Lechleitner ’28, Biotechnology major
  • RA Legacy Award: Logan Woodward ’26, Biology-Health Professions major, Psychology & Medical Humanities minors
  • Ubuntu/Excellence in Equity: Juriel Diaz ’26, Environmental Science major, Data Analytics minor
  • Kinesis: Samantha Small ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Fine Art minor

Career Development Center

Etown’s Career Development Center recognizes a student that successfully completed the College’s Career Action Plan, which is the gateway to a successful and fulfilling professional journey for Elizabethtown College students.

  • Career Development Center Career Action Plan: Desiree Tirado ’27, Medical Laboratory Science major, Religious Studies minor

The Blueprint Program Awards

Elizabethtown College is committed to providing students with a quality education that will help them develop leadership skills, better their well-being and connectedness, and enhance relationship building. The Etown Blue Print program provides students with a roadmap for this journey, acts as a bridge between campus and local communities, fosters life skills, and creates professional connections that extend outside the classroom.

For the fourth annual Blue Print Program Awards, the following seniors were recognized: Oliva Addo ’26, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies major, Political Science & Sociology minors; Thatcher Baney ’26, Biology major, Religious Studies minor; Haley Bateman ’26, Social Studies Education major, Sociology & English Literature minors; Parker Blevins ’26, Chemistry Laboratory Science major; Madison Cannon ’26, Psychology-PreMCP 3+2 major; London Cerullo ’26, Health Sciences major; Juriel Diaz ’26, Environmental Science major, Data Analytics minor; Hailey Erickson ’26, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor; Lauren Lockwood ’26, Psychology & Criminal Justice major; Skylar Mumford ’26, Finance major, Family Business & Entrepreneurship & Marketing minors; Tainan Nunes ’26, Individualized Major major, Marketing minor; Samantha Small ’26, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, Fine Art minor; Jonathan Stebick ’26, Finance & Mathematical Business major, Data Analytics minor; Hanna Tran ’25, M’27, Physician Assistant Studies major; Kaitlyn Wickenheiser ’26, Social Work major, Family Business & Entrepreneurship minor; Alyssa Wolfe ’26, Early Childhood Education major; Elsa Woodarek ’26, Public Health & Political Science major, Philosophy minor

2025-26 Center for Community and Civic Engagement Awards
Etown’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) awards students and a student organization that demonstrates a commitment to benefiting the lives of others and a commitment to the College’s Motto of Educate for Service. These awards are selected by the College’s CCCE staff.

  • CCCE Student Service Learning Award: Mckenzie Laity ’27, Biology-Health professions major, Chemistry minor
  • CCCE Club Community Service Award: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

2025-26 Distinguished Mentor Awards (Student Life)
The Division of Student Life recognizes the excellent work of mentors at Etown and the impact they have on students’ lives through the Distinguished Mentor Awards. Students are asked to nominate their mentor and this award is given to one faculty member, one staff member, and one student each year.

  • Distinguished Mentor – Student Award: Elsa Woodarek ’26, Public Health & Political Science major, Philosophy minor; Juriel Diaz ’26, Environmental Science major, Data Analytics minor
  • Distinguished Mentor – Staff Award: Maria Petty, International Students Program Advisor; Katie Lankford, Graduate Intern – Center for Community and Civic Engagement
  • Distinguished Mentor – Faculty Award: Ashley Yinger, Assistant Teaching Professor of Criminal Justice; Emily Frantz, Director of the Music Therapy Program

2025-26 Office of Student Activities Awards
Etown’s Office of Student Activities (OSA) annually awards several students for their work in providing a robust student experience.

  • OSA Outstanding Student Club: Computer Science Club
  • OSA Advisor of the Year: Peilong Li, Associate Professor of Computer Science; Jessica Wang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
  • OSA Program of the Year: Sex-Ed Trivia – Our Bodies

2025-26 Endowed Religious Leadership & Service Awards
The Religious Leadership and Service Awards are given to students, faculty, and staff who show an outstanding commitment to their faith and to the service of others through it. These awards are reviewed and selected by Etown’s Chaplains Office staff.

  • Amos Curry Award – Kara Bidgood Enders ’27, Early Childhood Education major, Psychology minor; Acacia Kreider ’27, Actuarial Science major, Data Analytics and Religious Studies minors
  • Rufus Bucher Award – Hanna Tran ’25, M’27, Physician Assistant Studies major; Erina Fortune ’26, Political Science major, Philosophy and Biology minors