April 25, 2025

On Thursday, April 24, students, faculty, and staff gathered in Johns Auditorium for the final convocation ceremony, marking the close of Hampden-Sydney’s 2024-2025 academic year.

This annual tradition celebrates student excellence in academics and leadership while honoring faculty for their exceptional research. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients!

Final Convocation Award Winners

Administrative

Dean Pantele leading the class of 2025 to convocation

John Peter Mettauer Excellence in Research Award, Dr. Rachel Goodman

Academic Success

Sophomore Academic Excellence Awards, Jackson M. Cofer ’27, Austin G. Apesa ’27

Biology

Anderson Prize for Excellence in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Marc Moroz ’26
James R.T. Hewett Biology Award, Devanand M. Clark ’25
Hinton Baxter Overcash Award, Baylor F. Jenkins ’26, Dillon P. McReynolds ’26

Chemistry

Topham Chemistry Award, John S. Hurt ’26

Classics

Leila B. Thompson Eta Sigma Phi Prize in Latin, Ansen Lackner ’26
David C. Wilson Greek Prize, Marc Moroz ’26

Economics and Business

Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, William P. Morris ’25
William R. Hendley Award in Economics and Business, Conor J. Kilfeather ’25

English

Dean Diette at the podium speaking before the class of 2025 in the auditorium

Grace and Hassell Simpson Prize in English, Payton Q. Zeitler ’25
Mary Saunders Critical Essay Award, Ethan T. Larsen ’25
The Sallie Wright Harrison Poetry Award, DeMario-Quintel Lonzer ’26
The Shelley A. Marshall Short Story Award, Ansen Lackner ’26

Fine Arts/Music

Camilla Virginia Taylor Crawley Music Award, John C. Scott ’25
Kearfott Stone ’35 Memorial Music Award, Gabriel H. Sudarma ’25
The Randolph Minter Glee Club Award, Ethan T. Larsen ’25

Fine Arts/Visual Arts

McClintock Visual Arts Award, E. Bruton Peacock ’25

Flemming Center/Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, Andrew C. Winans ’25

Global Education

Gemborys-Choate-Bouin-Swenson Award for International Studies, Daniel G. Stachowski ’25

Government and Foreign Affairs

James Madison Award for Excellence in Political Science, Richard D. Jones ’25
John Marshall Award for Excellence in Writing in Political Science, Thomas G. Overton ’25

History

Etta Sawyer Hart Bliss History Award (Outstanding Senior Major), Theodore D. Cicala ’25
Willard F. Bliss History Award (Outstanding Sophomore), R. Owen Kahn ’27

Math and Computer Science

Macon Reed Award in Computer Science, Hanson J. Harris ’27
Macon Reed Award in Mathematics, Vincent E. Palmeri ’28
Selden-Franke Award in Computer Science, Seth E. Spickard ’26
Selden-Franke Award in Mathematics, Ansen Lackner ’26
William C. Chewning Jr. ’67 Award, J. Kade Minton ’25

Modern Languages

Outstanding Performance Award (Chinese), Leland D. Blanchard ’27
Outstanding Performance Award (French), G. Owen Sibley ’27
Outstanding Performance Award (German), Geffen D. Lamar ’27, Hagan A. Strite ’27
Outstanding Performance Award (Spanish), Theodore D. Cicala ’25, Benjamin P. Mulry ’28

Esther Thomas Atkinson Museum

Cecil Richard Bowman ’67 M.D. Award, Charles E. Adams ’25

Physics and Astronomy

The class of 2025 in regalia shaking hands outside the auditorium

Hardy Cross 1902 Award in Physics, Christian T. Lancaster ’25
Weyland Thomas Joyner Physics Award, J. Kade Minton ’25

Psychology

Department of Psychology Award, Dylan M. Robbins ’25

Religion

Gerald T. Carney for Excellence in the Study of Religion Award, Zachary M. Mowbray ’25

Rhetoric

Rhetoric 210 Best Speaker Award, Manning M. Lasso ’27
Rhetoric 310 Advanced Best Public Speaking Award, Edward G. Allen ’26
Colbert Prize for Excellence in Rhetoric Award, Patxi Risinger-Chopeitia ’25
The Susan Pepper Robbins Award for the Best Essay in Rhetoric 102, Henry A. Kvalevog ’27
The Deis-Frye Award for Creative Nonfiction, Payton Q. Zeitler ’25
Victor Cabas Award for the Best Essay in Rhetoric 101, William E. Cole ’28

Student Affairs

The Jeffrey N. Friend Award, Thomas J. Nichols ’26

Student Organizations

Student Government Outstanding Club/Organization Award, Mentor Club
Resident Advisor of the Year Award, Heath A. Robinson ’25, Kenton J. Bero ’25, and William P. Morris ’25
CAC Member of the Year Award, Connor T. Kitson ’25
Interfraternity Council (IFC) Member of the Year Award, Cooper A. Wendley ’26
Social Justice System Investigator of the Year Award, Eden W. Ciarcia ’26
Senate Member of the Year Award, Gavin S. Yoder ’28
The ODK Cohen Citizenship Prize, William R. Gardner ’25
Lewis and Nell Drew Student Government Award, Brandon R. Finch ’26

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