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Each spring the departments and programs in COLA select their top graduating students. They are recognized at the Spring Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to this year’s honorees.
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Megan Barrett was born and raised in Dayton and graduated from Chaminade Julienne High School in 2014. In high school she was a member of the National Honor Society and took multiple AP classes, most of which were in History or Government.
Maggie Beck is eager to graduate this year with a dual B.A. in Social Work and Urban Affairs.
Kelly Bledsoe has always loved making art, but his career interest turned to music as a junior high student when his school offered band but not art classes.
If there's anything you want to know about F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby just ask Rachel Canter, who has made it the centerpiece of her honors project.
Joshua Chenault is a graduating Mass Communication major. He chose to enter the Mass Com degree program because working in the media industry has always been his main goal.
As a senior getting ready to graduate from Wright State, Hanna Fortney wants to give thanks to her alma mater and the Criminal Justice program. She has been provided many opportunities throughout her four years at Wright State, from receiving an
Michaela Kaiser came to Wright State as a transfer student with many different interests.
Jordan Kingsley has been recognized by the faculty for her dynamism and professionalism, her respect for others, and her openness.
Francisco Marques-Vuelta obtained a degree in private investigation from the University of Barcelona and developed a career as a private detective in his native Spain.
From an early age, this year’s outstanding Political Science graduate, Stephanie Patino-Garfias, knew what she wanted to do with her life: to bridge cultural gaps and improve the lives of others.
Janice Sikon is completing a B.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as well as a B.S. in Chemistry.
Alyssa Stark will be graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Anthropology. During her time at Wright State, she has focused on archaeology and museum studies.
In September 2014, Constantine Tolias graduated from United States Army Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia as an infantryman in the Ohio Army National Guard.
Vicky Hei Man Tong is a senior, majoring in Piano Performance and studying under Dr. Jackson Leung. At Wright State, she serves as pianist for the Symphonic Band and has represented Wright State in numerous recitals within Ohio and in Asia.
Brittany T. Williams is a 22 year old senior Theater Studies major with a minor in African and African-American studies.
Samantha Wood is a rare student who exemplifies the model of effective service learning. Not only is she an outspoken and hard-working student in the classroom, she also improves the lives of her fellow students with her work on campus.
Kathryn “Katie” Chaney is a graduate of both Wright State (International Studies) and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Her M.A.
Jennifer England graduated from Wright State with a B.A. in French and a minor in German in 2011. She began volunteering and working on projects for the Florida Park Service and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West, Florida.
Katherine Margaret Peden was born and raised in Huber Heights, and graduated from Wayne High School, after which she attended Sinclair, completing prerequisites that would enable her to enroll at Wright State.
Elizabeth Procopio is majoring in percussion performance and is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the School of Music.
Dan Schack is graduating with a Master of Arts in English Literature and a certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Patrice Washington is a retired respiratory care practitioner, a practicing licensed social worker, and graduate Master of Social Work student who works with people to support and empower them.
Devonn Wood received her Bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership from Wright State in 2015, graduating Cum Laude, and entered the Master of Public Administration Program (MPA) in Fall 2016.
Sarah Bostic will be graduating summa cum laude with a double major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Sociology. Last year, she was the recipient of the award for Outstanding Senior in Sociology.
Shelby Frideger transferred to Wright State from Edison and then Ohio State. She took courses in a number of areas before chancing upon Anthropology and clearly finding her passion.
Emily Hayslett received her associate’s degree in Communication from Sinclair in 2015, graduates with a Communication Studies major.
Camilla Herring has excelled in all of her classes, particularly English, and has been an active force in establishing the successful new national journal of creative writing, Mad River Review, based at Wright State.
Renee Jutte is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Affairs with a concentration in nonprofit management.
Eva Lewis was born in Beaverton, Oregon and raised in Dayton. As far back as she can remember, she has always been involved in art.
Kara Lynch is from Dearborn, Michigan. In 9th grade, she filled a hole in her class schedule with an intro to movie making class, marking the beginning of her journey in filmmaking.
Jacob Miller spent an entire academic year in Lyon studying abroad, where he developed fluency and cultural competency in French. He is a dual French/International Studies major.
Stephen Monath is an active performer and educator. On campus, he has served as principal percussion of the Wind Symphony, performed with the Chamber Orchestra, worked as a member of the pep band, and won the WSU Young Artist Competition.
Ryan Pignatiello is graduating from Wright State with a 3.84 GPA in Crime and Justice Studies. While attending Wright State, Ryan averaged 14 credit hours each semester, and completed a Political Science minor and a Middle Eastern/Islamic Studies
Olivia Stidham was selected by the history department as their outstanding student for her enthusiasm and strong record in her history courses. Her professors have noted in particular her original thinking and incisive writing.
Emma Towe is completing a dual major in International Studies and Spanish with a 3.9 GPA. She was listed on Dean’s list for High Honors from 2014-16. In 2015, Emma spent a semester abroad in Buenos Aires, polishing her Spanish.
Aurylia D. Tracy, whose chosen name means “golden,” has in the classroom distinguished herself not only as a meticulous, elegant, and imaginative thinker, but also as a talented writer.
After working at The Vandalia Youth Theatre Company for 13 years, Artistic Director Michael Wadham decided to return to school and obtain a degree in Social Work.
Lukas Wenrick has been an Honors student since he arrived on campus. By the following year, he was the Head Resident Assistant, showing his outreach to help other students. He worked as a tutor and a peer mentor.
Bethany York graduated summa cum laude and was a member of the Model United Nations team. She is described by her professors as driven and dedicated, polished and professional.
Carole Ahossin is an international student from Benin, West Africa. She is a conscious, hard-working young lady, who strives to do her very best academically.
Nick Angelis is in his 12th year as the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands Assistant Band Director and is completing his Master of Music from Wright State this semester.
Hadley Drodge is an outstanding scholar in the classroom and an excellent teaching assistant; even more impressive is her service engagement with the broader community.
Megan Holly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Political Science from Muskingum University. She began the Masters of Public Administration program in Fall 2015.
Brittany Jackson is an all-round student in the Master of Social Work program. She is reliable, punctual, and insightful in her contribution to course work as well as the larger field of social work.
Martin “Marty” Kalfas is a graduate of Ohio State University. He recently defended his M.A.
Isaac Knapp began the M.A. program with a strong interest in Victorian literature, and while that interest still holds, he has also developed an affinity for postcolonial literature and modernist novels.
Finding the right college means finding the right fit. See all that the College of Liberal Arts has to offer by visiting campus.