WCU’s 1871 Awards Celebrate Outstanding Junior and Senior Students
This year, a record number of students applied for the 1871 Award, a special honor
that recognizes juniors and seniors who have excelled both in the classroom and beyond.
Of 111 students who completed applications, the University honored 68 students: 50
seniors and 18 juniors.
Representing all the University’s colleges and schools, the honorees were celebrated at a March 26 ceremony.
Limited to an annual maximum of 71 students, the 1871 Award rewards students’ accomplishments in academics, career readiness, leadership, and community engagement. A selection committee comprising faculty, staff, and one previous 1871 Award-winning student reviews applications, including recommendation letters written by WCU faculty and staff.
Students honored with the 1871 Award exhibit sustained levels of excellence notes Dr. Sara Hinkle, assistant vice president for communications, operations, and strategy in Student Affairs. “This year, Gianna Parrish served as our student keynote speaker [at the awards ceremony]. Gianna was honored with the 1871 Award last year and is also this year’s WCU nominee for the state system’s Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence.”
These juniors are 1871 Award winners:
Eric Boeckx, Gabrielle DeVito, Anthony Forgacic, Kate Frederick, Klaus Gittelman, Evan Hale, Ava Kirwin, Ariana Lane, Mackenzie Lane, Levi Lewis, Amirah Morris, Parker Murray, Grace Rudderow, Alison Sharpe, Emily Walbert, Rebecca Weidner, Morgan Williamson, and Sakina Zaidi.
These seniors are 1871 Award winners:
Emily Abdill, Ethan Baratz, Primo Campagna, Daniel Cochran, Kylie Cogill, Sarah Collins, Gina Crandall, Quiana Cureton, Emily Donald, Mia Dremock, Jordyn Grant, Adriana Grecco, Alicia Greene, Katie Griffin, Olivia Heim, Madelynn Hildick, Isabelle Hill, Ariel Hudson, Paige Ickes, Amari Jackson, Preston Kalinoski, Cheyenne Kirk, Gabrielle Kopczynskie, Sophia Kusnierczyk, Sofia Lasonio, Amaya Lewis, Jada Little, Megan Magee, Victoria Marino, Isabel Marshall, Hannah Maughan, Emma McMonagle, Maria del Carmen Mendez Zavala, Natalie Muir, Ilyas Muqbel, Christina Ngo, Greg Pagano, Vrunda Patel, Sayla Raynor, MaryBeth Robb, Nicole Russo, Jonathan Schmitt, Kaylee Slattery, Megan St Jean, Rebecca Stratton, Brenna Sullivan, Luwam E. Teklegiorgis, Michael Thais, William Wikol, and Aaliyah Wood.
Visit the 1871 Award website for additional information.