April 25, 2025
Students Recognized During 2025 Honors Convocation
WHEELING, W.Va., April 25 – Students received awards and were inducted into honors societies during the 2025 Wheeling University Honors Convocation held Thursday, April 24.
Faculty members gave out academic awards to students in recognition of their hard work in the classroom. Members of the administration recognized students with awards honoring their commitment to faith and the campus community.
Class of 2025 Salutatorian Abigail Elliott, a Nursing major, spoke to her students and faculty. “As we move forward from this moment, let us carry with us not just the knowledge we’ve gained, but the resilience we’ve built and the courage we’ve shown. Let this celebration be a reminder of what we’re capable of when we believe in ourselves and never stop striving for growth,” she said.
Below is a listing of the students who were recognized at this year’s convocation.
STUDENT SERVICES AWARDS
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Aquinas Medal – Peter Schmitt
St. Sebastian Medal – Ella Keffer & Caden Canning
Father Charles L. Currie, S.J. Scholar Athlete – Jade Miller
Male Scholar Student-Athlete of the Year – Salem Mwelwa
Female Intercollegiate Athlete of the Year – Riley Kindall
Male Intercollegiate Athlete of the Year – Peter Schmitt
Edward J. Gannon, S.J. Collegian of the Year – Salem Mwelwa
St. Joseph Residence Life – Tessa Tordella
Unitas et fides – Nathan Yost
University Activities – Jade Miller
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The Henry F. Paul Medals for the Highest Four-Year Averages
Bachelor of Arts – Tara Perry
Bachelor of Science – Sydney Hambel
Silver Medals For Second Highest Four-Year Averages
Bachelor of Arts – Mary-Elizabeth DiFonzo
Bachelor of Science – Jade Miller
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT AWARDS
ATHLETIC TRAINING
Athletic Training Helpful Heart – Ernest Vidal, Jr.
Leadership – Bréya Clopper
Most Improved – Maira de Jesus Alevato
Positive Attitude – Allison Cook
Female Student of the Year – Bréya Clopper
Male Student of the Year – Corban Westfall
BIOLOGY
Biology Student of the Year – Jade Miller
BUSINESS
Business Bruno J. Hartung Wall Street Journal – Tessa M. Tordella
Claude Worthington Benedum – Salem Mwelwa
Forrest Kirkpatrick – Zachry Kuneff
Master of Business Administration Russell E. Younkins Medal – Zachary Zeigler
Master of Science in Accountancy Mark W. Bischof Medal – Houston Bowers
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Criminal Justice Excellence in Service – Adam Zdanowicz
Outstanding Criminal Justice Major – Mary-Elizabeth DiFonzo
EDUCATION
Education Elementary Education Student of the Year – Riley Kindall
Secondary Education Student of the Year – Dasyn Hores
Gallagher Student Service – Zach Larue
Dr. Jane Neuenschwander Excellence in Teaching – Shelby James
ENGINEERING
Academic Excellence in Engineering Science
Kuda Chitani, Zach Gordon, Cameron McMillion
NURSING
Nursing Daisy – Ashley Schwing
Human Touch – Alexa Wilson
Sara L. White – Dekotah Namack
Outstanding Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Abigail Elliott
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology Maceiko Service – Sarah Florczak
Outstanding Psychology Major – Elizabeth Sinatra
HONOR SOCIETIES
During the Honors Convocation, students and employees were inducted into honor societies. The 2025 honor society inductees are listed below.
Iota Tau Alpha Honor Society for Athletic Training
Charlie Anderson, Chylyn Pate, Allison Cook, Corban Westfall
Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society in Exercise Science
Gabriella Baiano, Jacob Dukate, Lauren Hamilton, Emma Jackson, Mariah Pelkey, Kaitlyn Wilking, Madelyn Winters, Connor Wong
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology
Rayn Casassa and Josie Schroder
Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business
Malkolm Everton Barrett, Garrett Spencer Craig, Maxwell T. Hamilton, Graceylyn Mae Hanna, Avery J. Henschen, Dongyeon Kim, Jacob Tyler Lentz, Miguel Eduardo Martin Millan, Salem Mwelwa, Ana Noguera, Tessa M. Tordella, Elijah LaShawn Young, Kailey Marie Watkins
Sigma Tau Delta International Honor Society in English
Gabriel Garrison
Alpha Alpha Alpha Iota Iota Chapter
Students – Mary Ardos, Leslie Asbury, Bréya Clopper, Klaire Garnes, Runyararo Mukangure, Dekotah Namack, Alex Valuska
Faculty, & Staff – Rhonda Haley, William Hughes, Ken Pape, Lori Parry, Lance Tarr
Alumna – Chelsey Ward