CAS Student Awards Ceremony

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Each year the CAS Student Awards aim to recognize the talent and dedication of the College of Arts and Sciences’ most outstanding students. Award recipients are nominated by faculty in their respective departments based on their achievements and hard work, both in academia and overall campus involvement. As OSU’s largest college, CAS has no shortage of exceptional students to choose from, which makes these awards all the more remarkable. Join us on April 21 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre to recognize the 2023 award winners.

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Departmental Outstanding Seniors

Caleb Gibbs	Aerospace Studies
Serelda Hurd	American Studies
Emily Singleton	Art, Graphic Design and Art History
David Bruce	Chemistry
Bailey Smith	Communication Sciences and Disorders
Brennan Schlittler	Computer Science
Samuel Oakes	Economics
Chandler Dean	English
Jacqueline "Jackie" Harsha	Geography
Izabelle Buentello	Boone Pickens School of Geology
Sarah Kirk	History
Carly Clark	Integrative Biology
Margaret Loy	Languages and Literatures
Jiahong "Red" Liu	Mathematics
Alexandra "Alex" Dusky	Media and Strategic Communication
Charlie Vermeire	Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Breiya Madison	Military Science
Laura Gosz	Multidisciplinary Studies
Elizabeth Grice	Greenwood School of Music
Ethan Silvernail	Philosophy
Casper McPherson	Physics
Gabhriel "Gabby" Barber	Plant Biology, Ecology, and Evolution
Carly Wilbourn	Political Science
Hannah Rath	Psychology
Ryanne Edmonson	Sociology
Morgan Gilliam	Statistics
Leah Anderson	Theatre
Kate Stephani	OSUTeach

CAS Student Council Faculty & Staff Awards

Distinguished Teaching	Dr. Melissa Mills	Mathematics
Outstanding Faculty Mentor	Dr. Christopher Fennell	Chemistry
Outstanding Advisor	Caleb Hamman	First-year student advising
Outstanding TA	Isaiah Dehoyos	Mathematics

CAS Student Awards

Outstanding Club

American Student Dental Association

Outstanding Freshmen

Akuchinyere Kanu

Akuchinyere Kanu is a Nigerian-American, born in Oklahoma City. She is pursuing a degree in psychology. She is on the President's Honor Roll and currently has two scholarships. She is also a Give Orange 2023 Ambassador. Her goals are to graduate Summa Cum Laude and become a clinical child psychologist.
Jackson Pelfrey

Jackson is from Edmond, Oklahoma. He is majoring in political science with a pre-law concentration and is minoring in philosophy and speech communication. As a freshman, he became a senator for the Student Government Association. He also serves in leadership positions in the First Year Representative Council, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature and Freshman Student Council. In the future, he would like to be in a position of life to do good for others.
Joylynn Sawyer

Joylynn is from Oklahoma City. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. She is the Student Arts Alliance’s VP of Show Production as well as the head of two volunteer committees for Pete’s Pet Posse. She has earned 100 volunteer hours this year while also keeping up with the requirements of the Honors College. She plans to work in the theatre industry as both an actor and a teacher then hopes to someday own her own theatre company that will specialize in making the arts more accessible to children.
Michael Clark

Michael is from Loco, Oklahoma. He is majoring in mass communications and is minoring in screen studies. He is a staff reporter for The O’Colly and a member of the Freshman Student Council.
Samantha Ruiz
Samantha is from Corpus Christi, Texas. She is majoring in microbiology pre-medicine with a minor in psychology. She has been awarded scholarships that include the Out-Of-State Achievement scholarship, the Presidential Leadership Council scholarship, and First2Go scholarship. She is a first-generation student and currently an active member of CAS Freshman Student Council, Delta Delta Delta sorority and an eco-representative for the Residential Housing Association. She plans to continue her involvement on campus, graduate with honors in the spring of 2026 and attend medical school to pursue her goal of becoming a physician.

Outstanding Sophomores

Emma England

Emma is from Owasso, Oklahoma. She is pursuing a degree in microbiology/cell and molecular biology. She was named a Top Twenty Freshman by Mortar Board. She is also the president of the OSU Chapter of the American Chemical Society, and an undergraduate member of Dr. Youssef's microbiology lab. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and eventually become a pediatrician.
Emma Joy Sherrer

Emma is from Coppell, Texas. She is majoring in microbiology/cell and molecular biology with minors in Spanish and psychology. She was a member of the President’s Leadership Council last year and has now become a facilitator for this year’s freshman class. She has also been involved with research. In the future, she hopes to become a science teacher at an international school.
Grace Koch

Grace is from Tulsa. She is majoring in political science and Spanish. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Council. She also serves on the First-Year Representative Council of the Student Government Association. In the future, she aspires to travel abroad to Chile, attend law school and become an immigration attorney.
Kylie Hammack

Kylie is from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She is pursuing majors in both political science and economics as well as a minor in French. She is involved in the leadership of campus organizations such as the French Club, Economics Society and Political Science Club. In addition, she is passionate about political science research, where she first became involved as a Freshman Research Scholar and now continues to pursue as a research assistant. Following graduation from OSU, she plans to attend graduate school in order to attain a career in international economic development and diplomacy.
Parker Perry

Parker is from Keyes, Oklahoma. She is majoring in political science and biology with a concentration in pre-law. Some of her most significant accomplishments thus far include being chosen as an Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Scholar and a Freshman Research Scholar. Some accomplishments she plans to close out this semester include completing her research project and helping Wishes for Water raise enough money to drill a borehole in Zimbabwe. After graduation, she plans to continue on to law school to pursue a career within the field of criminal law.

Outstanding Juniors

Charlie Vermeire

Charlie is from Miles City, Montana. She is majoring in microbiology/cell and molecular biology and biochemistry, and minoring in chemistry. In her time at OSU, she has been awarded a Niblack Research Scholarship, has received an institutional nomination for the Goldwater Scholarship, has been named a Mortar Board Top Twenty Freshman Woman and has studied abroad as a part of the McKnight Scholars Program.
Jacob Lieberman

Jacob is from Tulsa. He is majoring in physiology and microbiology/cell and molecular biology with a concentration in pre-medical sciences. He was selected as one of four students from OSU to present his research at the 2023 Oklahoma Research Day at the Capitol. He has also received a highly selective Lew Wentz Foundation research grant. In the future, he plans on attending medical school and becoming a physician.
Jensen Bridges

Jensen is from Blanchard, Oklahoma. She is majoring in mathematics and statistics with a minor in philosophy. Her greatest accomplishment to date is getting to spend a summer in Daytona Beach, Florida, completing mathematics research for the Department of Energy. In addition, being a part of OSU's Cambridge Scholars Program, the president of the Association of Women in Math and receiving this award for Outstanding Junior have been the highlights of her academic career. Her goals for the future include obtaining a Ph.D. in mathematics and eventually becoming a professor at a research university.
Mason Miller

Mason is from Nixa, Missouri. She is majoring in zoology with a concentration in pre-veterinary sciences and a minor in Spanish. She is a former Wentz Research Scholar and a current CAS Research Leader as well as a section leader for the Cowboy Marching Band and a member of the honorary band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi. During her time at OSU, she has been recognized as one of OSU's Top 20 Freshmen and the Department of Integrative Biology's Outstanding Rising Junior. As a member of the Early Admission Program, she is attending OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine after she graduates, and she plans to pursue a career as a small animal veterinarian.
Sarah Teeman

Sarah is from Stillwater, Oklahoma. She is pursuing a degree in microbiology/cell and molecular biology with a minor in public health. Her significant accomplishments include being a Niblack Research Scholar, completing an internship at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, participating in the President’s Leadership Council and her involvement as president of Global Medical Brigades. In the future, she hopes to become a global health physician.

Top Ten Seniors

Bailey Smith

Bailey is from Clarksville, Texas. She is majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in American Sign Language. One of her biggest accomplishments is advocating and learning more about the deaf community through the “Deaf Experience, Deaf Expression” research project, and presenting the project at local and national conferences. She is also proud of being named an OSU Alumni Association Senior of Significance and a CAS Outstanding Junior. She plans to continue her education at Oklahoma State University in the fall, pursuing a Master of Science in speech-language pathology with the goal of one day becoming a speech-language pathologist.
Carly Clark

Carly is from Edmond, Oklahoma. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in zoology with a concentration in pre-veterinary science. Carly presented her avian hematology research project last spring, has spent the past year serving as the president of the OSU Pre-Vet Club, and has enjoyed volunteering at Tiny Paws, Turning Point Horse Ranch and Operation Catnip. Carly will attend OSU's veterinary school in the fall. Carly wants to become a veterinarian and a community educator and buy a house with land for chickens and horses.
Evalynn Vierheller

Evalynn is from Claremore, Oklahoma. She is pursuing a psychology major with minors in counseling, sociology, and philosophy. During her four years of study, she has accomplished several notable feats such as co-authoring a book chapter, volunteering in a research lab, receiving numerous awards and scholarships, and holding various executive positions in different organizations. Additionally, she takes pride in having worked multiple jobs at the library throughout her college career, and graduating as a first-generation college student without incurring any debt. Her future goals are to continue her education here at OSU by obtaining a master's degree in mental health counseling, becoming a licensed professional counselor, working in the field, and then eventually pursuing a Ph.D.
Gabhriel Barber

Gabby is from Lawton, Oklahoma. She is majoring in plant biology with a concentration in ecology and evolutionary Biology. She is a published researcher as well as an OSU Wentz Scholar, Senior of Significance, Oklahoma State Scholar Society member, institutional Goldwater nominee and two-time institutional Udall nominee. She has earned these while concurrently improving campus sustainability through the OSU Office of Sustainability and similar clubs. She will attend Oregon State University to earn a master’s degree in forest ecosystems and society, which will help her achieve her goal of becoming a professor and researcher in forest health.
Kaitlyn Cotton

Kaitlyn is from The Colony, Texas. She is pursuing degrees in microbiology/cell and molecular biology and biology. During her time at OSU, she had the honor of presenting her research at both the National and World Congress on Undergraduate Research. She was also a Freshman, Wentz, and Niblack Research Scholar, and served as the president of the Microbiology Club. She will be attending UT Southwestern in the fall to work towards a Ph.D. in molecular microbiology.
Kate Kouplen

Kate is from Tulsa. She is majoring in biology with minors in neuroscience and microbiology. This past year, Kate was honored to be named a National Udall Scholar in the native healthcare category and recognized as an OSU Senior of Significance. Kate will be attending medical school in the fall and plans to provide quality medical care to underserved and underrepresented groups upon completion.
Lauren Cargill

Lauren is from Dallas, Texas. She is majoring in psychology pre-law, with a minor in communication studies. During her time at Oklahoma State, she has dedicated her time to fraternity and sorority affairs, serving as vice president of Community Outreach for the Panhellenic Conference. She has also been heavily involved in the Department of Psychology and is the current President of the Psychology Club. After graduation, she will be working for Kappa Delta Headquarters as a Leadership Development Consultant.
Mary Vang

Mary is from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. She is majoring in communication sciences and disorders and minoring in American Sign Language. She has worked as an undergraduate research assistant with the Sociophonetics Lab under the guidance of Dr. Valerie Freeman for two years, developed a research project with the McNair Scholars program focusing on the language experience of second-generation Hmong Americans and was awarded the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CDIS) Departmental Undergraduate Research Recognition award. She is also serving as the president of the Asian American Student Association, Buddy Revel coordinator for Best Buddies. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Vietnamese American Student Association, the OSU American Sign Language Club and the National Student Speech Hearing Language Association. Her future goal is to become a certified speech-language pathologist and continue to a Ph.D. program to research language acquisition and diversity, and hearing loss in the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Piper Boswell

Piper is from Bedford, Texas. She is majoring in biochemistry with a minor in chemistry. She was chosen as a Senior of Significance and was a Freshman Research Scholar. She is a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, Community Outreach chair for the Pre-Dental Club and served as the Parade Executive for Homecoming 2022. She will be attending the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
Rishi Malhotra
Rishi is from Frisco, Texas. He is majoring in vocal performance/cconomics with a minor in music theory & composition. Rishi is a Greenwood School of Music senior who has participated in multiple musical ensembles while at OSU, such as Concert Chorale and OSU Opera. He founded and is the current chair of the Vocal Equity Committee, a student-led group dedicated to collaborating with faculty on current student-centered issues within the Greenwood School; and has written over 32 works of music in the past two years, including a full 40-minute, one-act musical. His most significant contribution to the Greenwood School of Music is spearheading the creation of the GSM Student Mentorship program which pairs current undergraduate and graduate students with new incoming students to ease their transition and adjustment to campus.

Outstanding Transfer Students

Ashlyn Goad

Ashlyn is from Okay, Oklahoma. She is majoring in political science. She is a ritual assistant for the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority as well as the recipient of the Paul Matthews Scholarship from the Department of Political Science. This summer, she will be going into her third year working as a team leader for the Youth Volunteer Corps of Muskogee. After graduation, she plans on earning a master’s degree and working as a policy analyst.
Chloé Curl

Chloé is from Arkansas City, Kansas. She is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in applied music. During her time at OSU, she has served on the director's board of CowboyThon and is a committee member for Into The Streets. Additionally, she received recognition on the Dean's Honor Roll for the fall semester of 2022. In the future, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in educational psychology and hopes to become a professor.
Maya Reeves

Diversity and Inclusion Leaders

Nadia Valles

Nadia is from Hennessey, Oklahoma. She is majoring in political science with a minor in Spanish. Throughout her time at OSU, she has had the opportunity to represent the university as a Harry S. Truman institutional nominee and represented Oklahoma at the 2023 College Student Congress. She has served in various campus organizations and conducted research through the McNair Scholars Program. Upon graduation, she hopes to earn a master's in public policy to eventually work in immigration policy reform.
Taylor Johnson

Taylor is from Austin, Texas. She is majoring in both environmental biology and political science. Some of her recent accomplishments include having her scientific research published, interning at the Texas State Capitol under state representatives and creating a brand new position within her sorority that focuses on sustainability. She has also held numerous leadership positions on campus through Green Greeks, CAS Student Council and Net Impact, which has allowed her to serve the Stillwater community and OSU in a meaningful way! In the future, she hopes to work in politics to pass legislation that protects people and the planet.

Community Service Leaders

Grace Baldwin

Grace is from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. She is majoring in physiology and mathematics with a concentration in pre-medicine. Her primary collegiate accomplishments include her completion of 90+ volunteer hours at Stillwater Medical Center and the valuable lessons that this opportunity has taught her. She has also been blessed with an outstanding community in many areas of her life which has pushed her to grow as not only a scholar but a human being. She aims to graduate from Oklahoma State University in May of 2025 and begin attending medical school the next fall with hopes of becoming an ophthalmologist.
Adriahna Blackburn

Adriahna is from Nardin, Oklahoma. She is majoring in microbiology/cell and molecular biology. She completed an independent research project in high school under the supervision of a laboratory veterinarian. In the future, she plans to complete a dual degree program to receive a DVM/Ph.D. and practice veterinary research.