Chowan University held its 2024 Awards Day Convocation on April 17, 2024, in Turner Auditorium, McDowell Columns Hall. This momentous occasion served as a platform to honor and recognize the outstanding accomplishments of students throughout the 2023-24 academic year bringing together students, faculty, and staff, and highlighting the profound purpose of a university. 

President Rosemary M. Thomas commenced the program by delivering an inspiring address, drawing from Max Lucado’s work, “Cure for the Common Life.” Quoting from Lucado’s book, she emphasized the uniqueness of each individual, stating, “You are the only you God made. He made you and broke the mold…” President Thomas further expressed her admiration for the students’ achievements, citing the iconic words of Dr. Seuss, who famously proclaimed, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” She concluded her speech by urging students to always strive to be the best version of themselves, emphasizing that the Awards Day Convocation is a testament to their exceptionalism.

The 2024 Awards Day Convocation served as a platform to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Chowan University’s students across various disciplines. From academic excellence to leadership, community service, and artistic endeavors, the event showcased the diverse talents and dedication of the university’s student body. 

The 2023-2024 awards are as follows:

Vera Parker Womble Christian Service Award

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Alpha Chi Teacher Of The Year Award

Pamela C. Woodard, Associate Professor Of Criminal Justice

Commencement Marshals 

Haydon Marie Ahlers

Cameryn Elizabeth Barrow

Alexandra Nicole Bishop

Caryn Richelle Bowe

Zachary Ryan Boyd

Carson Andrew Everette

Elizabeth Lee Heller

Rowan Jameson Hudson

Aaron Leaveah James

Kayleigh Grace Roberts

Megan Hope Roberts

Carrington Spencer Williams

Ronaldo Tyrese Williams

Excellence In Leadership Awards

Excellence In Leadership Advisor Award

Pamela C. Woodard, Criminal Justice Club

Excellence In Leadership Emerging Leader Award

Lenita Anne Bryson, Campus Ministry

Excellence In Leadership Officer Award 

Katalia M. Gibbs, Student Government Association

Excellence In Leadership President Award

Manuela Sofia Jimenez-Robledo, International Students Club

Mission And Vision Cup

International Students Club

R. Clayton Lewis Outstanding Resident Assistant Of The Year Award

Khiyell Marquis Jenkins

Kori Danielle Moore

Presidential Ambassador Award:

Malachi Jar’quezs Cobb

Skyler Aaron Davies

Roasia Jakeela Knight

Ashley Taylor-Marie Mayes

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Colin Edward-Benjamin Riddick

Kashara Janae Simpson

Olivia Ann Wheeler

Ethan Maccoy Whelan

Most Outstanding Athlete Award

Aleksei Alekseevich Belolipetskii, Swimming

Grace Jacquelyn Taylor, Lacrosse

Cheryl Joy Hobday Mcelheney Business Award

Alvaro Ricardo Juscamaita-Campos

The Drs. Vaughn And Miles Outstanding Business Student Award 

Sreshta Puducheri

Dr. Dejesus Outstanding Student In Economics Award 

Eric Edward George

Joseph Lee Parker Scholarship 

Deondre Karrem Brown

Amy Rozmus Hammond Scholarship 

Caden James Rector

Dr. Seok Yoon Exercise Science Award
Patrick Crutchfield

Garth D. Faile Biology And Physical Sciences Faculty Award 

Alex Kenneth Brown

Mary E. Wood Science Award 

Carrington Spencer Williams

Ronaldo Tyrese Williams

Raymond Memorial Science Scholarship 

Joshua Ronnie James

Senior Mathematics Award 

Manuela Sofia Jimenez Robledo

Outstanding Freshman In English Award 

Elda Menelik Getachew

Outstanding History Student Award 

Gracie Mae Ross

Abigail Christine Sutton

Charles L. Paul History Award

Erick Elizabeth Mock

Romey Peavler Psychology Student Of Promise Award 

Eleanor Katherine Middleton-Orchelle

Psychology Award

Wesley Cade Glover

Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award 

Grace Mckenzie Crawford

Dyllan Lovel Schoolfield

Department Of Religion Honor Award 

Brayden Thomas Conboy

Outstanding Graduate In Studio Art Award 

Mary Francis Orletsky

Outstanding Graduate In Graphic Design Award 

Ulyses Ortega-Espino

Doug Eubank Award 

Kayleigh Grace Roberts

James Monroe Chamblee Music Award 

Malachi Jar’quezs Cobb

Dr. Charles Bentley Outstanding Teacher Education Student Award 

Ashley Taylor-Marie Mayes

Student Teacher Of The Year Award 

Olivia Ann Wheeler

Alpha Lambda Delta Maria Leonard Senior Book Award 

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Olivia Ann Wheeler

Dr. Patricia Williams Alpha Chi Chapter Member Of The Year Award 

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Chowan University Student Research Conference Awards Of Excellence 

Best Biology, Psychology, Sport Science Or Mathematics Paper Or Poster

Heidi Lynn Jensen

Best Business Paper 

Hiba Laknit

Best Criminal Justice Paper 

Charity Alicea Brown

Best Religion, Education, History, And Integrative Studies Paper Or Experience 

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Best Musical Performance Or Composition 

Jerry Dovell Perry

Best Visual Art Display 

Emashara’e Danelly Seaberry

Best Graduate Paper 

Karensa Lagayle Strieder

Order Of The Silver Feather 

Malachi Jar’quezs Cobb

Skyler Aaron Davies

Manuela Sofia Jimenez-Robledo

Ashley Taylor-Marie Mayes

Ulyses Ortega-Espino

Kashara Janae Simpson

Faith In Your Future Award 

Lenita Anne Bryson

Matthew Cole Davis

Andrew Garrison

Estelle Thigpen Superior Citizenship Award 

Malachi Jar’quezs Cobb

Best All Around Student Award 

Erica Elizabeth Mock

Please join Chowan University in congratulating all of this year’s award winners on their exceptional achievements.

The full awards day program can be viewed below.