On Sunday, April 2, members of the Tiffin University community, students, their families and friends gathered in person and by livestream to celebrate the scholarly achievements of the spring 2023 graduating seniors. Since its birth, the Annual Undergraduate Academic Honors Ceremony has recognized and praised soon-to-be graduates who have achieved cumulative GPAs of 3.5 or higher by presenting them with the Academic Distinction Award. This year, 190 students earned the distinction with 91 students attending the ceremony to be celebrated.
The event began with some opening remarks from Dr. Thomas Marben, newly appointed Dean for the School of Business and Assistant Professor of Accounting, who announced he would be the event’s emcee. After offering words of congratulation and gratitude, Dr. Marben introduced Dr. Terry Sullivan, Vice Provost for Academics.
Dr. Sullivan took the stage to echo Dr. Marben’s sentiments and offered his own words of encouragement for the seniors.
“I look forward to this event every year – it’s one of my absolute favorites,” he began. “The sense of pride I feel for each of you is always so overwhelming, and it is my great pleasure to be standing before you today.”
Dr. Sullivan also took this moment to acknowledge Dr. Steven Hurwitz, Professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice, and Dr. Thomas Debbink, Professor of Management. Earlier in the semester, the pair announced that they would be retiring from their positions, having served the institution for a combined total of over 50 years.
Each of the 91 high-achieving seniors was then invited onstage to receive a medal commemorating their hard work and dedication. Of those recognized, a select few were given additional praise for going above and beyond both in their chosen academic majors, as well as in service to peers and community throughout their time at TU.
In total, 29 students from across the five primary academic entities were recognized with one of the highest honors a graduating senior can receive – the Excellence in the Field of Study Award or Flame Award for short, which recognizes them as a leader and innovator in their chosen discipline. The academic deans announced the winners for their individual schools, and the Flame Awards were presented by each student’s faculty advisor. The awarding schools, categories and recipients are as follows –
School of Creative and Media Arts
- Commercial music: Carter Bennett
- Communication: Audra Sennish
- Digital media and design: Christopher Acree
- Public history: Alex Sklack
School of Science, Technology and Health
- Computer science: Zachary Raudebaugh
- Cyber security: Jonathan Klotz
- Digital forensics: Dustin Mobley
- Exercise science: Julia Effinger
- Forensic science: Zachary Tomlinson
- Health, fitness and wellness: Tatum Bradley
School of Business
- Accounting: Brandon Craig
- Business management: Savanah Richards
- Finance: Matthew Willis
- Healthcare administration/management: Chloe Will
- Human resource management: Jeremy Hohenstein
- International business: Michael Gurtner-Reinthaler
- Manufacturing management: Michelle Pavel
- Marketing: Ellie Adams
- Sports management: Caitlin Wilson
School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences
- Corrections: Alyson Carpenter
- Criminalistics: Rachel Simpson
- Forensic psychology: Mikayla Greer
- Government and national security: Abdullah Alrashdi
- Homeland security and terrorism: Seth Schreiber
- Justice administration: Makenzie Wheeler
- The James C. Todd Award in Law Enforcement: Julia Ennemoser
- The B. Scott Distel Award in Psychology: Baylie Fortune
- The F.H. “Cap” Wilkinson Award: Peyton Edwards
School of Education and Extended Learning
- Education: Julia Springer
After the Excellence in the Field of Study Awards were conferred, President Schumacher took the stage for some closing remarks, as well as to personally congratulate each attendee and wish them well.
“You are the best and brightest among us,” she concluded. “I have no doubt you will go on to achieve great success in your chosen fields. Remember – you are all Dragons for life, so please come visit us often and keep in touch. I am immensely proud of each and every one of you.”