University presents more than 60 awards for academic and leadership excellence.
by Shelby Burton
COLUMBIA, KY (04/23/2026) Lindsey Wilson University recognized academic achievement, leadership and service during its annual honors convocation held Tuesday, April 21, in Biggers Sports Center. More th
an 60 awards were presented to students and faculty for accomplishments during the 2025-26 academic year. Honors included top students in each of the university’s six academic schools, student leaders who contributed to campus and community life, and faculty members recognized for their dedication to their students and academic excellence.
Megan Whitson of East Bernstadt, Kentucky received the President’s Award, which is presented to the graduating senior who in the opinion of the Lindsey Wilson president best embodies the Lindsey Wilson mission. An English and communication double major, Whitson wears many hats including editor-in-chief of the Alpha Kappa Phi Review, senior class president and resident director of Draper Apartments and Keefe Hall.
Emma Sanders of Leitchfield, Kentucky was named a John B. Begley Scholar, one of Kentucky’s most selective and prestigious scholarship programs. Sanders is a business administration major and is currently in Orlando participating in the Disney College Program.
The Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association recognized Global Citizens Club as Organization of the Year and Associate Professor of Media Studies David Goguen as Teacher of the Year. Both awards are selected by the student body.
Allison Smith was named Exemplary Teacher of the Year by The United Methodist Church Division of Higher Education. Smith serves as the dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and has been at the university for 21 years.
Lindsey Wilson University will hold its 123rd commencement ceremonies at 6 p.m. CT Friday, May 1, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT Saturday, May 2, in Biggers Sports Center.
Lindsey Wilson University — 2026 Honors Convocation Awards
Presidential Awards
* President’s Award: Megan Whitson of East Bernstadt, Kentucky
* Returning John B. Begley Scholars: Emma Sanders of Leitchfield, Kentucky
* Alma Jones Wade Scholarship: Elijah McIntosh of Bowling Green, Kentucky
Named Awards
* Boyd-Lubker Award: Stella Kwagala of Uganda and Sarai Collins of Columbia, Kentucky
* R.V. Bennett Scholarship Award: Meghan Roberts of Manchester, Kentucky
* Noma Dix Winston History Scholarship: Dawson Bradshaw of Russell Springs, Kentucky
* Emily Vickers Endowed Award in Art: Tezon Mitchell of Greensburg, Kentucky
* Elizabeth Lowe Whitfield Nursing Award: Abbie Nunn of Brownsville, Kentucky
* Samantha Ellis Excellence in Theatre Award: Shiane Lussier of Bremen, Kentucky
* Mose Dunning Endowed Scholarship: Elijah Strauel of Liberty, Kentucky
School of Arts and Humanities
* Art: Atavya Fowler of Nassau, Bahamas
* English: Morgan Bryant of Shelbyville, Kentucky and Megan Whitson of East Bernstadt, Kentucky
* History: Morgan Bryant of Shelbyville, Kentucky
* Interdisciplinary Studies: Jackson Williams of Burkesville, Kentucky
* Political Science: Jager Ferguson of Chatham, Illinois and Emily Cox of London, Kentucky
* Women and Gender Studies: Paul-Anthony Jones of Columbia, Kentucky
School of Business and Communication
* Accounting: Natalie Gentry of New Haven, Kentucky
* Business (Online): Austin Eaton of Somerset, Kentucky
* Communication: Megan Whitson of East Bernstadt, Kentucky
* Entrepreneurship: Lola Petillo of Nashville, Tennessee
* Human Resources: Paisley Bolin of Columbia, Kentucky
* Management: Wiktoria Stankiewicz of Krakow, Poland
* Marketing: Grace Adams of Bethlehem, Kentucky
* Media Studies: Camryn Reece of Knob Lick, Kentucky
* Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management: Kyra Engle of Langgons, Germany
School of Professional Studies
* Christian Ministries: Baylie Somerville of Columbia, Kentucky and Layla Risen of Greensburg, Kentucky
* Criminal Justice: Lillie Lobb of Greensburg, Kentucky
*Education, Art: Hallee Coffey of Edmonton, Kentucky
* Education, PE/ Health: Preston Parks of Bowling Green, Kentucky
* Education, Middle Grades: Reagan Black of Liberty, Kentucky
* Education, P-5 Elementary Education: Lakyn Stearns of Russell Springs, Kentucky
* Education, Secondary Education: Chloe Taylor of Russell Springs, Kentucky
* Outstanding Nursing Student, Sophomore: Kaiden Rodgers of Paducah, Kentucky
* Outstanding Nursing Student, Junior: Ellie Cheatham of Columbia, Kentucky
* Outstanding Nursing Student, Senior: Anna Dangelmaier of Liberty, Kentucky
School of Professional Counseling
* Counseling: Taylor Kiser of Campbellsville, Kentucky
* Human Services and Counseling: Amber Loy of Columbia, Kentucky and Mary Turner of Lexington, Kentucky
School of Mathematics and Sciences
* Biology: Kris Patel of Russell Springs, Kentucky
* Psychology: Mary Turner of Lexington, Kentucky and Trinity Deaton of Harned, Kentucky
* Psychophysiology: Briley Burns of Columbia, Kentucky
* Sustainability: Audrey Mills of Grand Junction, Colorado
School of Graduate Business and Technology
* Business Administration: Ashley Miller of Shelbyville, Kentucky
* Cybersecurity Management: Salome Ponzetti of Louisville, Kentucky
* Data Science: Azizuddin Mohammad of Chicago, Illinois
* Technology Management: Noor Ain of Memphis, Tennessee
Student Life Awards
* Outstanding Peer Tutor, Academic Success Center: Lindsay Cox of London, Kentucky
* Outstanding Writing Consultant: Morgan Bryant of Shelbyville, Kentucky
* Outstanding Science Lab Assistant: Sara Motyl of Bukowiec, Poland
* Outstanding Library Assistant: Trinity Deaton of Harned, Kentucky
* Outstanding Thespian: Sabrina Ruiz of Louisville, Kentucky
* Orpheus (literary journal), Creative Writing: Kaleb Humble of Monticello, Kentucky
* Orpheus, Poetry: Zanda Boggs of Campbellsville, Kentucky
* Orpheus, Artwork: Nikhil Ramesh
* Scholar-Athlete (Female): Ola Wyrzkowska of Florstadt, Germany
* Scholar-Athlete (Male): Michael Rempel of Asuncion, Paraguay
Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr. presents the 2025-26 President’s Award to Megan Whitson ’26, an English and communication double major from Bernstadt, Kentucky, at the university’s annual Honors Convocation, held Tuesday, April 21, at Biggers Sports Center.
Members of the Lindsey Wilson University Global Citizens Club pose after being recognized as the 2025-26 Organization of Year the Student Government Association. From left: Connor Wilhoit ’27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky; Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Greensburg, Kentucky; Kyra Engle ’26 of Langgons, Germany; Brianne Beck ’27 of Lebanon Junction, Kentucky; and Trinity Deaton ’26 of Harned, Kentucky.
Lindsey Wilson University Director of Education Dr. Jennifer Antoniotti-Neal, left, presents the Outstanding Academic Achievement in Art Education Award to Hallee Coffey ’27 of Edmonton, Kentucky, at the university’s annual Honors Convocation, held Tuesday, April 21, at Biggers Sports Center.
Lindsey Wilson University Vice President for Academic Affairs Ray Lutgring, left, presents the Exemplary Teacher Award from The United Methodist Church Division of Higher Education to School of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Allison Smith at the university’s annual Honors Convocation, held Tuesday, April 21, at Biggers Sports Center.
(Shelby Burton – Lindsey Wilson University)