Awards Ceremony

Graduates and their friends, family, and loved ones, as well as faculty and staff, are invited to join us for the Awards Ceremony, as we recognize the many accomplishments of the Class of 2023. Winners for the awards and prizes listed below are chosen by the related academic departments, and the full list including winners will be printed in the official Commencement Ceremony program.

The Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Alumnae Hall Auditorium – No robing, tickets, or RSVPs are required for this event. 

Winners will be notified by the Provost’s Office in the weeks leading up to the event.

Questions regarding Senior Awards should be directed to Barb Deitrick, Assistant to the Provost, at bedeitri@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4637. 

Handicap accessible parking is available in all parking lots on campus on a first-come, first-served basis, and accessible seating is available in Alumnae Hall.  Guests should alert ushers upon entry that an accessible seat is needed.  If you or your guests require ADA accommodations besides parking and seating, please contact the Commencement Committee at commencement@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4612. 

---

Allen Center for Nutrition Award 
Given to a graduating senior who has achieved academic excellence and is a highly motivated self-starter. 

Alpha Psi Omega Prize 
The Alpha Psi Omega Prize is given by Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honorary chapter Iota Gamma, the Department of Performing Arts and The Friends of Cedar Crest Theatre to a member of the graduating senior class who has demonstrated excellence in the performing arts.

American Chemical Society Award 
Given by the Lehigh Valley section of the American Chemical Society to the senior who has attained the highest grade point average in chemistry. 

American Institute of Chemists Award 
The AIC Student Award Program honors outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry. The award is given in recognition of demonstrated ability, leadership and professional promise. Candidates are chosen and nominated by their faculty members.

Anne O. Winkler Award for Excellence in Nursing 
Given by colleagues and friends in honor of Dr. Anne O. Winkler, professor of nursing and first chair of the Department of Nursing (1974-1986), to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in nursing theory and practice and has displayed leadership potential while in the nursing program.

The Antoinette Balliet Haines Award 
This award supports single mothers who are enrolled at Cedar Crest College as adult learners and are pursuing a degree in accounting or business. 

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Award 
Given by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners to the senior who has shown outstanding achievement in accounting and auditing with a focus on forensic accounting and fraud examination.

Barbara V. Gilkerson Prize 
This prize, established by Barbara Vanderherchen Gilkerson ’57, a secondary mathematics teacher, is awarded to a junior or senior who has achieved distinction in mathematics and best exemplifies Barbara’s school spirit, commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement. 

Beta Beta Beta Award 
Given by the Theta Psi Chapter of Beta Beta Beta to the senior concentrating in biology, who has achieved academic excellence and has made substantial contributions to Tri Beta and the Department of Biological Sciences.

Buskin Award 
The Buskin Award is given by The Buskin Society, the Department of Performing Arts and The Friends of Cedar Crest Theatre to the graduating member of the senior class who has done the most outstanding work in technical theatre or stage managing.

Carol Welton Kelly Dance Prize for Movement Studies 
Given in memory of Carol Welton Kelly, the first director of the dance program at Cedar Crest College, to an outstanding senior dance student who during her first three years exhibited promise in human movement exploration from mastering the physical technique to scholarly research in dance and is committed to human movement possibilities through theory and practice.

Cecilia C. Ryan Memorial Award 
Given by family, colleagues and friends in memory of Cecelia C. Ryan ’26, a member of the Cedar Crest faculty for 45 years, to the senior R.N. student in the nursing program with the highest cumulative average. 

Christina M. Snopeck Prize 
Given in memory of Christina M. Snopeck, Class of 1995, by family and friends, to the senior member of the continuing education program who has done most of her work at Cedar Crest College and is a business administration major with an interest in banking or finance or is interested in pursuing a master’s degree in business. 

Communication Award 
Given by the Communication Department to a senior who has shown exceptional skill, performance and dedication to studies in the field of communication.

The Crestiad Award 
Given by the Communication Program to the senior who has made the greatest contribution to advancing The Crestiad by dedicating her time and energy to improving and maintaining the integrity of the student-run campus newspaper.

Cynthia Fischer Wahl Award 
Given by family, friends and classmates in memory of Cynthia Fischer Wahl ’57 to a senior who is an honor student and has shown leadership in school and student activities.

Edward B. Deery Award 
Given by colleagues and friends in memory of Dr. Edward B. Deery, professor of education and chair of the Department of Education (1958-1970), to the senior in elementary education who has indicated the greatest promise of success as an elementary school teacher.

Elizabeth Clewell Epp Prize 
Given by Ronald Epp in memory of Elizabeth Hausman Clewell Epp ’64, an accomplished clinical microbiologist, scientific researcher and university health sciences educator. This prize supports an off-campus junior or senior who best exemplifies Elizabeth’s spirit of scientific inquisitiveness, leadership and wide-ranging competencies in the biological sciences and their respective histories.

The Ellis Honig Memorial Award 
Established in honor of the late Dr. Ellis Honig, who taught in Cedar Crest College’s Department of Psychology for nearly 30 years. This award is given to a graduating senior in recognition of outstanding service contributions to the department and community, such as organizing Psychology Club activities, participating in interdisciplinary campus events or programs, serving in a leadership capacity in on or off-campus practicum experiences, providing service to a community organization, mentoring others, and/or actively serving as a role model for positive social change.

Forensic Science Graduate Student Award 
Awarded to the second-year student in the Master of Science in Forensic Science program who has the highest grade point average, completed all coursework, and successfully defended his/her master’s thesis.

Hausman Family Stewardship Prize 
Given by Ronald Epp in memory of the Cedar Crest College alumnae who originally resided in the residence now occupied by the College’s president: Mary Frances Hausman Berkemeyer ’30, Dorothy Hausman Clewell ’33, Elizabeth Hausman Watson ’38 and Elizabeth Hausman Epp ’64. This award is given to the senior whose academic achievement, community engagement and conservation advocacy focused student attention on goals historically envisioned by President William F. Curtis and (according to Educating the Next Generation of Leaders) is no less relevant today. That is, “to sustain the natural beauty of the campus and make modest improvements that will enhance physical space for the campus community.” 

Helen S. Weinberger Prize 
Given in memory of Helen S. Weinberger, Class of 1924, to the senior history major who has received the highest academic average in the junior and senior years.

Holstrom History Merit Prize 
Awarded by the History Department to the senior who has shown outstanding ability, interest, and enthusiasm in the study of history.

Howard Agar Memorial Prize 
Given to a senior in any discipline who has demonstrated significant ability in the studio arts. 

The Humanities Prize
Given by the Department of Humanities to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding and imaginative performance in the humanities.

Institute of Internal Auditors Award 
Given by The Institute of Internal Auditors to the senior who has shown outstanding achievement in accounting and auditing. 

J. Robert Halma Prize 
Given in memory of J. Robert “Bob” Halma, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences for 37 years. Professor Halma was a noted and respected expert on the natural history and geology of the Lehigh Valley and the Pocono Mountains, as well as an accomplished artist and illustrator. This award is given to the senior whose academic work and community engagement best reflect Professor Halma’s ideals of scientific scholarship and stewardship of the environment.

The Jane Tyler Ward Psychology Research Award 
Given to a junior or senior student with a major in psychology or a related field. The student must have successfully completed a two-semester research project with a presentation at the LVAIC Conference or other conference deemed appropriate by faculty of psychology. The student must also have indications of growth and development as a researcher and the promise of future contribution to research in the discipline of psychology.

The Kent Fitzgerald Prize in Neuroscience 
Given in honor of Kent Fitzgerald, the second director of Cedar Crest College’s neuroscience program in the Department of Biological Sciences. This award is given to the senior majoring in neuroscience whose academic excellence and commitment to campus life, including community service, best reflect Dr. Fitzgerald’s ideals.

Lecie G. Machell Prize in Social Work 
Given to the senior social work major who has demonstrated outstanding achievement both in the classroom and in field work experience.

Lillian S. Brunner Graduate Award 
Presented to the graduating student in the Master of Science in Nursing program who has exemplified the highest standards of graduate level scholarship through exceptional writing, scholarly discourse and the translation of current best evidence into nursing practice.

Lillian S. Brunner Undergraduate Award 
Given by the Department of Nursing, through the Lillian S. Brunner Endowment Fund, to the senior nursing major who has demonstrated general excellence in nursing.

Linda Fechnay Baas Award 
The Linda Fechnay Baas Award is given in memory of Linda Fechnay Baas, founding director of the Forensic Speech Team. The award is given to a senior participating in the performing arts who best exemplifies Linda’s spirit of good will, optimism and unconditional support 
for others.

Margaret M. Bryant Prize 
Given to the senior going on to graduate school in the field of humanities who has achieved distinction in scholarship and shows great promise.

Media Studies Award 
Given by the Communication Department to a senior who has shown an unmatched ability in the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture.  

Nellie Manges Scholar Athlete Award 
This award, named for Dean of Students Emerita Nellie M. Manges, is presented to the student athlete who graduates with the highest grade point average and has competed in at least three seasons of competition with one year being her senior year.

The Nightingale Award 
Established to recognize the graduating nursing senior who demonstrates scholarship, outstanding clinical performance and commitment to the nursing profession. 

Noble Baird Scientific Award 
Given to the senior who demonstrates outstanding accomplishment and shows promise for a career in medicine.

Olga Ripic Award 
Given in memory of Olga Ripic (a graduate of Allentown School of Nursing) by her husband, to the graduating senior nursing student who has demonstrated both scholarship and leadership over the two years of nursing education at Cedar Crest College.

The Outstanding Forensic Science Senior Award 
The award is presented to the outstanding senior in the forensic science program. The award is based on excellence in academics, active participation in the Forensic Science Student Organization and professional involvement.

Paul V. Kunkel Mathematician Prize 
Given in memory of Paul V. Kunkel, member and chairman of the Mathematics Department (1935-1967), to an outstanding senior mathematician.

The Ralph R. Johnson, Jr. Leadership Prize 
Given by his daughter, Judith Johnson Ferrara ’75, to the graduating senior who has actively participated in leadership activities on and/or off campus, executed her duties as an active participant in a club or organization and in community service with excellence, and has been dedicated to improving the skills of herself and the membership through attendance at leadership and/or professional workshops.

Rev. Dr. Edward J. & Jennie E. Fogel Memorial Prize 
Established by Miss Minnie G. Fogel, Class of 1891, in memory of her parents, the Reverend Dr. Edwin J. and Jennie E. Fogel, to be given to the member of the senior class who in her entire college curriculum has been outstanding in study and religious influence.

Sally Turner Weigel Award 
Given by her family in memory of Sally Turner Weigel ’54 to the senior business administration major who has the highest grade point average and who has done most of her work at Cedar Crest College.

Senior Academic Excellence Award 
This award is given to the graduating psychology student who has completed at least 60 academic credits at Cedar Crest College, and has an outstanding cumulative grade point average and impressive academic record. Selection for this award is made by the Department of Psychology on the basis of GPA and academic related achievements, such as internships, research projects or other outstanding professional contributions.

The Senior Essay Prize in English 
Given by the English Program to the senior English major who submits the best essay written for a class in the major.

Theta Rho Award 
Given by the Theta Rho Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, to the graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional abilities in the areas of nursing scholarship, leadership and research.