Lewis Honors College Celebrates Outstanding Seniors, Faculty, and Staff at Medal Ceremony

In Lexington, Kentucky, a prestigious institution continued with a tradition that marks a significant milestone for the graduating students and incredible faculty and staff of Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky. A glorious celebration took place on Thursday, May 2, at the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom where 304 seniors were honored in the annual Medal Ceremony.

307 Medallions, 307 Stories of Success

The Medal Ceremony is an annual tradition at the college where graduating seniors, along with a select group of exemplary faculty and staff, are presented Honors medallions. The medallion ceremony is led by several notables of the University – UK Provost Robert DiPaola, T. W. Lewis Dean Christian Brady, Assistant Dean of Student Engagement Sally Foster, and Director of Undergraduate Studies Ryan Voogt. Each student’s contributions and achievements are highlighted before they are awarded an Honors medallion. This distinction, in addition to being a significant emblem of their accomplishments, also leaves an Honors designation on their academic transcripts.

Acknowledging Extraordinary Contributions

The ceremony, however, was not limited to honoring students alone. It also recognized the critical role played by faculty and staff in shaping these students’ journey. Clare Batty and Tara Tuttle were honored with the Founding Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Honors Education for their exemplary commitment to student engagement, mentoring, and supervising research or independent study projects. Further, Ramla Osman Miller, a dedicated counselor from the Center for Personal Development, was the deserving recipient of the Staff Excellence Award.

Student Excellence Worldwide

Among the students, Abraham Alhamdani was recognized with the Raymond Betts Crystal Award, for his exceptional service to both the Lewis Honors College and the wider UK community. Joshua Griffith and Shria Holla were bestowed the Leadership Awards for demonstrating excellence in leadership positions within the university, college, or their respective major fields.

In the realm of academia, Artin Asadipooya and Caroline Youdes were honored with the Diachun Research Awards, given to those who exhibit outstanding research abilities. Christine Haddad and Kotomi Yokokura were also celebrated for their high academic achievement within the fields of science (Diachun Scholar Award) and humanities, arts or social sciences (Evans Scholar Award), respectively.

A Testament of Resilience and Achievement

In his closing remarks, Dean Christian Brady summed up the spirit of this year’s Medal Ceremony, stating “You are the grace, goodness, and grit that enables a community to meet challenges no matter when or where they arise. Congratulations!” His words reflect not just the resilience of these students but also the continuous effort put in by the institution in shaping the future leaders of the world.

The University of Kentucky is a leading academic institution in the state and is recognized for its commitment to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators.