James Madison College hosted its annual awards dinner ceremony to honor students who received scholarship awards and prizes from the college. The celebration was held in Club Spartan on Friday, April 19, following the JMC Research Showcase.
Each student honored was permitted to bring two guests.
“The dinner recognizes student excellence. For many, this is one of the final celebrations prior to commencement, marking the close of their education here in Madison,” said Cameron G. Thies, dean and MSU Foundation Professor.
“I often think how fortunate we are to have so many scholarships and prizes to highlight the achievements of our students.”
Numerous awards given included awards for outstanding seniors in their major area of study. They are as follows:
Sam Edwards, Jack Chapin Memorial Award for outstanding senior in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy.
Truman Forbes, Linus Kaechele, Ethan Biederman, Grace Bargestock for outstanding seniors in Comparative Cultures and Politics.
Ethan Biederman for outstanding senior in International Relations.
Neely Bardwell, Ellie Friedman, Spencer Good, Braya Piphus, Lily Zuber for outstanding seniors in Social Relations and Policy.
Additionally, all students earning a 4.0 during their undergraduate studies receive the MSU Board of Trustees Award. The two students in James Madison to receive this award are Ellie Friedman and Truman Forbes.
Other honors given to seniors include:
The Herbert Garfinkel Award for Outstanding Community Service is a $1000 award presented annually to a graduating senior who integrates voluntary community service into his or her program of study in public affairs. This year’s recipient is Spencer Good (PTCD & SRP ’24).
The Michael Schechter All-University Endowed Award honors a retired James Madison professor who taught at the college for nearly 40 years. It is part of the All-University Endowed Award Program and acknowledges the accomplishments of exceptional students in the classroom, in mentored scholarship, or in research activities. This year’s recipient is Ellie Friedman.
Additional honors and awards given to students include:
The Curtis Stokes Endowment for Black Radical Thought, awarded to a student enrolled in JMC with a preference for students pursuing a degree and/or coursework in the Department of African American and African Studies. This year’s recipient is MaKayla Bolton (CCP ’25).
The Blaine W. Strimple Endowed Scholarship for International Relations was created to promote mutual tolerance and understanding in the world. This year’s recipient is Morgan McCament (IR ’26).
The Steven J. Kautz Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Steve Kautz, an alumnus who later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and served as dean of MSU Honors College and associate dean in the College of Social Science. This year’s award is presented to Pedro Chavez (IR ’27).
The Derek J. Sarafa Scholarship is presented to a student with junior standing earning a 3.5 GPA or above and memorializes Madison alumnus Derek Sarafa who graduated with high honors with a degree in political economy. This year’s recipient is Adelaide Jerva (SRP ’25).
The Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship for Field Experience is awarded to a rising senior with a goal of joining one of the foreign affairs agencies in the U.S., an international service agency, U.S. military or a career in international law or trade. This year’s recipient is Katie Heeder (SRP ’25).
The Sylvia E. Tramm and Constance Tramm Hunt Scholarship was established by now retired professor Connie (Tramm) Hunt in honor of her mother Sylvia Tramm, a lifelong advocate, activist and volunteer. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding rising second-year student based on financial need and merit. The students honored this year are Donovan Fobbs (IR & CCP ’27) and Andrea Guitron-Ortiz (SRP & IR ’27).
The Ron Dorr Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing is awarded annually for the best academic essay, autobiographical narrative or piece of creative writing submitted by a JMC student. First place went to Alexander Garcia (IR ’24), Second place to Anastasia Breen (IR ’27) and Third place to Ethan Czaja (IR ’26).
Announcements for Dean’s Choice for Best Paper in International Affairs and Public Policy, along with the Toma Scholarship are forthcoming.