Academic Awards Recap
04/22/2026
The Forum celebrated students who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity, perseverance and a commitment to learning across disciplines.
Bluffton University honors student achievement at 2026 Academic Awards and Honors Forum
Bluffton University recognized student achievement, scholarship and academic excellence during the annual Academic Awards and Honors Forum held April 21, 2026, in Yoder Recital Hall. The Forum celebrated students who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity, perseverance and a commitment to learning across disciplines.
Faculty chairs presented Distinguished Scholar awards to students selected by their departments for excellence in their academic fields.
Among those honored were:
- Emily Jones, distinguished scholar in art
- Olivia Maag, distinguished scholar in art and writing
- Jenna Woods, distinguished scholar in graphic design
- Chloe Haberman, distinguished scholar in pre-art therapy
- Kaylee Grant, distinguished scholar in accounting
- Leo Campos, distinguished scholar in business
- Blake Clum, distinguished scholar in economics
- Coen North, distinguished scholar in communication and media and Spanish
- Jordyn Garmatter, distinguished scholar in English and distinguished performer in theatre
- Grant Hardeman, distinguished scholar in primary (P-5) education
- Lacie Fenstermaker, distinguished scholar in intervention specialist
- Ashley Kloeker, distinguished scholar in mathematics education
- Emily Walker, distinguished scholar in history
- Emma Organ, distinguished scholar in exercise science
- Nevin Robson, distinguished scholar in sport management
- Malachi Lind, distinguished scholar in sport and recreation leadership
- Connor Cannon, distinguished scholar in strength and conditioning
- Derek Moore, distinguished scholar in criminal justice
- Kaden Bowman, distinguished scholar in psychology
- Marissa Blake, distinguished scholar in social work
- Julia Tegeder, distinguished scholar in nutrition and dietetics
- Addie Hilden, distinguished scholar in biology
- Elizabeth Crites, distinguished scholar in communication sciences and disorders
- Gavin Ferguson, distinguished scholar in environmental science
- Brody Symsick, distinguished scholar in pre-medicine
- Cael Rose, distinguished scholar in mathematics
Two graduates of the C. Henry Smith Honors Program, Ella Myers and Abbigail Peters, were recognized for completing the program’s rigorous honors coursework. In addition, graduate Jordyn Garmatter was recognized for completing a departmental honors project, “In Matters of Taste,” a play written and directed by Garmatter.
The forum also highlighted recipients of major academic awards. Coen North was named a top awardee in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, alongside Madeline Franks, who placed second, and Isabella Yeager, who placed third.
Reading a portion of his award-winning speech, North examined the cultural and ethical
implications of sports betting, arguing that its growing normalization undermines
community and well-being. He described how gambling shifts sports from a shared experience
to a transactional one, noting that “fans begin to care more about their bets than
their favorite teams.”
Drawing on the concept of shalom, North emphasized that true peace encompasses material well-being, healthy relationships and moral integrity. He challenged that sports betting disrupts all three, contributing to financial strain, fractured relationships and misplaced priorities.
“The issue is bigger than gambling,” North concluded. “It’s about preserving the communal nature of sports.” North will advance to compete with winning students from other North American Mennonite colleges. The bi-national competition awards additional monetary prizes for the top three competitors.
Other major awards presented during the forum included:
- Grant Patton, John D. Unruh Jr. Award – social science, for “Are Police Behavior and Actions Biased to Certain Social Groups”
- Alexis Rippel, Esta Lugibill Dye Award for Excellence in Chemistry by a Woman
- Cameron Hazelton, Olivia Maag and Chloe Haberman, Art Show Juror’s Awards of Distinction
- Cameron Hazelton, The Gregg Luginbuhl Award for Best of Show
- Aubrey Hudson, The Gregg Luginbuhl Award for ceramics
- Emily Jones, The President’s Choice Award
- Emily Walker, Dr. Elizabeth Hostetler Outstanding Educator Award
- Anthony Adams, Sattler-Keiper Award for Mathematical Research
- Lacie Fenstermaker, athlete with highest scholastic record
Bluffton’s 75 Academic All-Conference student-athletes were recognized, honoring fall,
winter and spring competitors from the 2025-26 season for their achievements both
in competition and in the classroom. The program concluded with the induction of 38
seniors into Bluffton’s Pi Delta Society, honoring graduates who achieved a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.75
throughout their college careers.
The Academic Awards and Honors Forum serves as a campus-wide celebration of student achievement, reflecting Bluffton’s commitment to discovery, community, respect and service. Through their academic work and contributions, these students exemplify the university’s mission to prepare graduates for lives of purpose, leadership and service.