Lewis Honors College celebrates outstanding seniors, faculty and staff at Medal Ceremony

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College celebrated 304 seniors during its annual Medal Ceremony held on Thursday, May 2, at the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom.

UK Provost Robert DiPaola, T. W. Lewis Dean Christian Brady, Assistant Dean of Student Engagement Sally Foster and Director of Undergraduate Studies Ryan Voogt shared highlights about the Honors graduates before awarding each student an Honors medallion. In addition, all graduates will receive an Honors designation on their transcript.

“We are so honored to celebrate the nearly 400 graduates of the Lewis Honors College,” said UK Provost Robert S. DiPaola. “Our students have learned from us and taught us much during their time at UK. Now is their time to continue advancing our communities as powerful thinkers, creators, and problem solvers.”  

The Medal Ceremony also included the recognition of exemplary faculty, staff and students. Award recipients are as follows:

• The Founding Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Honors Education, given to two Honors faculty who demonstrate excellence in Honors education through student engagement, mentoring, and supervising research or independent study projects, was presented to Clare Batty and Tara Tuttle.
• The Staff Excellence Award, given to a Lewis Honors College staff member who has demonstrated excellence in their role, was presented to Ramla Osman Miller, a Center for Personal Development counselor.
• The Raymond Betts Crystal Award, given to a graduating senior for outstanding service to the Lewis Honors College and the UK community at large, was presented to Abraham Alhamdani.
• The Leadership Award, given to a graduating senior who has excelled in leadership positions at the university, college or major level, was presented to Joshua Griffith and Shria Holla.
• The Diachun Research Award, given to a graduating senior who has “demonstrated outstanding research talent in the form of their Independent Project and who holds high promise for further professional development in graduate school,” was presented to Artin Asadipooya and Caroline Youdes.
• The Diachun Scholar Award, given to a graduating senior, majoring in science or a related field, who has the highest academic achievement among their peers, was presented to Christine Haddad.
• The Evans Scholar Award, given to a graduating senior, majoring in humanities, arts or social sciences, who has the highest academic achievement among their peers, was presented to Kotomi Yokokura.

As Dean Brady remarked on the hurdles the class of 2024 overcame, he closed the ceremony with “You are the grace, goodness, and grit that enables a community to meet challenges no matter when or where they arise. Congratulations!”