Celebrating Academic Excellence at 87th Annual Honors Convocation

The University of Jamestown held its 2026 Honors Convocation on April 16 celebrating student achievements. This annual event highlighted the university’s commitment to its motto, “Lux et Veritas” (Light and Truth), by recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and service. 

The ceremony began in Harold Newman Arena with an address by Dr. Ernesto Fundora, Professor of Foreign Language and the 2025 Professor of the Year. Dr. Fundora’s speech was both humorous and heartfelt, offering wisdom and encouragement to students as they prepare for graduation.   

“Here at UJ, we do not prepare you only for the world as it is today. We prepare you for the world as it will be when you arrive to lead it.” He emphasized the importance of courage, integrity, and faith, urging students to approach the future with open hearts and creativity. Drawing from Scripture, he reminded them, “I am with you always to the end of ages,” calling on graduates to turn their education into meaningful action with a reminder to never take anything for granted. 

Two students were awarded the prestigious President’s Key honor, which is given to the highest-ranking undergraduate senior(s) who have completed at least 100 credits at the University of Jamestown. The 2026 recipients were Justin Proulx, who will graduate with a degree in Business Studies and Behavioral Health, and Malina Reynolds, who will graduate with a degree in Exercise Science and Psychology. 

Faculty and staff were also recognized for their contributions to the university community.  

• Nicole Hochhalter, RDN, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, was named Alpha Chi Professor of the Year. She was praised for her dedication to students, her ability to inspire passion, and her efforts to expand facilities and programs within her department.  

• Lexi Lueck, Assistant Registrar, was honored as Staff Person of the Year for her adaptability, dependability, and positive impact on campus culture. 

A recording of the ceremony was shared to UJ’s YouTube Channel and can be viewed above. You can download a copy of the event program here: UJ Honors Day 2026 program.

Students honored during the ceremony included the following: 

• Xavier Baker, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Psychology Department Outstanding Senior Achievement Award. The Psychology Department Outstanding Senior Achievement Award is given annually to a graduating senior majoring in psychology who has demonstrated a high level of achievement.  

• Mara Bjornson, of Spiritwood, North Dakota, received the Nurse Leadership Recognition Award. The Nurse Leadership Recognition Award presented to the UJ nursing student who has been selected for one of the following honors by the NDNSA: North Dakota Student Nurse of the Year, President of NDNSA, or recipient of the NDNSA State Leadership Award. 

• Annika Braun, of Altona, Manitoba, Canada, received the Senior Biology Achievement Award. The Senior Biology Achievement Award is given in recognition of high academic excellence in the field of biology to a graduating biology major.  

• Colin Conway, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Music Department Student Achievement Award and the Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize. The Music Department Student Achievement Award is given each year to the junior or senior music major who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishment in her/his music studies at the University of Jamestown. The Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program at University of Jamestown.   

• Gemma Coon, of Glendive, Montana, received the Communication Achievement Award. The Communication Achievement Award is given in recognition of high academic excellence in the field of communication, service to the college and the community, and leadership in the Communication Department. 

• Mackenzie Couling, of Pilot Mound, Manitoba, Canada, received the Peggy And Merle Foss Outstanding Health & Physical Education Teacher Education Major Of The Year Award. The Peggy And Merle Foss Outstanding Health and Physical Education Teacher Education Major Of The Year Award is presented to the most outstanding junior or senior majors who hold a minimum GPA of 3.3, have demonstrated professional service and strong leadership ability, and/or show great promise in graduate school. 

• Ella Darrow, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Chapter K PEO Award. The Chapter K PEO Award is given to two junior students and is based on character, scholarship, and leadership. 

• Emily Ellingson, of Courtenay, North Dakota, received the Chapter AB PEO Award. The Chapter AB PEO Award is given to a student or students with high potential who have graduated from Jamestown High School and have attended the University of Jamestown for one, two, or three semesters. 

• Reece Floyd, of Mountain Home, Idaho, received the Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing. The Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing is presented to senior UJ nursing students who have contributed the most effort to assist student learning within the nursing program. 

• Jager Gange, of Alexandria, Minnesota, received the Outstanding Student In Secondary Education Award. The Outstanding Student In Secondary Education Award is presented to the student in the Teacher Education Department for outstanding achievement.  

• Genesis Greenland, of Oakes, North Dakota, received the Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study.  The Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study is named in honor of Felix Wirz, 1962 graduate of Jamestown College from Basel, Switzerland, and Foreign Language Department faculty member from 1970 to 1974. It is awarded to an outstanding student majoring in French, German or Spanish. The student must have a major in one or more languages other than English, have studied abroad, been an officer in Alpha Mu Gamma or the International Student Organization, been an asset to the Foreign Language Department, and show promise for working to promote language acquisition after graduation. 

• Trinity Gregg, of Barnesville, Minnesota, received the Kennedy S. Wanner Memorial Trophy. The Kennedy S. Wanner Memorial Trophy was established by the brothers and sisters of Kennedy S. Wanner, a Jamestown College student killed in World War I. The selection is based on the student’s scholastic record, participation in intercollegiate athletics, and high ideals. 

• Sadie Hager, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Chapter AB PEO Award. The Chapter AB PEO Award is given to a student or students with high potential who have graduated from Jamestown High School and have attended the University of Jamestown for one, two, or three semesters. 

• Brenna Held, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Distinguished Achievement Award In Nursing. The Distinguished Achievement Award In Nursing is presented to senior UJ nursing student selected by the nursing faculty for outstanding academic achievement, contribution to co-curricular activities, and leadership potential in professional nursing.  

• Tom Hoffmann, of Cuijk, North Brabant, The Netherlands, received the Outstanding Graduate In Computer Science And Technology award. The Outstanding Graduate In Computer Science And Technology award is given to graduating seniors who show great promise in graduate school or industry.   

• Hannah Hynek, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, received the Distinguished Achievement Award In Nursing. The Distinguished Achievement Award In Nursing is presented to senior UJ nursing student selected by the nursing faculty for outstanding academic achievement, contribution to co-curricular activities, and leadership potential in professional nursing.  

• Molly Jennings, of Washburn, North Dakota, received the Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize and the Chapter K PEO Award.  The Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program at University of Jamestown. The Chapter K PEO Award is given to two junior students and is based on character, scholarship, and leadership. 

• Madison Kirschemann, of Regent, North Dakota, received the Peggy And Merle Foss Outstanding Exercise Science Major Of The Year Award. The Peggy And Merle Foss Outstanding Exercise Science Major Of The Year Award is presented to the most outstanding junior or senior majors who hold a minimum GPA of 3.3, have demonstrated professional service and strong leadership ability, and/or show great promise in graduate school.  

• Charlotte Lempka, of Alexandria, Minnesota, received the Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study.  The Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study is named in honor of Felix Wirz, 1962 graduate of Jamestown College from Basel, Switzerland, and Foreign Language Department faculty member from 1970 to 1974. It is awarded to an outstanding student majoring in French, German or Spanish. The student must have a major in one or more languages other than English, have studied abroad, been an officer in Alpha Mu Gamma or the International Student Organization, been an asset to the Foreign Language Department, and show promise for working to promote language acquisition after graduation. 

• Alyssa Lingen, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received the History Merit Award, the Political Science Merit Award, and the Clyde R. Travis Award. The History Merit Award is given in recognition of superior academic performance and outstanding scholarly contributions in the fields of history and political science.  The Political Science Merit Award is given in recognition of high inspiration, unselfish dedication to the principles of American democracy, and superior academic performance. The Clyde R. Travis Award is presented to the junior student showing the greatest promise in teacher education. The award was founded by the class of 1926 in memory of Clyde R. Travis, former head of the Teacher Education Department. 

• Taylor Martin, of Fargo, North Dakota, received the Outstanding Student In Elementary Education Award. The Outstanding Student In Elementary Education Award is presented to a student in the Teacher Education Department for outstanding achievement. 

• Enzo  Zaidan, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Freshman Computer Science & Technology Award. The Freshman Computer Science & Technology Award is given to an outstanding freshman who has completed CS 160, has taken or is taking at least one more CS course numbered 170 or higher, and shows great promise in the Computing field. 

• Aiden McLain, of Grafton, North Dakota, received the Jimmie Zanni Award.  The Jimmie Zanni Award is given by the Theatre program to recognize students who epitomize versatility and quality in both performance and technical theatre. 

• Paula Meyer, of Gladstone, North Dakota, received the Religion And Philosophy Department Prize. The Religion And Philosophy Department Prize is given in recognition of exemplary work in the department. 

• LilyAnna Miller, of Kerkhoven, Minnesota, received the Dekrey Instrumental Music Award. The Dekrey Instrumental Music Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the instrumental program at University of Jamestown.   

• Caici Mitchell, of Aurora, Colorado, received the Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing. The Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing is presented to senior UJ nursing students who have contributed the most effort to assist student learning within the nursing program.  

• Rebekah Nickish, of Billings, Montana, received the Freshman Biology Achievement Award. The Freshman Biology Achievement Award is given to the highest ranking freshman in biology.   

• Matthew Poole, of Ardrossan, Alberta, Canada, received the William J. Klaudt Award. The William J. Klaudt Award, given in honor of Mr. William J. Klaudt, former professor and chair of the Department of Business Administration, is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding overall performance in the Department of Business, Accounting and Economics. 

• Justin Proulx, of El Mirage, Arizona, received the President’s Key Award. The President’s Key Award is given annually to the highest ranking student(s) in the senior class who has spent all four years at University of Jamestown.  

• Malina Reynolds, of Bismarck, North Dakota, received the President’s Key Award and the Psychology Department Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award. The President’s Key Award is given annually to the highest ranking student(s) in the senior class who has spent all four years at University of Jamestown. The Psychology Department Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award is given annually to an outstanding psychology undergraduate who has demonstrated a high level of achievement in the department of psychology.   

• Adria Stahl, of Casselton, North Dakota, received the Dr. Teree Rittenbach Award. The Dr. Teree Rittenbach Award is given in honor of Dr. Teree Rittenbach, Professor of Nursing at University of Jamestown since 1977. It is presented to a student nurse who demonstrates unselfish dedication to nursing and volunteerism, a love of learning, and a love for the elderly population. 

• Madeline Stangl, of Emerado, North Dakota, received the Writing Center Tutor of the Year Award. The Writing Center Tutor Of The Year Award recognizes undergraduate tutors who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to writing center pedagogy and valued practices and have made significant contributions to support writing at UJ through the Writing Center. 

• Jacob Van Lith, of Forman, North Dakota, received the Business Faculty Honor Award. The Business Faculty Honor Award is given on behalf of the business faculty to an outstanding student in their department. 

• Kirsten Vander Kooi, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Professional Achievement Award In English. The Professional Achievement Award In English is given to the junior or senior showing the most professional promise in English. 

• Anthony Walters, of Queens, New York, received the Kennedy S. Wanner Memorial Trophy. The Kennedy S. Wanner Memorial Trophy was established by the brothers and sisters of Kennedy S. Wanner, a Jamestown College student killed in World War I. The selection is based on the student’s scholastic record, participation in intercollegiate athletics, and high ideals. 

• Paige Zimiga, of Rapid City, South Dakota, received the Freshman Biology Achievement Award. The Freshman Biology Achievement Award is given to the highest ranking freshman in biology.