Students celebrated at annual Honors Day

The University of Jamestown celebrated students’ accomplishments with Honors Day in Harold Newman Arena the morning of April 3, 2025. Jimmie leaders honored students who earned scholarships, departmental awards, fellowships, and placement on the Dean’s List. 

You can watch the full ceremony with the video above and download a copy of the event program here: UJ Honors Day 2025 program.

The ceremony also celebrated Professor of the Year Dr. Ernesto Fundora and Staff Person of the Year Gabe Martinez.

Fundora, an Assistant Professor of Spanish, received nominations citing his genuine care for the academic and personal lives of his students, flexibility for students who are struggling, the engaging learning environment he offers, and his deep commitment to developing his students as people and scholars.

Martinez, Director of Residence Life & Public Safety, was celebrated for his leadership, kindness, and work ethic. He was credited with going above and beyond during campus emergencies.

Students honored during the ceremony included the following:

• Keelie Renwick, of Bismarck, North Dakota, received the Carl C. Raugust Award. The Carl C. Raugust Award goes to the senior student who, during a work-study assignment at Raugust Library, demonstrated exceptional skills, devotion to duty, and willingness to serve.
• Jenna Baarson, of Lisbon, North Dakota, received the Clyde R. Travis Award. 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.
• Marin Rasmussen, of Jamestown, North Dakota, 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.
• Kaden Schmidt, of Medina, North Dakota, 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.
• Charlie Ulstad, of Madison, 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.
• Roma Lyn Leuthold, of Palmer, Alaska, 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.
• Megan Oswald, of Brownsdale, Minnesota, 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.
• Kennedy Johnson, of Bismarck, 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.
• Lexus Page, of Carrington, North Dakota, 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.
• Skya Brandon, of Hatton, North Dakota, received the Faculty Recognition Award In Nursing and the Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize. 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. The Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program at University of Jamestown.
• Tymber Boldt, of Flasher, 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.
• Lauryn Hibl, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Felix Wirz Award For Excellence In Language Study and the Writing Center Tutor of the Year Award.  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. 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.
• Jessika Lofstrom, of Cohasset, Minnesota, received the Freshman Biology Achievement Award. The Freshman Biology Achievement Award is given to the highest ranking freshman in biology.
• Trent Wagner, of Billings, Montana, 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.
• Trevor Younce, of Bonney Lake, Washington, received the Freshman Digital Design Award. The Freshman Digital Design Award is given to an outstanding freshman who has completed CS 160, has taken or is taking at least one more DIG course numbered 111 or higher, and shows great promise in digital design. Award recipient:
• Madeline Stangl, of Emerado, North Dakota, received the General Chemistry Award. The General Chemistry Award is given to the most outstanding student in general chemistry.
• Riley Johnson, of Harwood, North Dakota, received the History Merit 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.
• Ellie Holen, of LaMoure, North Dakota, 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.
• Isaiah Roebuck, of Arizona, Marana, 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.
• Alex Walker, of Lakewood, Colorado, 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.
• Tyler Dean, of Watertown, South 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.
• Makenzie Gibson, of Inver Grove Heights, 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.
• Kate Busek, of Fargo, 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.
• Torrie Schutzman, of Cody, Wyoming, 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.
• Hannah Hagel, of Carrington, North Dakota, 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.
• Kyra Vogel, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the President’s Key Award and the Business Faculty Honor 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 Business Faculty Honor Award is given on behalf of the business faculty to an outstanding student in their department.
• Madelyn Schmidt, of Medina, North Dakota, received the President’s Key Award and the Political Science Merit 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 Political Science Merit Award is given in recognition of high inspiration, unselfish dedication to the principles of American democracy, and superior academic performance.
• Gabi Oberg, of Bismarck, North Dakota, received the Professional Achievement Award In English and the Jimmie Zanni Award. The Professional Achievement Award In English is given to the junior or senior showing the most professional promise in English. The Jimmie Zanni Award is given by the Theatre program to recognize students who epitomize versatility and quality in both performance and technical theatre.
• Grace Hegerle, 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.
• Thomas Pittenger, of Broomfield, Colorado, received the Psychology Department Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement Award. 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.
• Xavier Baker, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, received the Religion And Philosophy Department Prize. The Religion And Philosophy Department Prize is given in recognition of exemplary work in the department.
• Ian Weis, of Jamestown, North Dakota, received the Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize . The Richard Harrison Smith Choral Prize recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the choral program at University of Jamestown.
• Rebecca Czarnecki, of Franklin, Wisconsin, 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.
• Brenden Vulcano, of Nelson, British Columbia, 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.
• Gabi Sullivan, of Rugby, 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.