College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences honor students, faculty, and staff for exceptional achievement
by Bethel University
Bethel University gathered to celebrate the brightest minds and most dedicated members of its community at the annual 2026 Undergraduate Academic Awards ceremony, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health Sciences. The event opened with Dean of the Chapel, Anne Hames, leading attendees in prayer, giving thanks for the outstanding academic achievements realized by this year's student body and setting a tone of gratitude and reverence for the occasion.
Throughout the ceremony, faculty members took to the podium to introduce each honor, offering speeches that commemorated the significance of each award and the exceptional qualities of the students selected to receive them. From scholarship and service to athletic excellence and artistic achievement, the evening reflected the full breadth of Bethel's academic and campus community.
Scholarship & Academic HonorsStudent Marshal Scholarship Hadley Looper & Kenedi Morrison Crucifer Scholarship Jake Davison Dr. T. Award for Excellence Brantee Brasher Naomi Blanks English Award Grace Brown Rowe Gene McMahen Service Award Allie Inman Humanities Creative Project Award Macy Jones History Award Braelyn Hale Senior Psychology Award Mauricio Granoble | Business & TechnologyOutstanding Accounting Student Award Hayden Padgett Outstanding Management Student Award Colby Carrier Outstanding CIS Student Award Horace Avila Sports Management Leadership Award Zachary Zimmer Outstanding Sociology Student Award Cloe Casado Criminal Justice Highest GPA Doddie W'a |
SciencesBiology — General Biology Emphasis Ammerisa Benson Biology — Environmental Emphasis Hannah Harrell & Kyle Schultz Biology — Education Emphasis Afton Greer & Amelia Sherrill Biology — Chemistry Emphasis Martina Coghetto Biology — Pre-Professional Health Garrett Moody Bethel General Chemistry Award Jackelyne Padilla, Matthew Reynolds & Emma Smith Bethel Organic Chemistry Award Hadley Looper | Health Sciences & EducationFlorence Nightingale Model Student Nurse Award Rylee Holladay Sigma Theta Tau Award for Highest GPA Hailey Wallace Health & Human Performance — Exercise Science Kinsley Nichols Fitness and Wellness Award Josiah Arcadipane Highest edTPA Score Award Karlee Bramlett Student Teacher of the Year Kaitilyn Bramlett Laddie H. Lollar Scholarship — Phi Delta Sigma Kyle Schultz |
Arts, Music & Greek LifeKathy Sacks Art Award Zoe Hogan Freshman Music Award Haylie Bowien & Estela Mendoza Music Industry Award Warren Neely Sorority Highest GPA Sigma Phi Xi Fraternity Highest GPA Kappa Sigma Fraternity of the Year Phi Delta Sigma Sorority of the Year Lambda Sigma Mr. & Miss Greek Cody Farmer & Addie Roberson Mr. & Miss Bethel Cody Farmer & Ashley Paulson | Athletics, Faculty & StaffAthletic Team Highest GPA Women's Basketball Male Athlete of the Year Chauncey Hughes — Men's Basketball Female Athlete of the Year Madison Hart — Women's Basketball Coach of the Year Chris Nelson — Women's Basketball Roy & Mary Shelton Teaching Excellence Award Chris Burket Faculty Member of the Year Allison Stockton Staff Member of the Year Christy Pineda Organization of the Year Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) |
We love getting to celebrate our students, and this evening was a true testament to the remarkable talent, dedication, and heart that defines the Bethel family. Each name called represents not just academic excellence, but a life poured into learning, service, and community.
"Moments like these remind us why we do what we do," says Joseph R. Hames, M.D., Provost. "To watch our students be recognized for their hard work and commitment to excellence is one of the greatest privileges of this institution. Bethel University exists to develop the whole person, and tonight, we saw that mission on full display."
Bethel University extends its deepest gratitude to the students who poured themselves into their academic pursuits, to the faculty and staff who champion and challenge them every day, and to the community members and families whose steadfast support makes it all possible. As another remarkable year draws to a close, we look forward with great anticipation to what the next generation of Bethel scholars will accomplish.