COLA students among select group recognized for excellence in scholarship, leadership, citizenship and more

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Jim Dean with all award winners

President Jim Dean with the student award winners at the Student Awards Ceremony.

Every spring, a small number of undergraduates are singled out from their nearly 11,000 peers on the Durham campus for recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments either in academics, leadership, service or all three. Nominated by faculty, staff and sometimes fellow students, those selected represent all five colleges and a range of disciplines. This spring, 15 students were honored with the highest awards UNH bestows. Among them were six scholars from the College of Liberal Arts.

In a ceremony on May 10 hosted by the Dean of Students’ office, the students were presented their awards, with very proud family members, faculty and staff looking on. President Jim Dean, Provost Wayne Jones, Vice Provost Kenneth Holmes, Dean Michael Blackman and — among other deans and associate deans — COLA’s Dean Michele Dillon and Associate Dean Jenni Cook celebrated the hard work, determination and commitment of those honored. “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” noted Jones in his remarks to the awardees.

student with award
Lindsey Broadhurst ‘24.

Lindsey Broadhurst ‘24, a psychology major, won one of two Parents Council Awards, which recognize sophomores or juniors who have shown an understanding and appreciation of the value of a university education and share their knowledge to better their community.

Nominated by Jolie Wormwood, assistant professor of psychology, Broadhurst has been a force as a teaching assistant in Wormwood’s Affect and Psychophysiology Lab, consistently going above and beyond, said Wormwood. In addition, her dedication to sharing knowledge is evident in her five years of work at The Learning Path in Derry, NH, and her work as a UNH tour guide, a teaching assistant for an introductory Italian class at UNH and an associate teacher at Growing Places in Durham.

student with nominee
Avary Thorne and Zoie Haskell ‘23.

Zoie Haskell ‘23, a triple major in history, international affairs and women’s and gender studies, won the Governor Wesley Powell Award, recognizing a student who has an interest in public service as demonstrated through academics and extra-curricular activities, both on and off campus.

Haskell has facilitated and moderated discussions about civil discourse and social justice across campus. She’s also part of the social justice leadership cohort in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. Haskell is planning a year-long thesis on how rhetoric is used in American media regarding Muslims and Islams. “Zoie Haskell is a passionate advocate dedicated to service, and has made a true impact,” said Avary Thorne, coordinator of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Global Racial and Social Inequality Lab, and one of Haskell’s nominators.

student and nominee
Sue Siggelakis and Rachel Dalai ‘24.

Rachel Dalai ‘24, a political science and justice studies dual major, won the Helen Duncan Jones Award. This honor recognizes a sophomore woman who shows the greatest promise of outstanding achievement in American citizenship, leadership and scholarship.

Sue Siggelakis, associate professor of political science, presented the award, noting Dalai’s leadership as a resident advisor and her work as part of a research team examining state legislative behavior. “One aspect of Rachel’s being and character is her unwavering dedication to the First Amendment,” said Siggelakis, “and not being afraid to go against the grain whether in classroom discussions or late night parlays with dorm residents.”

student and nominee
Eliezer Morse ‘23 and Dawn Zitney.

Eliezer Morse ‘23, a psychology and women’s and gender studies double major, won the Jere A. Chase Service Award, which honors a graduating senior who has displayed outstanding student service to the university.

Morse has served the university and community as a volunteer sexual well-being intern at UNH Health and Wellness and with Mutual Aid NH and Arts in Reach. In all their work, they have shown a commitment to helping vulnerable people in communities. “Eli Morse is creative, intelligent, self-aware, and able to interact easily with peers,” said Dawn Zitney, wellness educator, who presented Morse with their award, adding “Eli has a strong reputation at UNH and in the local community.”

student and nominee
Jake Namiot ‘22 and Kirk Trombley.

Jake Namiot ‘22, a political science and justice studies dual major, won the Hood Achievement Prize, given to a senior man who shows the greatest promise through character, scholarship, leadership and usefulness to humanity.

Kirk Trombley, adjunct professor of justice studies, presented the award, noting Namiot’s analytical skills, rigor of thought and discipline. Namiot’s leadership ability was evident as a member of the hiring committees for both the dean of students and director of community standards. He is also the vice president of the Interfraternity Council, and previously served as the chief justice for the council. Namiot will be attending Boston College Law School next year. “He holds the promise of attorneys in his hands and I look forward to the day when I will be able to call him a colleague and member of the bar,” said Trombley.

Sydney Herzig-Deribin ‘22, a women’s and gender studies major, won one of two Kidder Undergraduate Student Awards. The award honors those who, through their scholarship, leadership, or outstanding efforts, foster greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender expression at the University of New Hampshire.

Herzig-Deribin was not able to attend the award ceremony, but Blackman read the award citation. Herzig-Deribin joined Alliance, UNH’s LGBTQIA+ support and advocacy organization, during her freshman year and was voted to serve as co-chair by the spring, a position she held for two years. She has also served as a council representative for the UNH Diversity Support Council and played an important peer mentor role in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. “Sydney is a sincere and compassionate student who engages with and on behalf of our LBGTQIA+ community in a multitude of ways,” said Blackman.

Closing the ceremony, Holmes urged students to recognize the people who have encouraged them throughout their journeys and helped them get where they are today. And, then, to be that person who encourages others.

Photographer: 
Gus Murray | Student Contributor | august.murray@unh.edu