Mavericks Recognized at UNO's 2025 Student Honors Convocation

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its students at the 2025 Student Honors Convocation on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Strauss Performing Arts Center. This annual ceremony showcased UNO’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students for their remarkable contributions in academics, research, leadership, and service.

The Highlights

• The 2025 Student Honors Convocation showcased the exceptional accomplishments of UNO students across nine award categories. The event highlighted a range of achievements, from academic excellence and research to leadership, service, and athletics.

• Many honorees earned prestigious national scholarships and fellowships, further emphasizing UNO’s growing impact on the national stage.

• University leaders, including Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil He, Ph.D., and Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, celebrated the honorees for their dedication and hard work, noting that their success reflects UNO's commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

What They’re Saying

Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA: “Mavericks, you are honored here today because of your dedication and determination during your time at UNO. Out of over 15,000 students, you have done outstanding work that has earned you this well-deserved recognition,” said Li, highlighting that “these awards are a true testament of your hard work and commitment to excellence”. She thanked the families, friends, faculty, and staff who contributed to the students’ success and reminded the audience that each honoree makes the Maverick community proud.

Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil He, Ph.D.: “We are a community of Mavericks, independent thinkers, explorers, risk takers, and today we honor those students who truly embody this spirit,” He said, noting that the honorees “perform at a noteworthy level of excellence because of their self-discipline, diligence, skills, and creativity." He also applauded the mentors and supporters who helped students along the way.

The Award-Winning Students

Helen Hansen Outstanding Graduate Student Awards

The Helen Hansen Outstanding Graduate Student Award, presented by Juan Casas, Ph.D., dean of Graduate Studies, recognizes graduate students who excel in scholarship and research. The 2025 recipients were Bianca Ruiz and Cody Anderson. Ruiz, a graduate student in school psychology, was honored for her community-focused approach to research and service, and Anderson, a Ph.D. candidate in biomechanics, was recognized for his innovative research developing wearable technology to monitor cardiovascular health.

National Scholarships and Fellowships Recipients

UNO also recognized students who earned national scholarships and fellowships, underscoring the university’s wider impact. Honorees included Sheri McVay and Libby Caldwell – both recipients of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships – as well as Sangwon Shin and Chris Engsberg, who earned American Heart Association predoctoral fellowships. Priyanka Chaudhary and Kaitlin Fraser were acknowledged as Buffett Early Childhood Institute Graduate Scholars. In addition, several graduating seniors received prestigious national awards: Giovanni “Gio” Gomez became UNO’s first recipient of the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service (Obama-Chesky Scholarship), Abby Tarr earned a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, Ottilie Copper-Ohm was selected as a Schwarzman Scholar, and Mila Herzbaum-Harding and Katie Hill were recognized as Fulbright semifinalists.

Undergraduate Major Awards

Each UNO college honored its Undergraduate Major Honorees, which are outstanding seniors selected by their academic programs based on exemplary academic performance and contributions to the university community. These top students, representing majors across Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Information Science & Technology, Communication, Fine Arts & Media, and Public Affairs & Community Service, were individually recognized as exemplars of their respective programs. During the ceremony, the dean of each college presented their students with certificates, highlighting the students’ achievements and the impact they’ve had on campus and beyond.

Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence

Ava DeLaGarza received the Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence, UNO’s highest undergraduate scholastic honor. A College of Information Science & Technology student, DeLaGarza excelled as a double major in computer science and Spanish with a near-perfect GPA, exemplifying academic excellence in multiple disciplines. Her achievements in the classroom and involvement in research and service set her apart as one of UNO’s top scholars.

Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership

Suzana Ntirampeba was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership for her exemplary leadership and service contributions. Ntirampeba, a first-generation student who earned dual degrees in criminal justice and political science, has held numerous leadership roles – from President of UNO’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to positions in Student Government and continuing volunteering extensively in the community. Her dedication to campus organizations and community initiatives embodies the spirit of engaged, inclusive leadership that UNO cultivates.

Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service Learning

Erik Zamora received the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service Learning in recognition of his commitment to community engagement through academics. Zamora, a graduate student in psychology, applied his learning in real-world contexts, from working with local preschool and K-12 programs to assisting nonprofit youth club.

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research or Creative Activity

Tai Prauner was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research or Creative Activity for her exceptional undergraduate research accomplishments. Prauner is graduating with dual degrees in molecular & biomedical biology and in world languages, and her interdisciplinary scholarship has earned her competitive accolades including a FUSE research grant and a Goldwater Scholarship. She was recognized for her outstanding research contributions that blend science and humanities, as well as for the creativity and intellectual curiosity demonstrated in her work.

Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Student-Athletes

Vice Chancellor He and Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell presented the Outstanding Student-Athlete Awards, given to one male and one female student-athlete who excel in both academics and athletics. Jimmy Glynn, a five-year member of the Maverick hockey team, was recognized for completing his undergraduate business degree with a 4.0 GPA while distinguishing himself as one of the hockey program’s all-time leaders in games played and a two-time team captain. Maggie O’Brien, a standout shortstop on the softball team, was celebrated for leading Omaha Softball to two Summit League championships and a historic 2024 NCAA regional final appearance – the first in program history – all while earning Academic All-American honors with a near 3.9 GPA. Both student-athletes embodied the ideal of balancing academic excellence with competitive sports leadership.

The Deans Awards

Another highlight of the ceremony was the Dean’s Awards, which recognize the top undergraduate student in each college. The 2025 Dean’s Award recipients included Tai Prauner (College of Arts & Sciences), Ishani Adidam (College of Business Administration), Makenzie “Kenzie” Bias (College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences), Colleen Martincik (College of Public Affairs and Community Service), Brian Rapp (Division of Continuing Studies), Ava DeLaGarza (College of Information Science & Technology), Elizabeth Gonzalez (College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media), and Peyton Dilly (UNL College of Engineering). Each of these students was selected from among their college’s major honorees for exemplifying a combination of outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service within their disciplines. From advancing research in biomedicine and computer science to serving the community and mentoring peers, the Dean’s Award honorees represent the best of each college at UNO.