Bluefield University recognized the academic excellence of its students at its annual Honors Convocation held Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Harman Chapel.
Vice President for Advancement Bryan Worrall offered the invocational prayer. Student Leauna Morris performed “Been So Good” accompanied by music professor Dr. Jeremy Yowell.
Dr. Steve Peterson, the institution’s President, introduced faculty speaker Wendy Beavers. Mrs. Beavers is a professor of history, the chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies department, and the 2025 recipient of the Margaret Newcomb Leonard Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Yowell led the congregation in the hymn “In Christ Alone,” accompanied by adjunct music professor Melissa Yowell.
Dr. Emily Lambert, Dean of the College of Science & Health Sciences, began the award presentations by honoring 209 students from Spring 2025 and 228 students from Fall 2025 who made the Dean’s List with a 3.5 to 3.89 semester GPA or the President’s List with a 3.9 to 4.0 semester GPA.
The 2026 Honors Convocation award recipients included:
- Freshmen Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Kaitlyn Barrett, Jaylynn Harris, Jack Healey, Brandi Mitchell, Chad Rollins, Kierston Rozell, Mack Rushen and Gabriann Tilley
- Freshmen Awards for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Ella Geist, Gregory Ghoorahoo, Sophie Hall and Danielle Sansalone
- Sophomore Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Enrico Alaia, Izabella Baldwin, Austin Crockett, Carmen Davis, Abigail O’Quinn, Mia Peterson, Isaiah Sanders, Michael Schott and Savannah Taylor
- Sophomore Awards for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Jaden Bradley, Tisharrah Huber, Ryan McDaniel, Nakaya Nguyen, Keri Rankin, Nolan Stines and Gage Thompson
- Junior Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: London Bonney, Benjamin Bossi Scaglia, Lauren Bragg, Dusty Cash, Marissa Copenhaver, Aliyah Davidson, Riley Griffith, Elei Haynes, Syndey James, Brittany Jones, Amber McClanahan, Jacob Mitchell, Channing Mooney, Sarah Pennington, Alondra Reeves, Ethan Richardson, Brittany Salters, Lucas Sellers, Isabella Smith, Keisha Smith, Kaycee Strahm, LeSure Swaine, John Thompson and Carly Wright
- Junior Awards for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Brittney Carter, Bethany Estoll, Elizabeth Oakes, Carter Roberts, Chiquita Ukonu and Sienna Vitelli
- Non-Graduating Senior Certificates of Recognition for cumulative grade point averages of 3.80 and above: Lora Boyd, Joshua Cooper, Madeline Day, Hannah DeWick, Melissa Dorman, Joshua Holland, Patricia Jackson, Jessica Justus, Jessica Lineberry, Gary Pettrey, Jacob Phillips, Rebekah Roberts and Chesed Russell
- Non-Graduating Senior Awards for Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average: Laken Arnold, Xander Bunch, Robert Cantrell, John Hanline, Lorena Molina, Tanya Sprinkle, Kylee Sturgill and LaTasha Syche
- Marvin G. Williams Award for the Outstanding Biology Graduate: Brayden Surface
- Frank S. Easley Award for the Outstanding Business Administration – Accounting Graduate: Alayshia Griffith
- Frank S. Easley Award for the Outstanding Business Administration – Management Graduate: Cameron Justis
- Frank S. Easley Award for the Outstanding Business Administration – Sport Management Graduate: Cora Thornton
- Outstanding Master of Business Administration Graduate: Ralph Love
- Outstanding Communication Arts Graduate: Eledy Torres Jimenez
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Graduate: Taylor Stamper
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling Graduate: Audrey Whitt
- Outstanding Criminal Justice Traditional Graduate: Jessica Aristy
- Outstanding Criminal Justice Online Graduate: Heather Kemp
- Outstanding Cybersecurity Graduate: Jessica Aristy
- Outstanding Early Childhood Education Graduate: Tammy Younger
- Gerald E. Clay Award for the Outstanding Teacher Education Graduate: Michael Ashton Bucklen
- Outstanding Master of Arts in Education Graduate: Michelle Brown
- Outstanding Exercise and Sport Science Graduate: Tyler Rakes
- Outstanding Ministry Leadership Graduate: Dorian Crabtree
- Outstanding Music Graduate: Blake Carter
- Outstanding RN to BSN Graduate: Jeremy Stout
- Outstanding Master of Science in Nursing Graduate: Kristen Spencer
- Ronald W. Hedrick Award for the Outstanding Psychology and Human Service Graduate: Izabella Lechuga
- Alpha Chi Honor Society Graduates: Jessica Aristy, Mollie Bolton, Abigail Bradley, Landon Breeden, Dorian Crabtree, Courtney Frame, Savannah Holmes, Madilyn Howington, Cameron Justis, LoriAne Lester, Alexis McDuffie, Ashlyn Newman, Arin Robinson-Fowler, Tyler Rakes, Shawn Rasi, Brayden Surface and Kaylee Yates
- Honors Program Scholar Graduates: Landon Breeden, Mollie Bolton and Savannah Holmes
- Rampage Scholar Awards: Elle Gunter, Chesed Russell and Savannah Taylor
- Linguistics Award: Bethany Estoll
- Louisa Sowers History Scholarship: Alaina Hayden
- Excellence in Law Enforcement Studies Award: Courtney Frame and Noah Burtner
- Excellence in Legal Studies Award: Chessiemae Tindall
- Walls-Farmer Criminal Justice Scholarship: Weldon Moffett
- Gerald E. Clay Scholarship: Jacob Phillips
- Heather M. Smith Scholarship: Alaina Hayden
- Heather M. Smith Student Teacher Award: Alexis McDuffie
- Delta Kappa Gamma Education Award: Brittany Davis
- Jason Elswick Student Teacher Award: Seth Johnson
- Margaret Newcomb Leonard Outstanding Future Teacher Award: Alexia Bostic
- Marsha A. Mead Scholarship: Leauna Morris
- Paul W. Beasley Servant Leadership Award: Ethan Walker
- Margaret Newcomb Leonard Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Kimberly Farmer
Dr. Yowell led the congregation in singing the Alma Mater, and graphic communication professor Allen Roberts offered the benediction.
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