Honors Banquet

Students didn’t have to hop on a plane Monday evening to enjoy a “Night in New York,” the theme of the Honors College Banquet in GCU Arena. The event included a catered dinner, New York-themed trivia and live music performed by Honors College Director of Operations Dennis Williams and his wife, Julianne. Senior Kendall Smith was given the Dean’s Choice Award, Gaige Graham was named the Outstanding Senior, Lena-May Haught was a popular choice for the Giving Back Award and Camden Marasco won the Inspirational Leader Award.

Another successful academic year wouldn’t be complete without an Honors College Banquet to celebrate the students’ accomplishments. They were recognized Wednesday for their hard work during the pandemic. “We’re extremely proud,” Program Manager Dennis Williams said. “It’s been a very challenging year for them, but we’ve seen so many of our students step up as leaders, step up in all these areas. This is, I think, going to be an extra special year.”

The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop the Honors College from holding its annual awards banquet. Associate Dean Breanna Naegeli and her staff just had to find a different way to do it. So for the first time, the banquet was made available via livestream Tuesday night as students celebrated the year with an added benefit — their families could be with them.

Honors College students gathered in GCU Arena on Saturday night to celebrate all of their achievements during the 2018-19 academic year. Assistant Dean Breanna Naegeli said the Honors banquet is one of her favorite events of the year. “It allows us all an opportunity to take a moment to reflect upon and acknowledge all the exceptional work and efforts of our students. These students not only take Honors courses and commit to the rigor in the classroom, but they continually go above and beyond outside of the classroom as well,” she said.