Honoring Graduates in Unconventional Commencement Ceremonies

2020 DEAN’S CIRCLE OF MERIT:

SPRING 2020

Leadership: Richa Bisht

For her leadership as an executive board member of the student council, and as a role model and peer reviewer for many students in the Office of National Scholarships.

Leadership: Stephanie Roberts

For her leadership as an orientation mentor for incoming first-year students, a peer mentor in honors foundations, and a leader in multiple levels of the student council.

Global Citizenship: Paige Livingston

For her dedication to broadening her global perspective, beginning with her participation in the Honors Japan program and continuing through immersion activities at Japanese universities.

Global Citizenship: Amber Pirson

For her dedication to solving problems beyond borders, in the Dominican Republic and Thailand, alongside honors students and faculty.

Service: Julia Soondar

For her dedication to improving others’ quality of life and addressing social challenges through College, community, and global service learning opportunities.

Service: Erin Mueller

For her extensive work at the Tampa Museum of Art through the College’s Connections Program, and her service to children by founding a mentorship program at Pizzo Elementary.

Research: Jeanette Myrick

For her extensive research in Honors and the Cell and Molecular Biology department, and her dedication to creating a community in which aspiring microbiologists may receive mentorship in bacteriophage research.

FALL 2020

Leadership: Tiara Desper

For her leadership in the College as a peer mentor, orientation mentor, and student council executive board member, assisting incoming students and young College leaders.

Leadership: Maisha Khan

For her leadership serving as a Resident Assistant in the Honors Living Learning Community and as a Honors Orientation Mentor, assisting students in their transition to college.

Service: Avalon Theisen

For dedicating over one thousand hours in service to USF and the Tampa Bay community to address food insecurity and financial hardships for sick children.

Global: Nora Eldin

For volunteering as a translator at Tampa-based free medical clinics, leading volunteer trips to the Dominican Republic, and conducting a globally-focused independent research project.

Research: Success Ekpenyong

For his innovative research directly resulting in his nonprofit, Upsurge International, to engage in socially conscious leadership development among youth all over the world, particularly in Africa.

Sponsored by the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council, the Dean’s Circle of Merit award is bestowed on students who exemplify the four main values of the College: leadership, service, global engagement, and research. The students are nominated by Honors faculty and staff, and are invited to complete an application that includes a creative piece to demonstrate why they deserve the award.