Northwood University is proud to announce the 2022 Valedictorian is Alexis Alfaro Koehler of Northville.
The University announced the selection of this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian during a May 6 convocation ceremony. This year’s salutatorian is Calista Grace Shannon of Pinckney.
Alexis Alfaro Koehler, 2022 Valedictorian
Calista Grace Shannon, 2022 Salutatorian
“The entire Northwood community joins me in congratulating Alexis and Calista for obtaining the highest academic honors during their tenure here at Northwood,” stated President Kent MacDonald. “We are also proud to celebrate the rest of this year’s honors students.”
The other honors students celebrated during Friday’s convocation ceremony include:
Ami Unique Scott, of Detroit, who received the Arthur E. Turner Award. Named in honor of one of Northwood University’s cofounders, this award is presented to a four-year graduate who is creative, articulate, dynamic, and who will strive to perpetuate the Free Enterprise philosophy as espoused by Northwood University.
Aidan Andrew Garvie of Elk Grove, California, recipient of the R. Gary Stauffer Business Administration Award and Ludwig Von Mises Award. Named in honor of one of Northwood University’s cofounders, the R. Gary Stauffer Business Administration Award is presented to a graduate whose academic excellence and campus leadership has brought honor to Northwood University. The Ludwig Von Mises Award is named for an economist. It is presented to a four-year graduate who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship in the science of economics, and has shown special abilities in articulating the principle of the market economy. Garvie also won the Timberwolf Learning Center Tutor of the Year Award, which recognizes a graduating student who exemplifies the four top qualities of a TLC Tutor, which are compassion, intelligence, maturity and patience. The selection is based on the number of hours worked for the fiscal year, cumulative GPA, and most votes from their peer tutors.
Jonathon Ryan Carter of Farmington Hills, who received the Dr. Charles F. DuBois Award, which is named for an Alma physician who provided support when Northwood University opened its doors there. Dr. DuBois and his wife continued their strong support with the campus move to Midland. The faculty of Northwood University select the recipient of the DuBois award, which is presented to a graduate, who has demonstrated all-around achievement in personal character, leadership, scholarship, and activities. Carter also won the Sport Management Award, which is presented to a four-year graduate of the Sport Management program with academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and potential for success in the field.
Brandon James Van Belle of Monroe, recipient of the Town and Campus Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in voluntary efforts or special projects which have contributed to the campus community and to Northwood’s ongoing efforts to respond to the needs of its students and friends.
Iryna Trystan, of Ukraine, who received the Outstanding International Student Award that is presented to a student from another country, who by participation in campus and other activities, and by leadership, has contributed to the progress of international goodwill.
Benjamin Joseph Siekierski of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, recipient of the Jeffrey A. Bennett Accounting Award, which is presented to a four-year graduate who has demonstrated excellence in academic ability and leadership potential in accounting.
Bryan Kristopher Fick of Macomb, who received the Automotive Aftermarket Management Award, which is presented to a four-year Aftermarket Management graduate who has demonstrated academic excellence and enthusiasm to excel in the Aftermarket industry.
Madison Elizabeth Bork of Elma, New York; and Anthony Giovanni Giacalone, of Saint Peters Missouri, recipients of the G. D. Crain, Jr. Foundation Award. The Crain Foundation presents this to an outstanding Automotive Marketing & Management student, including a monetary award to be used as the recipient chooses. The criteria for selecting the award winner include academic excellence, automotive career potential, and campus and community involvement.
Blake Xavier Holland of Sterling Heights, recipient of the Edward N. Cole Award, named in memory of Mr. Edward N. Cole, a giant in the automotive industry and a strong supporter of the Northwood University Automotive program. The award is granted to a BBA graduate in Automotive Marketing & Management with a high academic average upon recommendation by the Automotive Marketing & Management Department.
Bridgette Marie White of Milford, winner of the National Automobile Dealers Association Award. This is awarded to a four-year graduate, chosen upon recommendation by the Northwood Automotive Marketing & Management Department. The award is based on academic scholarship, organizational ability, leadership potential, overall participation in campus activities, and the potential to succeed in the automotive field.
Madison Nicole Kolich, of Escanaba, who received the I.W. Thompson Automotive Award. This is named for I.W. Thompson, who was influential in planning the Automotive Marketing program at Northwood University. The award is granted to a graduate who has exhibited scholarship, demonstrated leadership ability, and possesses the potential to receive significant recognition in the Automotive Marketing field.
• Darin Lee Eiseler of Saint Johns; and Kennedy Cailey Vancalbergh of Jackson, both recipients of the Entrepreneurship Award, presented annually to a student(s) who demonstrate high academic, leadership and entrepreneurial ability.
Alexander David Acs of Howell; and Alexander Moss Lovell of Memphis, who tied for this year’s Finance Award, which is presented to the four-year graduate with the most potential for success in the Banking and Finance field.
Jaylynn Marie Slabic of Gladwin, who won the Health Care Management Award, which is presented to the four-year graduate who has demonstrated academic excellence in the Health Care Management program at Northwood University; is an active volunteer; and shows great potential as a leader in the health care industry.
Raquel Ann Escamilla of Oxford, this year’s recipient of the Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Hospitality Award. Named for Mr. Eddie Zehnder, a generous contributor in time, energy, and money to the Hotel and Restaurant Management program, this award is presented to a four-year Hospitality Management graduate who has shown academic excellence and leadership skills in the hospitality industry and activities on and off campus.
Katy Rose Kuhr of Fair Haven, winner of the Stelian Grigoras Innovation Management and Marketing Award, which is presented to a senior in the Innovation Management and Marketing program who has demonstrated high academic, leadership, high work ethic and innovative ability. It is awarded to an Upper Division student who has demonstrated academic excellence and promise of career potential in the innovation marketing area.
Seal Peter Hendrik Leendert Esseveld, Netherlands, winner of the International Business Award, which is given to a four-year graduate in International Business who has demonstrated high academic and leadership achievement and has future potential for success in this field.
Andria Nicole Thompson of Chesterfield, recipient of the Management Award, which is presented to a four-year graduate in the field of management who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and management ability.
Kayla Marie Coltson of Midland, who won the William T. Anderson Management Information Systems Award, which is presented to a four-year MIS graduate who has demonstrated academic excellence and potential to excel in the field of Management Information Systems/Management. Selection is made by the faculty members of the Northwood University Management Information Systems Department.
Genna Lucia Daniels of Shelby Township, winner of the Marketing Award, which is presented to a senior Marketing student who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, strong work ethic, and proficiency for marketing.
Josie Rochelle Nash, of Elsie, recipient of the Frederick T. Keeler Marketing Scholarship Award, which is an endowed scholarship, named for Frederick T. Keeler, a former Northwood Faculty member. The recipient will receive financial support from the alumni of Northwood University. The scholarship is intended to recognize a Michigan campus student in their junior year at Northwood University. It is awarded to an Upper Division student who has achieved academic excellence and shows promise of career potential in the marketing area.
Haley Marie Frank of Flat Rock, who received the Willo Anker Award, which is a scholarship awarded in honor of former faculty member, Willo Anker, to a deserving student enrolled in the Management/Marketing curriculum on the Michigan campus with demonstrated academic achievement and career interest in the marketing management field.
Hayley Alexis Christensen of Howell, recipient of the Robert M. Ellis Award, which is granted to a four-year graduate for demonstrated executive leadership and outstanding performance in the group dynamics of Northwood University’s American Advertising Federation chapter.
Camara Elon Mackey, of Country Club Hills, Illinois, who won the Vada Bennett Dow Humanitarian Award, which is presented in the name of Vada Bennett Dow, who was significant as a benefactor in the development of Northwood University and the community of Midland. Her devotion to helping people was a hallmark of her life. The Vada Bennett Dow Humanitarian Award is presented by the Student/Alumni Board to a senior student of Northwood University. The award is based on community involvement, campus involvement and a genuine devotion to helping others.
Riley Lynn Rajewski of Midland; and David Sedlar of the Czech Republic, recipients of the David and Daniel Goetz Academic Athlete Award. Named in memory of David and Daniel Goetz, who were student-athletes at Northwood University, this award is presented to a male and a female four-year graduate who was a starter on a Varsity team; earned over a 3.00 cumulative GPA; and was selected by the Athletic Committee.
Matthew Joseph Laming of Midland, who received the Pi Kappa Delta Omicron Chapter Distinguished Competitive Speaker of the Year Award. This award is given to a member or members of the Competitive Speech Team who demonstrate ability, leadership skills, sportsmanship, class etiquette and dedication to the team.
Jean Pierre Tarick Frederick, of St. Lucia, winner of the Dr. Catherine W. Chen Endowed Scholarship, which was established in 2004 to commemorate Dr. Catherine W. Chen’s retirement from Northwood University. She served as Head Librarian, Academic Dean, and Provost of the Michigan campus. This scholarship is awarded to an international student studying on the Michigan Campus who has maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Sebastian Michael Tesch of New Baltimore, recipient of the Edgar A. Madden Writing Award. This award is named in honor of Edgar A. Madden, who served Northwood University in various capacities for almost 40 years, both beginning and ending in the classroom teaching the art and skill of writing at which he excelled. He served as Academic Dean and Provost of the Michigan campus, and Chancellor of the University. This award seeks to promote excellence in writing among the traditional students on the Michigan campus of Northwood University and is awarded annually to a student nominated and chosen by the English faculty. The award goes to that student whose ability personifies clarity, quality of expression and precision in writing.
