Lumberjack pride was worth its weight in gold at a reception Tuesday night where dozens of graduating seniors were recognized for their contributions to Northern Arizona University.
The awards were announced at the Gold Axe and Distinguished Seniors awards banquet at the High Country Conference Center.
The tradition of the Gold Axe Award dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for Lumberjack athletics. It was then that NAU adopted the tradition of awarding small gold axe pins to outstanding members of the student body. To this day, the gold axe pin is considered the official emblem of the Associated Students of NAU and is presented each semester to recognize students’ outstanding achievements and distinguished service to the university and the greater community.
Students selected for a Gold Axe Award also are eligible for the President's Prize, considered the highest student recognition from the university. After reviewing all the Gold Axe nominations, a universitywide committee makes its recommendations to President John Haeger, who then selects the President's Prize winners.
Also at the reception, six students were named as Distinguished Seniors by their college. Pictured at right are marketing, finance and management major Pascal K. Tang for The W.A. Franke College of Busines; mechanical engineering major Adam Yoder for the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences; advertising major Chelsea Bednarz for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; elementary education major Damon McHenry for the College of Education; dental hygiene major Laurel George Hargis for the College of Health and Human Services; and Hayley Fenton, English, political science and history major for the College of Arts and Letters.
Below are this year’s Gold Axe Award winners, along with the NAU faculty or staff member the students named as having the most significant impact on them during their undergraduate career.
Photos by Bianca Gonzalez and Rene Munoz.
Nathan Alcorn
Journalism
Sara Jean Gilbert
Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation
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Emily Appleton
Psychology
Andy Walters
Psychology
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Bianca Borbeck
Anthropology
Michael Vasquez
Anthropology
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Christine Brunson
Social Work
Jamie Patton
Multicultural Student Center
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Chelsea Byers
Political Science
Jennifer Musial
Women's and Gender Studies
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Jessalyn Carpino
Art Education
Pamela Stephens
School of Art
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Roberto Cruz Esparza
Biology and Spanish
Jamie Patton Multicultural Student Center
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Allyson Cwiekowski
Biomedical Science
Andre Luciano
Athletics
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Briana Davis
Speech-Language Sciences and Technology
Shari Ross-Altarac
School of Communication
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Holly Frost
Political Science
Diana Ulrey
Athletics
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Christian Gonzalez
Psychology
Valeria Chase
Multicultural Student Center
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Ciarra Greene
Chemistry
Jani Ingram
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Samantha Harbison
Interdisciplinary Studies
Ulysses Campos
Residence Life
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Laurel George Hargis
Dental Hygiene
Tricia Moore
Dental Hygiene |
Kristen Hughes
Spanish and English
Katie Sheridan
Honors
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Chase Hunt
Public Relations
Art Farmer
Student Life
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Maria Hunter
Criminal Justice
Rebecca Maniglia
Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Megan Hunter
Psychology
Traci Harvey Multicultural Student Center
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Janet Imonode
Public Health
Deborah Harris
Student Life
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Sara Johnston
Women's and Gender Studies and Sociology
Karla Hackstaff
Women's and Gender Studies
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Faith Kagwa
Political Science and Sociology
Pete Yanka
Health and Learning Center
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Joseph Kamper
Biomedical Science
Stan Lindstedt
Biological Sciences
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Dennis Kan
Nursing
Wendy Wallace
Educational Support
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Bryan Kimoto
Philosophy
Julie Piering
Philosophy
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Quentin Lee
Vocal Music
Judith Cloud
School of Music
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Eric MacLennan
Physics and Astronomy
David Trilling
Physics And Astronomy
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Colleen McGillicuddy
Elementary Education and Spanish
Bob Neustadt
Modern Language
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Damon McHenry
Elementary Education
James Manley
College of Education
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Lisette Michaels
Speech-Language Pathology
William Culbertson
Health Sciences
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Yemile Ojeda
Marketing and Spanish
Karen Schairer
Modern Language
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Chloe Olson
Business Marketing
Rick Brandel
Student Life
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Deanna Peterson
Dental Hygiene
Tricia Moore
Dental Hygiene
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Lauren Price
Advertising and Public Relations
Daniel Foster
School of Communication
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Rebecca Rimsza
Biomedical Science
Glenn Hansen
Honors
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Kristina Rodriguez
Biomedical Science
Jamie Patton
Multicultural Student Center
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Andrew Sarracino
Management and Computer Information Systems
Daisy Purdy
Ethnic Studies
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Katie Shea
International Affairs and Political Science
Robyn Martin
Honors Program
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 Noel Soma
Applied Indigenous Studies and Political Science
Kathleen Frank
Native American Cultural Center
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Samantha Steuby
Anthropology
Rebecca Scarnati
School of Music
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Lauren Talkington
International Relations and Business Economics
Wendy Campione
The W.A. Franke College of Business
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Kaitlin Thompson
Political Science
Naomi Pinion
Politics and International Affairs
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Erin Wendt
Choral Music Education/Vocal Performance
Edith Copley
School of Music
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Hong Yu
Computer Information Systems
Pin Ng
The
W.A. Franke College of Business
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Roxanne Zaad
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Christine Arazan
Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Mary Zuniga
Biology
Diane Stearns
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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