Class of 2025 seniors honored with academic, activity, and leadership awards
On the eve of their graduation, McDaniel College seniors in the Class of 2025 were honored with academic, activity, and leadership awards. Prior to the event, the graduating seniors took part in the Arch Processional led by McDaniel President Julia Jasken.
Members of McDaniel’s graduating Class of 2025 were honored on May 22 on the eve of their graduation from the college with academic, activity, and leadership awards at the Senior Investiture and Honors Convocation.
After the ceremonial investiture of Jolie A. Gray as the representative for the Class of 2025, the Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant was presented to Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Hyunjae Jeon, Ph.D. Read more about Jeon and his project below.
Following the presentation of the Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant, Provost Flavius Lilly presented the academic awards and Dean of Students Phillip Sullivan presented the activity and leadership awards. See the full list of award recipients below.
Jolie A. Gray was invested with the traditional academic regalia by President Julia Jasken.
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Hyunjae Jeon was the recipient of The Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant.
Associate Professor of Economics and Business Administration Kerry Duvall addressed the Class of 2025 as the surprise faculty speaker.
Margaret A. Riekenberg — a Theatre Arts and English major from South Orange, New Jersey — received The Mary Ward Lewis Prize, while Rebekah Faith Garrett — a Sociology major from Pasadena, Maryland — was awarded The Bates Prize. Both awards are presented to the graduating class members who have made the best records during their undergraduate course. Read more about the recipients below.
Students involved in academic and leadership organizations were also recognized. These groups included Phi Beta Kappa, College Scholars, Global Fellows, Dorsey Scholars, National Security Fellows, Omicron Delta Kappa, Trumpeters, and The EDGE Experience Program.
Finally, Associate Professor of Economics and Business Administration Kerry Duvall was announced as the surprise faculty speaker. "As we gather here this evening, on the eve of your next chapter, I ask you one question: What kind of future are you willing to accept?" Duvall asked the graduates. "If I had to summarize my hopes and dreams for you, it would be that you refuse to accept a life that is anything short of extraordinary. I hope you truly live … not just merely exist. And … I hope you never settle for anything less than you truly desire."
She went on to encourage the Class of 2025 to volunteer in their communities in an area that matches their passions and to make concerted efforts to engage in respectful dialogue with those from different backgrounds and belief systems from their own. "Our differences are what makes this world a more beautiful place," Duvall said.
"If I had to summarize my hopes and dreams for you, it would be that you refuse to accept a life that is anything short of extraordinary."
The Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant
The Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant was established in 1995 and endowed in 2005 by Trustee Charles E. Moore Jr. ’71, and Carol Hoerichs Moore ’70, to honor Dr. Ira G. Zepp ’52, Hon. L.H.D. ’15. The grant is to encourage a significant project designed to enhance teaching. The award favors, but is not limited to, faculty in the first decade of service at McDaniel College and is designed to demonstrate the college’s ultimate commitment to the classroom as our most important function.
Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Hyunjae Jeon, Ph.D., received the 2025 Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant. Jeon joined the McDaniel faculty in 2023 and teaches courses such as Biomechanics, Human Anatomy, and Prevention and Care of Athletic injuries.
His project aims to enhance student learning in biomechanics by providing immersive, hands-on laboratory experiences using updated and accessible technology. Students will engage in applied learning using diagnostic ultrasound, sensory evaluation tools, and balance assessment devices. These tools will not only enrich coursework for students pursuing health care fields such as nursing, physical therapy, and athletic training, but will also support student-led capstone and research projects, contributing to their graduate school preparation.
The grant will also assist Jeon in the continuation of his own research, which he plans to collaborate with students on and present at the 2026 Academic Symposium. Jeon holds both a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and master’s degree in Sports Biomechanics and Rehabilitation from Yonsei University in Seoul, a master's degree in Athletic Training from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The Mary Ward Lewis Prize and The Bates Prize
Margaret A. Riekenberg — a Theatre Arts and English major from South Orange, New Jersey — received The Mary Ward Lewis Prize, while Rebekah Faith Garrett— a Sociology major from Pasadena, Maryland — was awarded The Bates Prize. Both awards are presented to the graduating class members who have made the best records during their undergraduate course.
The Mary Ward Lewis Prize recipient, Margaret “May” A. Riekenberg, graduates with a double major in Theatre Arts and English with minors in Acting, Musical Theatre Performance, Music, History, and Spanish. She has worked for Student Accessibility and Support Services as a notetaker and tutor, and she is a Global Fellow and a member of the Honors Program. Riekenberg is also a member of the following honor societies: Alpha Psi Omega (secretary, academic committee head, and philanthropy committee member), Sigma Tau Delta (vice president and president), Beta Apha Chi (president), Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Sigma Iota, Phi Alpha Theta, and was inducted into both Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa as a senior, all while maintaining 3.986 cumulative GPA.
Rebekah Faith Garrett (left) was the recipient of The Bates Prize and Margaret A. Riekenberg was the recipient of The Mary Ward Lewis Prize.
Riekenberg performed or worked backstage for every theatre performance since arriving on the Hill and participated in the College Choir and the Green TerrorTones a cappella ensemble. She also conducted summer research in 2023 and 2024. According to her nominator, “May is conscientious, compassionate, and a true leader to her peers.”
The Bates Prize was awarded to Rebekah “Bekah” Faith Garrett, who graduates with a major in Sociology and a minor in Gender Studies and is known as “an academic superstar who is active in extracurriculars and is noted for her kind, caring nature.”
A member of the McDaniel College Honors Program, Garrett is one of just four students who was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Garrett has conducted research with Professor Stephanie Madsen, which she presented at the 2024 Academic Symposium. Outside of the classroom, Garrett has served as a senator in the Student Government Association, a member of the President’s Advisory Council of Students, an active member of the Pre-Law Society, a founding member of the Readers’ Roundtable, and a peer mentor in 2024-25.
