The College of Arts and Humanities held its annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 10, recognizing students who have distinguished themselves in academic excellence, leadership and service.
In addition to 37 departmental awards, three students were bestowed with the College’s highest honors: the Blue Key Academic and Leadership Award, the Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit and the Dre Martin Service Award.
Blue Key Academic and Leadership Award: Olivia Oefinger
The Blue Key Academic and Leadership Award is presented to a student who has a distinguished record of academic scholarship and campus leadership.
Olivia Oefinger is a senior majoring in economics and philosophy, and she is a member of the Honors College.
Oefinger stood out through her relentless pursuit of a legal career to defend children. She engaged with multiple pre-law opportunities, including the Moot Court team, the William T. Howell Pre-Law Society and the Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity. She also distinguished herself as a Dixon Policy Scholar, a Duckenfield Scholar, editor of the Clemson Law Review and vice president of the Clemson Economics Club. Recently, she completed internships with the Pickens County Child Advocacy Center, Grayson County Child Advocacy Center, and 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
“I want to pursue a career in the law, not just as a lawyer, but also as someone who is constantly aware of the human condition,” Oefinger said. “Laws, legislature, and policy are only shaped by who we are as citizens and how we act, and I want to make sure they are crafted around understanding, not indifference.”
Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit: Serena Johnson
The Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit is given to a senior who has achieved an overall grade point ratio of at least 3.5, has submitted written work which is evaluated by a faculty committee and has made noteworthy contributions to the Clemson University community.
Serena Johnson is an English major who used her writing skills to make an impact across the College of Arts and Humanities. She has served as an Associate Editor of the South Carolina Review, Vice President of the Clemson English Club, a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, and as an intern for the Pearce Center for Professional Communication.
Her excellence stood out in her writing classes, where in addition to impressing professors with her writing skills, she would frequently take the lead in class discussions. In nominating Johnson for the award, Associate Professor Kim Manganelli remarked that Johnson’s “critical thinking and writing skills and her ability to confidently and eloquently communicate her ideas during class discussions make her one of the top 3 undergraduate students with whom I’ve had the honor of working during my twenty years at Clemson University.”
“The most rewarding part of my Clemson Experience has been the connections I’ve formed within the English Department,” Johnson said. “There are really incredible people and academics among the faculty, students, and staff. The opportunity to share the academic environment and Clemson community with them has been the most enriching and rewarding experience of my life. I’ve made lifelong friendships and life-changing connections, and I could not be more honored and proud to be a part of the Clemson English Department.”
Dre Martin Service Award: Audrey Dubois
In memory of Chardrevius “Dre” Martin, CAH presents an award each year to a student who embodies a spirit of service coupled with academic excellence.
Language and International Health major Audrey Dubois earned the award through her work with Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR). She has supported refugee advocacy by facilitating cultural awareness activities, assisting with events, and providing English as a Second Language instruction. She has also used her Spanish language skills to support Spanish-speaking families as they navigate immigration processes and adjust to life in a new community.
Her service extended across Clemson through her involvement with Rotaract and as a Clemson Conversation Pairs Partner, where she supported international students’ English development. She also served as the risk management chairwoman for Gamma Phi Beta, through which she helped launch a women’s self-defense program in partnership with the Clemson University Police Department. In addition, she founded the Clemson University American Red Cross Club, growing it from just two members to more than 130 students in one year and securing a Dabo All-In Foundation grant to support food insecurity initiatives for veterans in the Upstate.
She said that curiosity has been the driving value behind her service at Clemson.
“Pushing myself to be curious has led to me getting involved with my community and real social issues that affect the Upstate,” Dubois said. “I think a big part of the Clemson spirit is making others feel like they belong, and service is a great way to help others feel connected to this community.”
Departmental Awards
Department of English
Taylor Wyatt, Thomas E. Douglass Award for Excellence in Teaching
Sarah Keller, Herman & Mary Stuart Felder Award
for Excellence in English
Kayleigh Frank, Herman & Mary Stuart Felder Award
for Excellence in English
Bailee Tayles, English Honor Key Medal
Sarah Ferrell, Lucy Rollin Annual Children’s Literature Award
Serena Johnson, Roger B. Rollin English Essay Award
Department of History & Geography
Alexandrea Johnson, Clemson University Rand-McNally Prize in Geography
Cleveland Fazio, Carl Lafayette Epting History Essay Award
Nathaniel Mangum-Oates, William Shannon Morrison Prize
Padraic Turner, Silver Bowl Award of the South Carolina State Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists
Andrew Hiner, Ernest McPherson Lander, Jr. Award
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Kyra Paige Toskos, Doris R. Helms Women’s Leadership Award
Samantha Edelson, Grace O’Malley Prize in Women’s Leadership
Janicya Atwood, Dr. Alan Schaffer Prize for Pan African Studies
Bianca Martinez, Dr. Alan Schaffer Recruiting Award for Pan African Studies
Diana Wells, Outstanding Leadership in World Cinema
Thomas Merzlak, Outstanding Capstone Project in World Cinema
Department of Languages
Kelsey Smith, Ann & Lamar Bayne Award for Excellence in American Sign Language
Leanna Bailey, Roger K. Simpson ’76 Annual Memorial Award for Excellence in Spanish
Kassidy Swinyer and Smith Brown, Draexlmaier Language Award for Excellence in German
Wells Leland, Clemson Chinese Laoshi Award for Best Achievement
Laura Gorissen, Hagan Language and International Health Award for Excellence
Henry Nelson, Jordan A. Dean, Sr. Annual Award in French Studies
Steven Cerabona, Joan Bridgwood Award for Excellence in Russian
Riley Matheson, JAASC Harry Wantanabe Award for Excellence in Japanese
Grace Christine Tuller, Dr. Patricia Walker Wannamaker Language & International Trade Annual Award of Excellence
Department of Performing Arts
David Wang, Eaton-Freeman Piano Competition Award
Izzy Ragan, Brunswick Yarns Award for Theatre Excellence
Lanneau Siegling, Outstanding Student in Performing Arts: Theatre
Timothy Kehl, Outstanding Student in Performing Arts: Audio Technology
Alana Yarborough, Outstanding Student in Performing Arts: Music
Department of Philosophy & Religion
April Miller, Outstanding Student in the Study of Philosophy
Matthew Evans, Outstanding Student in the Study of Religion
Mary Parham, Outstanding Student in Philosophy: Medicine, Health, and Human Values
Salma Solis, Outstanding Student in Philosophy: Law, Liberty, and Justice
Allie Johnson, Excellence in Philosophy: Pre-Law Studies
