Top Academic Graduates, Outstanding Seniors Recognized at Hillsdale College Commencement
The top five academic graduates hail from five different states
Hillsdale, Mich. — As a part of its 169th Commencement exercises, Hillsdale College recognized the top five academic graduates of the Class of 2021 and the Outstanding Senior Man and Woman. The Outstanding Senior Man and Woman are nominated by the senior class and voted on by the faculty.
- Joy Brower of Granville, Ohio, is valedictorian of her class, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She majored in French and economics. While on campus, Brower belonged to PRAXIS political economy club, Phi Kappa Phi interdisciplinary honorary, Pi Delta Phi French honorary, Lamplighters honorary, and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She also worked for the Barney Charter School Initiative, volunteered for the A Few Good Men GOAL program, and served as a resident advisor in Benzing Residence. Brower was the recipient of five scholarships: the George W. Cowan Scholarship; the Evert McCabe/UPS Memorial Scholarship; the Cecile Frazier Smith Memorial Scholarship; the Stegelmann Economics Scholarship Award; and the Raymond H. and Beryl Dean Penick Memorial Scholarship.
- Natasha De Virgilio of Leander, Texas, majored in politics, graduating with a 3.98 GPA. She was a National Merit student. While on campus, she took part in the Collegiate Scholars Program, volunteered for the Gier Reading & Journal Buddies GOAL volunteer program, and belonged to both Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary. She performed with the orchestra and played in a wind ensemble and a chamber ensemble. De Virgilio was the recipient of four scholarships: the Busby Educational Memorial Fund Scholarship; the Dixie Pig Scholarship; J & C Klein Education Scholarship; and the David and Ruth McIntyre Endowed Scholarship.
- David Forman of Port Orchard, Washington, majored in physics and minored in mathematics, graduating with a 3.96 GPA. His research in underwater acoustics grew into a first-author research paper that is featured on the cover of a peer-reviewed journal. While on campus, Forman took part in Equip Ministries, played viola for the College symphony orchestra and was a member of the chamber choir. He was the recipient of seven scholarships: the Cornelius P. Blay and Mildred R. Blay Endowed Scholarship; the Winston Churchill Fellowship; the Frank, Caroline, Eloise, and Marilyn Cunard Endowed Scholarship; the Hildy C. Dorsten Scholarship; the Edwyn H. Hames Memorial Scholarship; the Hugh & Barbara Havercamp Scholarship; and the Dr. Andrea A. Wargo and Mr. Roger F. Sies Scholarship. In the fall, Forman begins his Ph.D. in computer science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Christina Sawyer of Tecumseh, Michigan, is the salutatorian of the senior class. She majored in biochemistry, graduating with a 3.99 GPA. While on campus, Sawyer was a member of Iota Sigma Pi chemistry honorary and Phi Kappa Phi interdisciplinary honorary, took part in the Community Health Project and the Hillsdale Hospital Project, and competed with the Charger cross country and track-field team. Sawyer was the recipient of a Hillsdale Merit Scholarship and seven other scholarships while in college: the Athletic Scholarship for Women’s Cross-Country/Track; the Greilach Memorial Fund; the H. R. Dick Hickory Scholarship; the Hillsdale Independence Scholarship; the Thomas J. Lynch Scholarship; the Michigan Independence Replacement Scholarship; and the John T. Vanderweele Scholarship.
- Micah Wiley of Bloomington, Indiana, graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors in classical studies, minored in music, and had a 3.98 GPA. While in college, she participated in the Music in the Community GOAL volunteer program and College choir, accompanied voice students on piano, and was inducted into membership of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Wiley was the recipient of four scholarships: the General Merit Endowed Scholarship; the Robey Charitable Trust Scholarship; the Donald & Marian Schneider Scholarship; and the Tuition Exchange Scholarship.
Larry P. Arnn, Hillsdale College president, recognized Outstanding Seniors Barrett Moore, Spanish and history double-major and captain of the Hillsdale College shotgun team, and Taryn Murphy, philosophy and religion major and former Edward Everett Oratory Contest winner. Moore and graduate Nicholas MaCaluso are both commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps.
“These are spectacular young people, and I’m very proud to know them,” Arnn said.
To view photos from the event, click here.