Twelve undergraduate students received university-wide awards Thursday, April 23 at the 2026 Student Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony recognized undergraduate students for their achievements across academics, leadership and campus involvement. President Mayme Hostetter opened the ceremony with remarks to students, faculty, staff and other guests gathered in Sundin Music Hall.
“From excellence in their academic studies to outstanding leadership and service, our Hamline students make us really proud,” President Hostetter said. “Congratulations to you on the awards you have received.”
Six awards were university-wide honors:
Manaal Ahmed, Cece Chmelik and Elisa Lopez received the John Wesley Student Leadership and Service Award. This honor recognizes undergraduate students each spring whose leadership and service exemplify the spirit of the Methodist founder to “do all the good you can.”
Isabella Deschene, Ollie Pfeiffer and Evan Poeschel received the Eugene W. Randall Prize. This award was established in 1938 by a trustee to promote an "oratorical contest" on any subject. Today, the award recognizes excellence in a student's oral presentation of their scholarly work.
Subeydo Ahmed received the Mary Maude Knox Memorial Award for Academic Excellence. This award recognizes a first- or second-year student who has achieved an outstanding scholastic record. This award is supported by an endowed fund established in 1975.
Magenta Owens received the Claribelle B. Olson Award, which honors a second-year student who embodies the qualities of leadership, service and academic excellence
Greta Haeg, Layla Stenson and Frog Tolstad were named Rozanne Ridgeway Forum Fellows. Recipients are selected based on faculty nomination and exemplify Hamline’s core values. They are chosen for their academic achievement potential and personal qualities.
Kaitlynn Fuller received the Allan T. H. Bluhm Memorial Award. This honor goes to an outstanding junior whose GPA is in the top 10 percent, who is recognized for leadership and service to Hamline, and who exhibits selflessness and integrity.
In addition to the 12 students who won university-wide awards, 140 other students were recognized with departmental awards and honors. Check out the list of honorees (PDF)