Honors students soar during Eagles of Excellence Awards

Every spring, the Honors College looks forward to the opportunity to celebrate their hard-working students, faculty, volunteers and alumni through the Eagles of Excellence Awards. These awards help to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the Honors College, and at Auburn University, in the realms of leadership, research, service and teaching.

The awards program celebrates not only the Eagles of Excellence winners but also recognizes the many students who hold leadership positions within the college.  

The awards are broken into three distinct categories: non-student awards, underclassmen awards and senior awards.  This year’s Eagles of Excellence winners are listed below.

Non-student awards

Pitts Volunteer Leadership Award

The Pitts Volunteer Leadership Award is given to an outstanding volunteer who graciously gives their time, talent, and resources back to the Honors College. This year’s winner is Allen Li.

Li graduated from Auburn in May 2023 with a double major in political science and economics and a minor in philosophy. After graduation, he was a Harry S. Truman Fellow in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Defense, and then he became a special assistant at the Department of the Treasury. He will be attending Columbia Law School this coming August. Allen has been of immense service this year in helping the college develop an alumni mentoring network focused on national prestigious scholarships.

Professor of the Year Award

The Professor of the Year Award is given to the professor whose outstanding teaching has most inspired, enriched and challenged Honors College students.This year, the college recognized two outstanding faculty members: the Departmental Professor of the Year, who has taught a department-based course for honors students, and the Honors Professor of the Year, who has taught a course specifically for the Honors College. The Professors of the Year were not only nominated by students but also selected through a student vote—garnering over 200 responses from members of the Honors College.

The Honors Professor of the year was presented to Christopher Qualls.

Qualls is an associate professor in the department of theatre with the College of Liberal Arts, where he teaches stage, film and voice acting. Students noted that his passion for teaching and innovation transformed them into more curious, thoughtful, and creative individuals.

This year’s Departmental Professor of the Year was presented to Dr. Djibo Zanzot.

Zanzot is a senior lecturer in the department of biology with the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Among his research and interests are mycology, botany, entomology, ecology, forest pathology and plant-fungal interactions. Student nominations observed that his lectures and assignments were simultaneously challenging and fun, providing an excellent foundation for their college-level science classes moving forward.

 

Underclassmen Awards

Committed to the Cause Service Award

The Committed to the Cause Service Award is presented to a first-, second-, or third-year non-graduating Honors student whose dedicated service to the Auburn community best embodies the Honors College mission to “serve others with compassion.” This year’s award was presented to Michaela Raye Robinson.

Robinson is a sophomore majoring in early education. Robinson embodies what it means to serve others with compassion through her work with Service in Schools, IAMBK, the Loachapoka community, and Week of Service. While at Auburn she has shown an unwavering dedication to improving educational opportunities for local students.

Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to a first-, second-, and third-year non-graduating Honors student (one from each cohort) who has made significant contributions towards the success and progression of the Honors College and/or Auburn University by demonstrating outstanding leadership skills and dedication. This year the following student leaders were recognized:

Jalen Walker, a freshman majoring in political science, whose nominator said brings intelligence, empathy, and charisma to every role he takes on, inspiring those around him to get involved and make a difference.

Emily Lunsford, a sophomore majoring in integrative biology, whose nominator said her kindness, professionalism, and natural ability to lead have made a lasting impact on everyone with whom she works.

Paige Armstrong, a junior majoring in finance and marketing, whose nominator said she brings a positive, engaged spirit to every role she takes on—from campus leadership to her involvement with the Honors College.

Senior Awards

Wayne and Louise Crews Award

The Wayne and Louise Crews Award is given to a student whose contributions to the Honors College embody the full spirit of the college’s mission to serve others with compassion, to pursue truth with courage and conviction, to honor the diversity of human experience, and to participate in the creation of a more just world. This year’s awardee is Ellie Morgan.

Morgan is a graduating senior majoring in biomedical sciences. Through her many roles in Honors Congress, LEAD Mentoring, and the Honors Ambassador program she has consistently uplifted her peers and strengthened the Honors community. Whether mentoring new students, guiding fellow mentors, or simply helping a classmate study, Morgan shows kindness, humility and conviction.

Distinguished Research Scholar Award

The Distinguished Research Scholar Award is given to the Honors College student whose distinctive research record best embodies the Honors College mission to “pursue truth with courage and conviction.” This year’s winner is Parker Megginson.

Megginson is a graduating senior majoring in computer engineering. From his first year in the Honors College, Megginson has tackled complex research with creativity, precision and an unmatched work ethic. As the lead author on a peer-reviewed publication and a driving force behind innovative lunar sensor design, his work is already making a global impact. In the words of his nominator, “He doesn’t just meet the standard for undergraduate research—he sets it.”

Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is awarded to the Honors College student whose dedicated service to our local, regional or national community best embodies the Honors College mission to “serve others with compassion.” This year’s award was presented to Henry Limbo.

Limbo is a graduating senior majoring in genetics and French. While at Auburn, Limbo has demonstrated exceptional service to both the Auburn community and the world beyond. His leadership in IMPACT, including spearheading an international alternative break to the Dominican Republic, showcases his dedication to fostering meaningful engagement and global responsibility.

Edgar C. Gentle III Award

The Edgar C. Gentle III Award is given to a graduating Honors College student in recognition of their outstanding scholarship, mental attitude and leadership qualities over the course of their career in the Honors College. This student completed the entire Honors curriculum, including the Senior Capstone Experience. This year’s awardee is Victoria Ashley.

Ashley is a graduating senior majoring in political science and history. While at Auburn Ashley has been an impactful leader who passionately pursues the opportunities given to her and does so with persistence, excellence and joy. Her leadership spans multiple organizations, both on campus and in the community, where she has worked tirelessly to make a difference. Whether it’s organizing service events, leading the Auburn University History Club, or sharing her passion for the Honors College with prospective students, she approaches everything with a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to others. According to her nominator, Ashley’s dedication to service, academic excellence and leadership makes her a model of what it means to embody the full spirit of the Honors College mission.

For more information about the Eagles of Excellence Awards please visit our website and to view images from the event visit our online photo gallery.