Honors College names Eagles of Excellence winners

Every spring, the Honors College celebrates students, faculty and staff through the annual Eagles of Excellence Awards. The awards recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in the Honors College and at Auburn University in the areas of leadership, research, service and teaching.

This April, award winners, nominees, friends and family gathered in the Brown-Kopel Grand Hall for an evening designed for guests to network and celebrate the accomplishments of those being honored.

Awards were presented in three categories: nonstudent awards, underclass student awards and senior awards.

Nonstudent Awards

Professor of the Year Award

The Honors College recognizes two faculty members each year as Professor of the Year: the Departmental Professor of the Year and the Honors Professor of the Year. Both awards are presented to professors whose outstanding teaching has inspired, enriched and challenged Honors College students. Our 2026 Honors Professors of the Year were not only nominated by students but also selected through a student vote.

Departmental Professor of the Year: Kate M. Craig

Kate M. Craig, associate professor of history, teaches the Reacting to the Past course that offer immersive learning experiences and helps students connect historical material to the modern world through creative role playing and game theory.

Honors Professor of the Year: Chris Correia

Chris Correia, chair and professor of Psychological Sciences, embodies the mission of the Honors College by inspiring and supporting students throughout the year. He developed the Honors Psychology Research Methods course, which fosters interdisciplinary thinking and inspires students to pursue research with curiosity, confidence and purpose.

Underclassman Awards

Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes first-, second- or third-year Honors students who have made significant contributions to the success and advancement of the Honors College or Auburn University through leadership and dedication.

2026 recipients: Audrey Sherman, Parker Smith and Connor Waters

Audrey Sherman, a freshman majoring in pre-nursing science, serves as a peer mentor within the Honors College and demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting fellow students.

Parker Smith, a sophomore majoring in accountancy and philosophy, has made an impact through his work as an Honors ambassador and Honors student associate, supporting prospective students and peers with an encouraging and welcoming presence.

Connor Waters, a junior majoring in biological and agricultural technology management, served as a Week of Service counselor and helped develop the Honors College’s newest program, ACT with Honors. His leadership has contributed to the growth of the Honors community.

Committed to the Cause Service Award

The Committed to the Cause Service Award honors an underclass student whose service best reflects the Honors College mission.

2026 recipients: Christina Lim and Molly Fountain

Christina Lim, a freshman majoring in Spanish, has made a meaningful impact on campus and in the Auburn-Opelika community through volunteer work with Esperanza House.

Molly Fountain, a junior majoring in public and one health, has dedicated much of her Auburn experience to service through involvement with Storybook Farm, East Alabama Medical Center hospice care and the local food bank.

Senior Awards

Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award honors the student whose service to the local, regional or national community best reflects the Honors College mission and vison.

2026 recipient: James Conway

James Conway, a graduating senior majoring in biomedical sciences on the pre-med track, has dedicated his time at Auburn to serving both the campus and the broader community. He serves as a leader in Campus Kitchen, where he supports the Auburn-Opelika community, while also contributing to the Honors College as an Honors ambassador.

Distinguished Research Scholar Award

The Distinguished Research Scholar Award recognizes the student whose research record best embodies the Honors College mission and vison.

2026 recipient: Sarah Joy Ficks

Sarah Joy Ficks, a rising senior majoring in interior design, launched her research through the Honors College’s Joseph S. Bruno Study Abroad Program in Ariccia, Italy. She has since presented her work at multiple academic conferences, demonstrating her ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Wayne and Louise Crews Award

The Wayne and Louise Crews Award is presented to the student whose contributions reflect the full spirit of the Honors College mission, including compassion, courage, respect for human diversity and a commitment to a more just world.

2026 recipient: Wesley Anne Barnes

Wesley Anne Barnes, a graduating senior majoring in business analytics, has served as an ACT with Honors facilitator and Honors ambassador while excelling academically. She exemplifies the Honors College mission through her leadership and commitment to others.

Edgar C. Gentle III Award

The Edgar C. Gentle III Award recognizes a graduating Honors College student for outstanding scholarship, mental attitude and leadership. Recipients must complete the full Honors curriculum, including the Senior Capstone Experience.

2026 recipient: Stephen King

Stephen King, a graduating senior majoring in business analytics, has demonstrated the Honors spirit through academic excellence and campus engagement. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA while serving as a resident advisor and remaining active in campus organizations.

For more information about the Eagles of Excellence Awards or to view photos from the event, visit the Honors College website and online photo gallery.