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University Libraries

And the winners are…

By Katy Kelly

University Libraries present annual awards for teacher education majors or minors; international students; and published student writers. Students apply early in the winter term, and a committee for each award selects the winners. This year, each honor includes a $500 award. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students. 

Maria Hemmelgarn 

Dr. Nicoletta Hary Award

The Dr. Nicoletta Hary Award* honors a full-time or part-time sophomore or junior with a major or minor in teacher education. Maria Hemmelgarn is a junior teacher education student in the middle childhood education/intervention specialist program. She has a 3.8 GPA and volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. In addition to serving the Kappa Delta sorority as secretary and alumnae relations chair, she has played roles in its professional development and sisterhood enrichment programs. Hemmelgarn says she has wanted to be a teacher since high school, when she helped tutor a fourth grader in math. She says she enjoys working one on one with students and plans to create an inclusive classroom so that all students can be given the best opportunities to learn. She also believes strongly in the Marianist principle of educating for the common good and educating the whole person. Eventually, she would like to become a principal. 

Vinayak Vijayan

Rev. Theodore Koehler, S.M., International Student Award

The Rev. Theodore Koehler, S.M., International Student Award provides a scholarship to a returning international student with a non-immigrant visa. Vinayak Vijayan is conducting research in biomechanical engineering as he pursues a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He received his bachelor’s degree at UD, then left to do his master's degree elsewhere. He says he soon realized his new university lacked UD’s sense of community and welcoming warmth. Having returned to UD, he teaches part time in the STEMM program at Chaminade Julienne High School. Vijayan says he tries to practice servant-leadership as a teacher, as a mentor to the undergraduates in his lab group, and as a volunteer. He maintains a 4.0 cumulative GPA and is a member of the engineering honor society Pi Tau Sigma. Vijayan is originally from India.

Mary McLoughlin

Brother Frank Ruhlman, S.M., Award of Excellence for Literary Achievement

The Brother Frank Ruhlman, S.M., Award of Excellence for Literary Achievement provides an award to a UD undergraduate who demonstrates excellence in writing that has been published in University publications (electronic or print) within the previous 12 months. Mary McLoughlin is a senior from New York studying English and human rights studies. She says her most meaningful experiences at UD — participating in UD’s 2018 Moral Courage Project, a human rights storytelling endeavor about activism at the U.S.-Mexico border; working as opinions editor for Flyer News; and editing Orpheus, UD’s art and literary magazine — have all drawn from the power of storytelling in building just and loving communities.

The Library Awards Committees and the faculty and staff in the University Libraries congratulate the honorees and thank all the applicants for their inspiring submissions. For more information about the Library Awards, visit go.udayton.edu/libraryawards

*This award was previously known as the Klick Award.

— Katy Kelly is the coordinator of marketing and engagement in the University of Dayton Libraries.

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