Austin College Students Complete Theses to Earn Departmental Honors
SHERMAN, TEXAS — Austin College celebrated 23 students’ successful completion of the invitation-only Departmental Honors Program during a reception held in Wright Campus Center, The Robert M. and Joyce Johnson Reception Gallery on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The Departmental Honors Program is designed to challenge superior students in their final year of undergraduate study to use their disciplinary training to delve deeper into a topic of interest associated with their major. The program emphasizes independent investigation, and culminates in completion of a bachelor’s thesis or special research project. Each student must then defend their thesis in an oral examination administered by the student’s thesis committee, which consists of two faculty from their major’s department, and one from another discipline. Successful completion of the Departmental Honors Program is indicated on the student’s diploma.
Those receiving Departmental Honors were:
Zoe Elyse Brass, Public Health
Leah Wenqi Ding, Biology
Charlotte Evelyn, Sociology
Bridget Sara Ferris, Chemistry
Frank Sean Goodavish, Chemistry
Gabriel Joseph Graf, Chemistry
Amie Jane Johnson, Anthropology
Carrie Lynn Johnson, English
Miguel Alessandro Liuzzi Vaamonde, Chemistry
Sebastião Aragorn Martin, Chemistry
Trinity Isabella “River” Naile, Psychology
Ireland Faith Owens, English
Rebecca Therese Paul, Psychology
Christian Michael Peterson, Mathematics
Danielle Jinping Saltzman, English
Joshua Caleb Sangalli, Chemistry
Emma Jean Schlomann, English
Jaylen Phillip Sharp, History
Ahana Shetty, Public Health
Carlos Alberto Suárez Chacín, Chemistry
Samantha A. Thiele, English
Danya Janae Van Vuuren, Biology
Clemon Ward Payne White IV, History
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.