What This Means to Me
This story originally appeared in the Huntington University Magazine, Spring/Summer 2024, vol. 30, no. 2. Pictured: Emerging Scientist Award winners Nathan Lemmon, Austin Liepe, Hunter Martin, and Owen Lieland.
We love celebrating with our students when they receive recognition for their hard work. As thrilled as we are about their success, however, we know our shared excitement cannot come close to what students feel when they hear that they have won an award or received an offer for their dream job.
Huntington University students came away from the 2023-2024 academic year with a lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments to their credit. But rather than having us tell you about them, we asked the Foresters themselves: What did this award mean to you? The following is a selection of their answers, lightly edited for length and clarity, in the approximate order they received the awards.
Anna Kamphausen (2024)
2023 Outstanding Student of the Year (Indiana Occupational Therapy Association)
“Being the IOTA student of the year was a sweet shock and surprise. My classmates, faculty and staff nominated me without my knowledge. It was validation for me that I do belong in the field of occupational therapy. It gives me a greater passion and courage to keep pressing in and striving for excellence as I head into becoming a full-time member of the rehabilitation community. I am walking with a deepened confidence that this is what I was meant to do with my life.”
Savannah Hassler (2024)
2023 Outstanding Art Education College Student (Art Education Association of Indiana)
“Receiving this year’s Excellence in Preservice Award has been very meaningful to me in several ways. The most prominent is how much Dr. Barb Michel, Department of Art & Design chair, believed in me to nominate me for a prestigious statewide award. Receiving this award showed me it is possible to succeed in the field of art education as a preservice teacher. Furthermore, the award revealed how important professional development is for all educators and how many opportunities it provides.”
Jace Gilman (2024)
Fall 2023 Jack P. Barlow, Sr., History Book Prize
“I am honored to have won the Jack P. Barlow, Sr., History Book Prize, and I am thankful for the exceptional professors who inspired me to find a passion for my studies. Winning the Barlow Prize is evidence of my academic growth, and seeing it celebrated through this award is beyond gratifying. It is a reminder of everything that I have invested in furthering my education.”
Elliot Martin (2024)
Judge’s Choice (American Advertising Federation Fort Wayne)
“Winning the Judge's Choice for my cinematography reel showed all the time and effort I have put into learning and refining my craft.”
Owen Lieland (2025)
Emerging Scientist Award (Indiana Academy of Science)
“Being a premed student, I never would have thought that a research project — in which our group designed, executed, and analyzed the effects that high concentrations of smoke have on plants — in my Botany class would lead me to such a compelling experience and honor to win 1st place in the Emerging Scientists Research Poster Competition at the 139th annual meeting [of] the Indiana Academy of Science! This experience has expanded my researching skills and knowledge across various scientific fields that will benefit my aspirations of attending medical school.”
Hunter Martin (2024)
Emerging Scientist Award (Indiana Academy of Science)
“Attending the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) conference was a great opportunity to meet new people and represent HU. It was a great experience to share the research my classmates and I conducted and an unexpected honor to win an IAS award for our work.”
Allison Jennings (2024)
2024 Education and Music Awards (HU)
“I am still in disbelief at what happened at Forester Night. Winning two department awards made me feel so valued and yet so guilty! Growing up these past four years with my peers has shown me how deserving each one of them was to win the department awards. I am so honored that the professors chose me, but there are so many others who could have been there in my place. Overall, it was a crazy night, and I still can’t believe I won awards!”
Sarah Disbro (2024)
2024 History and Communication Awards (HU)
“I was very honored to win two departmental awards at Forester Night. The Departments of Communication and History over the past four years have pushed me to not only be the best student I can be but also a better person. Each professor has supported me and allowed me to follow what I am passionate about. I would like to thank the departments for all they have done for me while I have attended HU.”
Gretchen Accola (2024)
2024 Female Forester of the Year (HU)
“I give God all the glory for the work He has done in me at this place. It's been a joy to study here and an honor to serve here. I'm thankful for every person I've met at HU — whether we are close friends or had a sidewalk conversation. […] So genuinely, it's a joy to represent Huntington, and I'm beyond thankful for the people who've been part of this journey.”
Nicolas Archer (2024)
2024 Male Forester of the Year (HU)
“I really believe after my four years at HU a family was developed. That’s what makes leaving so painful, but I love the students and faculty at HU so much! They have been there for me and blessed me tremendously. It truly is an honor and a blessing to have received this reward.”
