Excellence Continues: Celebrating Seniors Who Will Soon Strengthen Our Alumni Ranks

• Last night we celebrated the 2025-2026 Senior Awards Night emceed by Kathleen Murphy and Luke Bleyer
• Saint Teresa of Calcutta Service Award This award recognizes the senior graduate who has truly sought to live his or her life for Christ particularly in service to the broader community. This honor is awarded to the student who has embodied the mantra of St. Teresa of Calcutta to “Be the one” to satisfy the thirst of Christ for souls through love of neighbor. First, the Male Recipient…As one fellow student described him: “He is ready to give wherever there is a need. He has done so many mission projects and is the first to get on the floor and wipe up a spilled drink or the first to start collecting dirty dishes and cleaning up the trash from after an event or talk. He silently serves wherever he goes.” From another student: “…he is one of the most calm, peaceful people I know, so present to whatever task or person is before him, pouring himself out as a gift for others. He puts so much care and love into what he does, whether that is nursing, drama club, RA, or volunteer opportunities. He even sweeps the Miami soup kitchen floor with great love.” And the St. Teresa of Calcutta Service Award goes to…. Mr. Timothy Roos. Congratulations. Now, the Female Recipient: As one fellow student described her: “She is always willing to help others. As an aspiring nurse she has a wonderful bedside manner and genuine care for others. She is a household leader and leader of Magdala, but she never talks about how much work she does. She was the manager at the Daily Grind and is always helping the drama club with setting up and painting sets. She never asks for recognition for all the things that she does, and yet she does so much for everyone. She truly does everything with love and never expects or asks for acknowledgement.” Another student said: “She is genuinely one of the most giving people I have ever met. She does not hesitate to lend a helping hand or give her yes…. As a leader of Magdala ministries, she has taken on a motherly role of dedication and love for her sisters. As a member of campus ministry, she is always willing to take on responsibilities whether it “inconveniences” her or not. Her joy is infectious and her care for her brothers and sisters is always present.” And the Female Recipient of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Service Award is…. Miss Eva Shahid.
• Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Balance and Eutrapelia This award is given to the graduating senior who demonstrates balance, joy, and good humor in their academic, social, and spiritual milieus. First, for the Male Recipient. Our male recipient balanced his academic life as a philosophy major, his spiritual life, and his social life excellently during his time here at Ave Maria University. He also served as a leader in Queen of Apostles. He was one of the AMU students invited to personally meet with Pope Leo last November. One fellow student also said about him, “He is a very passionate leader in Queen of Apostles. His love for God and wanting others to experience that love drives his desire for service and evangelization.” A fellow staff member said: “Thomas has a rare quality that when you’re speaking with him you get the strong sense that he is giving you his full attention – he is present in that moment and you’re the most important person in the room to him.” And the St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Balance and Eutrapelia goes to...Mr. Thomas Pinto. And now for our female recipient. She is a well-rounded student. She has served on Campus Ministry, in a household, and as an RA. One fellow student said about her: “Everyone on campus knows her because she has made the effort to know people personally. She doesn't just know them superficially but actually takes the time to get to know the people she meets. There is rarely an event she does not attend. Spiritually, she is part of a household, on the Marian core team, on Campus Ministry, and she encourages those around her to grow spiritually. She has significantly contributed to campus, socially and spiritually.” A fellow staff member was able to travel to the Holy Land with Olivia in her freshman year and said: Olivia drinks deeply of gifts the Lord offers to her and she is not afraid to step out in faith even when the path is not perfectly clear. She registered for the Holy Land pilgrimage, not knowing how she was going to pay for it. And when she and her brother fundraised they received an over-abundance and so they donated the excess so future students could afford to go on a pilgrimage. And the female recipient of the St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Balance and Eutrapelia is.... Miss Olivia O’Rourke
• The “Communio Personarum” Student Club of the Year Award This award recognizes the Student Club that most embodies the high ideals Ave Maria University has for her student organizations. That is, to encourage and support young men and women joined in pursuit of a common purpose, to help form future leaders for society, and to prepare them to serve both the Church and one another in their personal and professional lives. The Club of the Year Is….. The Flannery O’Connor Literature Club! The “Good Shepherd” Advisor of the Year Award This award recognizes the University Staff or Faculty Member who went above and beyond the call of duty to participate in the lives of the students as club, organization, or household advisor. The Advisor of the Year goes to…. Dr. Agnes Berki, Advisor for the Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton Waltzing Club and President of the Phi Kappa Phi Chapter at Ave Maria University.
• Saints Francis & Dominic Award for Magnanimity This award is given to the graduating senior who strives to create at AMU an environment where all are welcomed, seen, and loved. This “great soul” fosters community in every setting as an embodiment of true friendship and inspires all of campus with contagious joy. First, the Male Recipient… One student said about him: “He’s an extremely intelligent man who excels academically while maintaining a strong balance in his social and spiritual life. He’s deeply committed to his faith, often attending daily mass or adoration, and leading lectio divina, drawing others closer to God. He is well loved by everyone around him and carries himself with genuine joy and good humor.” And the Male Recipient of the Sts Francis and Dominic Award for Magnanimity is… Isaac Cordero. Congratulations! And now for the female recipient. One student said about her: “She is a source of contagious joy. You hear her laugh and can't help but smile. She makes every person she sees feel loved and seen. If she knows you, she will go to the ends of the earth to make you feel welcomed and seen. She is always bringing people higher to see the joy and goodness of God.” And the Award goes to…Abigail Gallagher.
• The Saint Catherine of Siena Inflamma Omnia Award: This award recognizes the graduating senior who exhibits great zeal for ministry at Ave Maria University. Following St. Catherine of Siena’s mission to “set the world on fire”, this student makes great use of their God-given gifts to ignite the spark of Christ within the souls of AMU, vivifying our community through evangelization, service, and charity. First, the Male Recipient: Said one fellow student about him: “Talk about someone who brings Christ with him wherever he goes! He never passes up an opportunity to share his love of Christ with his classmates, teammates, and friends. The number of men he has walked with through their entry into the Catholic Church speaks for itself.” And another student said: “Involved in athletics, household life, and academics, He works to bring joy and the light of Christ to his teammates, brothers, and classmates. He encourages his peers to participate in campus events, activities, and oftentimes invites others to participate in the spiritual opportunities on campus as well. He strives to improve his campus and bridge the gap between students and faculty. Despite him being a transfer student last year, he has made a significant impact on the social and spiritual culture on campus.” And the Male Recipient of the Saint Catherine of Siena Inflamma Omnia Award is: Caleb Metzen. One student said about our female recipient: “She is a woman who reaches out to the woman of campus makes them feel seen. She is so kind and loving. She leads the Campus Ministry team, inspiring us all to reach higher. Her meekness meets souls where they are at.” And another student: “She is someone who simply loves everyone without ever seeking attention.” And the Female Recipient of the Saint Catherine of Siena Inflamma Omnia Award is: Molly Campbell.
• St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Sportsmanship Award This award is given to the senior graduate who, like Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, reached “To the heights” of excellence in their athletic endeavors at Ave Maria University, particularly through displaying good sportsmanship and a joyful spirit of camaraderie. Saint Pier Giorgio was known for his joy and jokes, his athleticism, his care for the poor, his political activism, his selflessness, and for challenging his friends to virtue. His life illustrates that the words faithful, virtuous, joyful, zealous, athletic, studious, and servant can all be used to describe a person who is animated by the Gospel. First, we recognize our male recipient: This student-athlete embodies the very best of Ave Maria University, demonstrating excellence across academics, athletics, leadership, and character. A standout on the men’s basketball team, he distinguished himself as a multi-time All-Sun Conference honoree, Sun Conference Champion of Character, and Emil S. Liston candidate. He was instrumental in leading his team to the NAIA Fabulous Four—truly striving, in the spirit of Pier Giorgio Frassati, “Verso l’Alto”—to the heights. As a three-year team captain and someone whose name is etched into the AMU record books, he has been a model of resilience, toughness, and unwavering consistency. His leadership extends far beyond the court—he sets the tone for his teammates through his work ethic, humility, and commitment to something greater than himself, always calling those around him to rise higher. Jonathan profoundly lives in surrender to the Lord’s will, offering each act of his day back to Him—whether it be a simple conversation with a peer on his way to the café or coming off a screen to knock down a three-pointer in front of Gyrene Nation. In both the ordinary and the extraordinary, he seeks to glorify God, integrating faith seamlessly into every aspect of his life. One student said this about him: “While being a good basketball player and a key part of getting the ball in the hoop, he is one of the most peaceful, positive people I know. He is a solid, humble man who strives for excellence in whatever task is before him and is present to anyone he encounters. He treats everyone like a person, and no one is beneath or above his notice.” Another student said: “Athletic excellence and humility would describe his character. He has worked tremendously hard to achieve personal athletic success while also supporting his team. No matter the situation of the game, he is respectful to coaches, refs, teammates, and opponents. This past season alone goes to show his skill and leadership on the team, both athletically and spiritually. He spreads joy within the game and in the classroom.” Please join me in congratulating the Male Recipient of the St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Sportsmanship Award, Jonathan Effertz. Our female recipient is the embodiment of the Gyrene ideal, excelling in every aspect of the student-athlete experience. She carries an outstanding 3.95 GPA, is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and is actively involved in research and campus ministry through FSP and Mary’s Marines. A dedicated servant leader, she has made a profound impact both on and off campus, especially through her work with individuals with disabilities and the elderly—building meaningful relationships and giving generously of her time and heart. On the field, she was a three-year starter for women’s soccer, a team captain, and a two-year member of the leadership team. She led with selflessness and encouragement, and her character was recognized this past fall as the 2025 Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Champion of Character. Rooted in deep faith and joyful service, she truly lives, in the spirit of Pier Giorgio Frassati, “to the heights.” One fellow student said about her: “She is just the kindest, sweetest girl, and she takes her joyful, cheerful, charitable attitude with her on the field.” Another student: “…she was the team captain for the Women’s Soccer Team. She is a wonderful balance of goal-oriented (literally), silly, as well as kind and incredibly sweet.”
• Saint Therese of Lisieux “Little Way” Award This award is given to the graduating senior who demonstrates the virtues of selflessness, sacrifice, and profound humility in “doing all that you do with love” in service to Ave Maria University. One fellow student said about him: “He is very involved on campus. He is very much involved with his household and with the music department at Ave Maria University. It is because of him and the other students and professors at Ave Maria that we have such beautiful uplifting sacred music throughout the year. He loves his Catholic faith and the spiritual life, and His love for God fuels all that he does. He shares his talents generously with others and with the Ave Maria Community namely: his musical talents, his fun personality, and his organizational skills. His kindness, enthusiasm, and love is what uplifts our culture here at Ave Maria University.” Another student said: “He is friendly to everybody and gets to know their names and faces. James is easy to pick out of a crowd, with his joyful abandon and humble confidence. He is the reason St. Joseph Dorm has even participated in synchronized swimming for the last three years.” And the male recipient of the St. Therese “Little Way” Award is Mr. James Halvorsen Now for the Female Recipient of the St. Therese award. As one fellow student described her: “She does a lot more than you might expect: she is a member of the nursing club, the intent coordinator for Fiat, a student worker for FSP, a member of FSP, works as a caregiver, tutors nursing, and still somehow manages to keep up amazing grades, light up every room she walks into, and yet be the most peaceful presence. She puts her all into everything that she does, and anyone whom she encounters leaves feeling so touched by her calming, maternal presence. Ask any of her friends or the many younger nursing students, they can all tell you that she has helped bring them peace and calm in times of stress and anxiety.” Another student said: “Her joy radiates throughout campus. She is an excellent student who also attends all the events and is always attending Mass.... She is always making people laugh with her good humor and is a joy to be around.” And the female recipient of the St. Therese of Lisieux Little Way Award is Gigi Crawford.
• The Saint John Paul II Culture Award This award recognizes the senior graduate who has contributed significantly to the social and spiritual culture on campus. This honor is awarded based on the areas of service to the university, dedication to the mission of Ave Maria, and joyful participation in the life of the campus. First, the Male Recipient. One student said about him: “I feel like he is a staple of Ave. He's always meeting new people and introducing them to each other. How often is there an event and he isn't there?” AND “Everyone knows him, and he is always with the people of campus. He is also humble in his athletic excellence. He played football his first year and after that was the manager. I've always known him to be fun and competitive but not seek attention.” Another Student said: “I believe that he should win because of his quiet service to the campus community and his intentionality in his encounters with people. He leads the altar servers to help cultivate a liturgy pleasing to God and is a genuinely wholesome and caring person. I believe he has really uplifted the Ave culture and embodies the Ave Spirit with his presence.” And the Male Recipient of the St. John Paul II Culture Award is: Mr. Derba Boivin Now for the Female Recipient. One student said about her: “Everyone knows her. She has helped out with so many aspects of campus life, whether through actually heading up events and gatherings, promoting them, or just being there to actively participate or help put them on. She is devoted to leaving Ave better than she found it, and improving and adding to campus life wherever she sees a lack or an opportunity for greatness.” Another student said: “She has poured her heart into the Ave community in a way that is unmatched.” And the Female Recipient of the Saint John Paul II Culture Award is Miss Katia Healy.

This week, Ave Maria University gathered to honor the remarkable achievements of its 2025-2026 graduating class at Senior Awards Night. Emceed by Kathleen Murphy and Luke Bleyer, the event showcased the extraordinary talents, service, and character of students who are preparing to strengthen the University's growing alumni community. From athletes who have carried the Gyrene spirit to heights of excellence, to servant leaders who have quietly transformed our campus through acts of daily kindness, these seniors embody the very best of Ave Maria's mission to form young Catholics who will serve the Church and society with integrity and joy.

The evening highlighted eight major awards celebrating different dimensions of excellence. Timothy Roos and Eva Shahid received the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Service Award for their profound commitment to living for Christ through service to others—Timothy known for his silent, joyful presence whether sweeping floors at the soup kitchen or serving in countless mission projects, and Eva recognized for her generous, loving dedication as a nursing student, household leader, and campus minister. Thomas Pinto and Olivia O'Rourke earned the Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Balance and Eutrapelia, each bringing full-hearted presence to their academic, spiritual, and social lives. Isaac Cordero and Abigail Gallagher received the Saints Francis and Dominic Award for Magnanimity, their contagious joy and welcoming hearts having made every person on campus feel genuinely seen and loved.

Additional honorees illuminated how our students ignite the light of Christ across campus in diverse ways. Caleb Metzen and Molly Campbell, recipients of the Saint Catherine of Siena Inflamma Omnia Award, brought zealous evangelization and leadership to Campus Ministry and their peers' spiritual growth. Jonathan Effertz and Elizabeth Laville earned the Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Sportsmanship Award, exemplifying athletic excellence rooted in humility and faith. James Halvorsen and Gigi Crawford, honored with the Saint Therese of Lisieux "Little Way" Award, demonstrated that the most profound holiness is often found in small acts done with great love. Finally, Derba Boivin and Katia Healy received the Saint John Paul II Culture Award for their transformative impact on campus life and their steadfast commitment to leaving Ave Maria University better than they found it.

As these remarkable young men and women move forward into the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the formation, friendships, and faith that Ave Maria has nurtured. Their generosity of spirit, intellectual excellence, and deep commitment to Christ promise to enrich the Church and the world in countless ways. We invite all alumni to welcome these newest members of our extended