Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology Awards


We offer awards for excellence in research, leadership, and social justice advocacy. These accolades recognize outstanding contributions within the academic community, emphasizing qualities such as research skills, leadership abilities, and commitment to social change.

A medallion placed on an award in a frame

2022 NASPA Region IV-E Undergraduate Student Rising Star for Wisconsin Award

Brigitte Ledferd, president of the 84th Session of the Student Government Association, is the recipient of the 2022 NASPA Region IV-E Undergraduate Student Rising Star for Wisconsin Award. The award is presented to an undergraduate at each of the state/province college(s) or universities within Region IV-East who is actively involved in the Division of Student Affairs and has intentions of pursuing an advanced degree in student affairs. As the state award winner, Ledferd will represent the state of Wisconsin for the National Undergraduate Rising Star award. NASPA will recognize the accomplishments of Ledferd at the Awards Luncheon at the NASPA IV-WE Joint Regional Conference on Monday, Nov. 7, in Chicago. NASPA is student affairs’ largest national organization with over 15,000 members representing 2,100 institutions. Region IV-E encompasses the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, and the Canadian province of Ontario. Over 600 institutions are members of Region IV-E.

Headshot of Brigitte Ledferd

Recipients of these awards are determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

Outstanding Sociology/Criminology Student — Our highest award; based on academic excellence, research and service. Determined by the Department and awarded each spring.

  • Emma Deneau
  • Dea Duesing
  • Kalea Lorenzi
  • Abby Nelson
     

Distinction in Sociology/Criminology — Awarded to seniors demonstrating academic excellence and community and/or university service. Determined by the Department and awarded each spring.

  • Nicholas Grundhauser
  • Alivia Kons
  • Allyson Nemmers
  • Brian Ruiz
     

Outstanding Senior Research Paper — This award is for the best senior research paper in sociology, recognizing outstanding research conducted in the Senior Seminar. The award is based on each student's creative ability, persuasiveness and systematic way of doing research. Determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

  • Mandy Christianson
  • Emma Deneau
  • Dea Duesing
  • Payton Zacharias
     

Senior Research Paper with Distinction  — This award recognizes strong research conducted in the Senior Seminar. It is based on each student's creative ability, persuasiveness and systematic way of doing research. Determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

  • AubreyMarie Evasco
  • Sam Fellenz
     

Faculty Recognition Award — To honor students who have served the department, university, or community. Determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

  • Ivy Benner
  • Kwashon Collins
  • Mason Dallman
     

Outstanding Scholarly, Research or Creative Activity — Open to all students, not just those in Senior Seminar. May be faculty nominated, as it is likely faculty who would be aware of such work. Determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

  • Emma Deneau
     

Outstanding Service or Student Leadership — Recipients of this award have shown dedication to the Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology (SCA) Club through attendance and active participation at club meetings and events. A member of the SCA club qualifies for the award if they have attended and contributed to the club meetings, willingly volunteered for duties, and participated in club events. Recipients need not be officers. Determined by the Department and awarded in spring.

  • Abby Nelson
     

UWRF Awards

Senior Merit — Graduating seniors who have maintained a 3.500 grade point for their last 60 credits will receive Senior Merit.

  • Samantha Fellenz
  • Kimberly Guinn
  • Alivia Kons
  • Ryan Van Blaricom
     

Honors Program — The Honors Program at UWRF provides an academic and social community for students who have outstanding records of academic achievement and who seize opportunities to pursue knowledge in a variety of subjects, interact socially with like-minded students, engage with their communities, and develop leadership skills and leadership potential.

  • None in 2022
     

Cum Laude — Graduating seniors who have maintained a minimum cumulative 3.700 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions,will receive their diplomas cum laude.

  • Payton Casey
  • Mandy Christianson
  • Nicholas Grundhauser
     

Suma Cum Laude — Graduating seniors who have maintained a minimum cumulative 3.900 grade point average for their entire college career at all institutions will receive their diplomas summa cum laude.

  • Emma Deneau
     

Chancellor's Award — This award  recognizes those UW-River Falls upperclassmen or graduate students who demonstrate outstanding service and leadership.The students must be nominated and obtain letters of support during the annual nomination period in the spring. Nominees are reviewed by a selection committee that identifies finalists who are then called in front of the committee for an in-person interview, accompanied by their nominator. Awards are presented at the annual Chancellor's Award Reception to which the recipients, their families, fellow students and faculty are invited. 

  • Brigette Ledferd
     

Alpha Kappa Delta - Sociology Honor Society

To view the new members, click here


Previous Award Winners

Department Awards

Outstanding Sociology/Criminology Student

  • Alison Slaughter
     

Distinction in Sociology/Criminology 

  • Dima Iresso
  • Hailey Rivard
  • Halley White
     

Outstanding Senior Research Paper 

  • Jillisa Solberg
  • Alison Slaughter 
     

Senior Research Paper with Distinction

  • Halley White
  • Lorena Hurshuajer
  • Patty Hogan
     

Outstanding Service or Student Leadership

  • Haley Doonan
  • Samantha Miller  
     

Faculty Recognition Award

  • Ramona Raehsler
     

Campus Awards

Senior Merit

  • Jason Matteson
  • Hailey Rivard
     

Honors Program

  • Alison Slaughter
     

Magna Cum Laude

  • Haley Doonan
     

Summa Cum Laude

  • Alison Slaughter
     

Chancellor's Award

  • Timitope Abiodun
  • Alison Slaughter

Department Awards

Outstanding Sociology/Criminology Student

  • Ashley Bredeson
  • Natalie Schmitz
     

Distinction in Sociology/Criminology  

  • Mataya Barrett
  • Brianna Ginnever
  • Madeline Kanda
     

Outstanding Senior Research Paper  

  • Marissa Fredrickson
  • Kate Maiers
     

Senior Research Paper with Distinction

  • Joseph McGlone
  • April Mootz
     

Outstanding Service or Student Leadership

  • Haley Doonan   
     

Faculty Recognition Award

  • Ashley Bredeson
  • Marissa Fredrickson
  • Kayla Grimm
     

Outstanding Scholarly, Research, or Creative Activity

  • Natalie Schmitz
  • Kayla Grimm
     

Campus Awards

Senior Merit

  • Nicholas Chafer
  • Kayla Grimm
  • Katherine Maiers
  • Joseph McGlone
     

Honors Program

  • April Mootz
     

Cum Laude

  • Ashley Bredeson
  • April Mootz
     

Magna Cum Laude

  • Grant Taylor
     

 Summa Cum Laude

  • Melissa Fredrickson
  • Madeline Kanda

Department Awards

Outstanding Sociology/Criminology Student

  • Taylor Hall
  • Heather Spencer
     

Distinction in Sociology/Criminology

  • Abigail Dernovek
  • Debra Johnson
     

Outstanding Senior Research Paper  

  • Jael Ellsworth
     

Senior Research Paper with Distinction

  • Heather Spencer
     

Outstanding Service or Student Leadership    

  • Carla Ortiz Perez
     

Outstanding Scholarly, Research, or Creative Activity

  • Taylor Hall
  • Natalie Schmitz
     

Campus Awards

Senior Merit

  • Kendra Ferron
  • Tyler Johnson   
     

Cum Laude

  • Taylor Hall

Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology

333 Kleinpell Fine Arts
River Falls, WI 54022

CAS@uwrf.edu

715-425-3777