Florida State University awarded honors medallions to 331 high-achieving graduates during a ceremony on May 1, 2023, at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. Fifty-seven of the recipients were graduating students in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.
The FSU Honors Program supports the efforts and talents of the university’s most intellectually curious students with the potential, dedication and drive to create change.
The ceremony included remarks by Paulette Curtis, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of the FSU Honors Program, Joe O’Shea, Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Angilmarie Rivera Sanchez, Outstanding Senior Scholar, and Julie Decker, President and CEO of the FSU Alumni Association.
Michael Franklin, Assistant Director of Honors in the Major, also presented the Honors Thesis Mentor Award to Emily Lemmon, Associate Professor of Biological Science.
The breakdown of the honors awardees is as follows:
243 graduates, University Honors Program
Earned at least 18 honors points in fulfillment of the FSU Honors Program requirements.
53 graduates, Honors in the Major Program
Completed an honors thesis in fulfillment of the requirement for the distinction “with honors” in their major department.
12 graduates, Dual Honors
Completed both the University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program.
23 graduates, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Completed both the University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program, with a 3.9 cumulative GPA or higher.
The COSSPP honors medallion recipients, along with their hometowns, award designations, and academic majors, are listed by state and city below.
Arkansas
Bentonville
Kennedy Ray, International Affairs, University Honors
Cave Springs
Grace Marsiglio, Political Science, University Honors
California
San Diego
Kalijah Rahming, Sociology & Humanities, University Honors
Connecticut
Fairfield
Kevin Miller, Economics, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Delaware
Middletown
Savitha Thiruchittampalam, International Affairs & Political Science, University Honors
Florida
Clermont
Emma Gaskins, Political Science & International Affairs, University Honors
Fleming Island
Ansley Bilyeu, International Affairs, University Honors
Katherine Shannon, Political Science & English – Editing, Writing, and Media, University Honors
Fort Lauderdale
Lara Kenny, English – Editing, Writing, and Media & International Affairs, Honors in the Major
Melissa Pearson, International Affairs & Geography, University Honors
Greenacres
Chloe Ilcus, Social Work & Sociology, University Honors
Jacksonville
Elijah Bishop, Political Science, University Honors
Lake Worth
Mae Baltz, Economics, University Honors
Aziah McKinney, Political Science, Honors in the Major
Lighthouse Point
Sean Connors, Economics & Actuarial Science, University Honors
Lithia
Stephanie Solters, Political Science, University Honors
Margate
Lizmarie Cortez, Sociology, University Honors
Miami
Sofia Permuy, Political Science & Economics, University Honors
Stephanie Remy, Business Management & Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University Honors
Benjamin Robbins, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences & Political Science, University Honors
Juanchi Roca-Paisley, Political Science & Economics, University Honors
Naples
Megan Arteaga, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University Honors
Taylor Brewer, Political Science & Psychology, University Honors
Lorena Correale, Psychology & Sociology, University Honors
Ocala
Savannah Hannon, Political Science, University Honors
Orlando
Sofia Bejarano, Public Health, University Honors
Alexander Stewart, Economics & Political Science, University Honors
Julia Tamborello, Political Science and Religion, University Honors
Ormond Beach
Nami Pruitt, International Affairs, Political Science & Environment and Society, University Honors
Palm Bay
Moriah Richman, Political Science & Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Dual Honors
Palm Beach
Vincent Ramil, Political Science, University Honors
Palm City
Abigail Gordon, International Affairs & Middle Eastern Studies, Honors in the Major
Pensacola
Peyton Addison, Political Science & English – Literature, Media, and Culture, Dual Honors
Ella Phillips, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, University Honors
Plantation
Maria Whiting, Political Science, University Honors
Saint Johns
Matthew Ortiz, Economics & Political Science, University Honors
Christian Sexton, Political Science & International Affairs, University Honors
Santa Rosa Beach
Catherine Allen, Political Science & Psychology, University Honors
Sarasota
Mick Mazaeda, Political Science, University Honors
Brandon Szkutnik, International Affairs & Russian, University Honors
Spring Hill
Adriana Nguyen, Public Relations & Political Science, University Honors
Tallahassee
Dhenu Patel, Exercise Physiology & Public Health, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Tampa
Ashley Cline, Criminology & Political Science, University Honors
Susan Morales, Sociology & Women’s Studies, University Honors
Trinity
Connor Sherman, Applied Mathematics, Economics, & History, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Venice
Emily Porter, Political Science, University Honors
Wellington
Jade McLeod, Economics, University Honors
West Palm Beach
Robert Chimienti, Economics, University Honors
Winter Garden
Victoria Cabral, Political Science & Media Communication Studies, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Hannah Shortino, Political Science, University Honors
Winter Haven
Chad Stephens, Political Science, University Honors
Georgia
Atlanta
Maya Topiwala, International Affairs, University Honors
Virginia
Arlington
Lauren Flynn, Political Science, University Honors
Radford
Teagan Danilowicz, International Affairs, University Honors
Vermont
White River Junction
Georgina Patient, International Affairs & Political Science, University Honors
Puerto Rico
Bayamón
Angilmarie Rivera Sanchez, Political Science & History, Outstanding Senior Scholar
Turkey
Istanbul
Alara Kaymak, Economics, University Honors
Congratulations to our recent COSSPP graduates and all honors medallion recipients!