Award Ceremony Honors Graduates, Faculty, Staff

On Friday, May 6, 2022, The King’s College held its sixth annual formal award ceremony to honor outstanding students in the class of 2022 and to recognize the faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to the King’s community. The event took place at St. George’s Episcopal Church in the East Village and was attended by graduates and their families as well as students, faculty, and staff of the College.

Dr. Matt Parks, interim provost, began the award ceremony by delivering a welcome and invocation. President Tim Gibson then took the podium to deliver a presidential address, sharing that the awards handed out that night were particularly meaningful because the bulk of them were voted on by the recipient’s peers. President Gibson then introduced the senior speaker for the Class of 2022, Miles Sinagra (PPE ’22).

In his senior address, Sinagra congratulated his classmates on persevering through their four years at King’s and invited them to think back to the way they viewed the world before they started college at King’s. Miles then reflected on how, as a result of his time at King’s, his views of life in every area have drastically changed for the better. Miles said that King’s has helped him and his classmates build a new lens through which to see the world.

After Miles’ speech, Athletic Director Brian Finley presented the two athletic awards. The Scholar-Athlete Award, awarded to the senior athlete graduating with the highest GPA, went to Jordan Bishop (Finance ’22), who played men’s basketball. Samantha Klozik (Business ’22), Ben Oldham (Business ’22), and Kaitlyn Simon (Business ’22) were also nominated. Next, Athlete of the Year was awarded to Samantha Klozik, captain of the women’s volleyball team and HVIAC player of the year. Other nominees for Athlete of the Year were Jordan Bishop, Trevor Holland (PPE ’22), and Kaitlyn Simon.

Student Body President Brent Buterbaugh (PPE ‘22) presented the four awards from The King’s Council, the College’s student government. Emma Powell (MCA ’22) received the Student Service Award for her selfless service, calm stewardship under pressure, and admirable leadership. Harrison Chapman (RTS ’22), Sean Kelly (PPE ’22), and Jordan Bishop were also nominated.

Dr. Anthony Bradley, professor of religion and faculty advisor to the House of Winston Churchill, was given the Outstanding Service to the House System Award for his willingness to invest in the lives of the students and call them to live at a higher level. Dr. Joshua Kinlaw and Dr. Dami Kagiawu were also nominated.

Bracey Fuenzalida, director of information technology, received Staff of the Year. Buterbaugh noted Bracey’s zeal for the gospel and his dedication to seeking out and discipling students, both at dinner and on the soccer field. The other nominees were Danise Stokeld, Pedro De Los Santos, and Megan Dishman. Faculty of the Year went to Dr. Jared Pincin, associate professor of economics, for his steadfast commitment to encouraging, challenging, and inspiring students to pursue academic excellence. Dr. Dru Johnson, Dr. Joseph Griffith, and Dr. Benjamin White were also nominated.

Dr. Parks then introduced an additional faculty award, chosen by fellow members of the College faculty. Dr. Dami Kabiawu received the Faculty Teaching Award for her exceptional effectiveness in pedagogy. Business and finance students routinely cite her classes, especially Advanced Excel and Financial Modeling, as being the most useful courses for their internships and careers. Other nominees were Dr. Steele Brand and Dr. Benjamin White. President Gibson then announced the Faculty Service Award for the faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional service to The King’s College. The award was given to Dr. Matthew Parks, for his work as the interim provost, as he guided the faculty through the challenges and opportunities of the past year. Dr. David Talcott was also nominated.

Gibson then presented the corresponding staff awards chosen by members of the College’s staff. Jennifer Anderson, assistant vice president of finance, was awarded the Staff Service Award, for her ability to manage the College’s finances with great knowledge and insight while also serving as a House advisor and pouring into students’ lives. Pedro De Los Santos and Danise Stokeld were also nominated. Prof. Brian Brenberg then awarded the Staff Leadership Award to Dr. Matt Parks, chief academic officer, for his ability to lead with wisdom and grace while continuing to serve the students that he teaches. Tim Gibson and Whitney Clark were also nominated.

On behalf of the Media, Culture, and the Arts program, Dr. Josh Kinlaw, assistant professor of history and humanities, presented the MCA Academic Excellence Award to Connor Kopko (MCA ’22), praising his willingness to contribute to everything around him with passion and enthusiasm. Emma Powell and Hannah Sarenpa (MCA ’22) were also nominated. Kinlaw then presented the MCA Capstone Award to Aidan Briggs, commending him on his excellent senior concert. Paige Miller was also nominated. He then presented the Humanities Academic Excellence Award to Olivia Staggs (Humanities ’22), who has leaned into all that the College has to offer and made it better in every way. Morgan McIntosh (Humanities ’22) and Josh Wagner (Humanities ’22) were also nominated.

Dr. David Talcott, professor of philosophy, presented the award for Politics, Philosophy, and Economic Academic Excellence to Zach Moeller. Catherine Blanco and Brent Buterbaugh were also nominated. Prof. Clemente Lisi, assistant professor of journalism, then presented the Journalism, Culture and Society Academic Excellence Award to Lauren Bannister (JCS ’22). Brittany Bhulai (JCS ’22), Megan Capone (JCS ’22), and Taylor Chick (JCS ’22) were also nominated. He then presented the Roberta Green Ahmanson Journalism Award to Rachel Freeman (JCS ’22), for her work in bringing the Empire State Tribune Magazine to new heights, helping it to win numerous national and regional awards. Megan Capone, Connor Walter Brickel (JCS ’22), and Hannah Mallard (JCS ’22) were also nominated.

Dr. Kimberly Reeve, chair of the program in business and finance, presented the Chartered Financial Analyst Scholarship Award to Montgomery Drumm (Finance ’22) and Juliette Kheyfets (Finance ’22). She then presented the Joe T. Ford Award to Aisha Seay (Finance ’22) for demonstrating excellence in the business disciplines taught at King’s. Juliette Kheyfets and Kaitlyn Simon were also nominated.

Dean of Students David Leedy presented the three final awards. The William R. Bright award was given to Eli Hixon (PPE ’22), for his servant’s heart, commitment to the King’s community, and a passion for God’s kingdom in New York City. The other nominees were Peter Gocke (Business ’22) and Emlee Sanderford (Humanities ’22). The award is named in honor of the co-founder and former president of Campus Crusade for Christ and recognizes a student who embodies Bright’s passion for missions, evangelism, and discipleship.

Leedy then presented the William Wilberforce Award to Catherine Blanco (PPE ’22), for her commitment to transforming King’s and society at large, serving as the president of mock trial, competitions coordinator for the Interregnum committee, and president of the House of Susan B. Anthony, as well as also interning for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. This award is presented to a graduate who emulates William Wilberforce’s commitment to transforming society. Johannes Braetz (Business ’22), Emma Powell, and Aisha Seay were also nominated.

The last award of the evening was the Harriet Tubman Award, presented to Jackson Holliday (RTS ’22), for his service to those around him through various roles with grace and humility. The Harriet Tubman Award is given to someone who exemplifies servant leadership in the King’s community. Brent Buterbaugh, Samantha Klozik, and Lydia Marlin (PPE ’22) were also nominated.

Leedy concluded the evening by inviting everyone to the on-campus Parents’ Reception for refreshments. He then closed the Award Ceremony with prayer, giving thanks for the students’ four-year journey of growth while at The King’s College.