2026 Scholarship Recipients

Founders Fund Scholarships

The Phi Eta Sigma National Board of Directors is proud to announce the 2026 Founders Fund Scholarship recipients.

More than $300,000 in local and national scholarships and awards were distributed to Phi Eta Sigma members who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, campus and community involvement, and meaningful engagement with Phi Eta Sigma at the chapter and/or national level.

“One of the things we are most proud of at Phi Eta Sigma is our Founders Fund scholarship program, which every member contributes to yearly as part of their lifetime dues. It is an excellent way to pay the mission of the Society forward for future generations,” said Dr. Mary Lee Caldwell, Executive Director.

“These members have exemplified the purposes and mission of Phi Eta Sigma. We couldn’t be prouder of—and more impressed by—all of our applicants and recipients this year.”

A Legacy of Investing in Scholars

Since 1940, Phi Eta Sigma has awarded more than $7 million in scholarships to its members nationwide. Each year, the Founders Fund supports students through:

Three $10,000 Scholar of the Year awards
Six graduate student scholarships
Thirty-seven undergraduate scholarships
Additional Elevate Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate members

This program is made possible through the collective commitment of Phi Eta Sigma members, who invest in future scholars through their lifetime dues.

2026 Founders Fund

Scholarship Recipients

Scholar Leaders of the Year

Breanna Evans — University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Thomas Arkle Clark Graduate Scholar of the Year

Lauren Hillel — Trine University
Foy-Sagabiel Undergraduate Scholar of the Year

Nicole Kaufeldt— The University of Alabama
Centennial Leader Scholar of the Year

Graduate Scholarship Recipients

Hailey Bayer — Mercer University
Kendrick C. Babcock Graduate Scholar

Asa Barnhart —Florida Institute of Technology
Charles M. Thompson Graduate Scholar

Justin Stern — The University of Alabama
G. Herbert Smith Graduate Scholar

Chilisiah Cherry-McCoy —Fayetteville State University
Fred H. Turner Graduate Scholar

Daisy Lugo —University of West Georgia
Scott Goodnight Graduate Scholar

Seham Abutaha — University of Toledo
William Tate Graduate Scholar

Vivian Okigbo — Moravian University

Molly Lawrence Graduate Scholar

Joylene Bills — McKendree University

Joan Nelson Graduate Scholar

Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients

Elevate Scholarship Recipients

Emily Aivazian — UCLA

Maite Alberdi — University of Florida

Benjamin Anderson — McKendree University

Courtney Bivona — University of Tampa

Xenya Chill— Duquesne University

Elizabeth Cordero — Florida State University

Sydney Davis — IU Indianapolis

Kaelyn Hart — Butler University

Tyler Kleinsasser — South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Carissa Mollet — IU Indianapolis

Kathryn Mumaugh — IU Indianapolis

Elle Roberts — IU IBloomington

Anna Swearengen — Missouri Southern State University

Kathryn Volz — Mercer University

Scholarship Selection Committee

The following members of the National Board of Directors served on the 2026 Scholarship Selection Committee:

Ms. Jennifer Miller, McKendree University (Chair)
Ms. Mary Jo Dwyer,
Mr. Tony Kemp, Mercer University

Learn More

Students interested in applying for Phi Eta Sigma scholarships or learning more about eligibility and requirements are encouraged to visit:
phietasigma.org/scholarship

About Phi Eta Sigma

Founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois, Phi Eta Sigma is the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students across all disciplines. Since its founding, more than 1.2 million scholars have been inducted. The Society’s motto is “Knowledge is Power.”

Olivia Ehresman — Florida Institute of Technology
Larry L. Mangus Undergraduate Scholar

Skylar Koshar— University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
James G. Allen Undergraduate Scholar

Anastasiia Semerianova — Baruch College (CUNY)
G. Robert Standing Undergraduate Scholar

Jaden Barney — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lisa Ruch Undergraduate Scholar

Sandesh Khanal— Missouri Southern State University
Gary Grikscheit Undergraduate Scholar

Kari Leventopoulos — Duquesne University
Kyle C. Sessions Undergraduate Scholar

Makayla Moose — Gannon University
John R. Harrell Undergraduate Scholar

Seth Loudermilk — Pittsburg State University
Raymond R. Glos Undergraduate Scholar

Manseerat Kaur — Georgia Southern University
Lois Edwards Alexander Undergraduate Scholar

Max McConville — University of Rhode Island
Arno “Shorty” Nowotny Undergraduate Scholar

Aubry Forsyth — Florida Institute of Technology
Susan Huffman Undergraduate Scholar

Gabrielle Simmons—University of Mississippi
Donald Gregory Undergraduate Scholar

Hannah Prickett— Purdue University
Mary Jo Dwyer Undergraduate Scholar

Bennett Uchacz — McKendree University
Archie L. Lejeune Undergraduate Scholar

Caitlin Herring — Butler University
Marjorie T. Sagabiel Undergraduate Scholar

Sudeep Ayer — Trine University
G. T. “Jerry” Cowley Undergraduate Scholar

Sarah Schuld — Monmouth University
Karlem Riess Undergraduate Scholar

Mercy Birundu— Widener University
Robert D. Place Undergraduate Scholar

Kason Ewing — Georgia Southern University
M. L. Wardell Undergraduate Scholar

Anthony Kerr — St. John's University
Herb Songer Undergraduate Scholar

Hannah Moyzan — Moravian University
W. Lee Johnston Undergraduate Scholar

Janie Spence — University of West Alabama
Stanley L. Stephens Undergraduate Scholar

Peter Remela — IU Indianapolis
B. J. Alexander Undergraduate Scholar

Taylor Johanneson — Butler University
Charles Burchett Undergraduate Scholar

Diana Desroches — The University of Alabama
Harry B. Shucker Undergraduate Scholar

Rachel Miskelly — Purdue University
Gaylord F. Hatch Undergraduate Scholar

Katelyn Roney — The University of Alabama
Richard Tuerk Undergraduate Scholar

Lauren Bailey— University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Betty Jo Hudson Undergraduate Scholar

Imoya Lovely— Pittsburg State University
Curtis F. Lard Undergraduate Scholar

Zachary Falvo — Florida Institute of Technology
Sharon Dine Harrell Undergraduate Scholar

Jenna May — IU Indianapolis
Nancy S. Kaplan Undergraduate Scholar

Noa Hollander —Florida Institute of Technology
Roy E. Thoman Undergraduate Scholar

Aatish Hans — IU Indianapolis
Bill W. Shafer Undergraduate Scholar

Kayla Berge — Florida University
Oscar Beck Undergraduate Scholar

Ashley La Rosa — University of Central Florida
Franklin B. Krauss Undergraduate Scholar

Ikea Alberdi — University of Florida

Emma O’Rear Foy Undergraduate Scholar