Van Ek Scholars

College of Arts and Sciences names 2026 Van Ek Scholars

Rachel Sauer — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:18:26 +0000

College of Arts and Sciences names 2026 Van Ek Scholars Rachel Sauer Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:18

Twenty-six students receive one of the college’s most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community

The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek Scholarship—one of the college’s highest honors—to 26 outstanding undergraduates.

Named in honor of Jacob Van Ek (1896–1999), the award commemorates his remarkable contributions to the university. Van Ek joined �鶹��Ƶ in 1925 as a young assistant professor shortly after earning his doctorate from what is now Iowa State University. Within three years, he rose to the rank of full professor and, by 1929, was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts—a role he held until 1959.

The following students are this year’s Jakob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Ray Anchordoquy: physics
Ben Braun: physics
Carlos Carale: neuroscience
Monique Castaneda: political science/Japanese
Chelsea Elliott: speech, language and hearing sciences
Elizabeth Ervin: dance/integrative physiology
Amelia Gandhi: astrophysics and planetary sciences/geological sciences
Rachel Gaydos: speech, language and hearing sciences
Katherine Grisak: international affairs
Gianna Guido: Spanish/political science
Nadine Huseby: anthropology
PiperJo Jones: biochemistry/mathematics
M Jordan: anthropology
Deven Kukreja: political science/Japanese
Aris Larson: integrative physiology
Shea Musson: speech, language and hearing sciences
Jessica Nesbit: integrative physiology
Emmalyn Nono: neuroscience/linguistics/Chinese
Julia Renz: molecular, cellular and developmental biology/psychology/neuroscience
Soren Rollin: geological sciences/anthropology
Samuel Ruzzene: integrative physiology
Alexander Scholpp: economics, international affairs
Dhruv Seth: neuroscience
Annika Stephan: biochemistry
Piper Tocco: humanities/secondary education
Tvishi Yendamuri: biochemistry
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Twenty-six students receive one of the college’s most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community.

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College of Arts and Sciences names 2025 Van Ek Scholars

Kylie Clarke — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:38:02 +0000

College of Arts and Sciences names 2025 Van Ek Scholars Kylie Clarke Wed, 04/16/2025 - 15:38

Seventeen students receive one of the college’s most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community

The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek Scholarship—one of the college’s highest honors—to 17 outstanding undergraduates.

Students walking across campus.

The following students are this year’s Jakob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Danya Al Nazal, Neuroscience/Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Amaneet Brar, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Michaela De Oliveria Olsen, Integrative Physiology
Rachel Suter, Neuroscience/Art Practices
Nikolaas Steele, Integrative Physiology
Ivory Carpenter, Environmental Studies
Karis Lowe, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Natalie Sesselmann, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences/Psychology
Brooklyn Phillips, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Kalen Sieja, Political Science/Evolutionary Biology
Katie Mikell, Evolutionary Biology
Kalvyn Adams, Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences/Physics
Adriana Ripley, Psychology/French/Musical Theatre
Xavier Cisneros, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology/Sociology
Marina Levine, Economics/Psychology
Devayani Ravuri, Physics
Abby Schaller, Political Science

Seventeen students receive one of the college’s most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community.

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College of Arts and Sciences names 2024 Van Ek Scholars

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:16:08 +0000

College of Arts and Sciences names 2024 Van Ek Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/17/2024 - 16:16

Twenty-three students receive one of college's highest honors, recognized for academic achievement and depth of service

The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek Scholarship—one of the college’s highest honors—to 23 exceptional undergraduates.

The award is named for Jacob Van Ek (1896-1999), who arrived at CU as a young assistant professor shortly after earning his doctorate in 1925 at what is now known as Iowa State University. Within three years, he was a full professor and, by 1929, he was dean of the College of Liberal Arts, serving until 1959.

The following students are this year’s Jakob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Emily Aguirre, English/Spanish
Simon Bantugan, Geology
Seleny Banuelas, BFA Ceramics/BA Spanish
Aaron Barrios, Physics/Astronomy/Math
Mariana Bastias, English/Psychology and Neuroscience
Auburn Berry, Integrative Physiology
Blanca Cerda, Neuroscience
Rachel Coppock, Anthropology
Sarah Coronna, Anthropology
Adriana Espinoza, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Samantha Haygood, Philosophy and Sociology
Lucas Hendricks, Chinese
Taylor Johnson, Philosophy
Emma Judge, Biochemistry
Samantha Lane, Sociology
Isabella (Bella) Malherbe, Art History
Grant Mannino, Psychology and Neuroscience
Miles Moore, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Rumi Natanzi, Ethnic Studies
Callie Noar, Integrative Physiology
Alexandra Plocki, Physics
Hayley Thomas, International Affairs
Grace Tuzizila, Integrative Physiology

Twenty-three students receive one of college's highest honors, recognized for academic achievement and depth of service.

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Twenty-six students are named 2023 Van Ek Scholars

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:12:59 +0000

Twenty-six students are named 2023 Van Ek Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/26/2023 - 15:12

The award is given to students for academic achievement and service; it is considered one of the College of Arts & Sciences’ highest honors

The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek Scholarship—one of the college’s highest honors—to 26 exceptional undergraduates.

These students were nominated by faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder for their superior academic achievement and service to the university, the Denver and Boulder communities, or larger national and international communities. The five-person Van Ek Scholars Award committee selected the winners, who receive a $230 award and a certificate of recognition.

Students studying on campus in unique places.

The following students are this year’s Jakob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Abigail Matthews, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Eswari Duggirala, Ethnic Studies and Psychology
Caitlyn Mendik, Biochemistry
Joseph Lim, Integrated Physiology
Rose Rivera, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Emily Reynolds, Anthropology and Linguistics
Ben O’Meara, Psychology
Jordan Lee, Geography and Linguistics
Wendy Acevedo, Integrated Physiology
Kaitlyn Shirley, History
James Kim, Sociology/LCE
Emmeline Nettles, International Affairs and Chinese
Keely Olson, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Ella Baca, Women and Gender Studies
Shane Ball, Economics and History
Wessie Simmons, Theater and Dance
Gigi Saad, Program in Jewish Studies
Jackson Avery, Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Paloma Siegel, Geography
Veronica Feather, French and Italian and International Affairs
Cassie Parrisher, Political Science
MacKenzie Dean, Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Abby Hartley, Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Em Fox, Anthropology
Nick Nemeth, Art and Art History

The award is given to students for academic achievement and service; it is considered one of the College of Arts & Sciences’ highest honors.

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Seventeen students are named 2022 Van Ek Scholars

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 19:56:20 +0000

Seventeen students are named 2022 Van Ek Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/28/2022 - 13:56

The award, considered one of the College of Arts and Sciences' highest honors, is given to students for academic achievement and service

The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek scholarship, one of the college's highest honors, to 17 exceptional undergraduates.

They have done so much for the �鶹��Ƶ community, as well as in their respective communities."

"We had amazing nominations submitted from faculty this year," says Brenda Navarrete, scholarship coordinator in the College of Arts and Sciences. "They have done so much for the �鶹��Ƶ community as well as in their respective communities."

"They are very deserving, and I am excited to see the amazing things they will achieve after graduating!”

The award is named for Jacob Van Ek, who arrived at CU as a young assistant professor shortly after earning his doctorate at what is now known as Iowa State University in 1925. Within three years he was a full professor and, by 1929, he was dean of the College of Liberal Arts, serving until 1959.

The following students are this year’s Jacob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Areyana Janae Andrea Proctor, journalism
Elicia Azua, psychology
Evi Judge, linguistics and speech, langauge and hearing sciences
Jack Barker, environmental studies
Julia Hoa Leone, international affairs and Jewish studies
Kelila Rose Fitch-Cook, women and gender studies
Kathryn Hoesly, Chinese
Leen Salah Eldin Abbas, integrative physiology
Mackayla Coley, political science
Morgan Knuesel, physics and mathematics
Megan Lenard, psychology and sociology
Michelle Tracy Leung, environmental studies and ecology and evolutionary biology
Nicole Bouzan, molecular, cellular and developmental biology
Noopur Naik, molecular, cellular and developmental biology
Ruth Woldemichael, ethnic studies and international affairs
Sophia Choubai, integrative physiology
Ty Donovan McCaffrey, ecology and evolutionary biology

The award, considered one of the College of Arts and Sciences' highest honors, is given to students for academic achievement and service

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Seventeen students are named 2021 Van Ek Scholars

Anonymous — Wed, 12 May 2021 16:13:56 +0000

Seventeen students are named 2021 Van Ek Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/12/2021 - 10:13

This year’s recipients of the notable College of Arts and Sciences’ award are especially distinct, the chair of the award committee notes

Seventeen exceptional undergraduates are this year’s recipients of the Jacob Van Ek scholarship, one of the College of Arts and Sciences’ highest honors.

The award recognizes faculty-nominated students who display superior academic achievement and service to the University of Colorado Boulder, the Denver and Boulder communities, or larger national and international communities. A five-person faculty committee selects the winners, who receive a $250 award and a certificate of recognition.

“The Van Ek Award is one of the most distinctive undergraduate awards on the Boulder campus,” says Nina L. Molinaro, professor of Spanish and chair of the award committee.

“The Van Ek Selection Committee takes into consideration the GPAs and academic honors of the nominees, along with the range and depth of service contributions with which the nominees are associated. These include unpaid and paid community service activities, unpaid and paid extracurricular department and university activities and work experience.”

The winners of the Van Ek Scholar Awards for 2021 managed, under very difficult circumstances, to excel academically and to contribute enormous service to incredibly diverse groups."

The award is named for Jacob Van Ek (1896-1994), who was among a generation of faculty who shaped �鶹��Ƶ in the 20th century. Called “the boy dean” by students for his relative youth, Van Ek helped build the university’s reputation for academic excellence, intellectual freedom and tolerance.

He established programs for academically talented students, creating one of the nation’s first honors programs, and vigorously defended members of untenured faculty who were fired for holding unpopular views.

Molinaro notes that the achievements of this year’s winners are especially distinct, given the challenges of the past year.

“The winners of the Van Ek Scholar Awards for 2021 managed, under very difficult circumstances, to excel academically and to contribute enormous service to incredibly diverse groups, and among them university organizations, professional organizations, nonprofit groups, national organizations and many more.”

The following students are this year’s Jacob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:

Ava Begun, speech, language and hearing sciences
Taylor Fahey, speech, language and hearing sciences
Skylar Fendrick, speech, language and hearing sciences
Margaret Friesen, women and gender studies
Taylor Hirschberg, sociology
Kavya Kannan, economics, political science and international affairs
Emily Majluf, astrophysical and planetary sciences
Elizabeth Mather, political science and international affairs
Izi Moss, molecular, cellular and developmental biology
Maisa Nammari, linguistics
Kiar Rickert, sociology and women and gender studies
Sarah Schleifer, English
Gaby Solano Serna, Spanish
Nadyah Spahn, international affairs
Elizabeth Stanton, environmental studies and international affairs
Luke Walther, chemistry and mathematics
Zhiyu (Philippe) Yao, astrophysical and planetary sciences

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Van Ek Scholars

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