(Leavenworth, Kansas) – In the lead up to its May 3 Commencement Ceremony, the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ recognized the class of 2025 during a Convocation Honors and Hooding Ceremony on April 22 in Annunciation Chapel on the university’s main campus in Leavenworth – 4100 South 4th Street.

»¨½·Ö±²¥ is one of the few universities in the U.S. continuing the time-honored tradition of hooding its undergraduates. The hoods are worn over the graduation robes and denote a student’s academic discipline.

USM also recognized academic honors and achievements, including:

Business Student of the Year: Charley Monahan of Easton, Kansas

Chase Student Award in Biology: Katelyn Havner of Leavenworth, Kansas

Mother Mary Ancilla Award: Kourtney Flynn of Pittsburg, Kansas

E Award for English: Katherine Madsen of Hiawatha, Kansas

All-University Honors:

    • Emma Coit of McLouth, Kansas
    • Alexandria Cox of Edmond, Oklahoma
    • Whitney DePaolis of Lansing Kansas
    • Ximena Flores Luna of Overland Park, Kansas
    • Madison Folsom of Atchison, Kansas
    • Gracen Glover of Signal Mountain, Tennessee
    • Katelyn Havner of Leavenworth, Kansas
    • Jake Huisman of Kansas City, Kansas
    • Katherine Madsen of Hiawatha, Kansas
    • Charley Monahan of Easton, Kansas
    • Liam Neidig of Lansing, Kansas
    • Ava Maria RaeXian Powell of Basehor, Kansas
    • Courtney Rogers of Commerce City, Colorado
    • Erin Walden of Wichita, Kansas

Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence and University Leadership and Service: Criminology Instructor Andrew Whitford

The Mehring-Banikowski Endowed Distinguished Faculty Award: Social Work Instructor Courtney Howell

The Mehring-Banikowski Endowed Distinguished Professional Staff Award: Director of Library Services Ashley Creek

The Mehring-Banikowski Endowed Distinguished Support Staff Award: Accounts Payable Associate Maria Duncan


The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.