Yesterday, the College of Liberal Arts came together for its Annual Awards Ceremony, recognizing the achievements of faculty, staff and students across the College. As the academic year comes to a close, the event offered a meaningful opportunity to honor the contributions and accomplishments that define the community.

Dean Casilde A. Isabelli expressed her pride in these individuals, noting, “This is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and dedication of our College’s community, whose work continues to demonstrate the value of a liberal arts education.”

Below are the individuals recognized at this year’s ceremony:

Alumna of the Year

Jill Tolles, ‘97 B.A. and ‘06 M.A. Communication Studies, Executive Director, Guinn Research Center for Policy Priorities

2026 Harry S. Truman Scholar

Gabriella Detrick, B.A. Political Science, B.A. International Affairs, ASUN, Director of Executive Affairs

University of Nevada, Reno’s Distinguished Faculty Award

Matthew C. Leone, Criminal Justice

2026 Nevada, NSHE and University Faculty Awards

• Valerie Fridland, English | Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award in Humanities and Social Sciences
• Sandhya Narayanan, Anthropology | Jason Geddes Regents’ Rising Researcher Award
• Richard Scott, Anthropology | University of Nevada, Reno's Outstanding Researcher Award
• Valerie Fridland, English | University of Nevada, Reno's Foundation Professor Award
• Joshua Padilla, Sociology | University of Nevada, Reno's Foundation Letter of Appointment Outstanding Teaching Award
• William Thimmesch, Communication Studies | University of Nevada, Reno's Top Spring 2026 Exceptional Letter of Appointment College of Liberal Arts Award
• Leticia Navarro, World Languages | University of Nevada, Reno's Top Spring 2026 Exceptional Letter of Appointment College of Liberal Arts Award 

2026 Donor Funded Awards and Scholarships

Rebekah Bogard, Art, Art History & Design |Dr. Donald Mousel and Dr. William Feltner Award for Excellence in Research and/or Creative Activity

Thank you to Donald Mousel and William Feltner for establishing this Excellence in Research & Creative Activity Award. Established in 1993, this award recognizes outstanding research or creative activity within a calendar year. Endowment earnings are equally shared by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science.

• James McSpadden, History | Dr. Phillip and Dr. Kathleen Boardman Teaching Excellence in the Humanities Award

Thank you to Phillip and Kathleen Boardman, who joined the University’s English faculty in the 1970s and established this award to honor exceptional undergraduate teaching in the humanities. Their goal is for all students, regardless of major, to have at least one engaging and transformative experience in the field.

• Jennifer Ng, History | William Sheldon Teaching Excellence in History Award

Thank you to William Sheldon and Christine Fey for establishing the William Sheldon Teaching Excellence in History Award & Scholarship. This award recognizes teaching excellence in History. The recipient demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence, classroom effectiveness and the ability to engage and inspire students.

• Alan Bible Teaching Excellence Award
  • Winner: Janell Mahoney, Chemistry
  • Runner-Up: Ravi Thakral, Philosophy

Thank you to Vivienne and Bill Morris for establishing this endowment in 1983, to honor Senator Alan Bible. This teaching award aims to boost morale and enthusiasm among arts and letters staff. Amended in 2003 to reflect the College's division, it accepts nominations from current University of Nevada, Reno students.                                                                 

2026 College Dean's Faculty and Staff Awards

• Chris Jazwa, Anthropology | Dean’s Award for Academic Mentoring (Tenure-Track)
• Roberto Ortiz M.A., World Languages and Literatures | Dean’s Award for Academic Mentoring (Non-Tenure-Track)
• Shelayne Hammack, CLA Center for Outreach and Engagement | Dean’s Award for Administrative Faculty
• Morgan Gilmour, Philosophy/Art, Art History & Design/The Lilley | Dean’s Award for Classified Staff
• Laura Blume, Political Science | Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching
• Lynda Olman, English | Dean’s Award for Research & Scholarly Activities
• Austin Pratt, Art, Art History & Design | Dean’s Award for Service

Dean's Faculty and Staff Awards are funded by the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Discretionary Funds.

2026 Dean's Student Awards

• Mackenzie Rankin, Political Science, RSJ | Senior Scholar and Outstanding CLA Undergraduate
• Lillyan Anderson, Theatre and Dance | Outstanding Undergraduate in the Arts
• Megan Cavallaro, Philosophy | Outstanding Undergraduate in the Humanities
• Lauren Maynard, Communication Studies | Outstanding Undergraduate in the Social Sciences
• Daniel Pineda Luna, Art, Art History & Design | Outstanding Graduate in the Arts
• Orion Liggett, English | Outstanding Graduate in the Humanities
• Caleb Cage, Political Science | Outstanding Graduate in the Social Sciences

Dean's Student Awards are funded by the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Discretionary Funds.

4.0 Graduating Seniors

• Bella Rose, PackTeach History B.A.
• Carrie DeBarger, Spanish B.A.

• Mackenzie Rankin, Political Science B.A.
• TJ Shackelton, Theatre B.A.

2026 Emeriti Faculty

• James Cavanaugh, School of Music
• Pedro Gómez-Ramirez, M.A., World Languages and Literatures
• Matthew C. Leone, Criminal Justice

2026 Retiring Faculty

• Amilia Culpepper, Communication Studies
• Kathie Stanfield, Sociology

Advisory Board Chair Honoree

• Sara Beth Brown, College of Liberal Arts Advisory Board Chair 2024-2026

Student Scholarships

• Brian & Lauralyn Sandoval, Brian & Lauralyn Sandoval Political Science Scholarship Endowment
  • 2025-2026 Recipients: Alexander Ernest Saporito and Carmina Chaelle Aglubat
• Ann Morgan, Sara Beth Brown Transformative Travel Scholarship Endowment
  • 2025-2026 Recipient: Lexi Zalewski
• Dan Lofrese Liberal Arts Internship Endowment
  • 2025-2026 Recipients: Adaline Saucier and Jade Kulwin
• Rita and Steve Laden Study Abroad for Everyone Scholarship
  • 2025-2026 Recipients: Mikayla Grace Hadersbeck and Zoe Cruz

We also took a special moment to honor the following endowments during the ceremony:

• Christine Fey and William Sheldon Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment
• Rita and Steve Laden Global Humanities Scholarship

Dean Isabelli also took a moment to thank the generous donors, unit leaders, faculty, staff and students whose contributions strengthen the college and make its many achievements possible.

"Without the support of our donors, much of what we accomplish simply would not be possible. Their investment in the liberal arts strengthens our community and sustains the research, creativity and engagement of our faculty and students. I am also deeply grateful to our 25 unit leaders. Their leadership makes it possible for a college of this size and complexity to succeed. And, of course, none of this would be worth celebrating without the dedication of our faculty, staff and students, whose work defines who we are. Thank you all and please keep up the outstanding work."

The College is thrilled to celebrate the members listed above and would like to take one more moment to congratulate everyone honored at the event!