Alumni Senior Awards Profile Archive

Class of 2025

Kate Bartz

Kate Bartz has succeeded in her ambition to break the stigma around mental health and create a safe environment for students to receive support. 

A swimmer and diver for the Pioneers, Bartz was a campus captain for The Hidden Opponent, an advocacy group that raises awareness about mental health in athletics. The Rosemount, Minnesota native organized the SWACK meet where athletes from the swimming and track teams met in a variety of events from both sports and then took part in a discussion about mental health led by a sports psychologist. 

Bartz also has excelled in the classroom, becoming a beloved three-time mentor in the math department. She also conducted multiple high-level research projects, completed a summer engineering research position at the Mayo Clinic, and is looking to the future by applying to Ph.D. programs where she will pursue a degree in electrical and computer engineering with a research focus on medical imaging for radiation oncology. She is passionate about this area of study because of its implications for accessibility and equity in medicine.

In addition, Bartz has advanced the inclusion of women in STEM. As a linear algebra mentor, she fostered a class environment where women felt supported and represented. 

“Kate is a brilliant combination of incredible potential, genuine humility, impeccable work ethic, reasonable bravery, service-focused selflessness, pure kindness, and pragmatic optimism,” said math professor Jeff Blanchard. “She is a human-centered scientist.”

Grace Marsh

Grace Marsh was a leader in athletics and academics, and a source of support and wisdom for her peers. She double majored in sociology and psychology and undertook an astonishing amount of guided research during her time at Grinnell. 

For two semesters, Marsh did a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) with sociology professor Ross Haenfler and an educational psychologist based in London, where she studied the impact of students’ early college experiences on their understandings of race, sexuality, and ability. Marsh also completed another MAP on paganism in America. As a member of the Sociology Student Educational Policy Committee (SEPC), she actively helped shape the department through the faculty hiring processes and event planning.

A 4-year member of the women’s basketball team, and a 2-year member of the women’s track and field team, Marsh was well-regarded as a teammate and an advocate for mental health. As a co-leader of Queer Athletes and Allies, she cultivated a sense of community amongst LGBTQ+ athletes and their peers.

A native of Salt Lake City, Marsh will pursue a Ph.D. in sociology, where she plans to study Christian nationalism and its impact on social and political structures. 

“Grinnell has instilled in me a commitment to academic inquiry as a means of fostering social change, and I will carry that forward by producing research that critically examines power, ideology, and inequality,” she said. 

Class of 2024

Brian Goodell ’24

Brian Goodell had a difficult time winnowing down his class choices. Although he double majored in computer science and political science, with so many varied interests he also took language, music, religion, and stats courses. 

In addition, Goodell was a manager at the Stew Makerspace and a senior interviewer for the Office of Admission. He also carved out time to lead the two largest dance student organizations on campus – Contra Dance Club and Swing Society. 

A native of Northfield, Minnesota, Goodell’s mom, Janet Scannell ’83 also is a Grinnell graduate.

In the athletics realm, Brian is one of the more accomplished distance runners in the history of the College. He was voted by his cross country teammates to be team captain his junior and senior seasons. Goodell spent hours analyzing race results and data from the NCAA championships to create programs that predict a runner’s movement and finish position in a race depending on their positioning at different points. Through this data-driven approach, he has helped shift and solidify the team’s race strategies.

Goodell also regularly volunteered at PALS animal shelter in Grinnell and even organized a joint running session for the dogs with the cross country runners. 

Zoey Nahmmacher-Baum ’24

As a tour guide, when Zoey Nahmmacher-Baum showed prospective students and their families around campus, she always tried to highlight the aspects that make Grinnell different from other colleges and that make Grinnellians different from other students. Nahmmacher-Baum is a sparkling example of that herself. 

A psychology major with a deep interest in the human condition, she has thoughtfully fed her curiosity through classes in more than 10 different departments as well as completed a concentration in Science, Medicine, and Society. 

Outside the classroom, Nahmmacher-Baum has been instrumental in the leadership and growth of Chaverim, Grinnell’s Jewish student organization. She has helped advertise and plan incredible events that introduced people to Jewish culture. The Shorewood, Wisconsin, native also was the editor-in-chief for the Grinnell College Press, managing a budget of $40,000 and helping students get published. In addition, she helped start and served as president of Grinnell’s Badminton Club. 

Nahmmacher-Baum said Grinnell instilled in her a desire to help others. She realized how much she enjoyed serving as a guide and mentor. This realization has led her to consider a counseling career.

Class of 2023

Sonia Edassery ’23

Sonia Edassery is known for her work ethic, drive, and compassion. While she’s experienced some hardships, she holds herself to a high standard and never complains when life throws her another obstacle. Edassery adapts and pushes herself and her peers to be and do better. 

Edassery took on a heavy academic workload to graduate in three years. A biology major, she did research on regenerative stem cells last summer at Northwestern University. In addition, she worked as a Grinnell Prize research assistant and served as a community advisor in the residence halls for two years. The next step for her is medical school. 

Edassery also was one of the top women sprinters on the Grinnell women’s track and field team. Her times in six different events rank among the top 10 fastest in school history, including the third fastest all-time Grinnell performance in the 200-meter dash.   

A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Edassery became very involved with the local Grinnell community. She worked as a certified nursing assistant at St. Francis Manor Nursing Home and volunteered her time with hospice patients.

Tara Rawlings

A natural leader and organizer, Tara Rawlings lives a life of service both on campus and within the Grinnell community. During her time as a Grinnell student, she’s been involved in a large number of organizations, events, and committees.

Rawlings graduated with a degree in English and a teacher certificate in middle grades English Language Arts. She was a student teacher at Grinnell-Newburg Middle School and has also filled in at the middle school as a substitute. She served on the College’s English and Education Student Educational Policy Committees, bringing intelligence, care, and exceptional organizational skills to the two groups. 

Last summer, Rawlings conducted a MAP focused on Iowa’s literature and the creation of an online anthology. She also has helped with New Student Orientation, presided as president of PubQuiz, and served as house coordinator of GAME House.

A QuestBridge scholar from Sandpoint, Idaho, Rawlings is the oldest of 10 siblings. When the pandemic forced her to return home, she balanced continuing her schoolwork with helping take care of her family.

“Tara has put her heart and soul into the campus as well as the Grinnell community as a whole,” says Evan Schultheis ’23. “Her experiences have prepared her to use her knowledge and abilities to serve a common good.”

Class of 2022

Maya Larson ’22

Maya Larson has demonstrated leadership and service to Grinnell College through her excellent work in the classroom and with the office of Accessibility and Disability Services. She has strengthened programs and tools to benefit students with disabilities and promoted the visibility of disability on campus. 

Larson has Usher syndrome, which leads to a severe loss of hearing and sight. She has publicly talked about her disability and wrote several compelling pieces about it for her English classes. 

“The pieces were exquisitely written and remarkable for their candor and for the way they adopt a disability-rights perspective,” says English professor Ralph Savarese. “I marveled at how Maya negotiated the competing demands of art and advocacy.” 

A Minneapolis native, Larson is double majoring in English and French. She is engaged and passionate about the culture and literature of French-speaking countries. She attended the French Table weekly, and her presence was always warm and welcoming. 

“I feel so fortunate to have witnessed such resiliency in a student as she inspires me daily,” says Gwenola Caradec, an associate French professor. 

Linh Tang ’22

A computer science major from Vietnam, she has been a research assistant for several professors. After working on a Mentored Independent Project her first summer at Grinnell, she published a paper at The Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society Conference. While later presenting her remarkable work at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in College Midwest, Tang was awarded the Best Student Research Award. She also won first place in the 2019 Pioneer Weekend pitch competition.

Tang has served as both a mentor and grader for many Grinnell classes. She joined two classmates in taking the initiative to hold a series of workshops for fellow computer science students to help the with job searching, resume review, and mock interviews.

Working as a Multicultural Leadership Committee ambassador for Student Affairs for the last three years, Tang assisted with training for all multicultural organizations. She also has served as vice president of the Vietnamese Student Association – holding multiple events to represent Vietnamese students and their culture on campus – and was vice chair of the Association for Computing Machinery Grinnell College chapter.

Class of 2021

Avery Barnett ’21

Oscar Buchanan ’21

Oscar Buchanan is deeply connected to the issues within our society and is determined to play a role in understanding community needs and working toward process change in addition to policy change. He founded and led the Grinnell United Activism Collective, a forum for collaborative student activism with the premise of “we are stronger together.” Growing up in Denver, Oscar was observant of the changing landscape of his urban neighborhood. He is interested in working as a city government urban planner to help build more resilient communities within the most vulnerable city neighborhoods. A math and history major – with a concentration in policy studies – Oscar has served as treasurer of the Student Government Association (SGA), volunteered with the Des Moines Catholic Worker House, and led a SPARK Social Innovation Challenge team to complete a project with a local nonprofit group. During 2019-20, Oscar co-led the SGA Task Force on Student Belonging, which examined difficult subjects such as attrition rates, mental illness, and socioeconomic isolation. By nature, Oscar is adept at managing problems. His fascination with knowledge provides him with perspectives on many things, and nothing is more exciting to him than bringing information, factors, reasons, and causes together to comprehend the situation and form a conclusion or action steps.

Class of 2020

Mahira Faran ’20

Kaitlynn Goss-Pearce ’20

Imany Noel ’20

Class of 2019

Rachel Bass ’19

Our first recipient is known as a creative problem solver and a first-rate researcher. This student has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and is known as a team-builder in various campus organizations, such as founding secretary of the student dining hall workers union, and as a peer mentor for the Sexual Health Information Center. She was elected by her classmates to the physics department’s Student Educational Policy Committee. She has also helped her fellow Grinnellians by serving as a physics mentor, science peer mentor, and calculus tutor.

A Salem, Oregon native, this student is majoring in physics and mathematics. Her outstanding academic record extends to a pair of highly-competitive undergraduate research programs. In the summer of 2017, she went to Cornell University to research beam-steering magnets. The following summer she traveled to Geneva to participate in a program at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, where she wrote her own Python scripts to model the performance of an electrostatic deflector. Her superb analytical ability and proven computer modelling skills enabled her to develop a strong track record in research.

She was recently awarded a Marshall Scholarship for study in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Grinnell student to earn this honor in 26 years. She will attend the University of Edinburgh in 2019 to study experimental physics and then King’s College in London in 2020 to study mathematics education.

For her insightful observations, academic achievements, and peer leadership, it’s my pleasure to present an Alumni Senior Award to Rachel Bass, class of 2019.

Bryce Lew ’19

One criterion for the Alumni Senior Awards is exemplifying the spirit of Grinnell. That is unequivocally the case for our next honoree. As a Phonation employee, Admission student representative, and senior-class ambassador, he is one of the most positive-minded people in the Grinnell community. His school spirit is genuine and spreads quickly to those around him.

A Pasadena, California native, this student is an economics and psychology double major. Like our first recipient, he has used what he learned in the classroom to excel in summer positions with Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, and others companies. From developing marketing plans and film editing, to conducting brand audits and leveraging data analysis skills, he has made the most of his liberal arts education.

As the 2019 Co-Class Ambassador for the last four years, this student has executed numerous events to build class affinity. In addition, he serves as a senior interviewer and tour guide in the Admission office. Like many Grinnellians, he has a quirky sense of humor; however, in the flip of a switch he has also demonstrated great poise, leadership, and maturity as demonstrated by his service as the Senior Class Gift Committee co-chair. He also is the student representative to the College’s Campaign Committee and has been a fixture at numerous Grinnell events. The list of how he has served the Grinnell community could go on and on.

For being dedicated and invested in all things Grinnell, we are proud to present this Alumni Senior Award to Bryce Lew, Class of 2019.

Class of 2018

Karnika Arora ’18

Our first recipient has demonstrated a tremendous amount of passion and zeal for justice, equality, and public service throughout her four years at Grinnell College. She adopted a “seize-the-day” approach to her studies, internships, and activities. Her unbridled enthusiasm for every course has made her a standout for her instructors and fellow students.

A political science major with a Global Development Studies concentration, she completed an independent study that explored the legal realities of women’s rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. She tutored her peers in Hindi through the College’s Alternate Language Study Option and subsequently became the program’s manager. She also served in roles on the Judicial Council and College Hearing Board that brought her measured and thoughtful approach to justice and reconciliation. She spent past summers as an intern in Washington, D.C. where among her most notable experiences she talked with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

She took on a full-time position last summer in the College’s Office of Admission. She was an amazing ambassador to the College through her work with prospective families. She genuinely cares about Grinnell, and spoke with love and passion about our community, academics, and professor relationships.

For embodying the best parts of being a Grinnellian, it’s my pleasure to present an Alumni Senior Award to Karnika Arora, class of 2018.

Zachary Steckel ’18

One attribute many Senior Award winners share is often going out of their way to serve the Grinnell campus community. That certainly is true of our second recipient who stands out for being a reasonable and respectful leader.

This student has served with distinction as treasurer of the Student Government Association. He has put in countless hours working on issues and ways to improve campus life. Furthermore, he is a great mediator of conflict between students. He has been on the front line of changes being made to how the College compensates workers in student activities. That meant tough conversations with his fellow students, which he handled admirably.

As an independent major in decision studies, he excelled in the classroom. He consistently asked questions and contributed to class discussions. For his thesis, he collected empirical data to test ideas from his literature review. His interest in policy has landed him a job at Mathematica. He has passion and enthusiasm for making a difference in the world.

During his time serving on the Board of Trustees Fossil Fuel and Climate Change Task Force, he engaged in respectful discourse over a challenging campus topic. He took his role on the committee very seriously and was an avid contributor during the discussion and planning.

For his dedication to strengthening the Grinnell community, we are proud to honor Zachary Steckel, Class of 2018.

2017

Takahiro Omura ’17

His professors call his scholarly work “thoughtful” and “outstanding.” His peers say his leadership in extracurricular organizations is exceptional. But he may be most recognized for his tireless efforts to support his fellow students.

This student, a psychology major, has excelled in his coursework and academic pursuits. He presented work from his Mentored Advanced Project at a neuroscience conference and worked on statistics project that went on to win a national award.

This student took on numerous leadership roles linked to his academic and extracurricular work. He was a member of the neuroscience Student Educational Policy Committee and was president of the International Student Organization.

More than anything else, this student wanted to see fellow students excel at Grinnell and beyond. As a two-time mentor for the International Pre-Orientation Program, he helped new international students acclimate to the College and the community. He worked closely with the Center for Careers, Life, and Service to host events that helped international students plan their lives after Grinnell.

This student does all of his work with grace and humanity. Friends call him funny, helpful, hard-working, and gentle. He has earned the respect not only of his fellow students, but also of College staff and faculty.

For the high standards he set for his own work, and the efforts he made to help other students excel at Grinnell, we are pleased to recognize Takahiro Omura ’17.

Denisha Renovales ’17

From the moment this student stepped on campus, she was committed to making the most of her Grinnell experience.

A double major in Sociology and Gender, Women’s Studies, and Sexuality, this student has been a top performer in the classroom. Professors call her research and writing “meticulous and ambitious.” She has both presented and published research linked to career trajectories of millennial college graduates.

To fund her summer internships with Lambda Legal and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, this student earned competitive Noun Fellowships. She volunteered regularly at a crisis intervention organization to help clients who are trying to escape domestic violence. Through Grinnell’s Spark Tank Challenge, she helped to expand access to the Mid-Iowa Community Action food pantry.

This student has been deeply involved in a range of Grinnell organizations and initiatives. She is a leader of the Student Organization of Latinas and Latinos and is part of the All-Campus Events Student Safety Team. She holds a position in Student Affairs as a transition mentor and is a student representative on the Curriculum Committee.

This student has been a formal and informal mentor for students of color and first-generation students. She has them navigate Grinnell and find the resources they need to stay on track. Says one nominator: “She is unstoppable and magnificent.”

For embodying Grinnell’s social justice mission in academics, in extracurriculars, and in her own life, we are delighted to honor Denisha Renovales ’17.

Class of 2016

Jasmine Gerritsen ’16

Grinnell has long had a commitment to social justice, and there is no question that this first recipient has embodied that idea during her time at Grinnell. Almost from the moment she arrived on campus, this student has been making an impact. She has taught kickboxing and weightlifting classes for nontraditional populations since her first year, and students and staff commend her for giving women opportunities to feel strong and capable in places they often have not felt welcome. She has led multiple Alternative Break trips. This recipient, an L.A. Posse Scholar, also has been a stellar student. Her professors note that she takes on ambitious courses and excels in them. In class discussions, she shares powerful perspectives that too often remain on the margins. She has pursued similarly ambitious off-campus activities. She volunteered as a Grinnell Prison Program teacher, and has done work for the Ignite program, which brings local school-age children to Grinnell College for a day. As a summer apprentice for the Grinnell Area Local Foods Alliance, she managed the student garden, worked closely with local farmers, and helped establish two “Giving Gardens” in town. In all of her activities, she is recognized for her organization, energy, and thoughtfulness. For her work both on and off campus that has made measurable improvements in people’s lives, we are pleased to recognize Jasmine Gerritsen, class of 2016.

Sophie Neems ’16

One of Grinnell’s hallmarks is its powerful and tightknit community. And throughout her time at Grinnell, our second recipient has helped build and strengthen those community ties. A strong student, this woman is a member of the anthropology Student Educational Policy Committee and an advisory board member for the Center for Prairie Studies. She is also a committed athlete on both the cross country and track teams, and was named cross country captain as well as the team’s Most Valuable Athlete. She organizes the annual Holiday Lights run, in which the men’s and women’s teams run to the Mayflower Retirement Home and sing holiday songs to residents. One of this recipient’s passions is food justice. She has been a board member of the Local Foods Coop and a member of the Food for Thought Student Group. She has participated in the Community Initiative in Sustainable Agriculture Conference. She has also served as the lead organizer for the Local Foods Thanksgiving meal, an event that serves meals to 200 people and raises money for local service groups.Her peers and professors recognize her for more than her accomplishments: they praise her as “inspiring,” and “what Grinnell College should strive to have their students become.” For her dedication to strengthening the Grinnell community, both on campus and off, we are proud to honor Sophie Neems, class of 2016.