Cords of Distinction Award
2024 Cords of Distinction Winners
Even as we celebrate the contributions of all students to our campus community, The Cords of Distinction award provides a special opportunity to recognize those whose efforts made outstanding contributions to the university, community or society. Up to 10 graduating undergraduate students are recognized annually.
The 2024 Cords of Distinction recipients are:
—Hannah Landes Beck, a liberal arts major from Linville, Virginia;
—Ariel O. Morales Bonilla, with majors in political science and history and a minor in Spanish from Richmond, Virginia;
—Betty Debebe, a biology major with minors in business administration and psychology from Gerji, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
—Indigo Gott, with majors in music: interdisciplinary studies and social work from Bluffton, Ohio;
—Rubi N. Long, a social work major from Washington, D.C.;
—Ashley N. Mellinger, a nursing major from Harleysville, Pennsylvania;
—Sarah E. Moore, a psychology major from Weyers Cave, Virginia;
—Luz Belen Hernandez Rosario, a biology major and chemistry minor from Harrisonburg, Virginia;
—Rachael N. Saeli, a social work major from Towson, Maryland;
—Riley Quezada, a music education major from Mount Jackson, Virginia.
Meaning of the Cords of Distinction
Blue: strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution; also willingness and openness to share thoughts and ideas
Gold: love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university community in which all can take part; gold is also the color of achievement
See past recipients of the cords.
Selection Criteria
Any undergraduate senior student who…
- is participating in this academic year’s commencement (spring, summer, or fall)
- positively influenced on-campus communities
- positively influenced the institutional image
- positively influenced off-campus communities, near or far
- is in good academic and social standing
Who may nominate a student?
All members of the university community are welcome to submit Cords of Distinction nominations. A selection committee comprised of faculty, staff and administrators will review all nominations. Anonymous nominations are not permitted.
