Belmont Celebrates Student Leaders at 2026 BSLAs

Annual awards ceremony honors 191 students for leadership, service and campus engagement

Belmont celebrated student leadership, service and campus involvement during the 2026 Belmont Student Leadership Awards (BSLAs), April 25, in the Curb Event Center. Centered around the theme “Dream Big!” the annual event brought together students, families, faculty, staff and community supporters for an evening recognizing the impact of student leaders across campus.

Aligned with the “L” in Belmont’s SOUL Framework and the University’s 2026 focus to “Live the Dream Together, with Hope,” this year’s celebration marked record attendance and the highest number of award finalists in the event’s history.

Hosted by the Division for Student Formation in partnership with the Office of Strategic Venues and Event Services, the ceremony honored 191 students for their contributions to leadership, co-curricular engagement and service throughout the academic year.

“We envisioned a campus where every Belmont student can lead and serve ethically and year after year, we are realizing and honoring that vision,” organizers shared during the celebration.

Prior to the awards ceremony, nominees and guests gathered for the annual “Nom & Nom Luncheon” in the Vince Gill Room, where finalists were recognized and celebrated alongside peers, mentors and supporters.

The event was made possible through collaboration across multiple campus and community partners, including Strategic Venues and Event Services, Sodexo, TooPrettyToPop, Moe’s, the Belmont Parent Engagement Board, University Marketing and Communications and the Division for Student Formation.

The 2026 BSLA Committee included students and staff from across the University who helped coordinate and support the celebration: Jordan Cooper, Drew Sample, Kelvin Kelley, Derian Hamblin, Jaida Brown, Jordan Mills, Peter Loomis, Malcolm McDole, Emma Leonard, Mackenzie Donahoo, Caroline Morgan, Ryan Holt, LaTrya Gordon, Olivia Certain, Dr. Shelby DeLay and Dr. AdriAnne Sternberg.

View photos from the 2026 BSLAs and the full list of award recipients below.

2026 BSLA Award Recipients

Major Awards

• The Bruin Award: Eliza Kate Coons, Candice Dillard, Olivia Upton, Katie Vespa, Alissia Fulton, Sophie O’Brien, Nathan Haas, Esther Gitimu, Hannah Christensen, Kayla Willmann, Da’Vine Yancy, Domenick Pitale and Clay Jackson
• The Emergent Leader Award: Skyler Duplessis, Rhett Cunningham, Zachary Hardin, Alyssa Charow and Roderick Johnson
• The Aspiring Leader Award: Jake Tidwell, Kasmira Moore, Gabrielle Gomes, Katherine Williams, Freddy Saweres and Paddy Foy
• The Tower Award: Katherine Cornelius
• The Soulebrity Award: Dr. Shelby DeLay, Peter Loomis, Olivia Certain, Caroline Morgan and Shelby Trice

Organization & Leadership Awards

• Student Organization of the Year: Bruin eSports
• New Student Organization of the Year: Stories and Strings
• Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Jasmine Simmons
• Student Organization Members of the Year: Elizabeth Newman, Liberty Wickham, Daniella Cohen, Jacqueline Creel and Da’Vine Yancy
• Student Government Outstanding Member of the Year: Sophie O’Brien
• Student Government Association Excellence Award: Ashlyn Gumm
• The Beacon of Excellence Award: Sam Simpkins and Dr. D’Angelo Taylor

New Student Orientation Awards

• Story Celebrators Award: Gracie Watson
• Transition Facilitators Award: Liz Markay
• Servant Leader Award: Juan Escamilla-Vargas
• First Faces Award: Phoebe Vandeman
• Community Cultivators Award: Clay Jackson

Residence Life & University Ministries Awards

• Residence Life Distinguished Service Award: Justin Hetrick, James Newman, Jaqueria Owens, Graham Johnston, Kidist Aklile and Candice Dillard
• University Ministries Longevity Award: Ryann Sinar, Kayla Willmann and Lauren Powell

Fraternity & Sorority Life Awards

• Chapter of the Year: Delta Sigma Theta
• Outstanding Sorority Member of the Year: Katie Vespa
• Outstanding Fraternity Member of the Year: Travis Olson
• Outstanding New Member in a Sorority: Daimyn Cotton
• Outstanding New Member in a Fraternity: Josh Tanquilut
• Outstanding Fraternity President: Sam Berry
• Outstanding Sorority President: Olivia Bastin

Fitness & Recreation Awards

• FitRec MVP: Jeremy Little
• FitRec Rookie of the Year: Sydney Thomas
• First Team All FitRec: Facility Assistant: Sydney Mundt
• First Team All FitRec: eSports Facility Assistant: Logan Abrano
• First Team All FitRec: Climbing Assistant: Liam Gilmore
• First Team All FitRec: Intramural Official: Callum Settergren
• First Team All FitRec: Personal Trainer: Saige Ticen
• First Team All FitRec: Group Fitness Instructor: Mary Jones
• First Team All FitRec: Brand Manager: Emily Choleva
• Facility Assistant Rookie of the Year: Katiya Stewart
• eSports Facility Assistant Rookie of the Year: Kimberly Irby
• Climbing Assistant Rookie of the Year: Evan Deng
• Intramural Official Rookie of the Year: Vince Palermo
• Personal Trainer Rookie of the Year: Ellie Norman
• Group Fitness Rookie of the Year: Anna Gavin
• Brand Manager Rookie of the Year: Taryn Cunningham
• FitRec Legacy Award: Cara Admiraal, Jeremy Little, Brielle Cotter, Mary Jones, Ava Gaudin and Brianna Doyle

Additional Recognition

• Admissions Student Worker of the Year: Kaylee Jernigan
• Young Alumni Regents: Mary Husmann
• Presidential Fellows: Abigail Hodge and Hayden Saunders