OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARDS
A Tradition of Honoring Excellence
2022 Outstanding Senior Man and Outstanding Senior Woman
Each spring, the SMU Mothers’ and Dads’ Clubs enjoy the privilege of selecting and honoring two graduating seniors as “Outstanding Seniors". The nominees for this award are selected by the Deans of each undergraduate school based on the students' academic achievement, community service, campus involvement, proven leadership qualities, and strong personal character.
The 2022 recipients of the Outstanding Senior Awards, Mitchell Morrison and Gabrielle Gard, epitomize a tradition of recognizing the best of the best among our many fine undergraduate students.
Mothers' Club Outstanding Senior
Gabrielle Gard
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
Gabrielle will graduate with a degree in Biochemistry and minors in Spanish and Mathematics. She is from Dallas, Texas. Gabrielle is a Goldwater Scholar, an Engaged Learning Research Fellow and a Hamilton Scholar. She is also member of the Hyer Society. Gabrielle has had extensive collaboration with professors in the research laboratory at both SMU and UT Southwestern. Gabrielle is president of Mustang Emergency Medical Services, where she established a Stop the Bleed program. She is also a certified EMT. Gabrielle is a Stampede Guide and active in the Mustang Heroes program. Congratulations Gabrielle!
Dads' Club Outstanding Senior
Mitchell Morrison
Lyle School of Engineering
Mitchell is from San Diego, California and will earn a degree in Computer Science. He is the Undergraduate Chair for the SMU Computer Science Advisory Board, a Student Liaison for the SMU IT Leadership Council and CIO Student Advisory Board, as well as a Hunt Scholar. Mitchell has served as a Teaching Assistant for Robotics, a Software Engineering Intern for both Qualcomm Modum System Testing and Microsoft Edge Browser. One of his many accomplishments at SMU includes having built a search engine for over 65,000 Supreme Court cases with persistent index for fast read into index interface. Congratulations Mitchell!
2022 Award Finalists Selected by Their Respective Schools:
Cox School of Business
Jacqueline Altelius
Jacqueline is from Stockholm, Sweden and will graduate with a Bachelor of Business degree in Finance. Jacqueline is on the SMU Women’s Tennis Team and has served as captain the past 2 years. Jacqueline received the “Newcomer of the Year Pony Award”, which recognized her immediate positive impact on the tennis team. She is also a member of the Swedish Tennis Federation and has been instrumental is developing junior tennis players in Sweden. Jacqueline is an active volunteer with several children’s organizations in the area and plans to continue her mission of mentoring children in Dallas ISD. Congratulations Jacqueline.
Steven Basri
Steven is from Jakarta, Indonesia and will graduate with degrees in Business Administration, Business Analytics, and Supply Chain Management. He is a BBA Scholar, and an SMU Distinguished Scholar who has served as the President of the Indonesian Student Association and the Vice President of Finance of the Ascend Leadership organization on campus. Steven’s passion for analyzing, solving and interpreting data has led him to successful internships as a supply chain analyst here in the United States and as a financial analyst in Indonesia. He has also lent his talents to help and volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank Distribution Center. Congratulations Steven.
Riley Timmerman
Riley, who hails from Westlake, Texas will graduate with degrees in Finance and World Languages. She is in the Alternative Asset Management Program, the University Honors Program, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Riley has conducted research on corporate bond pricing and has experience as an investment banking intern. Riley is actively involved in the Best Buddies program where she fosters lasting relationships with the intellectually and developmentally disabled, and supports these young people as they navigate through their first employment experiences. Congratulations Riley.
Petar Bozhilov
Petar is from Sofia, Bulgaria and will graduate with a BBA in Finance with Specialization in Alternative Asset Management. He is on SMU’s very accomplished Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, as well as the Bulgarian National Federation Swim Team, in addition to being a member of SMU’s Triathlon Club. Petar is also the Vice President of Campus Relations on SMU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a committee member on SMU’s Private Equity and Venture Capital Club, and he is also a Student Representative on SMU’s Board of Trustees Investment Committee. After graduation Petar is excited to begin his full-time investment banking position with Cowen Inc. here in Dallas. Congratulation Petar.
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
Madeline Pan
From Frisco, Texas, Madeline will receive her degree in Biological Sciences and Health and Safety. She is the recipient of the Cheatum/Longnecker Scholarship, the Alpha Chi Edwin Gaston Scholarship and the 2021 GreatMinds Scholarship for Undergraduate Women. While at SMU Madeline distinguished herself in the research laboratory, focusing on Covid-19 viral complexities as well as antibiotic development. She is a microbiology teaching assistant and statistics tutor. Madeline is President of the Chinese Student Association and has volunteered for various community health organizations. Congratulations Madeline!
Derek Younkers
Derek is from Redding, California and will graduate with degrees in both Political Science and History. He is a member of Phi Alpha Theta and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societies, the University Honors Program, as well as member of the Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity. Derek is also an athlete on our National Champion SMU Cheerleading Team. Derek was also awarded the Douglas Bauer Scholarship, an honor reserved for the top Political Science majors each year. Congratulations Derek!
Andrew Reis
Andrew, who is from EuClair, Wisconsin will receive a degree in Mathematics and Statistics. He is a member of the Society of Actuaries and he is in the University Honors Program. Andrew had a very successful data sciences internship with Taylor Corporation as well as an opportunity to build on his technical knowledge in machine learning through his research with SMU’s Physics Department. Currently, he is using his talents as a predictive modeling intern with Milliman IntelliScript. Congratulations Andrew!
Lyle School of Engineering
Sofia Carrillo
Sofia will graduate with degrees in Environmental Engineering and in Human Rights. She is from Dallas, Texas. Sofia is an active member of Engineers Without Boarders where she designed and managed environmental projects for SMU and a Dallas non-profit. Sofia’s community service involvement includes human rights projects with a focus on sustainability and the environment. In addition to these activities, Sofia is a three-year member of the SMU Swim and Dive team. Congratulations Sofia!
Antonio Williamson
Antonio is from Tampico, Mexico and he will graduate with a degree in Civil Engineering. Currently, he is the President of SMU’s Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. His talents in his field of study have earned him many scholarship awards including the Huitt Zollars Scholarship, the Thomas Lucius Downs Scholarship, the W. Scott McDonald Sr. Scholarship and the Friends of Taos Scholarship. Antonio is currently working with Westwood Professional Services to support the land development team. Congratulations Antonio!
Cassandra Hammond
Cassandra, who is from Van Alystyne, Texas will receive her degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Specialization, and a minor in Biology. She has performed biomedical research at SMU and was a supplemental instructor at the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership. Cassandra is a research participant in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, and was subsequently published in the journal “RSC Advances”. She is a founding member of the Biomedical Engineering Society and active with the Women in Science and Engineering group. Congratulations Cassandra!
Meadows School of the Arts
Palmer Beldy
Palmer is from Lexington, Kentucky. She will receive a degree in Advertising, Public Relations and Communication. Palmer was selected by her faculty as an Outstanding Student in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, and is a member of the Hyer Society. She received the Vance and Betty Lee Stickell Award in 2021. Palmer is involved with the Office of the Student Experience as a leadership coach and is a member of the Student Affairs Student Advisory Board. She also leads prospective student tours as an SMU Student Ambassador and assists her peers in the Hegi Career Development Center. Congratulations Palmer!
Evan Schumacher
Evan who is from Madison, Wisconsin will graduate with a degree in Philosophy as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. He is an accomplished dancer, receiving the Richter International Fellowship and the SMU Engaged Learning Fellowship. Evan is also a Fulbright Semi-Finalist. He has taught ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern dance at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and as an Ambassador for the Meadows Schol of the Arts in the Dance Division he assisted administration on curriculum and division policy. Evan’s future includes finding ways to build connections between communities and bringing about a fairer world. Congratulations Evan!
Tyne Dickson
Tyne, who is from Houston, Texas, will receive a fine arts degree in Theater, as well as a degree in Human Rights and a minor in Public Policy and International Affairs. She is a Tower Scholar and a Santos Rodriguez Scholar. Tyne has experience as a research and policy intern as well as an actor, director and instructor in theater. While at SMU Tyne has demonstrated deep leadership and community involvement. She founded Black Lives Matter at SMU. As an Engaged Learning Fellow Tyne created an app which allows users to find social change movements in their local area. Tyne is also a Meadows student ambassador and an upper division RA. Congratulations Tyne!
Jon Smelley
Jon who is from Northport, Alabama will receive degrees in both Public Relations and Strategic Communications as well as Corporate Communication and Public Affairs. He is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and has served as the President of the Cockrell-McIntosh Commons Council. Jon is skilled in communication, team management, analytical reasoning, creativity, adaptability, and persuasion. His ability to create innovative marketing an social media strategies helped him succeed at his internships at Incubator@SMU, the Best of Guide and Volk PR. Congratulations Jon!
Simmons School of Education and Human Development
Zella Bergman
Zella is from Concord, Massachusetts. She will graduate with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Zella is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society. Zella is passionate about serving our youngest citizens. She has broad experience teaching students at the elementary grades, including those with disabilities. Zella’s passion even took her to Guatemala where she worked with Spanish speaking students. On campus Zella is active with Mustang Heroes. Congratulations Zella!
Emmanuel Bandoumel
Emmanual is from Quebec City in Canada. At 6’-4” it is no surprise that he is a key member of the SMU Basketball Team and has started in every game this season. His stats include averaging 10.6 points per game, scoring a career high 23 points against ECU, and hitting 70 three-point shots this season. His electric style of play makes SMU Basketball games exciting and keeps SMU Mustang fans cheering in the stands. Congratulations Emmanuel!
Katie Smith
Katie will graduate with a degree in Applied Physiology and Sport Management and minors in Psychology and Applied Physiology Health Management. She hails from Atlanta, Georgia. Katie is SMU’s lead student athletic trainer. She assisted the football team and men’s and women’s basketball teams throughout her 4 years at SMU. In addition, Katie has experience and an athletic training intern with the Atlanta Falcons. She is also a TA in the Exercise Program Design course. Katie is actively involved with several organizations committed top empowering disabled children through sports and social events. Congratulations Katie!
Dalton Glenn
Dalton is from Rowlett, Texas. He will graduate with degrees in both Educational and Theatre Studies. He is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta and Phi Delta Kappa Honor Societies, the National Society for Leadership and Success and the Educational Theatre Association. Dalton is also a member of SMU’s National Champion Cheerleading Team, serving as our beloved mascot, Peruna. He also holds a patent for an apparatus and method for preventing pressure injuries and circulatory problems in sedentary patients. Dalton’s shared passion for both acting and teaching have combined to enhance his future career as an educator. Congratulations Dalton.