The Founders Award

Rachel Fratt – Service to the University Community

Rachel, a native of Las Vegas, Nev. is majoring in art business with a minor in art. She excelled both academically and as a leader in various campus organizations. Throughout her time at Elmhurst, Rachel has showcased her leadership abilities as RA in West Hall, President of the Art Club, Vice President of Programming and Standards for Sigma Kappa, Head Designer for Middle Western Voice, and Lead Designer for The Leader newspaper. She has also been a dedicated member of the Women’s Golf Team and served as captain. Her commitment to social responsibility is evident through her internship with the Elmhurst Art Museum and Compound Yellow Gallery in which she showcases her talent and dedication to art and cultural projects. As she embarks on her studies in Portugal, she envisions continuing her relationship with Elmhurst University, where she has laid the foundation for a career in which art and business meet seamlessly.

Payton Schmidt – Service to the Greater Society

Payton is from West Dundee, Ill., is majoring in business administration and sport management, with a minor in communications. Throughout her time at Elmhurst University, Payton has shown the true spirit of a Bluejay, engaging in various clubs and organizations. As a standout athlete, Payton served as Captain of the Women’s Basketball team for three years and represented her peers as President for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Beyond athletics, she was an active participant in academic honor societies such as Delta Mu Delta and Phi Kappa Phi, showcasing her commitment to excellence both on and off the court. In addition to the academic honor societies, she is also an Honors Program Global Scholar. “My Bluejay experience exemplified all of Elmhurst University’s values. I took full advantage of my platform to encourage social responsibility.” She envisions pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from Elmhurst and remains committed to giving back to her alma mater as a mentor and resource for future Bluejays.

Paul Sebedyn – The Cureton Award for Service to the Global Community

Paul is majoring in world language education and Spanish, and is from Aurora, Ill. He has accumulated numerous accomplishments since beginning at Elmhurst in the summer of 2022 including first violinist with the EU orchestra; involvement in the Latino Student Association and International Student Association. He also providing support to fellow students as a Spanish tutor in the Learning Center; participated in Breaking Bread and Barriers, a civil rights cohort organized by the Niebuhr Center; and volunteered with the York Literacy Project where he provided English and Spanish language instruction and held the position of project facilitator. Paul is a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, the foreign language honor society.

Rachel Fratt, a native of Las Vegas, Nev. is majoring in art business with a minor in art. She excelled both academically and as a leader in various campus organizations. Throughout her time at Elmhurst, Rachel has showcased her leadership abilities as RA in West Hall, President of the Art Club, Vice President of Programming and Standards for Sigma Kappa, Head Designer for Middle Western Voice, and Lead Designer for The Leader newspaper. She has also been a dedicated member of the Women’s Golf Team and served as captain. Her commitment to social responsibility is evident through her internship with the Elmhurst Art Museum and Compound Yellow Gallery in which she showcases her talent and dedication to art and cultural projects. As she embarks on her studies in Portugal, she envisions continuing her relationship with Elmhurst University, where she has laid the foundation for a career in which art and business meet seamlessly.

Gabriel Emiliano Galindois a native of Hoffman Estates, Ill. and is majoring in digital media and Spanish with a minor in film studies. Gabriel has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary learning. During his time at Elmhurst, Gabriel has been actively engaged in various academic and extracurricular pursuits. He has served as President and Secretary of the Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Honor Society, showcasing not only his linguistic proficiency but also his leadership abilities. Additionally, he has contributed as a staff writer and recently became editor of arts and culture for The Leader newspaper, and has been an engaged member of the Latino Student Association, Political Discussion Club, and Model UN. Gabriel articulates his vision for the future, stating, “These achievements and titles I’ve obtained weren’t done in exchange for a reward, but rather on the dedication and effort to uphold these values for the greater good of the institution.

Noreidy Gomez is a criminal justice major from Chicago, Ill. Prior to entering the University, she was awarded a Chicago Scholars scholarship as a result of her hard work and academic achievements, and is a proud recipient of the United Scholars. She has worked at the Univeristy library throughout her four years here and has been a huge supporter of campus events during her time as a student, including many criminal justice-related lectures. She is a memer of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Daizja Hollman is from Aurora, Ill and is majoring in business administration. During her four years at Elmhurst, Diazja has held several prestigious roles including president of student government association, student representative to the board of trustees’ student life committee,  and the student manager of the OSI and Frick Center Information desk. She has also served as a member of student interview panels for many student facing positions on campus, hosted mental health awareness and women’s empowerment events, created, promoted and led a club leader retreat, and helped bring the Warmest Winter Clothes drive to campus. She is a member of Delta Mu Delta, the International Business Honor Society and was awarded the University’s 1871 Award in recognition of her dedication, service, and leadership to the University community. Daizja was the recipient of the Illinois Lincoln Student Laurate Award for 2023.

Eaden Hvarre is from Dixon, Ill. and is majoring in psychology with minors in criminal justice, dance, and Spanish. Her commitment to social responsibility is evident through volunteer work as a medical advocate for sexual assault survivors. She also aspires to reform the criminal justice system, believing in second chances for inmates. Eaden’s campus involvement includes leadership roles in various organizations, such as Director of Philanthropy for Alpha Phi Sorority, and President of Panhellenic Council, which showcases her dedication to community and service. “I will embody Elmhurst by spending the rest of my life giving back to others and believing in their potential the same way that Elmhurst has for me.”

Ambrozia Itellari, from Schaumburg, Ill. Is majoring in biology. Throughout her four years at Elmhurst, she served on the Honors Program ECHO Board, Student Government Association, Union Board, Relay for Life, and Habitat for Humanity, and as a student ambassador and a peer leader. She is the recipient of several distinguished awards including the biology department academic excellence award, the Harvey DeBruine Biology Award, and the Buck Alumni Scholarship Award. Ambrozia has presented research at the National Collegiate Honors Conference and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, and has published an article on breast cancer cell research in an international STEM journal. In addition to her extensive on-campus involvement, she also dedicated herself as a tutor for special-needs children, a volunteer at a senior living facility for patients with Dementia and Alzheimers, and with pediatric patients in Albania.

Payton Schmidt, from West Dundee, Ill., is majoring in business administration and sport management, with a minor in communications. Throughout her time at Elmhurst University, Payton has shown the true spirit of a Bluejay, engaging in various clubs and organizations. As a standout athlete, Payton served as Captain of the Women’s Basketball team for three years and represented her peers as President for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Beyond athletics, she was an active participant in academic honor societies such as Delta Mu Delta and Phi Kappa Phi, showcasing her commitment to excellence both on and off the court. In addition to the academic honor societies, she is also an Honors Program Global Scholar. “My Bluejay experience exemplified all of Elmhurst University’s values. I took full advantage of my platform to encourage social responsibility.” She envisions pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from Elmhurst and remains committed to giving back to her alma mater as a mentor and resource for future Bluejays.

Paul Sebedyn is majoring in world language education and Spanish, and is from Aurora, Ill. He has accumulated numerous accomplishments since beginning at Elmhurst in the summer of 2022 including first violinist with the EU orchestra; involvement in the Latino Student Association and International Student Association. He also providing support to fellow students as a Spanish tutor in the Learning Center; participated in Breaking Bread and Barriers, a civil rights cohort organized by the Niebuhr Center; and volunteered with the York Literacy Project where he provided English and Spanish language instruction and held the position of project facilitator. Paul is a member of Alpha Mu Gamma, the foreign language honor society.

Samuel Shulman, from Gurnee, Ill, is majoring in social science education and history. During his four years at Elmhurst, Samuel has accumulated a long list of memberships and achievements including Hillel, the dance company, philosophy club and the EU chapter of NAACP, and Lambda Chi Alpha. Additionally, Samuel has served as a student ambassador with the admission office, a resident advisor, and a staff writer for the University newspaper, The Leader. He also participated in Project C.A.R.E. in collaboration with Blackhawk Middle School and belongs to three honors societies: Pi Gamma Mu, Order of Omega, and Kappa Delta Pi.

Sarah Stephens, from Hudson, IL is majoring in exercise science. During her four years at Elmhurst, she has competed on the women’s track and field team where she “learned a lot about life from my coaches, my experiences, and my teammates.” She was also a member of Cru, and served as the president of Bluejay Catholic and Athletes in Action. She is a recipient of the Koppenaal Award, given to a female pre-med student for “demonstration of academic excellence, strong character and values, and a desire to become a health professional” and the CCIW Respect Award whose “recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.” Off campus, Sarah has interned with neurodivergent individuals through NEDSRA, SASED, and Ray Graham and has spent summers on mission trips with Catholic Heart Work Camp in the United States to underserved communities.

• 2023: Doodl Garcia, Allison Skiple, Wesley Nay
• 2022: Anayeli Huerta, Norbaya Durr, Juan Sandoval
• 2021: Laura Rusk, Ana Romo, Afaaf Amatullah

• 2020: Shawndell Young, Emily Marquez, Becca Kaltenbach
• 2019: Katrina Mioduszewski, Natalie Barnes, Jentry Schirmbeck
• 2018: Nora Dixon, Estrella Vargas, Rebecca Vogt
• 2017: Natalie Bedtke, Rebecca Britt, Georgia Petersen
• 2016: Christine Croft, Faith Powell, Megan Walsen
• 2015:  Meredithe Mimlitz, Chelsea Karson, Jose Flores
• 2014: Stanley Washington, Colin Clark, Eleni Vrettos, Rachel Trumpy
• 2013: Matthew Rohde, Colin Ashwood, Jazmine Martinez
• 2012: Allyson Vertigan, Mohammed Kaiser Adam, Annice Coughlan, Kimberly Pitingolo
• 2011: Romison Saint-Louis, Rachel Nelson, Amanda Ceaser, Julie Provenza

• 2010: Elizabeth Glass, Zayna Thompson McCollum, Daniel Zarlenga
• 2009: Soofia Ahmed, Melanie Giannosa, Jessica Sullivan
• 2008: Inga Ezerins, Heather Forster, Laura Yurs
• 2007: Melissa Allen, Brian Paladie
• 2006: Eliza Stoddard Leatherberry, Rochelle Ruzicka
• 2005: Stephen Hurley, D. Scott Tharp
• 2004: Sarah Kiefer, Lindsay Young
• 2003: Kelly Stone, Megan Suess
• 2002: Sara Douglass, Julie Maxwell
• 2001: Jennifer Newson, Emilie Steve

• 2000: Emily Kline, Julie Mather, Laurie Rich
• 1999: Any Wendt Ruby, Rebecca Rosenmayer
• 1998: Kristopher Hewitt, Marti Lansu
• 1997: LaShawn Jakes, Florence Nogaj
• 1996: Mary Tubbs
• 1995: Gretchen Gehrlein
• 1994: Joan Kay
• 1993: Eric Lindberg
• 1992: Julie Justice
• 1991: Alisa Lillquist

• 1990: Sarah Strom
• 1989: William Richter
• 1988: Colleen Reichel
• 1987: Shaheen Chamran
• 1986: Patricia Badten
• 1985: Larry Mohr