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Outstanding scholastic success, contributions through undergraduate research and service to campus and community earned special honors among the Class of 2024 to chemical engineering and chemistry graduate Hannah Snider and computer science graduate Nyomi Morris. Meanwhile, 14 graduates were honored for completing their college careers with perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.

These students were recognized during this year’s 146th Commencement, May 25.

Snider earned the John T. Royse Award for being considered the most outstanding graduate, in the opinion of Rose-Hulman’s faculty and staff, based upon academic achievement, student leadership, participation in co-curricular activities, and general campus citizenship. Royse served as a member of Rose-Hulman’s Board of Trustees for several years; his son, John N. Royse, is an emeritus member of the board. 

From Plainfield, Indiana, Snider graduated with summa cum laude academic honors after completing two major courses of study, was a member of the institute’s inaugural Noblitt Scholars cohort, and was recognized as a Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation’s top honors for undergraduate students planning advanced studies in science, engineering, or mathematics. She also was engaged in chemical engineering research opportunities at Stanford University, Purdue University, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Outside of the classroom, Snider was one of the student pioneers of the Rose Prime initiative, serving as its head mentor the past three years; has led science education sessions for the Prism program’s EMERGE mentoring program to encourage ninth grade girls to consider STEM career fields; and has been a member of the Office of Admissions’ A-team that provides campus tours to visiting high school students and their families.

With this preparation, Snider is planning to continue her education as a doctoral student in chemical engineering at Princeton University.

Meanwhile, Morris received the Herman A. Moench Distinguished Senior Commendation for distinguishing herself as a commendable influence on members of the Rose-Hulman community, according to Herman A. Moench Distinguished Professor Thom Adams, PhD, a professor of mechanical engineering.

Morris, who graduated with magna cum laude academic honors in computer science, was another Noblitt Scholar, and participated in National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin and Carnegie Mellon University. 

The Maple Heights, Ohio, native had a lengthy list of extracurricular activities. She resurrected the Women of Like Fields Passionate About Computing student organization, was academic excellence chair of the National Society of Black Engineers chapter, and was a mentor for international students. She also organized the campus’ graduate school support group, was captain of the Mars rover robotics team’s software development unit, and was a classroom leader for the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering’s Connecting with Code educational outreach program.

Regarding Morris, Adams remarked, “With such civic mindedness, it is no wonder that Nyomi chose a topic for her senior research aimed at supporting survivors of domestic abuse. Not only was Nyomi undeterred by the challenges of working with such a sensitive group, she empowered the participants by treating them as co-designers with the researchers themselves.”

Associate Professor of Computer Science & Software Engineering Amanda Stouder, PhD, described Morris as being “the rare student who is well-rounded in all areas and uses her strengths to make a positive impact on those around her, both in the Rose community and outside it.”

Morris is planning to continue her computer science studies in a doctorate degree program at Colorado School of Mines. 

Joining Snider in earning the Heminway Gold Medal for attaining the highest academic achievement (4.0 grade point average) during their Rose-Hulman careers were Olivia Davis, a computer science and mathematics graduate from Columbus, Ohio; Ella Dorfmueller, a chemical engineering graduate from Robinson, Illinois; Michael Fraczek, a biology and biochemistry and molecular biology graduate from Camas, Washington; Zachary Gault, a computer science and software engineering graduate from Cincinnati, Ohio; Nathan Hurtig, a computer science and mathematics graduate from Ada, Ohio; and Arjent Imeri, an optical engineering and nanoengineering graduate from Terre Haute, Indiana.

Also there were Andrew Kosikowski, a computer science, software engineering, mathematics, and data science graduate from Grayslake, Illinois; Yingeng Liu, a computer science and data science graduate from San Jose, California; Tracy Orgera, a chemical engineering graduate from Andover, Kansas; Nathan Quets, an electrical engineering graduate from Kenosha, Wisconsin; Adithya Ramji, a computer science graduate from Blue Ash, Ohio; Liam Waterbury, a software engineering graduate from York, Pennsylvania; and Katherine Wood, a civil engineering graduate from Prospect, Kentucky.