We Celebrate! Franke Honors Spring '25 Convocation Awardees
On May 15 at McKale Memorial Center, the W.A. Franke Honors College will be celebrating the spring graduating class of 2025. Every semester, we acknowledge select students that have exemplified the values of the college; what it means to seek, connect, create, evolve and celebrate, both personally and academically. The Outstanding Senior, Outstanding Transfer, and Dean's Award of Excellence are chosen via nominations from Franke Honors faculty & staff, and are awarded to graduating seniors that have embodied a spirit of inquiry, pursued their passions, and overcome adversity throughout their time in honors. Let's congratulate these students on their incredible accomplishments!
Airen Fortunato
W.A. Franke Honors College Outstanding Senior, 2025
Airen Fortunato, from Maricopa, Arizona, will be the first in his family to obtain a college degree, graduating with a major in Neuroscience & Cognitive Science and minors in Biochemistry and Classics. Airen worked for the W.A. Franke Honors College for four years as a front desk assistant, Franke Honors Ambassador, and a Honors Village resident assistant. Airen studied Classics abroad for a semester in Orvieto, Italy, with the Dorrance Scholarship, his favorite undergraduate memory. Airen has also had the opportunity to conduct a variety of research projects, including clinical research with the department of emergency medicine, COVID-19 epidemiology in children, inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Polymerases with the R.K. Coit College of Pharmacy, and incorporating religious studies in undergraduate medical education - the topic of his thesis. Airen has been a leader on campus, serving on the board of the Neuroscience & Cognitive Science Association of Students and as a counselor for the Med-Start Healthcare Careers Program. These diverse experiences provided Airen with a holistic foundation to pursue a career as a physician. Airen will attend the College of Medicine - Tucson through the Honors Early Assurance Program and hopes to serve underserved communities in Arizona.
Angela White
W.A. Franke Honors College Outstanding Transfer Student, 2025
Angela White is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in neuroscience and cognitive science, and psychological science. As a nontraditional student, Angela’s academic work is profoundly informed and inspired by the invaluable lessons of adversity in her life. Under the mentorship of Dr. Zachary Cohen in the Personalized Treatment Lab, she founded the Leveraging Exercise for Anxiety and Depression (LEAD) study, which was generously supported by a W.A. Franke Honors College Exploratory Mini-Grant. Under the mentorship of Distinguished Professor Dr. John Allen, she researched the effect of exercise on key neurogenic targets. Using an interdisciplinary approach, LEAD aims to develop accessible, effective, personalized treatments for individuals suffering from anxiety and depression, and propel the integration of exercise into clinical treatment. Angela is also the founder of the community-driven GROW (Gathering Resources to Optimize Wealth) Academy, which has provided free financial literacy education to over 500 adolescents and adults. After graduation, Angela plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Arizona. She has a special love for teaching and mentorship, and she hopes to be involved in this work for the rest of her life.
Mariah Mercer
W.A. Franke Honors College Dean’s Award of Excellence, 2025
Mariah Mercer, from Helena, Montana is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences (Dietetics Emphasis) and completed the Franke Honors Civic Leadership certificate. Mariah has spent her time in Franke Honors and the School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness building deep connections and contributing to student engagement, leadership and belonging. Mariah is passionate about sharing her Franke Honors experiences with others through the Franke Honors Ambassadors, of which she has served as a Co-President for the past two years. She also worked as the Academic Student Assistant for the Franke Honors College and a General Chemistry Tutor for the Student Nutrition Advising Center. In addition, she has been a committed mentor in the Partnerships Through Honors program for the past three years. Recognizing a need for more tailored support for transfer students, she piloted Transfer PATHways, an initiative providing specialized mentorship to Franke Honors transfer students. After graduation, Mariah plans to pursue graduate studies in nutrition as part of her journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian. She hopes to one day use her leadership and mentorship skills to counsel patients and advocate for inclusive and patient-centered nutrition care.