Department Awards
Department Scholar
This award is presented to a student entering their senior year at Michigan Tech. The award recognizes the best of student scholarship in the department. Students who receive this award participate in research or scholarly activities, demonstrate a high level of intellectual curiosity and creativity, and fine communication skills.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Maisie Whitaker
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Madi Wentela
- 2021 - Illeana Barragan
- 2020 - Maddy Hunt
- 2019 - Sarah Calvert
- 2018 - Samantha Palumbo
- 2017 - Jason Scott
- 2016 - Andrew Summers
- 2015 - Courtney Schumaker
- 2014 - Courtney Schumaker
- 2013 - Chris Trevino
- 2012 - Lindsey Johns
- 2011 - Lindsey Johns
- 2010 - David Nicols
- 2009 - Keith Kinnear
- 2008 - Keith Kinnear
- 2007 - John Lyon
- 2006 - Joseph Kirklin
- 2005 - Jonathan Regenmorter
- 2004 - Kyle Erickson
- 2003 - David Clark
- 2002 - Becky Curtis
- 2001 - Amanda Cleveland
- 2000 - Raymond Swarz
- 1999 - Teresa Frusti
- 1998 - Mark Reichhardt
- 1997 - Linda Sigel
- 1996 - Teresa Ambrose
- 1995 - Brad Boyce
Student of Promise
The Student of Promise Award is given to excellent students from groups underrepresented in their discipline or at the university, or to students who support underrepresented individuals in their work.
Formerly known as the Woman of Promise Award, this award originated with the Presidential Council of Alumnae to recognize contributions by outstanding women students in departments across campus. The award is no longer coordinated at the university level, but the VPA department has maintained the award to recognize significant scholarship and service in the department by underrepresented students.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Rowan Parsons
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Laurel Schmidt
- 2021 - Isabel Valencia
- 2020 - Ally Southgate
- 2019 - Makenzi Wentela
- 2018 - Kassandra Baril
- 2017 - Samantha Palumbo
- 2016 - Sarah Martens
- 2015 - Anna Catton
- 2014 - Renata Putzig
- 2014 - Jamie Aneshansel
- 2013 - Renata Putzig
- 2012 - Lindsey Johns
- 2011 - Chloe Laban
- 2010 - Chelsea Leighton
- 2009 - Nicole Kirch
- 2008 - Michelle Foy
- 2007 - Corinne Gilbert
VPA All Arts Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in two or more disciplines in the Visual and Performing Arts Department. These fields include Visual Art, Music, Sound, and Theatre.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Izzy Waldie
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Bebe Villanueve
- 2021 - Madi Wentela
- 2020 - Aaron Christianson
- 2019 - Samantha Palumbo
- 2018 - Jacob Gust
- 2017 - Charles Southward
- 2016 - Kate van Susante
- 2015 - Alex Flannery
- 2014 - Kevin Gray
- 2013 - Chris Trevino
- 2012 - Lindsey Johns
- 2011 - Chelsea Leighton
- 2010 - Nicole Kirch
- 2009 - Keith Kinnear
- 2008 - Corinne Gilbert
- 2007 - Kenneth Showler
- 2006 - Katrina Warsinski
- 2005 - Kyle Erickson
- 2004 - Wynn Johnson
- 2003 - Kristin DuChateau
- 2002 - Karisa Roell
- 2001 - Andrew Barnard
- 2000 - Matthew Snyder
- 1999 - Theron Rutyna
- 1998 - Heather Sevener
- 1997 - Wayne Wilcox
- 1996 - Linda Sigel
- 1995 - Mark Macomber
- 1994 - Matthew Staron
- 1993 - Jennifer Mueller
- 1992 - Julie Maisch
- 1991 - John Uhrie
- 1990 - Brian Zais
- 1989 - Mark Davis
- 1988 - Merk Rathsack
- 1987 - Michael Conner
- 1986 - Audrey Arntzen
- 1985 - Thomas McGovern
- 1984 - Jeffrey Lyons
- 1983 - Karen McKeon
- 1982 - Jeffrey Warning
- 1981 - David Nuechterlein
- 1980 - Carol Luusua
VPA Award for Special Achievement
This award recognizes special achievements in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
- 2010 - David Nichols
- 2008 - Mitchell Shuh
- 2007 - Joseph Kirklin
Art Awards
Marian and John Irish Award
This award recognizes a junior or senior visual art student whose artistic work connects art and environmental awareness. Students who receive this award demonstrate a commitment to studio arts and to environmental stewardship. They also demonstrate creative leadership, either in their arts classes or in the arts projects they create in our community.
Most Recent Recipient
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2023 - August Camp
Past Recipients
2022 - Madalyn Tudor-Duncan
2021 - Michelle Kline
2020 - Alexander Pohl
VPA Award in Visual Art
This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of visual art in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Most Recent Recipient
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2022 - Bobbie Desgrange
Past Recipients
- 2022- Maisie Whitaker
- 2021 - Emily Wisz
- 2020 - Kassie Baril
- 2019 - Alexander Pohl
- 2018 - Madeleine Howard
- 2017 - Hannah Fischer
- 2016 - Hannah Fischer
- 2015 - Ellyn Hurst
- 2014 - Diana McNease
- 2013 - Kaylee Edwards
- 2012 - Andrea Walvatne
- 2011 - Rachael Barlock
- 2010 - Lena Wilson
- 2009 - Alexandra Tepkasetkul
- 2008 - Craig VanAppledorn
- 2007 - Pavi Poole
- 2006 - Stephen Wilder
- 2005 - Lisa Deschaine
- 2004 - Brandon Bradway
- 2003 - Rebecca Garlock
- 2002 - Nicole Richards
- 2001 - Alisha Pagel
- 2000 - Kimberly Lauinger
- 1999 - Jared Manninen
- 1998 - Davina Pallone
- 1997 - Dawn Herlevich
- 1996 - Steven Linna
- 1995 - Travis Seale
- 1994 - Lorie Liebrock
- 1993 - Carolynne Stranger
- 1992 - Lorie Liebrock
- 1991 - Ginger Beske
- 1990 - Charles Carpenter
- 1989 - Graf Gorske
- 1988 - Angela Louis
- 1987 - Leanne Leanes
- 1986 - Marcelaine Rovano
- 1985 - William Popp
- 1984 - Scott Maurer
- 1983 - Jill Knibloe
Music Awards
Don Keranen Jazz Awards
This award is given to a students who have made outstanding contributions to the Jazz Program at Michigan Tech recognizing the most valuable player as well as the most improved player.
Most Recent Recipients
2023 - Liam Cacioppo
2023 - Harrison Harland
2023 - Jay Jamison-Sawicki
Past Recipients
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2022 - Zane Smalley
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2022 - Grayson Dunham
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2022 - Matt Plansinis
- 2021 - Matthew Fisher
- 2021 - Nicholas Bussey
- 2021 - Izzy Waldie
- 2020 - Alek Ertman
- 2020 - Ryan Briggs
- 2020 - Steven Turnbull
- 2019 - Lauren Angst
- 2019 - Aaron Christianson
- 2018 - Benjamin Gregory
- 2018 - Dawson McKenzie
- 2016 - Katie Riutta
- 2016 - Jonathan Winegar
- 2015 - Jared Roberts
- 2015 - Andrew Groenleer
- 2014 - Andrew Dumitrescu-Mihaly
- 2014 - Blake Panasiewicz
- 2014 - David Schreifels
- 2013 - Eric Davis
- 2013 - Colton Mooney
- 2013 - Scott Wambold
- 2011 - Mark Maguire
- 2011 - Joshua Mayo
- 2011 - Rebecca Prich
- 2011 - Benjamin Sheff
- 2010 - Anne Cox
- 2010 - Eric Davis
- 2009 - Ryan Gleason
- 2009 - Kenneth Riedel
- 2008 - Jacob Pearse
- 2008 - Robert Smith
- 2007 - Dane Rasmussen
- 2007 - Kenneth Riedel
- 2007 - Jonathan VanRegenmorter
- 2006 - Joshua Johnson
- 2006 - Joshua Richardson
Milton Olsson Music Scholarship
This scholarship is given to a student who has made outstanding contributions to the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra or the Choirs of Michigan Tech.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Alex Hudson
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Jordan Zais
- 2021 - Chloe Looman
- 2020 - Ry Swaty
- 2019 - Giselle Ulep
- 2018 - Richard Vermeulen
- 2017 - Jon Hook
- 2016 - Andrew Groenleer
- 2015 - Kevin Rocheleau
- 2014 - Angela Small
- 2013 - Benjamin Holtz
- 2012 - Michael Adler
VPA Award in Music
This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of music in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Aidan Conrade
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Sarah Kempin
- 2021 - Ryan Briggs
- 2020 - Sean Hanson
- 2019 - Katya Klebba
- 2018 - Jacob Gust
- 2017 - Aaron Christianson
- 2016 - Jon Winegar
- 2015 - Andrew Groenleer
- 2014 - Kevin Rocheleau
- 2013 - Eponine Zenker
- 2012 - Grant Cox
- 2011 - Brianne Schneider
- 2010 - Amanda Scott
- 2009 - Michelle Foy
- 2008 - Robert Hambrock
- 2007 - Jon Van Regenmorter
- 2006 - Adam Kaczynski
- 2005 - Jon Van Regenmorter
- 2004 - Pamela Rathke
- 2003 - Christina Pienkos
- 2002 - Kevin Walker
- 2001 - James Roell
- 2000 - Robert Redburn
- 1999 - Timothy Havens
- 1998 - Blake Adams
- 1997 - Darnisha Slade
- 1996 - Darhun Sanders
- 1995 - Darrin Wegge
- 1994 - Daniel McShan
- 1993 - Daniel Komarzec
- 1992 - Dustin Tyler
- 1991 - Sally Yankee
- 1990 - Robert Goodman
- 1989 - Adam Vahratian
- 1988 - Mark Rathsack
- 1987 - Rick Burchett
- 1986 - David Edmonds
- 1985 - Christine Blood
- 1984 - Leigh Otterlei
- 1983 - Daniel Tegel
- 1982 - Timothy Nielsen
- 1982 - Melinda Kerry
- 1982 - Catherine Clement
- 1981 - Jim Finlayson
- 1980 - Jeff Adams
Sound Awards
VPA Award in Sound
This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of sound in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Mason Waldrip
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Matt Anderson
- 2021 - Moira Van Loon
- 2020 - Drew Stockero
- 2019 - Henry Sendek
- 2018 - Zachary L'Italien
- 2017 - Eric Smith
- 2016 - Paul Bristol
- 2015 - Mason Pew
- 2014 - Tom Conran
- 2013 - Jess Hammersley
- 2012 - Alex Palma
- 2011 - Kenneth Stahl
Theatre Awards
VPA Award in Theatre
This award recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of theatre in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Most Recent Recipient
- 2023 - Maisie Whitaker
Past Recipients
- 2022 - Laurel Schmidt
- 2021 - Ally Southgate
- 2020 - Makenzi Wentela
- 2019 - Hunter Storie
- 2018 - Sarah Martens
- 2017 - Jason Scott
- 2016 - Devin Miller
- 2015 - Mark Potsma
- 2014 - Paige Borel
- 2013 - Paige Borel
- 2012 - Michael Maurer
- 2011 - Nicole Kirch
- 2010 - Michael McKellar
- 2009 - Corrine Gilbert
- 2008 - Corrine Gilbert
- 2007 - Joseph Kirklin
- 2007 - Matthew Rossman
- 2006 - Joshua Hamilton
- 2005 - Jason Marcotte
- 2004 - Adam Manty
- 2003 - Brian Berman
- 2002 - Laura Loo
- 2001 - Kristin Stillwell
- 2000 - Kevin Moss
- 1999 - Teresa Frusti
- 1998 - Michael Wilson
- 1997 - Jonathan Young
- 1996 - Ginger Kathleen Dwyer
- 1995 - Jennifer Barnard
- 1994 - Anthony Senger
- 1993 - Peter Nowosad
- 1992 - James Matusik
- 1991 - Angela Carter
- 1990 - Geoffrey Ehnis-Clark
- 1989 - Dale Dorson
- 1988 - Chris Cook
- 1987 - Wally Musial
- 1986 - Karen Ladika
- 1985 - William Isaacson
- 1984 - Michael Conner
- 1983 - Charles Wise
- 1982 - Obie Burch
- 1981 - Greg Mach
- 1980 - Mark Lamson