Senior of the Year Award

Doodly Garcia

Doodly, a first-generation student from Bensenville, Ill. is majoring in accounting and finance. She has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in her roles on the Union Board and the Student Government Association. As a leader, she strives to build a community focused on diversity. Doodly comments, “an initiative I’m working on is Women’s Empowerment, aimed to celebrate and empower women at Elmhurst.” Doodly also participates in career-driven activities such as assuming the role of Treasurer for Delta Mu Delta and Marketing Chair for the Accounting, Finance, and Economics Club. One club event she coordinated was a review session to help students earn their CPA. Off campus, Doodly has participated in enriching experiences like studying away in England and an internship working as a state and local tax intern for RSM U.S. LLP. She aspires to be active in the alumni community after graduation, “whether that be through becoming a School of Business mentor, or by sharing my undergrad experience. Alumni engagement is important and so I am even planning an event this semester aimed to strengthen the relationships of current students and alumni.”

Lily Greifenstein

Lily is from Arlington Heights, Ill. majoring in nursing with a minor in psychology. “The minute I stepped on campus as a freshman, I became an integral part of the campus community as a student, athlete and member of multiple organizations.” In her sophomore year, Lily was a peer mentor for the Honors Program. She provided guidance to students and participated in the Honors Program weekend trip. She is a member of other organizations such as Phi Gamma Mu and Sigma Nursing Excellence Honors Society. She was also a part of Phi Mu for two years. Lily also takes an active role in the nursing program as Vice President and Treasurer of the Student Nurses Association. One of her accomplishments was becoming a student employee in the Nursing Simulation Lab at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Lily played on the basketball team in her freshman and sophomore year. During her basketball career, she was a Team Representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. When she had to medically retire from the sport, Lily remained involved in athletics by joining the cheer team.

Ashley Liljeberg

Ashley is from Westmont, Ill. She is a first-generation student double majoring in digital marketing communication and digital media and minoring in dance education. Ashley’s Elmhurst journey began before she even became a student. During high school, she was a videographer for campus events and still is to this day. As a Bluejay, Ashley has demonstrated her leadership skills by taking part in a multitude of learning opportunities. She organized campus events as Destinations and Homecoming Chair on Union Board, helped to produce virtual dance shows for the Department of Theatre and Dance during the pandemic, and even worked as a production assistant on the set of The Class, which filmed on campus. She comments, “These real-world experiences along with my education will allow me to continue on my journey of lifelong learning.” Ashley served as Vice President of Film Club and as a Co-Captain of the Poms Team. Additionally, she is involved in Theta Alpha Phi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Lambda Pi Eta. Ashley represented Elmhurst University last semester as a participant in the Disney College Program and is currently interning in the Office of Student Involvement.

Alejandro Daniel Lopez

Alejandro is a first-generation student from Hillside, Ill. majoring in nursing with minors in psychology and sociology. Alejandro recalls his freshman year at Elmhurst, “being nervous and anxious is an understatement of how I felt that first month. I was scared and felt like an outsider starting school again after being in the military for 4 years. I remember at times I would doubt myself and think I wasn’t going to be able to survive college.” Alejandro’s faith was a guiding principle that kept him throughout these hardships. He also credits, “the resources that were made available to me also helped me get to where I am; the professors, advisors, mentors, and programs.” Alejandro has become very involved in the campus community since he started at Elmhurst. He is a member of several organizations such as Phi Kappa Phi, Student Nursing Association, and Pi Gamma Mu as well as mentors a junior nursing student as part of the Peer Undergraduate Nursing Mentorship Program. Also, Alejandro serves as President of the Student Veteran Association to help others like himself. After graduation, he hopes to continue his work by networking with veterans to help them achieve higher education.

Karime Martinez

Karime is a nursing major with a minor in psychology from Addison, Ill. “As a first-generation student, I have an immense gratitude for the opportunities my parents were able to give me. They gave up everything to give me an education, but I received so much more. I look forward to passing on the Elmhurst University spirit and continuing to grow each day.” For the past two years, Karime has been a Resident Advisor in West Hall. In this role, she strives to empower her residents and build a community of respect. Karime also mentors incoming students to the nursing program as part of the Peer Undergraduate Nursing Mentorship Program. She provides guidance and companionship to students as they navigate their first year in the program. Karime participates in Pi Gamma Mu as well as holds leadership positions on the Student Nurses Association and the Latino Student Association. She was also a part of Phi Mu for two years. Karime has demonstrated social responsibility in her participation of the “Free Palestine” march in 2021. “This peaceful protest was to highlight the oppression Palestine faces and to bring more attention to the movement.”

Grace Savio

Grace is a criminal justice major from Elmwood Park, Ill. She is earning three minors: sociology, history, and dance education. “While initially those areas of study do not seem to go together, the liberal arts education at Elmhurst has inspired me to blend various sets of skills in order to create the most successful future I can for myself.” In 2020, Grace served as a Peer Advisor where she helped new students acclimate to Elmhurst and enroll in classes. As Coordinator for the Orientation Student Leader Program, she has embodied the values of leadership, service, and creativity. “Because of OSL, I have obtained the strength and knowledge to continue to create communities that embrace diversity, compassion, and respect in my future as an Elmhurst alumna.” Additionally, Grace is involved in Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Phi Sigma, Theta Alpha Phi, and the poms team. She is President of Habitat for Humanity and a Student Ambassador.

Alexandria Schweikle

Alexandria is a transfer student from Lombard, Ill. majoring in accounting and finance with a minor in Spanish. Alexandria served as President of the Accounting, Finance, and Economics club and has revitalized the club during her term. She comments on her leadership experience, “I illustrate my dedication to preparing myself and my classmates for our professional careers. Further, I care for the communities that support me by treating individuals with respect. I remind myself that everyone has their own story, and I push through difficult interactions with compassion.” As part of her studies, Alexandria participated in a class where she created and taught financial literacy curriculum to middle school students. Her guidance gave students the empowerment to control their own financial futures. Alexandria’s high academic performance has earned her admission to several academic societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Mu Delta, Phi Theta Kappa, and Alpha Mu Gamma National Collegiate Foreign Language Honors Society. Her accounting and finance knowledge landed her the role of Vice President of Finance for the Sigma Kappa sorority and an internship at Gray Hunter Stern LLP. Other career-related endeavors she participates in include membership of the Human Resources Club and the American Marketing Association.

Allison Skiple

Allison, from Des Plaines, Ill. is a first-generation student majoring in communication sciences and disorders with minors in Spanish and psychology. As an aspiring speech pathologist, she gains hands-on experience by working in the speech clinic. Her dedication earned her early admission into the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program and a graduate assistantship offer. Allison found her passion for social responsibility by working as the York Literacy Project Facilitator through the Service-Learning Department. “Working with students at a local community center furthered my passion and encouraged me to find ways to do more.” In 2022, she received a $2,500 literacy grant through Phi Kappa Phi, “this money is providing additional resources to foster literacy skills and build the leaders of tomorrow.” Other academic organizations Allison is involved in include the Honors Program, Alpha Mu Gamma, National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, and Pi Gamma Mu. She demonstrates her passion for the fine arts by participating in chamber, collegiate, and concert choir.

Grace Wadsworth

Grace is a psychology major with minors in theatre and social work from Dixon, Ill. As part of her Elmhurst journey, Grace shares, “I struggled a lot in my first year, and it was through the communities which I found that I came to be the person I am now. Now, I am dedicated to strengthening my community to help those who may be in the same position that I was.” Grace serves as President for Spiritual Life Council. As part of this role, she shares, “I have worked very hard with the Chaplain’s office in a variety of roles in terms of social justice, including encouraging interfaith on campus, queer movements and issues, and progressive Christian Movements.” In addition, Grace collaborates with the Department of Equity and Inclusion. Her focus is on enriching the queer student life experience on campus. One event she coordinated was the fall 2022 National Coming Out Day celebration. Grace is involved in academic programs such as the ELSA program, the Honors Program, and Theta Alpha Phi. She has filled numerous roles in the Theatre Program from working as an actor, stage manager, and even a playwright.

Julia Zickus

Julia is from McHenry, Ill. majoring in biochemistry and biology with a minor in religious studies. Julia was a Resident Advisor for two years during which she had to navigate the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic. She comments, “While navigating COVID-19 in the residence halls, it was difficult to connect with residents in a traditional manner, but it allowed me to see a deeper side of people. I was able to learn how COVID affected people differently. I learned about my residents and who they were, I made sure they felt safe and heard.” She further exemplifies her leadership skills through her role of President of Tri Beta. Julia participates in other organizations such as Phi Kappa Phi, Union Board, Chemistry Club and the Honors Program. In her senior year, Julia has been a part of exciting opportunities like studying away in Australia and interning for the Creative and Scholarly Endeavors.

• 2021: Amanda O’Brien
• 2022: Sonali Rajput

• 2020: Alexandria Schultz
• 2019: Riley Schweig
• 2018: Esther Pereira
• 2017: Erik Maranto
• 2016: Tyler Espino
• 2015:  Meredithe Mimlitz
• 2014: Marissa McLean
• 2013: Uchenna Ebiringah
• 2012: Jacob Meding
• 2011: Genesis Jelkes

• 2010: Elizabeth Harland
• 2009: Melissa Steirer
• 2008: Alexander Kefaloukos
• 2007: Brian Slackert
• 2006: Dain Gotto
• 2005: Isabel Bauer
• 2004: Joud Abdel Majeid
• 2003: Kelly VanGuilder
• 2002: Christopher Speil
• 2001: Angela Gianforte

• 2000: Analy Ponce
• 1999: Anastasia Buriegi
• 1998: Amy Ferraro
• 1997: Herb Washington Jr.
• 1996: John Barr
• 1995: Gretchen Gehrlein
• 1994: Stephanie Nawyn
• 1993: Eric Lindberg