Five Elmhurst University seniors recently were honored with Founders Awards, the Senior of the Year award and Bluejay of the Year award for their outstanding service and leadership.
The awards are considered among the University’s top honors for individual achievement. This year, two of the awards were renamed for the University chaplain, the Rev. H. Scott Matheney, and the vice president for student affairs, Dr. Phil Riordan, to honor their years of leadership and dedication to Elmhurst students. Both are set to retire this year.
Founders Awards
The three Founders Awards, which are among the University’s oldest and most prestigious, recognize self-initiated service that brings about change and embodies humane values. One Founders Award is given for service to the campus community; the second, which has been named for Rev. Matheney, is given for service to the greater society; and the third, the Cureton Award, is given for service to the global community. Members of the University community nominate the candidates.
- Lily Morgan, a communication major with a minor in digital media, received the Founders Award for Service to the University Community. A resident of Villa Park, Ill., Morgan transferred to Elmhurst U. in 2023 and quickly became immersed in the campus community. She promoted civic engagement as editor in chief of the student newspaper, The Leader, and served in leadership roles in Omicron Delta Kappa and P.R.I.D.E., helping to foster inclusivity on campus.
- Sarah Hansen, a world language education and Spanish major from of Marion, Iowa, received the Rev. H. Scott Matheney Award for Service to the Greater Society. During her four years at Elmhurst, Hansen studied abroad in Madrid and Buenos Aires, and served as an AmeriCorps Generation Teach Summer Fellow. Her dedication to bilingualism and inclusive education is reflected in her work with CREO DuPage, Project C.A.R.E. and other organizations.
- Christian Tomás Guzaro Cruz, who majored in logistics & supply chain management and Spanish, received the Cureton Award for Service to the Global Community. As a leader of the Latino Student Association, he empowered Latino voices and cultivated community through cultural events and advocacy. He also played active roles in student government, the Blue Promise Center and the revival of the Coalition for Multicultural Engagement student group.
Senior of the Year
The highly sought-after Senior of the Year award honors the senior who excels in academics and campus involvement, and is passionate about continuing the Elmhurst University tradition. Selected by a special committee of the Alumni Association, this year’s winner is Lucia Gaviria of Medellín, Colombia, an international student pursuing degrees in finance and economics. Over the past four years, Gaviria has made an impact through leadership positions she has held, including as a resident advisor and president/founding member of Girl Up. She has also been a member of organizations such as Phi Mu and Union Board, and represented the University as this year’s Lincoln Student Laureate.
The Dr. Phil Riordan Bluejay of the Year Award
The Dr. Phil Riordan Bluejay of the Year award is given to a student who clearly demonstrates what it means to be an Elmhurst Bluejay. The honoree is welcoming and enthusiastic, always exhibiting Bluejay spirit, and is heavily involved in campus life. This year’s winner is Nakala Nadeau, an exercise science major from North Las Vegas, Nev. Over the past four years, Nadeau set school records and won medals as a member of the women’s track and field team while also participating in a number of campus organizations. Nadeau was lauded for always being willing to help, and for embracing the Bluejay experience and cheering on peers at both campus events and athletic competitions.
The winners were announced during the 2025 Student Leadership Awards, held earlier this month. A number of awards were given out during the ceremony, which celebrates campus leaders, organizations and initiatives that support student success and enhance the student experience. The awards highlight Elmhurst’s caring community, which provides students with the supportive experiences they need to excel as collaborative leaders.