Walsh University has selected two members of the Class of 2024 to receive the most prestigious honors, the T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence Award and the Outstanding Student Award.
T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence Award
The T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence is the most prestigious non-academic award given each year. Presented annually at the President’s Dinner, the award recognizes seniors or recent graduates who embody each of these characteristics:
Talented Leadership (Demonstration of Leadership Activities and Qualities)
Outstanding Dedication to the Campus and Community
Walsh Commitment to Current and Future Cavaliers
Embodies Core Values of Faith, Excellence, Integrity, Service and Community
Responsible Extra-Curricular Distinction
Hannah Olszewski
Through her Walsh University experience, Hannah Olszewski has emerged as a shining star during her time on campus, leaving an indelible mark as a top leader among her peers.
Graduating May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Hannah has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to her studies, consistently earning recognition on the Dean's List from 2021 to 2024. Her academic excellence and extracurricular distinction culminated in her inclusion on the prestigious President’s List in 2024 and as the recipient of the T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence award.
Hannah's leadership and compassion were evident as a Blouin Scholar and in her numerous campus involvements. As a Lead Resident Assistant for two consecutive years, she exhibited remarkable organizational skills and a genuine concern for the well-being of her fellow students. Her outstanding contributions were recognized with the RA of the Year award in 2023.
Hannah's commitment to service are extensive. She has served as a personal tutor at the Academic Support Center, providing invaluable guidance to her peers, and volunteered her time with organizations such as the Community Kitchen and the Ice-Skating Club.
A true leader and role model, Hannah also dedicated herself to spiritual growth and community involvement. She was an active member of Campus Ministry and the Nursing Club, as well as a small group leader for AGAPE. Her involvement in initiatives like Cavathon and Cavs Cor Cordium demonstrated her unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive campus environment.
Hannah finds strength and support in her loving family—her mother Nancy, father Doug, and older sister Virginia. Their unwavering encouragement and belief in her abilities have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping Hannah into the exceptional individual she is today.
As she looks toward the future, Hannah has accepted a nursing position in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children’s Hospital. In addition to her professional endeavors, she remains committed to giving back to her community through continued volunteer work with organizations such as the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Stark Pound.
In her own words, Hannah reflects, “Looking back, I recognize that God was calling me to Walsh for a reason. The community of faculty, staff, and peers have fostered my development into a servant leader throughout campus and in my personal life. As I graduate, I strive to continue serving those around me in my daily actions and to love each person as Christ does.”
Outstanding Student Award
The Outstanding Student Award is Walsh University’s most prestigious student academic honor. Awarded to a graduating senior, the recipient must have earned a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.9 and demonstrated interdisciplinary excellence, a high level of intellectual curiosity and a consistent commitment to academic rigor and depth. The Outstanding Student Award recipient also reflects alignment with the core values of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and intellectual mastery demonstrated through consistent academic excellence and achievement.
Natalie Yoder
Natalie Yoder, of Bolivar, Ohio, is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Family Studies, and a minor in Psychology. What sets her apart is not just her stellar academic record but also her resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Originally pursuing a path toward pharmacy, Natalie’s academic trajectory took a transformative turn when she discovered her fascination for forensics through a Forensic Psychology course. This pivotal moment ignited her passion for understanding the intricacies of the criminal justice system and the dynamics of society, leading her to pursue majors in Criminal Justice and Sociology, with a minor in Psychology.
Throughout her academic journey, Natalie’s commitment to scholarship and rigorous inquiry has been unwavering. As an honors student, she delved deep into her research, culminating in a thesis exploring the complex relationship between community dynamics and alcohol use on college campuses, employing a restorative approach. Her internship at CommQuest Deliverance House provided her with invaluable real-world experience, further enriching her understanding of the intersection between theory and practice in her field.
Natalie’s academic achievements are underscored by her outstanding performance, maintaining an exceptional GPA amidst the rigors of a full-time course load, enriched by her participation in the Honors Program. Her dedication to scholarship is evidenced not only by her academic accolades but also by her active involvement in AKD Sociology Honors Society.
Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Natalie’s resilience and work ethic shine through her experiences of balancing two jobs while undertaking her studies. Despite facing the challenges of juggling a full-time position as a pharmacy technician and part-time employment at a grocery store, Natalie remained steadfast in her pursuit of academic excellence, emerging as a testament to perseverance and diligence.
“This experience has shaped me to be a hard worker and to be persistent with my goals,” she said. “There were many times along the way where I felt overwhelmed, and I did not know how I would be able to handle it all. However, I kept working toward my goals and persevered through the difficult times.”
Natalie’s journey at Walsh University has been guided by notable mentors such as Dr. Bemiller and Dr. Xu, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping her academic and professional growth. Their mentorship, coupled with Natalie’s innate drive, has equipped her with the tools to embark on her next chapter as a pre-trial assessment officer at the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, with aspirations of pursuing a master’s degree in criminology or criminal justice in the future.
