Walsh University has selected two members of the Class of 2025 to receive the most prestigious honors, the T.O.W.E.R. of Excellence Award and the Outstanding Student 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
Isabelle “Izzy” Rammel, majoring in Government & Foreign Affairs and Theology with minors in History and English, has made a lasting impact at Walsh University through her leadership, academic excellence, and athletic achievements.
Izzy has been a dedicated leader on campus, serving as President of both the Walsh Pre-Law Club and the Walsh Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Previously holding the role of Vice President in both organizations, she has shown a deep commitment to enhancing student involvement and advocacy. Her leadership extends beyond student organizations, as she has also supported academic success in her role as an Honors Student Co-Assistant and as a tutor for Government & Foreign Affairs, Theology, History, English, and Honors courses. Izzy’s academic rigor is further demonstrated in her Honors thesis, which focused on rural attorney shortages in Ohio. Her thesis, titled “Darke County’s ‘Country Lawyers’: Analyzing Rural Legal Landscapes & Cause Lawyering Classifications,” reflects her interest in legal systems and the challenges rural communities face in accessing legal services.
As a scholar-athlete, Izzy has competed in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track throughout her time at Walsh, balancing rigorous academics with the demands of collegiate athletics. Her dedication to both her studies and her sport speaks to her perseverance and discipline. In recognition of her academic and athletic excellence, Izzy was honored as the Indoor Track and Field Elite 26 honoree in the spring of 2024.
Family has been a key source of support for Izzy. She is the daughter of Katie and Bill Rammel and has three siblings: Luke, Gabe, and Sophie. Their encouragement has played an essential role in her success at Walsh.
After graduation, Izzy will attend The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law on a full-tuition scholarship. She is excited to continue her academic and professional journey, preparing for a career in law, driven by her passion for service and justice.
Reflecting on her time at Walsh, Isabelle shares, “During my time in the Walsh community, I’ve been inspired by the way people show up for each other. Whether in the classroom, chapel, or track, I’m blessed to be surrounded by servant leaders, and that’s definitely shaped my community-building drive.”
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.
Samuel Krakowski is an exemplary model of academic excellence and leadership at Walsh University. As a double major in Finance and Business Management through the DeVille School of Business, Samuel has achieved academic excellence while balancing rigorous coursework, extracurricular leadership, and collegiate athletics.
Samuel’s intellectual curiosity culminated in his groundbreaking Honors thesis, “The Efficiency of Price Convergence: A Historical Analysis of Value Investing Strategies,” presented publicly in March 2025. This work showcases his ability to bridge theory with real-world application, cementing his place among Walsh’s most accomplished scholars.
As a key leader in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, Samuel’s strategic mind and leadership were instrumental in Walsh’s historic victories. His meticulous research, compelling report writing, and poised Q&A performance during the Cleveland regional competition propelled Walsh past rivals, underscoring his ability to thrive under pressure while elevating Walsh’s national reputation.
Steering the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP), Samuel transformed the program into a hub of ethical investing and peer mentorship. His strategic rebalancing of the portfolio aligned investments with the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops’ Socially Responsible Guidelines, while his workshops on valuation fundamentals empowered younger students. Under his guidance, SMIP became both a financial success and a training ground for future leaders.
While excelling in academics and finance competitions, Samuel also dedicated four years to the University’s baseball team and advocated for scholar-athletes through the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
Samuel has accepted a role as an Associate Risk Analyst at Swagelok, where he will apply his expertise in international financial operations. With plans to pursue an MBA, he aims to ascend to executive leadership, targeting roles like CFO/CEO of a major corporation. Inspired by Warren Buffett’s early ventures, Samuel also intends to launch an investment partnership within three to four years, furthering his commitment to ethical finance and collaborative growth.
“A truly great leader not only charts the path forward but lives it daily,” Samuel reflects—a philosophy that will guide his journey from Walsh scholar to transformative industry leader.
