Alma Mater and Alma Lux nominations are in for this year’s pairing. The Alma Mater is the highest honor bestowed upon a female student at Wittenberg, given since 1921. The Alma Lux is the highest honor bestowed upon a male student, which has been given since 2003.
“Students, faculty or staff may nominate junior women and gentlemen,” Angela Fairbanks, executive assistant of Student Development, said. “A special screening committee selects five nominations for final consideration, and a campus-wide election determines which nominees are chosen to represent Wittenberg.”
The Alma Mater and Alma Lux are selected on the basis of character and integrity, service to the community, concern for others and high levels of scholarship representing standards of excellence on campus.
Elections will take place on March 28 with the announcement of this year’s Alma Mater and Alma Lux taking place on April 7 during the Honors Convocation.
Here are this year’s finalists.
Mecca Abdul-Aziz
Abdul-Aziz calls West Chester, Ohio home. She is majoring in communications while double minoring in journalism and performance theater. Abdul-Aziz is the vice president of Concerned Black Students and is a member of Emerging Leaders, Sigma Kappa, PanHellenic Council, Shades of Pearl, Student Senate, CABLE and the Torch. She is also a Resident Advisor and the Junior Class President.
Hannah Kesig
Kesig comes from Columbus, Ohio. She is double majoring in communications and Spanish. Kesig is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Emerging Leaders, Gamma Phi Beta, Habitat for Humanity, Sigma Delta Pi, Tigerthon and the SPARK Leadership Series. She is also an Orientation Assistant, Peer Mentor, Residence Hall Associate, Resident Advisor and Student Leader Fellow.
Elizabeth McNeill
McNeill calls Clinton, Ohio home. She is double majoring in psychology and sociology. McNeill is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, Alpha Lambda Delta, Emerging Leaders, Programming Sigma Kappa, Union Board, Witt Astronomical Society and the Wittenberg Art League. She is also an Orientation Assistant, the Class of 2018 Class Cabinet and a Community Service Coordinator for the Hagen Center.
Irene Presper
Presper comes from Akron, Ohio. She is double majoring in Spanish and finance. Presper is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Delta Gamma and Emerging Leaders. She is also the Junior Class Treasurer, Organization Senator of Student Senate and is a part of the Teaching Effectiveness Committee.
Zara Tickner
Tickner calls Harrisburg, Pennsylvania home. She is double majoring in finance and economics. Tickner is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Pi Omega, the Jewish Culture Club, Mortar Board, Tau Pi Phi, Orchestra and women’s field hockey. She is also the Interfaith Senator of Student Senate.
Tyler Begg
Begg comes from Columbus, Ohio. He is majoring in psychology and biochemistry/molecular biology. Begg is the treasurer of Common Ground and the president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He is also a member of Fact in Fiction, the Newman Club, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Pick-n-Pen and the Torch.
Lucas George
George calls Brecksville, Ohio home. He is majoring in history with a minor in education. George is a member of Class Cabinet, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Residence Hall Association, Student-Athlete Advisory Council, Tigerthon and the swim team. He is also the Public Relations and President for Interfraternity Council and is an Orientation Assistant.
Daniel Murray
Murray comes from Upper Arlington, Ohio. He is majoring in English with a minor in sociology. Murray is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Psi, Pick-n-Pen, Sigma Tau Delta and the Weaver Chapel Association.
Brett Siemon
Siemon calls New Carslile, Ohio home. He is majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology with a minor in sociology. Siemon is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Gamma Delta. He is also a part of philanthropy, the Interfraternity Council, an Orientation Assistant and is a Promise Club Leader.
Keaton Wood
Wood comes from Mansfield, Ohio. He is majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology. Wood is a member of the Archaeology Club, Chemistry Club, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Eta Sigma, the Weaver Chapel Association and the track team. He is also the treasurer of both Omicron Delta Kappa and the Chemistry Club.
