2026 Awards

Pamela Stanley Bright ’61 is this year's recipient of the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service, which is the college's highest honor.

Ann McLane Kuster, attorney and former U.S. congresswoman, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree at Colby-Sawyer's 2025 Commencement ceremony. 

As recipient of the college’s highest teaching award, the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professor David Lutz will give the 2025 Commencement address.

Destiny Cruz, a forensic psychology major and business and legal studies minor, honed her advocacy skills as president of the Student Government Association. She’ll continue to assist others during her postgraduate fellowship with Global Lawyers for Refugees. 

Joshua Warner ’25, a biology major, chemistry minor, Wesson Honors Program member and National Science Foundation EMERGE Scholar, completed his undergraduate career in three years with a 4.0 grade-point average. 

Colby-Sawyer has checked all the boxes for Brian Cal-Mallo, a graphic design major and business minor. After he earns an MBA at Colby-Sawyer in spring 2026, he’s eager to begin a career as a creative director. 

Deborah Coffin '76 is this year's recipient of the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service, which is the college's highest honor.

As recipient of the college’s highest teaching award, the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professor Ann Fournier will give the 2024 Commencement address.

Erin Lamb ’24 is a compassionate leader and diligent scholar. She consistently excels academically, as demonstrated by her selection to the dean’s list every semester of her collegiate career and her induction into societies including the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Wesson Honors Program.

A Wesson Honors scholar, Chesley Smith's ’24 impressive academic performance earned him the baccalaureate award in history and political studies, as well as a place in the Alpha Chi national honor society.

Sports management major Riley Keezer has served as the college’s play-by-play sports announcer, otherwise known as “the voice of the Chargers.” He came to Colby-Sawyer for the opportunities presented in the sports management program and athletic department.

Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty Laura Sykes '98 will receive the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service at the 2023 Commencement ceremony.

Eve Burton, executive vice president and chief legal officer at Hearst and president of the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Colby-Sawyer's 2023 Commencement ceremony.

As recipient of the college’s highest teaching award, the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, Professor Randy Hanson will give the 2023 Commencement address.

Isabelle Silva, a crime and legal studies major and psychology minor from Danvers, Mass., is a quick learner and critical thinker who serves as an impressive mentor for other students. A dean’s list student with an outstanding academic record,

Jenna Guilmain has distinguished herself as an exceptional nurse and scholar. Jenna will be a second-generation Colby-Sawyer nurse, following in the footsteps of her mother, who also earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the college.

Nursing major Caleigh Dirks came to Colby-Sawyer for its outstanding nursing program, small class sizes and family-like environment, as well as the opportunity to play lacrosse while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.