Exceptional Seniors Honored at Monarch Milestones: A Celebration of Student Awards, Honors and Leadership

By Kelsey Kendall 

Old Dominion University hosted its Monarch Milestones: A Celebration of Student Awards, Honors and Leadership, an event that brings together many of the recognitions honoring graduating seniors who exemplify what it means to be a Monarch. 

“Tonight, we pause to honor a special group of students whose impact has reached far beyond the classroom,” said Brian K. Payne, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, during the May 12 event. “You’ve distinguished yourselves through academic excellence, leadership, service and involvement that has strengthened our campus community.”  

Among the evening’s top honors was the Kaufman Award. Established by Landmark Communications, Inc., the Kaufman Award is the University's highest honor for an undergraduate graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service, while making a meaningful impact on the University and broader community. The recipient receives a $10,000 prize. 

This year’s award was presented to Raphael Kesse Afrim, a computer engineering major with minors in computer science and military leadership. Raphael credited Jiang Li, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as his most inspirational faculty member for encouraging him throughout his academic journey. 

Raphael said the University gave him the opportunity to grow and develop as a leader. 

“I was a transfer student,” Raphael said. “When I transferred, I liked what I was seeing on campus, especially with great professors like Dr. Li. He helped me not give up, because it gets hard, especially balancing engineering and ROTC. But, it was people like him who inspired me to keep going at it, becoming who I am now.”  

Raphael will start his master’s in the fall.  

The Kaufman Award runner-up also receives a monetary award. This year’s runner-up is Madeleine Enns, a biomedical sciences pre-health major with a minor in health and wellness. She is a core member of the University’s rowing team, has served as a class representative to the Student Athlete Advisory Council and has been involved in community service groups, which extended her impact into the Hampton Roads community.  

This year’s Kaufman Award finalists included:  

• Amaya Allen, Ellmer College of Health Sciences; 
• Amie Burdette, Strome College of Business; 
• Christian Coleman, School of Cybersecurity; 
• Jonathan Guthrie, Batten College of Engineering and Technology;  
• Jhimere Harper-Ruffin, Strome College of Business; 
• Cheyenne Kandiyeli, Ellmer College of Health Sciences; 
• Miles Salley, College of Arts and Letters; and 
• Hafsah Sarfraz, College of Sciences. 

The University’s Leadership and Service Awards recognize graduating seniors who made outstanding contributions as Monarchs. The following awards were granted during the event: 

• Career Ready Monarch Award – Graduate: Makendra Crosby; 
• Career Ready Monarch Award – Undergraduate: Akellia-Niquet Francis;  
• New Leader of the Year: Leilah Booker;   
• Leadership Initiative of the Year: Game Design and Development Club Advocacy Group; 
• Ellen Neufeldt Leader of the Year Award – Graduate: Abed Khosrojerdi; 
• Ellen Neufeldt Leader of the Year Award – Undergraduate: Ivy Edwards; and 
• Student Organization of the Year Award: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  

The Service Awards included:  

• Evon-Broderick Award: Alisha Jafri; 
• Curtis Walton Government and Community Advocate Award: Delenn Main; 
• Inclusive Impact Award: Adam Mandell; 
• Maggi Curry-Williams Quiet Influence Award: Jasmin Piggott; 
• Mentoring Leader Award: Jonas Bensah; and 
• Service Impact Award: Joana Camp. 

Two graduating seniors received the University Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher.  

• Olivia Brown, a biochemistry major in the College of Sciences, was nominated by Kyle Lambert, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, for her work to develop more sustainable chemical methods. Olivia has presented at seven conferences and is one of 16 students nationally to be awarded the American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Summer Research Fellowship. She also co-authored four peer-reviewed publications and was awarded a 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctorate at Baylor University. 
• Tyler Rector, a biomedical sciences major, was nominated by Venkat Maruthamuthu, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Tyler has presented research at three national and several state and regional conferences. He also serves as an EMT while working multiple jobs and contributing to several labs. Dr. Maruthamuthu said Tyler has the drive, curiosity and energy to become an excellent physician-scientist.  

The Outstanding Scholars, the University’s highest-achieving undergraduate students from each college and school, were also recognized during this special event. Read more about these high-achieving Monarch scholars here.