The Awards Night video is pinned at the top of USC Union’s Facebook page
The University of South Carolina Union celebrated academic achievement, leadership, and athletic excellence during its annual Awards Night held April 17, 2026. The event recognized standout students, faculty, and staff who have made significant contributions to the campus community over the past year.
Among the academic honorees, Mary “Libby” Fisher received the African American Studies Award for her strong intellectual engagement and thoughtful contributions in the classroom, while Kylie Starns earned the Biology Award for excelling in challenging coursework and demonstrating a passion for learning. Tyler Haney was recognized with both the Chemistry and Philosophy awards, highlighting his exceptional academic performance and deep curiosity across disciplines. Other top academic honors included Salim Janna in Business, Jamison Parks in Education, Paige Shelton for the SC Afterschool Alliance Award, and Lillianna Shaw, who was honored in both English and Fine Arts for her creativity and writing ability.
Additional academic award recipients included Nuvia Ramirez Bernal in Film Culture, Kealy Carter in History, Laura “Grace” Henderson in Mathematics, Fagan Laux in Religious Studies, June Heitman in Psychology, Claudio Mirandola in Spanish, and Nevaeh Beacham in Sociology. Each student was recognized for their dedication, leadership in the classroom, and commitment to academic excellence.
Top all-around honors were presented to Gavin Tessnear, who earned the All-Around Bantam Award for his leadership and involvement across campus organizations, and Xiomara Ramirez-Bernal, who received the All-Around Palmetto Award for her resilience and personal growth. Chase Rogers was named the recipient of the PC Distinguished Scholar Award, recognizing his academic success and contributions to campus life, including achievements in collegiate bass fishing.
USC Union also recognized outstanding student-athletes for their performance and leadership. Hayden Williams was named Angler of the Year, while Gavin Underwood (baseball), Ariana Evans (softball), Travis Gosnell (golf), Pau Giménez (men’s soccer), Skyler Brown (women’s soccer), and Jileana Coreano (volleyball) each received Impact Player of the Year honors in their respective sports. Skyler Brown was further honored as Female Athlete of the Year for her leadership in both soccer and softball, while Joshua Jackson earned Male Athlete of the Year for his excellence on the baseball field and in the classroom.
In addition to student recognition, Kennedy Coffer received the Nursing Award for her dedication to healthcare and academic success. Bryson Dameron was honored with the Student Academic Success Center Leadership Award, and Robert Overton was recognized as Staff Member of the Year for his impact on student engagement and support services.
Faculty honors were also presented, with Dr. Dave Hudson named Adjunct Instructor of the Year for his commitment to student success in science education, and Tracy Stapleton recognized as Distinguished Teacher of the Year for her excellence in instruction and student engagement.
Adding to the campus’s list of distinguished educators, Steve Lownes, Associate Professor of World Languages and Campus Coordinator for the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning at USC Union, was named the 2025–26 recipient of the John J. Duffy Excellence in Teaching Award for Palmetto College Campuses. Lownes’ teaching philosophy emphasizes communication and cultural empathy, encouraging students to think critically and engage in interdisciplinary learning. His innovative approach blends language instruction with cultural studies and skills development, challenging students to examine global issues through diverse perspectives. The Duffy Award, established in 2009, annually recognizes outstanding faculty across Palmetto College campuses and underscores a shared commitment to academic excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Andrew Kettler, an assistant professor of History and Director of Institutional Research and Academic Affairs at USC Union was the recipient of the Denise R Shaw Excellence in Scholarship Award. This award focuses on sensory history, Atlantic societies, and the cultural dynamics of knowledge and power. Kettler has published widely, contributed to major scholarly conversations through conferences and editorial work, and continues to advance research in the field of history.
The evening served as a celebration of the hard work, perseverance, and achievements of the USC Union community, highlighting the campus’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and student success.
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