Maryville College Honors Student Leaders at Celebration of Student Achievement Ceremony 

On April 4, 2025, Maryville College hosted its annual Celebration of Student Achievement awards ceremony–an event that recognizes the leadership and work students have put in. The celebration was a recognition of dedication and growth. Maryville College students, faculty and guests gathered to celebrate the students receiving awards. 

This year’s award winners represented a wide variety of disciplines and identities, but they all have the means to make a difference in the Maryville College community. Among those honored, Kaylee Savell (‘25), Jewell West (‘25) and Abhilasha Ghosh (‘27) reflected on their awards and what it truly means to leave a legacy at Maryville College. 

For Savell, the awards and recognitions she received during the ceremony were signs that she has made a meaningful impact. 

“I think the biggest thing that it means to me to be awarded and/or nominated for these awards is that I’m leaving Maryville College at least a little bit better than when I found it,” said Savell. 

“I have truly grown so much here as a person and reaped the benefits of everything the small college and liberal arts experience have to offer. But receiving these awards, to me, feels like I have not only taken from the college but also been able to give back to it.”

Savell has dedicated her time across several campus roles such as serving as an Admissions Ambassador, where she represented Maryville College to prospective students and helped plan major campus events like Meet Maryville. Savell was awarded Ambassador of the Year.

“Being able to represent the college to prospective students has allowed me to connect with so many awesome future Scots and get to help them on their college search journey,” said Savell.

“It has been awesome to not only get to give tours and plan and execute major events like Meet Maryville, but also through this role to leave a lasting impact on the college and future generations of MC students.”

While working in Admissions, Savell also served as a Resident Assistant, a position that she says shaped her professional path and leadership under pressure. Savell was awarded the Resident Life Distinguished Service Award. 

“Overall, I would say Residence Life has prepared me for a career in law enforcement the most out of my on campus jobs because I have to enforce the college’s “laws” while also focusing on restorative practices, relationship building, and maintaining relationships even when I have to document a resident,” said Savell. 

In addition, Savell was also recognized with the Gina Benedict Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice Award, which honors a graduating senior who has exhibited academic excellence and dedication to criminal justice in and beyond the classroom. 

“I am truly so passionate about criminal justice reform and a more restorative approach to justice in America, and have spent the time restoring our criminal justice club, networking with criminal justice professionals, and gaining an internship in a federal agency in order to further my career goals and overall understanding of criminal justice,” said Savell. 

Not only did Savell receive three remarkable awards, she was also nominated for Most Outstanding Senior of the Year. Reflecting on her four years, Savell said she is most proud of the growth she has seen in others. 

“I think the biggest legacy we can have in our short four years here is the connections we make and the way we make people feel, so I try to be extra intentional about uplifting others and finding ways for people to take on roles that will grow them and make them more well rounded,” said Savell.

Also nominated for Most Outstanding Senior, Jewell West shared what it meant to her to receive the award. 

“To me, winning the Outstanding Senior Award means feeling validated in my approach to a liberal arts education. It also means a lot that I can make my family proud of my work here at the college,” said West. 

“Winning this award means that my efforts across campus, as big or small as they may be, are recognized and appreciated by those around me, which tells me that I’m taking my life in the right direction. I love my major and the work that I’ve done, and it means a lot that the college would want to invest in the things that I value.”

Throughout her time at Maryville College, West studied Environmental Science with a special interest in connecting students to state parks.

“I’ve helped build connections with local school systems and the college through my work for MC’s EPA-EE grant, and I’ve helped build a connection between MC’s students and State Parks, so that hopefully more students can pursue a career in environmental interpretation,” said West.

 “I’ve also helped out with events for Admissions to bring new students to MC, and I’ve helped with events to get MC’s new Downtown Center on the map here in Maryville.”

West showed appreciation for professors that have influenced her and helped her at Maryville College. She spoke highly of her academic mentors Dr. O’Gorman and Professor Schwarte.

“Several other professors have also been instrumental, but it was Professors O’Gorman and Schwarte that helped me build the confidence to find the work that I’m passionate about,” said West. 

“It was O’Gorman that pointed me in the direction of the opportunity to work through the college in Environmental Education, and it was Schwarte that pushed us all towards the deadlines. Professor Schwarte has been able to push me towards completing projects I didn’t think I was capable of, and Professor O’Gorman has supported me through every crazy idea that I’ve had.

I met some of my best friends through their co-taught ENV101 course, and I find it hard to imagine what my career at MC would have been like without their influence. Most of all, Professors O’Gorman and Schwarte have given me the chance to succeed to my fullest potential at Maryville, which I value more than words can express.”

After graduation, West plans to attend graduate school and pursue a Master’s in Appalachian Studies, though she does not have an exact timeline. 

“I love it so much that I’m currently looking into applying to a Master’s program for Appalachian Studies at either ETSU or Appalachian State,” said West. “I’m in no rush, but after that I want to be a Ranger for Tennessee State Parks. I connect with their mission statement, and love the work that Rangers get to do.”

Reflecting on her time at Maryville College, West shared one of her favorite memories. 

“I will always remember the several evenings I spent with my fellow EPA-EE members putting together our giant classroom-in-a-box totes for the EPA Environmental Education Grant. It was exhausting work, but I’m really happy that I got to be part of something that will (hopefully) last for several years. A huge thank you to the faculty of the Social Sciences Division for letting us take over the teacher’s lounge to store everything!”

Ghosh was also honored during the event with the Newman Civic Fellowship Award, a national recognition for students committed to creating change in their communities. 

“Winning the 2025 Newman Civic Fellowship Award is incredibly humbling and deeply meaningful to me. It feels like an affirmation of the work I’ve been doing—not just as a student, but as someone committed to justice, community, and positive change,” said Ghosh. 

“I’ve admired the Fellowship for a long time, and to now be recognized as part of this national network of civic-minded leaders is surreal. It reminds me that even small acts of service and advocacy can ripple outward and make a difference. This award is not just a recognition, it’s a responsibility—and one I’m honored to carry.”

Ghosh’s leadership on campus has included significant roles in student government, service, and advocacy-based organizations. She attributes most of her growth to the support and challenges of Maryville College. 

“I’ve been encouraged to lead with empathy, to listen deeply and to center community in everything I do. The faculty and staff here have pushed me to think critically and act intentionally, and my peers have inspired me every day with their own work and resilience. Maryville hasn’t just shaped my approach—it’s helped me find my voice,” said Ghosh.

Ghosh emphasized that humility is key to the kind of leadership she strives to practice. She says that “true civic leadership comes from those who are willing to listen, to admit when they don’t know something, and to center the needs of the community over personal gain.”

Her future goals reflect the same commitment to service and empowerment she holds now, wanting to give people voices and influence and maintaining humility. 

“I hope to become a political science professor, using education as a tool for empowerment and long-term change,” said Ghosh. “I want to help students understand the systems around them, find their voices and recognize their power to influence those systems.”

As the Celebration of Student Achievement came to an end, it was clear that the ceremony was more than awards but about students who lead with heart, dedication and persistence. These students challenge systems and serve their peers, making a difference at Maryville College. 

Savell, West and Ghosh are just a few students who represent what it means to be engaged and committed to the Maryville College experience.