University Honors Program (UHP) staff wish to extend sincere congratulations to the University Honors Program graduating class of 2026! This cohort worked hard to achieve its goals at NC State, and UHP staff wish everyone the very best of luck in their future endeavors.

Recognizing Cade Brady

Special recognition goes to Cade Brady, Honors student, Park Scholar and Goldwater Scholar, for speaking on behalf-of and in encouragement of his peers during the Completion Ceremony for Honors and Scholars Program graduates on Tuesday night, May 5.  

Cade is a graduating senior in Chemistry, with minors in Anthropology and Teamwork in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research. Throughout his time at NC State, he has distinguished himself not only through academic excellence, but through a genuine commitment to bridging disciplines—bringing together science, collaboration, and human understanding in meaningful ways. He is especially passionate about strengthening public trust in science and making complex scientific ideas more accessible to broader communities. That commitment is reflected in both his academic path and his vision for the future. 

Blanton Awards

For these reasons among others, during the UHP’s completion ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, Brady was also awarded a Richard L. Blanton Outstanding Capstone Award, which recognizes an exceptional Honors independent signature project and encourages the highest levels of undergraduate scholarship and research at NC State. Brady joined Reece Brown and John Miller on stage to receive their Blanton Awards as they were all recognized for their exceptional scholarship. Allison Martinko was also a recipient this semester, but was unable to attend the ceremony. Each student will be awarded $500 for their accomplishment.

Cade Brady was recognized for his independence in chemistry research. He designed a novel strategy to functionalize terpene precursors, bridging organic synthesis and protein engineering. His work offers more efficient routes for cancer treatment compounds and has been presented at national conferences. Brady is currently preparing a first-author publication. He was endorsed by Dr. Gavin Williams from the Department of Chemistry. 

Endorsed by Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose, who runs the Comparative Anatomy and Functional Morphology Research Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences, Reece Brown served as Lab Manager for a groundbreaking anatomical study. As lead author, he directed a large team and oversaw hundreds of hours of data collection. His rigorous scholarship is currently under revision at a leading journal. Brown’s leadership and precision significantly elevated his lab’s research output.

Allison Martinko was recognized for her work in early Alzheimer’s disease detection. She moved beyond an assistant role to shape research design, specifically examining how exercise affects memory in cognitively impaired adults. Martinko’s commitment to ethical, participant-centered research and scientific rigor exemplifies the highest standards of undergraduate scholarship. She was endorsed by Dr. Shevaun Neupert from the Department of Psychology. 

Endorsed by Dr. Mette Olufsen, Director of the Cardiovascular Dynamics Research Group, John Miller double majored in Mathematics and Biology and is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. His capstone focuses on mathematical modeling for cardiovascular “digital twins,” or highly personalized virtual replicas of an individual’s heart and vascular system created using artificial intelligence, medical imaging and real-time sensor data. Digital twins allow doctors to non-invasively simulate how a patient’s cardiovascular system will react to different diseases, medications or surgical interventions. John has driven technical development within a multi-level research group, bridging theory and application. His work is being finalized for submission to top biomedical engineering journals.

Honorable Mentions

An unprecedented number of graduates were nominated for Blanton Awards this semester, which led to the first selection of “Honorable Mentions” the UHP has designated in a long time. Nathan Hall, Erin Monteith, Connor Moore, Pushkar Sai and Kaya Shimer all received Honorable Mentions for their scholarship in this way and will each be awarded $250 for their recognition.

Alex Miller Outstanding Scholar Award

The Alex Miller Outstanding Scholar Award recognizes graduating Honors and Scholars Program participants that have exhibited significant commitments to the University Honors Program community and its students. Miller Award winners are students who have had a real impact on their community, and leave it better than they originally found it. Caroline Boger, Kira Britt and Chloé Sharpe were recognized for the spring 2026 semester for their various contributions to the UHP and NC State communities, and each student will be awarded $500 for this accomplishment.

Caroline Boger was honored for her exceptional leadership and academic achievement. Ranked in the top 5% of her cohort, her mentor describes her as a “once-in-a-career” scholar who transforms knowledge into action. As a UHP Fellow, she energized classrooms and mentored peers beyond standard coursework. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA in Psychology, Caroline contributed to interdisciplinary research and presented at major conferences. Her collaborative spirit and intellectual curiosity make her a true role model.

Kira Britt was recognized for her creativity and deep engagement. She consistently exceeded expectations, notably producing an original digital comic that blended critical analysis with art. Beyond her standout coursework, Kira has been a dedicated community builder since her freshman year, participating in study abroad and mentoring peers. Her dedication to lifelong learning and cultural exploration has left a lasting mark on the Honors community.

Chloé Sharpe was honored for her leadership and inclusivity. A driving force behind the UHP and Honors Village’s Rooted in Raleigh summer bridge program, she mentored dozens of incoming students over three years and fostered a strong sense of belonging within each cohort. Her work spans agricultural research, community programming, and student outreach. Sharpe’s ability to apply knowledge in meaningful ways has shaped her into a passionate advocate and collaborative leader.

This May’s Blanton and Miller Award recipients represent just a small fraction of the exceptional students that complete the University Honors Program every semester.   

Graduating Honors Program Students

Per the requirements of the University Honors Program, the following students have completed six hours of HON Seminars, six additional hours of approved advanced Honors coursework, two semesters of Honors Forum, three high impact experiences and a senior digital portfolio, all the while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher:

Per the requirements of the University Honors Program as they stood at the time of these students’ admittance (prior to fall 2022), the following students have completed six hours of HON Seminars, six additional hours of approved advanced Honors coursework, one semester of Honors Forum and a senior capstone project or digital portfolio, all the while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher:

• Ethan Sumner Fonseca Jones
• Lauren Elizabeth Schulte-Hock

Per the requirements of the University Scholars Program as they stood at the time of these students’ admittance (prior to Fall 2022), the following students have completed 12 hours of approved advanced coursework, three semesters of Forum and a minimum of three high impact experiences, all while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher:

• Keegan Walter Bader
• Lauren Amelia Dunlap
• Katherine Elizabeth Finan
• Hanna Blair McCormick
• Stephanie Marie Ortiz
• Sonia Therese Pereira
• Ekaterina V. Vysotskaya

UHP staff could not agree more with student speaker Cade Brady’s final wishes for his Honors and Scholars peers during the senior completion ceremony: “Don’t let that voice in the back of your head be the reason you don’t try. Or, as a mentor once told me: don’t let yourself be the one who tells you ‘no.’ And if you can’t believe in yourself yet, that’s okay. Borrow that belief. Let someone else hold it for you, nurture it, until one day, it takes root and becomes your own.” 

Stay curious, keep trying, and believe in yourselves, UHP!