The 2026 Student Life Awards

On April 1, students, staff, faculty and community members celebrated how they contribute to student life on campus. 

Congratulations to all 2026 Student Life Awards nominees and recipients:

Onesimus Award

Awarded to students who have exemplified dedicated service to the well-being of Augustana Campus.

Nominees: Harmony Au, Ona Awogu, AC Capper, Evelyn Cheung, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Ben Dewey, Stephanie Ejezie, Emma French, Juan Garzon, Cinna Goonewardene, Ellen Greisiger, Princess Iloegbunam, Victor Jason-Nwachukwu, Ainsley Kruk, Cadence Kruk, Jesse Maeko, Olivia Marko, Michael McCarroll, Marcia Mochia, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Cooper Nelson, Halden Nicolajsen, Grace Oxamitny, Brook-Lyn Sherbo, Sydney Shirreff, Trinity Shpakowsky, Taylor Soroka, Devyn Waldie

Recipients: Evelyn Cheung, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Emma French, Cinna Goonewardene, Ellen Greisiger, Princess Iloegbunam, Ainsley Kruk, Jesse Maeko, Olivia Marko, Marcia Mochia, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Grace Oxamitny, Brook-Lyn Sherbo, Sydney Shirreff, Taylor Soroka, Devyn Waldie

Most Improved Club

Awarded to a club that has shown continuous hard work and growth throughout the year.

Nominees: Afro-Youth Club, Augustana Sustainability Club, Table Top Games Club

Recipient: Afro-Youth Club

Best Overall Club

Awarded to a club that has the largest presence on campus, engages with a large demographic of students and actively pursues collaborative programming efforts with the ASA, faculty, Camrose community and other groups on campus. 

Nominees: Augustana Chemistry Society; Biology Club; Law, Crime and Justice Club; Table Top Games Club

Recipient: Augustana Chemistry Society

 
ASA Student Recognition Award

Awarded to students who have demonstrated initiative and/or been involved in the Augustana community as a whole.

Nominees: Ona Awogu, Evelyn Cheung, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Ainsley Kruk, Cadence Kruk, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Elizabeth Nyenke-Wofuru, Taylor Soroka, Bea Sosa

Recipients: Ifunanya Chinwuba, Ainsley Kruk

Vikings Volunteer Coach of the Year

Awarded to an assistant coach who demonstrates excellence in their coaching ability, knowledge of the sport, ability to motivate the athletes they coach and high levels of sportsmanship.

Nominees: Ryan Galenza (MHKY), Craig Ferguson (NORD), Dan Johnson (MVB), Sam Nawrot (XCR), Sofia Ovcharenko (WSOC), Sarah Singular (WVB), Josie Zimmerman (CURL) 

Recipient: Josie Zimmerman

Vikings Coach of the Year

Awarded to a head coach who demonstrates excellence in their coaching ability, knowledge of the sport, ability to motivate the athletes they coach and high levels of sportsmanship.

Nominees: , Laura Brown, Steve Enright, Tim Green, Leigh Heie, Nate Kravetsky, Steve Lindberg, Marissa Lindquist, Josie Zimmerman

Recipient: Steve Enright

Betty Ostenrud Award

Awarded to both a member of the faculty and of the staff who have tirelessly given themselves to the benefit of students and the institution as a whole.

Nominees:

Faculty — Elizabeth McGinitie, Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Willow White

Staff — Samantha Christensen, Dylan Draker, Stephanie Ejezie, Anjola Fadayomi, Arlo Grundberg, David King, Marcia Mochia, Randal Nickel, Bea Sosa, Sydney Tancowny, Kyra Thompson, Sarah Tregonning

Recipients: 

Faculty — Willow White

Staff — Dylan Draker

Vikings Volunteer of the Year

Awarded to the on or off campus person or group who provides the greatest service to the Vikings athletics program over the course of the year. 

Nominees: Lara Birkill (MHKY), Dennis Sturrock (MVB), Litsa Tryphonopoulous (WSOC), Preston Wideman (MBB)

Recipient: Lara Birkill (MHKY)

Roger Epp Award

Awarded to students that have both contributed to the development of the campus community as well as stepped off-campus to become involved in community initiatives and programs. 

Nominees: Ona Awogu, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Stephanie Ejezie, Juan Garzon, Ellen Greisiger, Princess Iloegbunam, Ainsley Kruk, Cadence Kruk, Olivia Marko, Marcia Mochia, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Halden Nicolajsen, Grace Oxamitny, Sydney Shirreff, Taylor Soroka

Recipients: Mackenzie Mrazik, Halden Nicolajsen

Heather Huber Memorial Award

Awarded to a third or fourth-year student who has contributed greatly to the Augustana Students' Association by way of leadership in clubs, committees, councils, fine arts or athletics.

Nominees: Selena Arima, Ona Awogu, Adaeze Dike, Emma French, Ainsley Kruk, Princess Iloegbunam, Jesse Maeko, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Halden Nicolajsen, Sydney Shirreff, Taylor Soroka, Bea Sosa

Recipient: Halden Nicolajsen

Moncrieff Ford Sr. & Moncrieff Ford Jr. Memorial Award

Awarded to a student based on academic standing and demonstrated contributions to campus athletics through service to others as a teacher, coach, trainer or mentor.

Recipient: McKenzee Olsen

Team GPA Award

Awarded to the Vikings team with the highest combined GPA average from the Fall semester.

Recipient: Women's Basketball

Horseshoe Hero Award

Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in enhancing the student experience through campus recreation.

Nominees: Ona Awogu, Patrick Dunn, Ryan Jobs, Jaetta Chambers, Quinn Mcdonall, Sydney Sheriff, Ty Moore

Recipient: Patrick Dunn

Mike Kopach Employee Recognition Award

Awarded to non-academic staff employees from the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta in recognition and honour of contributions to the mission and values of the University. 

Nominees: Sam Christensen, Dave Ritz, Shane Day, Jayla Lindberg, Melissa Hande

Recipient: Sam Christensen

Rookie of the Year Award

Awarded to the most outstanding male and female student-athletes who utilize their first year of eligibility as a member of a Vikings Varsity team and exhibit tremendous athletic accomplishment in the current year, while also displaying leadership, great character and academic excellence.

Nominees:

Men's — Luke Erdman (MVB), Cody Jaman (MHKY), Jayden Rushema (MBB), Owen Sunderland (CURL)

Women's — Creedance Cuvelier (WSOC), Morgan Elaschuk (XCR + NORD), Kayley Gerlinsky (WVB)

Recipients: Luke Erdman (MVB), Morgan Elaschuk (XCR + NORD)

Athlete of the Year Award

Awarded to Vikings student-athletes who display outstanding athletic performance and accomplishments over the course of the season, and their leadership, character and academic success.

Nominees: 

Men's — Jayven Leslie (MHKY), Brett Marlow (MBB), Devon Nazarchuk (MVB)

Women's — Mackenzie Mrazik (WBB), Maya Pardeahtan (WSOC), Allyson Thain (NORDIC + XCR), Hadley Ziemmer (WVB)

Recipients: Devon Nazarchuk (MVB), Hadley Ziemmer (WVB)

Augustana Leadership Award

Awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding dedication and leadership to fellow students and to their community through involvement in student government, student associations, clubs, and/or organizations

Nominees: Selena Arima, Harmony Au, Ona Awogu, AC Capper, Jaetta Chambers, Evelyn Cheung, Ifunanya Chinwuba, Ben Dewey, Stephanie Ejezie, Emma French, Chloe Funnell, Juan Garzon, Cinna Goonewardene, Ellen Greisiger, Princess Iloegbunam, Victor Jason-Nwachukwu, Ainsley Kruk, Cadence Kruk, Jesse Maeko, Olivia Marko, Michael McCarroll, Marcia Mochia, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov, Cooper Nelson, Halden Nicolajsen, Grace Oxamitny, Brook-Lyn Sherbo, Sydney Shirreff, Trinity Shpakowsky, Taylor Soroka, Devyn Waldie

Recipients: Ona Awogu, Stephanie Ejezie, Mackenzie Mrazik, Miron Nekhoroshkov

Dean's Award for Leadership in Vikings Athletics

Awarded to a student-athlete who is considered a great athlete, but more importantly an outstanding leader and role model in the athletic, campus and Camrose communities.

Nominees: 

Men's —  Cooper Nelson (MBB), Conrad Philips (MHKY), Joel Smith (MVB)

Women's — Selena Arima (WSOC), Chloe Funnell (NORD + XCR), Lainey Granley (WVB), Mackenzie Mrazik (WBB)

Recipients: Joel Smith (MVB), Mackenzie Mrazik (WBB)