![Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Retention & Services Jill Gerloff delivers the opening speech at her final NGWSD dinner before her retirement. “I love all of my athletes and my women's teams always show up for me, and I want to make sure that I can do something to show up for them,” Gerloff said. [File photo]](https://therambler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OpeningSpeaker_Gerloff-1200x800.jpg)
Texas Wesleyan held their annual Award’s Day on Tuesday, April 7, celebrating the excellence of students this past academic year.
A total of 70 awards and an estimated $15,000 were presented to students across three schools—Education, Business, and Arts and Sciences—according to Texas Wesleyan officials. Martin Hall bustled with excitement as friends and family gathered to cheer on recipients.
“I love awards day. It’s like the Oscars of Texas Wesleyan,” said Stacia Campbell, associate professor of English, who acted as one of the emcees for the ceremony. “They’ve worked so hard, and they bring their family members. We seem to have more family members this year than in the past.”
One proud family in the crowd, Maria and Victor Gonzales, watched their daughter, Nataly Gonzales win three awards for her excellence in criminal justice and sociology studies—the most awards received by any student.
“It’s a monumental feeling,” Maria Gonzales said. “So immense—that at times you can’t even find the words to describe it.”
Her father, with tears in his eyes, echoed his pride for their daughter.
“I’m very happy and proud more than anything. Because since she was little, she has always put so much effort into it,” Victor Gonzales said. “She is a huge source of pride for us.”
Beyond pride, this moment represented victory for the graduating senior Nataly Gonzales.
“I think it’s the perfect bow to wrap up my college career,” Nataly Gonzales said. “I think this really does define everything that I’ve done here at Texas Wesleyan and all the achievements that I’ve accomplished.”
The ceremony also honored excellence among Texas Wesleyan’s graduate programs. Master of Education in Administration student Summer Hughes said receiving the Outstanding Master of Education Award provided validation.
“It’s just a reminder of what a powerful impact teachers and good professors have on you,” Hughes said. “I realize how many amazing educators I’ve had in my life that have helped me get to this point.”
Chair and professor of theater arts Joe Brown expressed how he hopes that Awards Day will remain a staple in Texas Wesleyan tradition. He wants the ceremony to expand rather than shorten.
“If we can’t celebrate our students for an hour once a year, that’s sad,” Brown said.
Campbell agrees, saying that it’s a special day for the students and their families.
“Watching our students succeed is our greatest joy,” Campbell said. “And this is a day that recognizes that.
Editor’s note: Some interviews in this story were translated from Spanish to English for reader clarity.
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President Messer kicks off the ceremony by congratulating the awardees and welcoming the parents.
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The crowd of student awardees and their family members applaud as the ceremony begins.
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Stacia Campbell, associate professor of English, Rose Braziel, founder of Hope-4-Kids, and Christopher Ohan, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (left to right), pose for a selfie at the end of Awards Day.
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Senior business major Jeline Rivera and junior English and mass communication major Kehinde Hopkins inducted two new students into Golden Shears—a prestigious society that recognizes students who contribute to student life through leadership and academic excellence.
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Stacia Campbell and Joe “Pro Joe” Brown celebrate another successful Awards Day before Pro Joe’s retirement.
