The University of Toledo
04/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2026 07:14
Tower of Excellence Awards Celebrate 6 Seniors
Tower of Excellence Awards Celebrate 6 Seniors
April 16, 2026 | News, UToday, Alumni, Business and Innovation, Engineering, Health and Human Services, Honors, Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
By Kirk Baird
The University of Toledo recognized upcoming graduates who are leaving a mark on campus through their leadership, academic excellence and community service with the Tower of Excellence Awards on Tuesday, April 14.
The Tower of Excellence is awarded annually to students who embody the spirit of UToledo.
The 2025-26 Tower of Excellence Awardees are, from left to right, Alia Beseiso, Iryna Snahoshchenko, James "Trip" Floyd III, Ashton Widenhoefer, Shawn Monteiro and Colin Kinnersley.
"The Tower of Excellence Award represents the very best of what it means to be a Rocket," said Dr. Mitchell S. McKinney, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "These outstanding students have not only demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, they also have dedicated themselves to leading, serving and elevating our campus community.
"We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to the remarkable impact they will continue to have."
The 2025-2026 Tower of Excellence awardees are:
• Colin Kinnersley, graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology
• Iryna Snahoshchenko, graduating with a bachelor's degree in data science and economics
• Ashton Widenhoefer, graduating with a bachelor's degree in nursing
• Shawn Monteiro, graduating with a bachelor's degree in bioengineering
• James "Trip" Floyd III, graduating with a bachelor's degree in media communications
• Alia Beseiso, graduating with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering
Tower of Excellence Award nominations were solicited in January and February, with students who qualified with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and plans to graduate in 2026 invited to then complete an application.
Winners were selected by a committee of faculty and staff.
The Donald S. Parks Student Organization Awards, recognizing outstanding students, student organizations and student-organized events that have positively contributed to the campus community, were announced at the same ceremony.
Parks Student Organization Awards are named in honor of the late Donald S. Parks, who served as dean of students for more than two decades beginning in 1950.
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