Two University of Richmond seniors receive David Evans Award

The University of Richmond School of Arts and Sciences has selected seniors Laura Murray and Jennimarie Swegan as the 2015 winners of the David Evans Award for Achievement in Scholarship and the Creative Arts.

Murray, of Newark, DE, and Swegan of Wexford, Pa., received their awards at the University's annual Honors Convocation April 17. Faculty nominate students for the David Evans Award.

Murray, a double major in biochemistry and molecular biology and in Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies, received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship.

“I have not mentored a better prepared student than Laura. She has a rare combination of strong motivation, perfect academic record, unquenchable thirst for learning, exceptional work ethic and a great pair of hands in the laboratory,” said assistant professor of biology and biochemistry Eugene Wu in his recommendation letter nominating Murray for this award.

“I am deeply honored to receive the David Evans Award,” Murray said. “The scholarly perspective that I have become immersed in and have come to identity myself with would not have been possible without the outstanding and dedicated mentors that I have had the privilege to work with. I am excited to tackle graduate school knowing that I am armed with the outstanding and rigorous education with which Richmond has equipped me.”

Swegan, a music and English double major, received awards for both Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship and Outstanding Achievement in Creative Arts.

“It is rare to encounter a student whose artistic merit matches her scholarly achievement. Rarer still is the student who combines such accomplishment with the qualities of leadership, service and collegial generosity,” said Music Department Chair Jeffrey Riehl of Swegan in his recommendation letter.

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