Fifty-three President鈥檚 Award recipients joined honorees recognized for citizenship
and campus distinction
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� Academic excellence at 麻豆直播 was measured not
only in grades on Tuesday, April 21, but also in perseverance, service, leadership
and the responsibilities students carry beyond the classroom.
The University celebrated its 2026 Academic Honors Convocation in David H. Bradford
Hall鈥檚 Carl H. Smith Auditorium, recognizing students whose achievements reflect the
ceremony鈥檚 theme, 鈥淭horobreds Leading with Impact.鈥�
Dr. Michael D. Dailey, provost and vice president for the Division of Academic and
Student Affairs, served as emcee for the program, which included academic honor roll
recipients, Dean鈥檚 List students, departmental award recipients, scholarship students,
honor society members and 53 students who received the President鈥檚 Awards for earning
4.0 GPAs.
President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo presented the awards to the University鈥檚 top academic
honorees, a group that included three seniors, 16 juniors, 11 sophomores, and 23 freshmen.
In recognizing the students, Dr. Akakpo framed the honor as a tribute to the discipline
behind a perfect GPA and the perseverance required to succeed through demanding classes
while balancing relationships, internships, jobs, goals, and other responsibilities
that often remain unseen.
鈥淭he President鈥檚 Awards honors our remarkable students who have earned 4.0 GPAs,鈥�
Dr. Akakpo said. 鈥淭his award symbolizes your perseverance and dedication to your education.鈥�
Dr. Akakpo also told the honorees that the work ethic behind their academic success
would continue to serve them well beyond the classroom, helping them overcome challenges
and make strides in their careers, relationships and passions.
鈥淵ou are brilliant, you are resilient, and you are incredible,鈥� Dr. Akakpo said. 鈥淵our
perseverance and work ethic will serve you for the rest of your life.鈥�
Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson presented the Mayor鈥檚 Citizenship Award to Mugisha
Donatien, recognizing his service, leadership and contributions to campus and community
life. Donatien is a senior business administration major with a concentration in management
who serves as senior class president and as drum major of the Mighty Marching Thorobreds.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, by way of Lusaka, Zambia, Donatien is also a touring
artist professionally known as DripDaDon. In his student leadership role, he represents
the graduating class in University and community initiatives, leads class programming
and works with students, faculty, administrators, alumni and external partners to
strengthen engagement, school spirit and service.鈥�
In reflecting on the award, Donatien said the honor represented more than individual
recognition.
鈥淭his is not just a reflection of what has been done, but a reminder of the responsibility
ahead,鈥� Donatien said. 鈥淭o serve greater. To lead stronger. And to continue building
something that will outlast all of us.鈥�
That connection between achievement and responsibility carried through remarks from
Jade McCargo, a junior agriculture, food and environment major with a concentration
in agricultural business and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society.
McCargo spoke about persistence, purpose, and the growth that often happens outside
public view.
鈥淚n my eyes, excellence is not about just being able to add another club or organization
to my resume; it鈥檚 about persevering even when it seemed like there was no light at
the end of the tunnel,鈥� McCargo said.
She also reminded honorees that success is measured by impact as well as achievement.
鈥淭hrough my leadership, service, and community, I鈥檝e learned that success isn鈥檛 just
about what you achieve but how and who you impact along the way,鈥� McCargo said. 鈥淲e
aren鈥檛 just students in a classroom; we are the next generation, leaders, advocates,
change makers, and voices that deserve to be heard.鈥�
Regent Matthew Grimshaw served as Convocation speaker, bringing both personal reflection
and professional perspective to the occasion. Grimshaw joined CHI Saint Joseph Health
as market president in December 2024 after serving as CEO of Trinity Health System
since 2017, and his career includes more than 15 years in leadership roles across
Catholic hospitals.
During his remarks, Grimshaw encouraged students to pair ambition with humility, referencing
the leadership concept of being 鈥渉umbitious,鈥� a term associated with Amer Kaissi,
author of 鈥淗umbitious: The Power of Low-Ego, High-Drive Leadership.鈥� Grimshaw used
the idea to urge students to keep striving while remaining grounded in service, gratitude
and purpose.
Following his remarks, Grimshaw was welcomed as an honorary member of Omicron Delta
Kappa through the 麻豆直播 circle. The national honor society recognizes
students and leaders who embody the ideals of scholarship, service, integrity, character
and fellowship.
The convocation also included greetings from Student Regent and Student Government
Association President Cheyenne Rushing, as well as a welcome from De鈥橪auryn Thomas,
the 96th Miss 麻豆直播, and Robert Dorsey III, the 32nd Mister Kentucky
State University.
Music helped frame the celebration, with the University Choir, directed by Mario J.
Radford 鈥�14, presenting 鈥淢y Soul鈥檚 Been Anchored.鈥� Essence Kimbrough, a junior social
work major, served as soloist.
Academic deans Dr. Marcus Bernard, Dr. David Shabazz, and Dr. Chi Shen recognized
students across the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; the College
of Arts and Sciences; and the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology. Students
affiliated with the 1890 Scholarship Program, Psi Chi International Honor Society
in Psychology, Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society and the Whitney Young
Honors Collegium also were recognized.
As he closed the ceremony, Dr. Dailey emphasized that the day reflected more than
grades and awards. It also honored the habits, character and support systems that
help students grow into scholars and leaders.
鈥淭oday, we have celebrated more than academic achievement 鈥� we have recognized perseverance,
purpose, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the Thorobred spirit,鈥� Dr. Dailey
said. 鈥淭o our honorees, your accomplishments represent not only what you have achieved,
but who you are becoming as scholars and leaders.鈥�
The ceremony concluded with the 麻豆直播 Alma Mater, led by Mr. Radford
and the choir.
